Recommend me a lens for Canon 5D MKII?

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Koukouvaya

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Jack
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Hi All

Recently acquired this Canon Eos and am now looking to buy a versatile lens for portraiture and 'general uses' - such as street photography and so on. So nothing too specialised!

I have something in the range of £400-700 to spend and am hoping to get your advice on which models to be looking at (Assuming EF?), there is a hell of a lot of choice here..

Many thanks in advance! :)
 
I agree - the 24-70 F2.8L is a smashing lens, but good luck finding one secondhand for £700. If you can stretch your budget a little, you won't be disappointed.

Neil
 
24-105 f4L. Doesn't have the f2.8 bit it is more versatile as it has IS.... Cue the naysayers, but in all but DoF, the 24-105 is the better general purpose lens on the 5D2.
 
Hi 70mm is fine for portrates try the 70 200mm f/4 IS very versatile lens and gives the extra reach,


And a chance to experiment a bit more with the kit,

I use 70 200mm 2.8 IS all the time,

Well most of the time since buying the 100 mm Is I have changed tack on portrate.



Merc
 
I've had both the 24-70L and the 24-105L (x2).

I sold my first 24-105L to get the 24-70L.

24-70L

Pros: f2.8

Cons: Heavier, Shorter focal range (less than 3x zoom) (70mm not great for portraits on FF), No IS, More expensive

I later sold the 24-70L and have since bought another 24-105L

Pros: Cheaper, Lighter, longer focal length (4x zoom)(H&S portraits are much better at 105mm than 70mm), IS,

Cons: f4 (not such a biggy as with the 5DMk2 you can take the ISO up by a stop)

You pay your money and takes your chance!
 
I'll agree with Ed above. I rented a 24-70 whilst my 24-105 was away for repair and missed the extra reach.
 
Agreed with above. I rented a 24-70 and although it's a great lens I found myself wanting that extra reach. So I recently bought the 24-105 and love it.
 
Any thoughts on the 85mm 1.8. Thats only £200-£250 and is supposedly a great portrait lens.
Its what im getting for my studio work.

I also have the 24-105 and its a top, top lens for walkabout and outdoor weddings.
 
i would also say that for general portraiture 24-70 is a little short. it is very, very good optically and has great colour/contrast rendition.

a 70-200 f4 (or 2.8 non is if you're lucky and pick up one for a good price) might be worth considering.

if portraiture is your main focus how about a 85mm prime? Canon do f1.8 and Sigma do a rather splendid f1.4 version. i have the Sigma 85 and it's a really nice length on a full frame body. Great for portraits with just super bokeh - even at f4.

i guess for general purpose though, my 70-200 f2.8 wins hands down. a great lens, bit big and heavy but you won't be disappointed.
 
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Motogp said:
:agree: I got one of these a week ago and I love it. Fantastic everyday walk around lens.
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I agree, perfect walkabout lens I've used the 24-70mm and missed the extra reach. Also the 24-105 is a tad cheaper :)
 
cuthbert said:
i guess for general purpose though, my 70-200 f2.8 wins hands down. a great lens, bit big and heavy but you won't be disappointed.
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I don't see how a 70-200 f2.8 is a good "general use'' lens, waaay too long at the wide end, also where do you get one for 700 quid?

I'm sure the 24-105 would be much more useful to the OP.
 
Jackwow said:
I don't see how a 70-200 f2.8 is a good "general use'' lens, waaay too long at the wide end, also where do you get one for 700 quid?

I'm sure the 24-105 would be much more useful to the OP.
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Depends what you call general.. I only had a 70-200 at one point, just meant I had to stand back :D
 
I'd go with the 24-105 and when funds allow add a 17-40

The 24-105 is great for general use, covering everything from wide angle for your landscapes and up past 80 and 100 for Portraiture.

The 17-40 takes over for superwide and gives you just that bit extra, it also has a nicer colour rendition than the 24-105 being slightly more vibrant.
 
If funds allow, I'd go with the 24-105, a great walkabout lump of glass.
 
Koukouvaya said:
Thank you for the wisdom all, it is appreciated. I think I'm leaning towards the 24-105, as I am a man of simple needs :)

Now to spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to source one cheaply...
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Good choice :thumbs:

Cheapest prices here http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod31.html but if you email Kerso (see trade section) he will probably beat these by a useful amount. Recommended trader, brand new, fully warranted.

PS Ask him about a 'white box' version, which is broken out of a 5D2 kit. If he has one, it might be cheaper still.
 
I have both the 24-70 and the 70-200, and have used both for portrait photography with great results, but as a walkaround lens, I would say the 24-70 is more versatile.

Having said that, if you are only looking at one lens for the time being, I would suggest that the 24-105 may give you a little more flexibility. I haven't used one myself, as if I want the longer reach I simply swap lenses, but it gets good reports and should suit your needs quite well.
 
HoppyUK said:
Good choice :thumbs:

Cheapest prices here http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod31.html but if you email Kerso (see trade section) he will probably beat these by a useful amount. Recommended trader, brand new, fully warranted.

PS Ask him about a 'white box' version, which is broken out of a 5D2 kit. If he has one, it might be cheaper still.
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I dropped him a line just now, thanks much for the advice. White box seems like a great idea to me!

one other thing - what is everybody's verdict on second hand lenses from refutable sellers?
 
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Not sure if I'm allowed to say this (if not, please let me know and I'll delete it) but I'm going to switch to primes and my mint, three-month old 24-105 will be for sale as soon as I find a 35L and 135L.
 
Hi Jack, I've got it in the classifieds asking for a swap and I'd like to give that another day or so. If there's no takers I'll put it up for straight sale.
 
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