Which Canon lens next?

Harlequin565

Harlequin565

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Ian
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I am after a new lens!

Currently have a 50D with a Sigma 10-20, 50mm f1.8, 24-105L and a cheap siggy 70-300. My general thing at the moment, seems to be to save for a long time, then get what I want, so I have patience. I know the 24-105 has a good resale, so I may sell that in the future, but for now it's an excellent workhorse.

However, the 24-105 is not quite wide enough and I find myself continually swapping between it and the Sigma - especially when out and about doing landscape and architecture stuff. It's the 17-30 range I seem to be missing, and looking at my historic shots, this is where I shoot a lot, hence the reason for lens swapping.

I've been saving for a 17-40L and now almost have around £500 which means I can look second hand. Then I saw a classified 16-35 Mk1 go for just over £500. Then I thought about what I've read saying the 17-55 f2.8 is a cracking lens.

I'm not in a rush to buy this, and am happy to save up. Would also consider a 20/24/28mm prime and working with my feet if it's worth it.

£500 in the kitty at the moment.

So...

Do I go:

17-40L (probably new from Kerso when I have enough)
16-35L (probably wait until I see a 2nd hand Mark I going for £500-700)
17-55 (obviously more saving as there aren't any second hand ones I can find)
Prime lens of some sort.

I'm really interested in what people think of the quality of the lenses. I get the feeling I'll want to upgrade from the 17-40, whereas the 16-35 should do me forever. Especially if I decide to go full frame at some point (probably a few years down the line).

Also, the build quality of the 17-55 worries me. I had two kit lenses literally fall apart on me, and have always shied away from anything that looks like a kit lens. Daft probably, but I need convincing!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ian.
 
Harlequin565 said:
I am after a new lens!

...... and architecture stuff.

Ian.
Click to expand...

For architectural images maybe you should be looking at one of the Canon TS-E lenses; a fair bit more expensive but the used market may assist you here.

For general landscapes the 17-40 is excellent but with the crop factor of your 50D, maybe you should look at the Canon EF-S 10-22 or the Sigma 10-20.

HTH
 
When searching to see what lens creates good results i usually go to flickr, groups and type in the lens and see what pops up!
 
Ahh i will give you another contender, how about a 17-35 f2.8 L, one fantastic lens as sharp as a Razor and sells used for around £400 to £500
 
I have just recently purchased the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and it is an amazing lens. The build quality may not be like that of an 'L' lens but I highly doubt it will fall apart. It seems like it is built a lot better than the 18-55mm IS kit lens, and better than any of the cheaper IS USM lenses. The optical quality according to reviews exceeds the 17-40 L and is as good as the other more expensive 'L' lenses. Also, the 17-55mm focal range is good for a crop sensor.....the other option is you get the 16-35mm L + 24-70 L but that will obviously cost a lot more and is 2 lenses instead of just 1. I personally think the 17-55 is a 2 birds with 1 stone as long as you can live without the red ring and the 'L' build.

Edit: Also, I picked up a used 17-55mm for around £500 so they are definitely obtainable second hand as people upgrade to full frame.
 
For landscape/architecture with wide angles, do you really need an f/2.8 lens? The first thing you're going to do is stop it down to > f/8 (at least) to get everything in focus?
 
I'm very impressed with the results from my 17-40 L

If you take architectural photography seriously you'll probably be looking for a TS-E lens and full-frame body at some point.
 
raider2727 said:
Ahh i will give you another contender, how about a 17-35 f2.8 L, one fantastic lens as sharp as a Razor and sells used for around £400 to £500
Click to expand...

Shhhhh...people will get wise to them!! So many of these around at the moment, and they don't sell as people are put off by the age.

I'm waiting for my next invoice to come in then i'm getting one!
 
jamesb84 said:
Shhhhh...people will get wise to them!! So many of these around at the moment, and they don't sell as people are put off by the age.

I'm waiting for my next invoice to come in then i'm getting one!
Click to expand...

When i was a Canon man it was the lens i used most, gave me the best landscapes and interior shots and was sharper than my 70-200 F2.8L.

Get one enjoy it and think of the saving over the less sharp and slightly wobbly 16-35
 
Jim.R said:
For landscape/architecture with wide angles, do you really need an f/2.8 lens? The first thing you're going to do is stop it down to > f/8 (at least) to get everything in focus?
Click to expand...

In a word yes.
Outside on a sunny day looking at the hills stop down to f16, bung on a tripod and ND filter take it up to f22 lovely but a bit boring.

Try taking a f4 into a building or shady back alley where you cant use flash and f2.8 is a life saver.
Creative pics with pin point focus on things like a clock tower at f2.8 make's landscapes and architecture and interiors just different more creative and do able in low light.
 
When I had my 40D I used to have my 16-35 almost 70% of the time. It's nice for landscape (although the 10-22 works better in a crop frame IMO) and nice for portrait at 35. Now that I have a 5D, my 24-105 is almost 90% of the time engaged.
 
Thanks ever so much for the links and opinions. I know opinions differ, but getting everyone's helps me make a better judgement.

17-35 f2.8L eh? Not seen that one but will have a look.

Again - many thanks for the replies!

Ian.
 
You currently have enough for the 17-40 f/4L from Kerso, I got his price last night and it is just below £500 you just need an extra £9 for the postage.

I'm trying to make the same decision at the moment, 17-40 or 16-35. I think I will end up F/2.8 and the 16-35, everything else I have is and I'm sort of used to that. I have a birthday coming up so I will see how much cash I have after that and it will be one or the other.
 
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