Give me lens/equipment suggestions

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

06/04/2005 09:45:46 PM · #1

I need some advice. I have just received a big chunk of backpay from work, a big part of which I had already earmarked for some new lenses/equipment.

I am still doing research on all sorts of lenses and stuff and would like to see what YOU would suggest as being good quality purchases.

Here is what I have right now for lenses:
Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (selling shortly once I decide on its replacement).

As it now stands, I mostly do outdoor shoots and prefer working with available light as much as possible. This means that I'm mostly looking for lenses that are f/4 or faster. I am also a jack of all trades: I shoot anything and everything. So I need lenses that give me some lattitude. I also have more use for zoom lenses rather than fixed focal lengths.

So go ahead, suggest anything, from consumer grade lenses to professional glass as long as you are serious about it. Help me decide.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

06/04/2005 09:51:49 PM · #2

Well, the 17-40L or 16-35L spring to mind... choice just depends on whether the extra 1mm and f/2.8 is worth over double the price.
I'd also suggest you look at the Canon 15/2.8 fish. On a 1.6 crop cam it's not that fishy, and in fact it's a really sharp and very versatile lens. I'd enjoy some competition, LOL.

nicklevy

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/04/2005 10:03:46 PM · #3

Well, you already cover hell of a range with your zoom range. Having that equipment, I'd prefer to invest my money in primes, probably starting with a good macro lens like the sigma 105mm macro. If you really like zoom better and want to work with availlable light, then I think I'd go for a 24-70mm f/2.8L (It also depend how much you want to spend) it cover the hole between your kit lens and the 70-200.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/04/2005 10:05:34 PM · #4

I picked up the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR DI today... and I think I'm in love. ;O)

Seriously, check it out...or the Sigma 24-70...unless $$$ is no object and then by all means go for the Canon 24-70 L glass. :o)

Prof_Fate

06/04/2005 11:17:27 PM · #5

Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC for under $500 (just barely). a good replacement for the kit lens - same range and excellent results (not the best at 2.8 at 18mm, but at f4 will beat the canon 17-40 at f4 in most people's opinions and you get more range and more speed when you need it)

Try a 12-24/10-22 type very wide angle. I did not investigate them too far, and speed is not their top priority. I was leaning toward the tamron 11-18 for a bit more range...but i still want faster.

Got a flash? (metz 54 MZ4 and a lightsphere 2)
Got studio strobes? (alien bees or white lightnings)

yeah yeah, available light. If you provide the light, then it is available!

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

06/04/2005 11:22:27 PM · #6

hmm i would probably ditch the 300 and the 70-200 f/4 for the 70-200 2.8 non-IS and a 1.4 extender that'll give you up to 280mm max with a reasonable f/4...not too shabby. that'll be like 1100 for the f/2.8 version and then 280 ish for the extender...dont bother with the 2x extender, some people dont like the resulting image quality from using the 2x.

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

06/04/2005 11:24:08 PM · #7

add either a 24-70 or a 17-40 and you'll be pretty set. if you have the money, keep it L

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

06/04/2005 11:30:43 PM · #8

trade your 300mm for a faster 300 2.8 and get a 1.4x and a 2.0x teleconverters. 420mm at F4 and 600mm at F5.6!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

06/04/2005 11:43:00 PM · #9

How much money are we talking about? I'd go with the 17-40mm f/4L definitely, plus a 50mm f/1.4

coolhar

06/04/2005 11:57:24 PM · #10

I'm like you Beagleboy. I prefer shooting outdoors in available light. I use the Tamron 28-75 that Laurie mentioned for the short end. It really is as good as they say. Check what other dpc'ers have done with it here: Highest Rated Challenge Photographs Taken with Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

If you've really got a lot of money to play with -- this is my dream lens for outdoor available light shooting: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM Autofocus

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/05/2005 01:02:10 AM · #11

If you didn't get tons of money or need to spread it out a bit

I use the Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x Teleconvertor on my 70-200mm 4/L and it is nice and sharp. I got mine for $150.00 new on ebay.

For my Wide angle stuff (kit lens replacement) I use Tamron SP AF 17-35mm 2.8-4 XR Di LD... Tamrons SP Glass is a treat to work with, sharp as a tack and way less than the Canon 17-40mm.

In the middle I use a EF 50mm 1.8 MKII.

