Canon's 'L' glass

Depends entirely what lens you're talking about, but by and large all L glass is fantastic. Plenty of non-L glass is great too (85 1.8, 100 f/2, 100 f/2.8 Macro, 17-55 IS f/2.8 (not an L because it's EF-S and all L lenses are full frame).

Also for the most part it's a lot more than 'slightly more expensive', usually it's at least double.

Compared to the Samyang glass you shoot, for the most part the equivalent lenses match or better the Samyang, with the addition of better build quality and autofocus.
 
L grade lenses are the best optically, though quite a few non-L lenses are as good, or very nearly so. The other thing, that quite possibly accounts for much of the extra cost, is the build quality. They're more robust, built for every day professional use, and many have weather sealing, circular aperture blades etc. They hold their value well, too.

Whether they're worth the extra or not is up to you. I have L lenses, but I was also very happy with EF-S lenses when I had a 40D outfit. There are no L-grade EF-S lenses, and nothing to match to spec of the 10-22, 17-55, 15-85 - all excellent.
 
In my experience, the "slightly more expensive" L lenses, for example the 17-40 aren't that great optically. Put one of those on your 5D and you can see it's shortcomings, although it's a good lens on the EF-S bodies.

The 24-105 and 70-200 f/4 IS on the other hand are very very good, beautifully sharp.
 
I agree with most of the comments above. Whether you can afford them is probably more the question.

But as said there are many very sharp EF-S lenses out there.
 
J4MIE_P said:
I agree with most of the comments above. Whether you can afford them is probably more the question.
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Well the OP has an L lens in his kit bag so it seems he can.... But can't decide if its worth it perhaps?
 
I've got the 17-55 and 70-200 f4 IS with my 60d and I have to say the 70-200 is just stunning. It's AF, colours, contrast and sharpness just keep making me go wow. I love it. Better than the 17-55 I'd say.
 
L lenses have a certain pop to the colour as well. However, as said there are also EF-S lenses which are almost, if not as good. They just won't get a L rating as they cant be used on full frame cameras.

I have to agree about the comment on the EF-S 15-85. Bought one for my lad's 600D and it's a great lens. The 70-200 F4 blows any of the 70-300's away, the 70-200 f2.8 is just another step away from that even.
 
Think it might depend on what you're end product is going to be, if you have shoot in rain then the L weather proofing will be useful, if many of your images are grainy black and white it won't matter to much, I have a few L lenses but my sharpest is my ef 85mm 1.8.
 
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Just about to take the plunge for a s/h L series zoom. Unsure whether 70-200mm F2.8 or F4 and also much difference IS Mark 1 or 2?
 
Sometimes the extra outlay doesn't relate directly in terms of quality - for example- I used to have the 85 1.8 and eventually upgrade to the 85 1.2mk2 - whilst the 1.2 is an incredible lens - I would never say it is worth the extra £1000+ over the 1.8 - but the 1.8 does set a pretty high standard.
 
^^ It does relate in terms of glass their though as there's a hell of a lot of expensive glass in the 85 f/1.2 and it takes a hell of a lot of incredible optics work to get a usable 85 f/1.2 without going over £2000. There aren't really any lenses on any system that compete with the 85 f/1.2 for shallow depth of field and its legendary dreaminess, which I think justifies the price.
 
I have spent hours trawling the web for alternatives and although it seems reviews and comparisons always tell you the price difference isn't worth it I always have it in the back of my mind that I should of saved up for longer to get the better option. The L lenses are bombproof buildquality compared to some cheaper alternatives.
 
ferret1981 said:
I have spent hours trawling the web for alternatives and although it seems reviews and comparisons always tell you the price difference isn't worth it I always have it in the back of my mind that I should of saved up for longer to get the better option. The L lenses are bombproof buildquality compared to some cheaper alternatives.
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I imagine you're right, might hold out for the Mk2 F2.8 then and treasure it for years to come:)
 
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