I want a L series lens, or do I?

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srodgers87

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Stuart
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Been into photography for a long time, and I loved travelling the world snapping the sights of these countries. Anyway covid stopped my travels and I lost that passion for photography as ive not travelled since.

I took my first trip in ages and ended up going to Zimbabwe and wow what a country. So many beautiful landscapes, animals and sights to photograph. As it was my brothers wedding at the same time I ended up becoming a non official photographer for him and my hunger for photography came back.

I have 2 lenses which are both the standard kits lenses and that was the first time I realised Im missing a lens from my kit. Im missing a lenses that can cover 50mm to 80mm as my kit lenses are 18-55mm and 70-300mm. I was always either not close enough or too far away depending on the lenses I used and it was annoying me.
Also I was a little disappoint with some of my photos too, due to them been hazy and not as sharp as I was expecting, but that is probably 100% my errors with settings and getting a few things wrong with the exposure triangle etc...
Ive decided I need to upgrade my kit a little bit and also fill that void in my lesnes. Ive been looking and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.4 L II USM or the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L II USM which from what I gather is the most used lens for photographers on Canon?

Ive been looking on the 2nd hand market as I cant justify the brand new price, and I can get some good deals around the 600 mark for these (I think). Reading the description from a reputable website they list the lens as excellent condition with minor body wear, but also mentions minor dust and moisture. The moisture is something that is of a concern to me and is putting up red flags on whether to buy or not? The website says this isnt an issues and not noticeable on images. I also believe this lens is a oldish lenses and is a 2013 modal or from around that times.
As ive never owned a L series lens I want to make sure im spending my money wisely.
The age of the lens - are they still good lenses even 13/14 years later?
Is the dust and moisture something to worry?
Is this a lens people recommend too?
Or should I look at other brands like Sigma etc....?

I have also been looking at lens hire too before I buy to make sure im combatable shooting with that lens

Love to hear some peoples advise as im excited again to start snapping photos.

EDIT - Should say im shooting on a Canon 90d
 
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I'd probably just look at MPB or Wex for used - I've always had good experiences with those. Generally, if you pay a bit extra for a 'like new' or 'excellent' you generally get a lens in great condition... and if there are problems, they are quickly sorted.

Both those lenses you list are excellent all rounders. I'd be happy with either, I'd prob edge towards the 24-70, but it depends on what other lenses you have... the extra reach and f4 might be better for you.
 
From your current kit, I’d guess you’re shooting an APSC camera. In which case, the 24-70 is just the ‘wrong’ lens. It’s not an L but the 17-55 2.8 is just as good and that’s the standard lens to buy for a crop camera.

Age means nothing, I used an original 70-200 2.8L up till last year with no issues, it was ‘old’ when I bought it in about 2005 :D

But you should look into the condition, the 17-55 could be almost 20 yrs old by now, but it makes no difference if the condition is ok
 
cuthbert said:
I'd probably just look at MPB or Wex for used - I've always had good experiences with those. Generally, if you pay a bit extra for a 'like new' or 'excellent' you generally get a lens in great condition... and if there are problems, they are quickly sorted.

Both those lenses you list are excellent all rounders. I'd be happy with either, I'd prob edge towards the 24-70, but it depends on what other lenses you have... the extra reach and f4 might be better for you.
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Yeah im on WEX now and there is a mint condition lens that im eyeing up hahaha
These are my current lenses
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS II Lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens

Thanks for the advise

Phil V said:
From your current kit, I’d guess you’re shooting an APSC camera. In which case, the 24-70 is just the ‘wrong’ lens. It’s not an L but the 17-55 2.8 is just as good and that’s the standard lens to buy for a crop camera.

Age means nothing, I used an original 70-200 2.8L up till last year with no issues, it was ‘old’ when I bought it in about 2005 :D

But you should look into the condition, the 17-55 could be almost 20 yrs old by now, but it makes no difference if the condition is ok
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Sorry I should have said what camera I had, Might help haha. Im on a Canon 90d.
I currently have a 18-55mm and it does 95% of my work, but Id love just that extra zoom when needed. I was on safari and the car was bouncing all over the place and swapping lenses was smoothing i didnt really want to do so trying to shoot animal was just very tricky. I get this is probably a one off situation for me as Im more a landscape and architecture person.

edit - Ive googled why you think its a bad, lens for my camera and I totally forgot that an APSC crops and multiplies the zoom. Hmm....?
 
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If you’re planning to shoot wildlife in the future, a 100-400L or a Sigma 150-600 would be my pick alongside the 17-55 2.8.

But genuinely if you want something versatile, you don’t want a ‘better’ lens, they tend to be less ‘zoomy’, the 18-135 would do you favours re lens swapping.

Although I do have strong opinions about not swapping lenses, as it’s the whole point of getting an interchangeable lens camera. But then I’ve largely had 2 camera bodies since 1983
 
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Don't buy a 24-105L (of either version) to go on a crop body camera, it's not stella, and even the mk2 version didn't improve enough to warrant the price hike.

In addition to Phil's recommendation I would add the 15-85 f3.5-5.6 IS USM, not as fast but highly recommended.

Another plus is that if you have a good lens giving you sharper images to start with you can crop more and still have nice images.

HTH

David
 
No, I don't think you do. I used to like the 24-105f4L, when I shot full frame. On a cropped sensor, I liked the 17-40f4L, but if you are feeling the there is a gap between your existing lenses, I don't feel like that is the lens for you. It maybe worth looking at the 55-250 Canon lens if the gap is a concern, it is a bit better than the 75-300 in general, but obviously not has less range.
 
When I had APS-C Canon the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 really impressed me and was the lens that made me think that a lens can be too sharp for close up pictures of your girlfriend. I believe Sigma did a very similar 18-50mm f2.8.

These lenses seem to be readily available at reasonable prices.

Good luck choosing.
 
Phil V said:
The only L lens I found disappointing

And I’ve owned half a dozen ish. As a std lens the 17-55 is a ton sharper and more usable than the 17-40.
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I also found it disappointing on full frame.
 
I thought this would be a simple buy, simple fit and shoot away haha.

Thanks for the advice all. A simple mistake of forgetting I have an APSC sensor has definitely thrown me of in what to buy.
Also after a quick googling this morning I see many manufacturers have moved towards mirrorless lenses now and it all used market that it's pulling up
 
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I'm running an R7 and use the Canon EF16-35f4 L, which I've been impressed with. The only downside is the relatively short zoom range (topping out at about 50mm FF)
 
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