Lens Choice

canonbabie

canonbabie

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Richard
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Hi,

Would appreciate some help on choosing a lens.

I have no preference to what I shoot just for Quality in the end result.

Going in circles with reviews on certain ones so I have narrowed it down to these.

Canon.
LSeries 17-40-24-70-24-105IS

I know first two have no IS but do they need it,and the 28 is heavy and will that be a problem when carrying and shooting.

Any help would be appreciated thanks in anticipation:thumbs:

I will be buying the new 70-300 white bodied lens when it comes out so the other is to compliment that.

Had thought about the 28-300 WB lens for a one lens solution but that would be large and heavy so gave up on that.

I use a 7D Body.
 
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The 28-300 would not give you quality. Yes, it's an L-series, but it's not meant to have quality rivalling the shorter zooms - it's a one lens reportage package. I've noticed them most in use by photographers in war zones (particularly middle east) where they need sturdy, wide-range, etc.

The 17-40 doesn't really need IS I find. However, that's not to say other people won't find that it does for what they need. Generally reviews tend to say the 16-35 is only worthwhile if you NEED F2.8, otherwise results between the two lenses are broadly similar.

I have the 24-105 and like it a lot, but it's not a perfect lens. Neither is the 24-70 (I guess is what you were referring to, rather than its predecessor the 28-70). Both have image quality flaws (24-70 has field curvature and longitudinal CA, 24-105 has heavy vignetting and distortion at wide end).

You've not stated what it is you're using these lenses for. If you're in a studio then you might be better off with some primes?
 
Thanks for reply looking for a quality lens to shoot anything up to 70 where the 70-300 would take over,if that makes any sense.

Regards.
 
Why not get a 15-85? It's EF-S, goes from almost ultrawide and then gives you a nice 15mm overlap of your 70-300. It also has IS.

You could get a 24-70, but 24 isn't very wide on crop, nor is 24-105. You could get a 17-40, but it will give you a gap between 40 and 70.
 
trencheel303 said:
Why not get a 15-85? It's EF-S, goes from almost ultrawide and then gives you a nice 15mm overlap of your 70-300. It also has IS.

You could get a 24-70, but 24 isn't very wide on crop, nor is 24-105. You could get a 17-40, but it will give you a gap between 40 and 70.
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Looked at this lens not sure about Build quality ,reviews not very good either.

Nothings easy is it??

Regards
 
All the reviews I have read suggest that it's a great lens. Obviously it's not going to have stellar L build quality but unless you plan to use it in harsh conditions it should be enough.
 
The EF-S 15-85 is an utterly stellar lens and build is top notch. Not sure why you think its had negative reviews, all I've seen rave about the IQ, its nearly as good as the EF-S 17-55.
 
canonbabie said:
I know first two have no IS but do they need it
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IS is great for getting hand held shots of static objects in low light (indoors/later at night) or blurring motion in good light where you need a slow shutter speeds. I was getting good crisp handheld shots yesterday of a fountain at 1/8th second shutter speeds with my 24-105.

Personally, I think the 3-4 stops of IS is far more useful than the 1 stop of extra light from the f2.8 in all cases EXCEPT where you are trying to freeze action. Most of my photography is of fairly static scenery/objects so IS is pretty essential for creativity for me.

I have to say that I'd consider 24mm as a tad too limiting on an APS-C sized sensor too. What about the non-L 17-55 EF-S. OK< not L branded, but nera enough as good as, with IS and f2.8 too. OK, you don't have anything from 55-70 then but I never found that limiting on a crop body when I only had a 18-55kit + 70-200F4....
 
arad85 said:
Personally, I think the 3-4 stops of IS is far more useful than the 1 stop of extra light from the f2.8 in all cases EXCEPT where you are trying to freeze action. Most of my photography is of fairly static scenery/objects so IS is pretty essential for creativity for me.
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Agreed... really wish my 17-40 had IS.
 
trencheel303 said:
Agreed... really wish my 17-40 had IS.
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Just as an example, here is a 100% crop of a handheld 1/8th second photo taken with the 24-105 set at 50mm. I only took the one at this speed, and the lichen on the stone behind the water is sharp enough for me :) Try doing that without a tripod on a non-IS lens ;)


IMG_5463.jpg by arad85, on Flickr
 
odd jim said:
The EF-S 15-85 is an utterly stellar lens and build is top notch. Not sure why you think its had negative reviews, all I've seen rave about the IQ, its nearly as good as the EF-S 17-55.
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Thanks Odd Jim,

I decide to buy the EFS 17-55 IS, as luck would have it Wilkinsons at Kendal had one in stock (£689.00).

Thanks Everyone for the suggestions.

Regards
 
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canonbabie said:
Thanks Odd Jim,

I decide to buy the EFS 17-55 IS, as luck would have it Wilkinsons at Kendal had one in stock (£689.00).

Thanks Everyone for the suggestions.

Regards
Click to expand...
Good choice. Looking at one of those myself for the crop sensor camera :)
 
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