I don't really miss the 35-50 or the 50-70 that I don't have covered and for fun I threw the 17-35mm on the TC and it worked quite well. The only thing I don't have covered is Macro but I believe one of the 50mm Primes does macro.

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

06/05/2005 01:35:04 AM · #12

Here are some that I would look at if I had a little windfall. They are in no particular order and would serve a variety of purposes.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens ($1,500)
Look at the SPEED of this lens! L-Prime sharpness, razor thin DOF, magnificent bokeh.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Zoom Lens ($800)
I would love ultra-wide focal lengths in this zoom. Wish it were faster.

Canon MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Lens ($825)
Now this is a macro! It is manual focus, but shoots small objects from 1X to 5X lifesize. The manufacturer's description says you can fill the frame with a grain of rice!

Have fun!

DanSig

06/05/2005 05:38:36 AM · #13

those are some nice lenses that has been suggested, but the sigma 50-500 might be a good choice too :)

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/05/2005 06:21:00 AM · #14

Originally posted by art-inept:

hmm i would probably ditch the 300 and the 70-200 f/4 for the 70-200 2.8 non-IS and a 1.4 extender that'll give you up to 280mm max with a reasonable f/4...not

The 70-200/2.8L IS with 1.4 TC is nowhere NEAR the quality of the 300 fixed.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/05/2005 12:46:00 PM · #15

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Does anyone else have any opinions?

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/05/2005 12:55:30 PM · #16

You can also get the 100mm 2.8 macro from canon. I love this lens
Canon 100mm 2.8 macro on dpchallenge

J_Ehrat

Canon EOS-5D

06/05/2005 01:04:52 PM · #17

I have just gone thru the same situation you are facing....I know it's hell. Looking at what you have I would say replace your kit lens with Canon 24-70L or a little cheaper route 17-40L f/4 and the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX with Macro. You could get both of these for around $1,000. Also consider a 100mm Canon or 105mm Sigma Macro lens...they will definately open you up to another world.

Oh ya and a 50mm f/1.8 prime is a great lens and it's only around $80...

Message edited by author 2005-06-05 13:11:52.

06/10/2005 10:47:12 PM · #18

Well, I've been racking my brains trying to make up my mind on what to buy and have come up with the two following possible scenarios for my purchases to add on to my Canon 70-200 f/4 L and my Canon 300mm f/4 L IS:

Choice 1
Photoshop CS2 upgrade
Tokina 12-24 f/4
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Canon 50mm f1.8
Sigma 105 f/2.8 macro
Canon Extender EF 1.4x II

Choice 2
Photoshop CS2 upgrade
Tokina 12-24 f/4
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Canon 50mm f1.8
Canon 20D body
BG-E2 battery grip
Sell Digital Rebel w/ battery grip, remote and 18-55mm kit lens

I am stuck between these two choices. The first offers me an extra lens (Sigma 105 macro) and the Canon 1.4x extender. The second one substitutes my Digital Rebel for the 20D with battery grip. What to do, what do, what to do? Both choices would come out roughly to the same cost. I know people keep saying that investing in good lenses is more important than investing in the camera body, but the 20D is lookin' some sexy.

What would you do?

J_Ehrat

Canon EOS-5D

06/10/2005 11:02:26 PM · #19

Or...instead upgrade to the Rebel XT AND get the Macro lens for about the same price. The only major difference in the 2 is .2 megapixels, one higher ISO and shutter setting, a couple extra foucus points and a Kelvin white balance settings. The grip is smaller on the XT, but a battery grip will solve that. I know...I know don't confuse you anymore..sorry just my 2 cents....

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/10/2005 11:03:24 PM · #20

Its a no brainer for me....#2.

aplomb76

Canon EOS-1D Mark IIn

06/10/2005 11:11:01 PM · #21

Originally posted by kirbic:

I'm not much competition, but I'm in the race.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

06/10/2005 11:53:12 PM · #22

Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:

Its a no brainer for me....#2.

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

06/11/2005 12:18:01 AM · #23

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by art-inept:
hmm i would probably ditch the 300 and the 70-200 f/4 for the 70-200 2.8 non-IS and a 1.4 extender that'll give you up to 280mm max with a reasonable f/4...not

The 70-200/2.8L IS with 1.4 TC is nowhere NEAR the quality of the 300 fixed.

that's true, i've been reading about the 300 f/4 IS more lately and it seems to be a really good lens. but the 70-200 just gives you that versatility you might need, and add the 1.4 just for decoration