Canon 50mm F1.2L or 24-70 F2.8L - DPChallenge Forums

08/16/2010 11:59:24 PM · #1

Hello. I'm trying to decided which lens would be best for me. I want to buy a quality L series lens and i know these two are the best. I want the best lens that I can use for normal general use/ group/ full body lens. So what do you guys recommend I invest in since i don't plan on buying another one for a while? I already have a 70-200L that i use for potraits/headtoshoulder. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks.

Hugo

smardaz

08/17/2010 12:10:50 AM · #2

well i am no expert and i dont own either lens (so maybe i should just keep my mouth shut) but i would think that since you want to do group/full body shots the 24-70 would be more useful

keone

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/17/2010 01:08:22 AM · #3

I have used both and love them but have to say that the 24-70 is much more useful/versatile. The 85 1.2 is great if all you want to shoot is studio portraits and don't mind moving around alot vs zooming. For the money you would spend on the 85 1.2, I would get the 24-70 and the 85 1.8 which is still pretty sharp.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/17/2010 01:30:31 AM · #4

Thanks keone but I'm talking about the 50mm F1.2L not the 85mm F1.2L.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

08/17/2010 03:31:12 AM · #5

You already have the 50mm f/1.4, so I'd say the 50mm f/1.2L is somewhat superfluous.

I used one a little bit and while it is slightly sharper and slightly more contrasty wide open, the difference is almost negligible.

Seeing as you are using a 50D and a 400D, I'd actually probably recommend a slightly different path.

I'd probably say look at putting the cash into an older 5D I and sell the 400D. Then you could look at the 24-70 f/2.8 and you won't look back.

Otherwise, 24-70 is kind of a strange focal length for APS-C. Not all that wide when it comes to group shots, but not at all bad for full body shots.

You would then have the 50mm f/1.4, 24-70 and 70-200 f/4 for the 5D and a couple of medium level lenses for APS-C using the 50D as a backup cam...

It wouldn't cost all that much extra. If you couldn't manage it all at once, you could wait on the 24-70 and rely on the 28-135 on your 50D for a while.

You could then look to the next step of ditching those cheaper lenses and picking up a couple other nice primes like a 30mm f/1.4 or 20mm or 85 f/1.8.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

08/17/2010 08:43:27 AM · #6

photokina's in 5 weeks-ish ... i'd wait to see what Canon announces in terms of new stuff first.

08/17/2010 02:36:54 PM · #7

Thanks...Know where to get a good decent priced used Canon 5D?

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/17/2010 05:47:57 PM · #8

Hello guys. Just ordered my Canon 5D. So I decided to get Full Frame camera instead of the lense. Let's see how that works out.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

08/17/2010 05:59:51 PM · #9

Originally posted by hugo_sm:

Hello guys. Just ordered my Canon 5D. So I decided to get Full Frame camera instead of the lense. Let's see how that works out.

I'll be listening with interest..

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/17/2010 06:14:12 PM · #10

Originally posted by hugo_sm:

Hello guys. Just ordered my Canon 5D. So I decided to get Full Frame camera instead of the lense. Let's see how that works out.

The 50mm f/1.4 is an excellent lens. The 70-200mm f/4L is beyond excellent, it's benchmark, along with its f/2.8L sibling. the EFS lens won't work with the 5D. The 28-135mm will disappoint, eventually.

I would feel an immediate need to get wide, and would spring for the 16-35mm f/2.8L if I could afford it, or the 17-40mm f/4L (which I currently own) if I couldn't.

If you're not into wide, your obvious economy choice is the 24-105mm f/4L, or if you can afford the extra cost, the superlative 24-70mm f/2.8L.

R.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/17/2010 06:15:42 PM · #11

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by hugo_sm:
Hello guys. Just ordered my Canon 5D. So I decided to get Full Frame camera instead of the lense. Let's see how that works out.

The 50mm f/1.4 is an excellent lens. The 70-200mm f/4L is beyond excellent, it's benchmark, along with its f/2.8L sibling. the EFS lens won't work with the 5D. The 28-135mm will disappoint, eventually.

R.

The 5D with a 50mm 1.4 is currnetly my combo of choice - there is just `something` about the images it produces.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/17/2010 07:11:08 PM · #12

Thanks guys. I'm gonna try it out with my current gear and eventually get the 24-70 2.8L or go prime wide. Then i'm going to be back were i started. lol

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

08/17/2010 07:15:59 PM · #13

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

The 28-135mm will disappoint, eventually.

Too right. Just have a look at the MTF charts... I have no idea what I'm going to do with mine...

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/17/2010 07:59:47 PM · #14

You know, I think the 24-70 2.8L lens is staring to be a lens without a niche. When I do landscape photography with my 24-105mm I often find I need wider. The answer is the 17-40mm or 16-35mm, not the 24-70mm. As a group portrait lens or walkaround, the 24-105mm proves more range at the cost of only one stop. Another thing that isn't often mentioned is the 24-70mm is a beast and over half a pound heavier than the 24-105mm. That can take its toll if you are carrying it all day as a walkaround.

So while I have access to one (my boss owns one that I can use), I have never felt it was needed.

Just my 0.02.

keone

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/17/2010 11:31:49 PM · #15

ah.. must have mis-read. I have used the 85 1.2 but not the 50 1.2. I agree though with Bear_music and Eschelar that the 50 1.4 is a fine lens and probably not worth paying the difference for the 1.2. I also agree about definitely using a full frame camera with the 24-70 (and the 70*200 for that matter).. i use a 5D and find that works great for those focal lengths.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

08/17/2010 11:51:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Just let me know how that 24-105 does at F2.8 when you need it......oh yeah. Never mind. The 24-70 is one lens I'll never let go of. In fact I have owned my 24-70 longer than any lens.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/18/2010 12:42:16 AM · #17

Originally posted by MattO:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
You know, I think the 24-70 2.8L lens is staring to be a lens without a niche. When I do landscape photography with my 24-105mm I often find I need wider. The answer is the 17-40mm or 16-35mm, not the 24-70mm. As a group portrait lens or walkaround, the 24-105mm proves more range at the cost of only one stop. Another thing that isn't often mentioned is the 24-70mm is a beast and over half a pound heavier than the 24-105mm. That can take its toll if you are carrying it all day as a walkaround.

So while I have access to one (my boss owns one that I can use), I have never felt it was needed.

Just my 0.02.

Just let me know how that 24-105 does at F2.8 when you need it......oh yeah. Never mind. The 24-70 is one lens I'll never let go of. In fact I have owned my 24-70 longer than any lens.

Is that when I switch my 5D2 to ISO 1600 from 800 with little noise increase? ;)

I'm, of course, only giving my own opinion and my style of photography is much less in need of a fast shutter speed than you. You certainly do give up a stop, and the decision between a 24-70 2.8 and a 24-105 4.0 is always fodder for good discussion.

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM A

08/19/2010 11:38:07 PM · #18

I prefer the 24-70mm, low light performance is more important to me. But I'd wait on the new rumored lens set to be released.

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/20/2010 12:06:54 AM · #19

I've upgraded 4 camera's and many lens. The one lens I've held on to for 4yrs now is the 24-70mm. I don't see every getting rid of it. It's a work horse.

Message edited by author 2010-08-20 00:08:14.

08/20/2010 03:45:12 PM · #20

Yay!!! I finally got my Canon 5D in today. Gonna test it out and see how I do with it. lol