Which lens to hire?

[mark_farrell]

I'm off on holiday to Cornwall in a couple of weeks, and whilst permission to buy a new lens has been denied, I'm allowed to hire one (or two...)

So, the lens I was considering buying is the 17-40L, although I'd also considered the Sigma 12-24, but wasn't sure if a) I need it so wide, or b) I could manage without filters. The flip side is, I wasn't sure if the 17-40 was wide enough...

So basically, I'm after a wide angle lens for a 5DMkII - would it be worth hiring both, or hire one (which one) and / or...

Also, I'd quite like a new macro lens, so was thinking of hiring the 180mm Canon offering, as I'd quite like to shoot little scared things that run / fly away.

I suspect I'll be doing plenty walking, but also visiting the Eden Project and various NT properties, so I'll certainly get the use out of the macro, but as that's a lower buying priority than a UWA, what would you do. I can only hire one, maybe two of the three, and am most likely in the near future to buy one of the UWAs. However, the eden project will probably give me some very good opportunities to use the macro, even if it's just hiring for hiring's sake...

 

[501cards]

You should get chance to play with a 100 Macro at Eden so I would go with that one,

As for the UWA, Hiring both is overkill really, I was in the situation of having the 17-40L and the Sigma 15-30 EX, I posted a thread on here asking for comments on which to keep.

In the end I sold the 17-40L and kept the Sigma, the Sigma just seemed to produce "Better Images" - and the extra 2mm did make a difference, The 12-24 gets similar reviews to the 15-30 Nice lens well built bit soft in the corners, but you get used to no filters, and overall iamge is superb.

If I were you I would hire the Sigma 12-24 try and and see what you think, If all else fails and you hate it you can try a 17-40 on a future trip sometime. I bet you will come back not wanting to give up the 12-24

 

[mark_farrell]

Thanks for your help. I was thinking of going for the Sigma. That way I can work out if most of my photos are wider than 17mm, then purchase accordingly. With a bit of saving, the 14mm L MkII wouldn't be inconceivable if I liked the width, but found the sigma too soft.

I already have a Tamron Adaptall2 SP 90mm Macro, I was just interested in the differences with using a longer focal length macro. It would be interesting to see quality differences too...