Cant decide on a lens, need advice

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Lilbear

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So I decided to treat myself to a canon 5d mark iii and I can only afford one lens to go with it at the moment, so the decision isn't easy.

If u had the choice which of those two choices would u pick and why???

Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens
or
Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM Lens

I am just a hobby photographer but really would love to start learning how to shoot pictures more professionally in the near future and atm im looking for a lens that is good for dog photography (love action shots !! but also portraits) and general family portraits and having a toddler in the house she is my most favourite photo subject atm in all kind of situations (outdoor play, indoor play, portraits, going out to places like zoos, aquariums etc) :D

I will be honest and admit im not as clued up about lenses as others are but I know some stuff what to look out for. I noticed the 1st choice doesn't have IS, would that affect the quality of the pictures in a negative way?

Also if u have a better recommendation I would love to know :)
 
The whole concept is changeable lenses.. you wont find one that fits all..

the 70-200 perfect for dog action photos.. not so perfect for round the house shooting your daughter... can be used for portraits but not ideal

The 24-70 great for most of what you list but no so much the dog action photos..

i would choose the 70-200 and get a small cheap prime for the other stuff :)
 
I was thinking about getting the 70-200 + a smaller lens but they all cost quite a bit of money and it will take me a while to save up again after the main expense lol ;)

Is the tamron just as good as the canon?
 
I'd go for the 24-70mm because I'd use that focal range more than 70-200mm.

I don't think there's anything wrong with just having the one lens, years ago that was the norm :D

Personally though, I'd probably go for a 50mm f1.4 or possibly a 50mm macro as I like more compact gear and personally I find a DSLR+BIG lens a bit too much.
 
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Is the 80mm F1.8 a L lens? Would it fit the 5d mark iii?
The guy in the shop said only the L lenses will fit the 5d mark iii, only the ones with a red ring ??
 
Lilbear said:
The guy in the shop said only the L lenses will fit the 5d mark iii, only the ones with a red ring ??
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Then don't go back to that shop ever again for advice because he's talking out of his poop shoot.

Any EF (not EF-S though) fit lens will work fine on the mk3.....you don't even have to buy Canon lenses, as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina all make some very good quality lenses that will work fully on the mk3.
 
Lilbear said:
Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens
or
Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM Lens

im looking for a lens that is good for dog photography (love action shots !! but also portraits) and general family portraits and having a toddler in the house :)
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Which of the 2 scenarios do you think you'll be shooting most often in the early stages - this might help you with the decision as to which lens to go for...

Have you thought about / can you afford to get the 24-105IS L with the body (Kit lens) - if so, you could get this and the 70-200 F2.8IS ?

Have you thought about the new 24-70 F4 lens ?

An alternative for indoors is a prime lens - the 50mm F1.4 is an good option on a full frame body...
 
Lilbear said:
The guy in the shop said only the L lenses will fit the 5d mark iii, only the ones with a red ring ??
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No any of Canon's EF range will fit the body as it's a full frame (EF-s lenses won't fit) - perhaps he was meaning he'd only recommend the L series lenses to get the best out of the 5d Mk III :shrug: although there are other lenses that will fit and work very well...

Whatever you decide, enjoy your purchase
 
If you'd like to buy 2 lenses and you have the budget for a 70-200 f2.8 IS MkII then consider the 70-200 f4 IS. Half the price and unless you absolutely need f2.8 you won't feel that you've lost out by buying it as its a great lens. Spend the rest on a short prime or zoom.
 
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What about the 24-105L F4.0 - its not perfect for low light, but its cheaper than the 70-200 f2.8 II (which i have and is brilliant) but the 24-105 is excellent for close quarter photography plus a little distance, as long as you have the light (or can generate some)
 
I'm shocked at the disregard for the the tamron's...

You could buy both zooms, then if you wanted to You could sell and buy both L lenses in the future when cash opens up and if you feel you need the L glass...

...this wouldn't even have any compromises...
 
As suggested 3rd party lenses will be cheaper for similar results/spec.

I prefer primes but on a limited budget you may be best going for the 70-200mm zoom & picking up a cheaper wide prime in your situation.
 
Phil Young said:
I'm shocked at the disregard for the the tamron's...

You could buy both zooms, then if you wanted to You could sell and buy both L lenses in the future when cash opens up and if you feel you need the L glass...

