What to get as backup for Canon 24-105mm f4

mark1616

mark1616

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I shoot with 5DmkII's at weddings and I'm trying to work out how best to cover the 24-105 if it goes down. I had, until last weekend, a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 but when playing with it again recently wasn't at all happy with the AF even in good light. Sometimes in front, sometimes behind, sometimes fine..... no good at a wedding.

I do have a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 and also Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 which can be used on my 7D but I would like to keep my options up in full frame.

The thoughts I've had so far are

-Get another 24-105mm f4
-Get a Canon 17-40mm f4 as the wide end is the only thing I don't have covered in FF lenses (have 50mm f1.4, 70-200mm f2.8 etc)
-Get a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
-Get some sort of wide(ish) prime.
-Something else.

I would love to know what people have done who are working with similar kit (you might have a 24-70 rather than the 24-105) as I really don't know how best to invest. I'm don't have much spare cash (read that as very little) but also want to be able to give great results if something goes down.
 
In terms of a backup lens in case of emergencies, a 50mm would do you just fine. If you need a wide-angle group shot, move back! The 24-70mm is a wedding pro favourite, which when you think about it is quite a narrow range of focal lengths. The 50mm sits right in the middle and will do you if your main lens dies :)

A.
 
I think as a back up, the 28-135 IS isnt a bad shout, and you cant go wrong with a 17-40 F4L, giving you more than justn a back up lens
 
Mine is the Tamron 28-75 but I would like a 17-40
 
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Do lenses actually die without physical abuse? I could see AF or IS/OS/VR quitting on me, but you can do without either. A backup camera yes, backup lens, not so sure, but then I'm not a pro....
 
What about if the aperture rings stick?
A drunk relative spills a pint all over the lens? Remember, drunk people at weddings is a very common occurance
 
Thanks all. Anyone using a Tamron 28-75 with a 5DmkII for this sort of use, would be interested in seeing some examples and hearing thoughts.

Flats said:
Do lenses actually die without physical abuse? I could see AF or IS/OS/VR quitting on me, but you can do without either. A backup camera yes, backup lens, not so sure, but then I'm not a pro....
Click to expand...

They sure can, after all, they are electronic and mechanical so things can give up working or as pointed out below they can get damaged. I wouldn't shoot without a backup of everything I need to work with (body, flash, lenses, memory etc), if I can't deliver the product the way the client expects I'm not working diligently.

MJ Stebbings said:
What about if the aperture rings stick?
A drunk relative spills a pint all over the lens? Remember, drunk people at weddings is a very common occurance
Click to expand...

I had the 24-105 pack up on my last year during a wedding so used the 7D with 17-70 for wide stuff. Wasn't an issue but just looking for the solution sticking FF.

The 17-40mm f4 really interests me but I'm not sure about sharpness on the 5DmkII, anyone help out with that, especially in the corners?
 
mark1616 said:
The 17-40mm f4 really interests me but I'm not sure about sharpness on the 5DmkII, anyone help out with that, especially in the corners?
Click to expand...
You're better off at f5.6 to get good corners. It get sharp fairly quickly with just the real, real edge being a bit out of focus at 17mm....

Only a few I could find at f4/f5.6 with meaningful details out to the edge/corner. They are 6+Mbyte files mind...

f4

http://www.arad85.co.uk/hosted/talkp/_8439.jpg

f5.6

http://www.arad85.co.uk/hosted/talkp/_7556.jpg
 
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Ooops... double post
 
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