if you had a lil over $1000

eq2830

Which Canon lens would you buy?? I am looking to buy a new lens and have had my eye on the 24 - 105 L series lens but wanted to know if i'm correct in thinking that i must have this lens for anything ranging from portraits to concerts. i have a 55 mm f/1.4, i have a 75 mm - 300 mm, 18-55 mm and i'm looking for my next piece of glass. Suggestions??:dunno

thanks!!
~erika

ABCL

Your 75 - 300mm should be adequate as the best focal lengths are between 65 - 105mm for portraits. Of course, just buying new glass for the hell of it never hurt anyone

Or if you just want a good quality L zoom, I'd go with your first choice.

craig_d

I think the real question is, what do you find lacking in your lens collection? If you aren't happy with one of them in particular, you can replace that one; otherwise you might go for something you don't have, like a 100mm macro (if you're interested) or an ultra-wide-angle such as the Canon EF-S 10-22mm, or the EF 400mm f/5.6... there's lots of options.

The EF 24-105mm is only f/4 which will not be adequate for low-light situations like concerts, nor will it give you well-blurred backgrounds for portraits. You really want f/2.8 or better for such things -- f/2 if possible. The EF 85mm f/1.8 very good portrait lens for crop-frame cameras (and not expensive) and may do well for concerts also if your position makes its focal length convenient.

Zigmo

24-70 would be my suggestion. It gives you the f/2.8 for low light and the soft DOF for portraits. You can find them used for under $1000 or you can sell your 18-55 and save a little more and buy new. I know the 24-105 might seem a getter buy but for the two things you said you shoot you cant go wrong with the 24-70. f/2.8 is where its at.

Zigmo

craig_d wrote:

The EF 85mm f/1.8 very good portrait lens for crop-frame cameras (and not expensive) and may do well for concerts also if your position makes its focal length convenient.

I agree this lens would be great for the concerts. The portraits might be an issue depending on where you shoot.. If you are doing indoor portraits you would need a lot of room to step away from you subjects to frame them. 85mm is close to a 136mm on a cropped sensor. The 24-70 would be a little more flexible. But if you are doing outdoor portraits the 85mm is the better lens.

eq2830

Zigmo wrote:

I agree this lens would be great for the concerts. The portraits might be an issue depending on where you shoot.. If you are doing indoor portraits you would need a lot of room to step away from you subjects to frame them. 85mm is close to a 136mm on a cropped sensor. The 24-70 would be a little more flexible. But if you are doing outdoor portraits the 85mm is the better lens.

Thank you for all of your posts...

next question that arose from your answers, i have my 50mm and i have a full frame body, do you think i need the 85 mm instead?

ABCL

eq2830 wrote:

Thank you for all of your posts...

next question that arose from your answers, i have my 50mm and i have a full frame body, do you think i need the 85 mm instead?

It would be beneficial, especially with a full frame sensor. The 85 would allow you to get nice compressed portraits without invading the subject's personal space.

craig_d

eq2830 wrote:

Thank you for all of your posts...

next question that arose from your answers, i have my 50mm and i have a full frame body, do you think i need the 85 mm instead?

I'm confused. You say you have a full-frame body, but you also said you have the 18-55mm lens, which is not for full-frame bodies. What model of camera do you have?

I use a full-frame camera (Canon 5D Mark II) and I don't often put a 50mm lens on it -- more often I have an 85mm. But this is a personal issue; it depends on how you see the world around you.

eq2830

craig_d wrote:

I'm confused. You say you have a full-frame body, but you also said you have the 18-55mm lens, which is not for full-frame bodies. What model of camera do you have?

I use a full-frame camera (Canon 5D Mark II) and I don't often put a 50mm lens on it -- more often I have an 85mm. But this is a personal issue; it depends on how you see the world around you.

i just purchased a classic 5D, i also have a 20D for my 18 - 55 mm lens. i'm going to go and take a look at the 85mm, might just trade the 50mm for it...thanks again.

craig_d

eq2830 wrote:

i just purchased a classic 5D, i also have a 20D for my 18 - 55 mm lens. i'm going to go and take a look at the 85mm, might just trade the 50mm for it...thanks again.

Ah, I see. I'd suggest keeping both the 50mm and the 85mm -- you'll find them useful in different situations.

rainbow

eq2830 wrote:

i just purchased a classic 5D

That changes the equation in that the 24 - 105 is a wonderful FF everyday "walkaround" lens. Then you would switch to a prime when you need indoor/low light. But if portrait/concert is your primary shooting, then the primes would precede the zoom.

ziggy53

I moved this to the Cameras forum. (The Flea Market forum is for buying and selling camera equipment, but discussions and recommendations on cameras and lenses go here.)

eq2830

ziggy53 wrote:

I moved this to the Cameras forum. (The Flea Market forum is for buying and selling camera equipment, but discussions and recommendations on cameras and lenses go here.)

Sorry about that...:) thanks!

JohnBiggs

Since you have FF now... 17-40mm f4L and 85 1.8. You can get both under $1000.

insanefred

Can someone please post a full size example that they took with the 24-105mm f4 lens? With out too much PP?
I really would like to see at least one sharp image from this lens, as I have yet to see one.

borrowlenses.com

Maybe this will help

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon24-105/

divamum

For portraits and concerts? 135 F2, hands down. It's a glorious piece of glass.

eq2830

I want to thank everyone for all of your responses ...although I decided that I'm going to go with the 24-105 because I love the fact that it is such a great all around lens, you have all opened my interests to a few more lenses that I need to start saving for. It was a really hard decision, and I probably drove the woman at Adorama a lil crazy last night and I can't wait to start shooting with it.

Thanks again!!

~erika