...this wouldn't even have any compromises...
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You and your Tamrons Phil, they got you on commision yet ;)

Just to back him up, I recently got the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 VC and have to say I have been very impressed with it. I even got to use it at a wedding I was at over the weekend. :plus1: for this lens
 
Bar snobbing 3rd party brands I just don't understand it - Tamron have released a couole of amazing lenses there which would be in budget and instead there's a bunch of compromising advice given...

Sorry for the bluntness folks but seriously worth considering OP.
 
My 24-105 F4 is on my 5D3 most of the time. Perhaps not as fast as the other options but the range is perfect for me.
 
I'd get both the lenses you mention above but I'd buy them 2nd hand (non IS for the 70/200 and I'd go for the F4 version, up the Iso the 5D3 will handle that easily). The 24/70 mk2 is hugely expensive for what it is, as is the 70/200 f4. Start out with either a new 50 1.8 or 85 1.8 prime, decide where its not working and buy the zooms later. The 85 will be a bit short for the dog stuff but both lenses have nice fast apertures at silly cheap money.
 
The guy in the shop really said that but he gave me the impression as though he wanted to make a good sale rather than give good advice :shrug:
Well, im glad I know better now because that gives me a lot more options to consider !! :)

I really would like to own both of the 2 choices I gave though but can afford only one atm so I am tending towards getting the 70-200 first (as atm I have a 17-55 and I struggle with the zoom as my daughter is so fast outside and always runs further away from the camera than I would like and I just cant zoom in close enough and end up running after her rather than concentrating on taking a good picture lol) and I might be able to squeeze in a small cheaper lens to use in the house for general family pictures.
Yes, I had a look at the 50mm 1.4 ... is that one any good to use in the house and is the picture quality quite good too?

I also had a look at the tamron lenses and I quite like the sound of them too so might look into them as a second lens to keep me going to give me time to save up for the canon 24-70.

I have also considered buying second hand but people want still a good bit of money for them even though they are used and so im not sure if its really worth it buying second hand.
 
70-200 all day long. The 24-70 is not an ideal portrait lens at all imho. It'll do the job, especially in a tight spot. But the longer focal length produces a more pleasing rendition of the human face.
 
Phil Young said:
Bar snobbing 3rd party brands I just don't understand it - Tamron have released a couole of amazing lenses there which would be in budget and instead there's a bunch of compromising advice given...

Sorry for the bluntness folks but seriously worth considering OP.
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How well do the Tamrons focus in low light?
 
Phil Young said:
I'm shocked at the disregard for the the tamron's...

You could buy both zooms, then if you wanted to You could sell and buy both L lenses in the future when cash opens up and if you feel you need the L glass...

...this wouldn't even have any compromises...
Click to expand...

I have a mate who has the Tamron 70-200 and he thinks its good value for money but the build quality can't compete with the Canon and the push pull focus ring to switch to manual focus is just plain odd as he says it defocuses the image quite often when he uses it.

Also buying then selling the Tamrons to get L series lenses can't be the best way of spending your money IMHO. If the OP wants an L series he's better off buying once if he has the budget available.
 
Gaz J said:
I have a mate who has the Tamron 70-200 and he thinks its good value for money but the build quality can't compete with the Canon and the push pull focus ring to switch to manual focus is just plain odd as he says it defocuses the image quite often when he uses it.
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I think Phil is talking about the VC version which doesnt have the push/pull focus switch and is much better built, even includes weathersealing.

Gaz J said:
Also buying then selling the Tamrons to get L series lenses can't be the best way of spending your money IMHO. If the OP wants an L series he's better off buying once if he has the budget available.
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However the OP may find that they dont want to upgrade to the "L" lens after trying the Tamron, I know I dont. Various reports put it on a par with the Canon, apart from at the very long end and even then there isnt much in it
 
Gaz J said:
I have a mate who has the Tamron 70-200 and he thinks its good value for money but the build quality can't compete with the Canon and the push pull focus ring to switch to manual focus is just plain odd as he says it defocuses the image quite often when he uses it.

Also buying then selling the Tamrons to get L series lenses can't be the best way of spending your money IMHO. If the OP wants an L series he's better off buying once if he has the budget available.
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Sounds like your mate has the wrong lens...

The 70-200mm VC is as good for build quality and has full time manual focus...

By the look of things from the digital picture, the IS2 has slightly sharper at 200mm and a bit better in the corners (slightly) but it's such a small difference to be spending that much money on if you can't easily afford the L lens...
 
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