Upgrading to FF. Replacing my EF-S 17-55mm cost effectively?
I'm looking to replace my EF-S 17-55mm lens since I will be upgrading to a 5D MKII. I pretty much have my heart set on an L-Series lens, however the closest I can get to the 17-55 is the EF 16-35 f/2.8L II.
Unfortunately I really would like something that goes a bit further than 35mm while still retaining the wide-angle reach at 17mm. It seems to me the only way to do this with the Canon L lenses are to buy BOTH the 16-35mm and either 24-70mm, or the 24-105mm. Obviously that can get expensive...
Are there any suggestions on what glass I could replace my 17-55mm with? I am more comfortable with Canon but I would be willing to look at comparable Sigma or Tokina lenses if the quality is there.
Thanks!
Unfortunately I really would like something that goes a bit further than 35mm while still retaining the wide-angle reach at 17mm. It seems to me the only way to do this with the Canon L lenses are to buy BOTH the 16-35mm and either 24-70mm, or the 24-105mm. Obviously that can get expensive...
Are there any suggestions on what glass I could replace my 17-55mm with? I am more comfortable with Canon but I would be willing to look at comparable Sigma or Tokina lenses if the quality is there.
Thanks!
0
Comments
So, the 55mm on APS-C actually has a similar field of view like a 88mm lens on a FF frame camera, while 17mm functions like a 27mm lens on a FF camera. Therefore, to get similar perceived focal length on your new 5D, you can go with the 24-105 f/4L, or nearly match it with the 24-70 f/2.8L, giving up a bit in the telephoto side.
Cost effective? The 17-55/2.8IS is excellent, you're not going to duplicate that quality for cheap. Best bet is to sell your 17-55 and buy a used 24-70L or 24-105L. You will probably be able to find the 105 for less dosh, but, f/4 is half the light of f/2.8.
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
ETA: Here's the thread
When I discuss lenses, I often refer to the application or use of the lens, rather than the specific focal length(s) involved. The Canon EF-S 17-55mm, f2.8 IS USM is a "standard" or "normal" zoom lens of constant f2.8 aperture for the Canon crop 1.6x camera bodies.
I continue to use a very old Canon EF 28-80mm, f2.8-f4L USM that would be a very good match in terms of FOV on a FF body. You can find them in good condition at considerably less cost than the current EF 24-70mm, f2.8L USM, but the 28-80mm, f2.8-f4 "L" is no longer supported or repaired by Canon. Still, image quality is very good on a Canon FF body, and I won't replace it until it breaks.
The Canon EF 24-85mm, f3.5-4.5 USM is an older consumer zoom that the reviewers generally pan, but it's a very good value and image quality is better than the cost. That's the lens I use to back up the 28-80mmL.
A lens that some professionals use with the crop 1.3x and FF bodies is the Canon EF 28-135mm, f3.5-5.6 IS USM, but I personally feel that the aperture is too slow for indoor and event work. Image quality is OK, but certainly not "L" quality.
Some folks like the Tamron 28-75mm, f2.8 XR Di LD on a FF body, but I think that edge and corner sharpness suffer at large apertures and the above 24-85mm USM is a much better value overall.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=366&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=119&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
Most of these lenses are reviewed and tested:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
17-40/4
70-200/4 IS
Either 24/28/35 prime
Either 85/100/135 prime
While the 24-105/4 is the direct equivalent of the 17-55 that I recently sold, it does not take full advantage of the increased dof that you get from the ff sensor
-take all of this with a grain of salt as I don't yet own the ff camera but did get the 17-40 after selling my 17-55
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The 24-105 is actually the most similar lens to the 17-55 when you consider that the larger sensor offsets the f/4 aperture regarding DoF.
If you wand shallower DoF however, the 24-70 is a better option. Personally, I like the 24/50/135mm L primes and zooming with my feet
right, for zooms the Canon 24-70 2.8 or 24-105 are good choices - or maybe the new Tamron 24-70 VC
See, that's the whole problem with jumping from crop to full-frame. To "match" the 17-55 OS, you'll need either the Tamron 24-70 VC, or maybe "settle" for the un-stabilized Canon 24-70 mk2. The EF-S 17-55 IS is THAT sharp. Stepping up to the original 24-70 L, you won't be too blown away by the sharpness unless you get a flawless copy of the lens. Even then, you're not milking as much performance out of it as you could with a 24-70 mk2, probably.
For all of those who argue that the original Canon 24-70 is simply the cat's pajamas and is totally sharp etc, ....Well then WHY is the mk2 costing almost $1K more and still un-stabilized?
Anyways- Honestly it really depends what you shoot, but if I were you I might consider anything from the Tamron 24-70 VC, to the original Canon 24-70, or the mk2 24-70, or the 24-105 L with a couple primes for shallow DOF etc. ...the list goes on.
Let's start by simply asking, what do you shoot?
Also, note the statements by others about how 17mm on crop is NOT equivalent to 17mm on full-frame. If you actually do want that focal length on full-frame though, you'll have to buy BOTH a 16-35 and a 24-70, or a 17-40 and 24-105, etc... There simply is no f/2.8 zoom that can do what you may or may not be asking about. Hopefully you can just start with a 24-70 2.8 though, and that'll fill your needs for now.
=Matt=
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I'll let you know what I end up with!
http://kristophercui.com
I am mainly a hobbyist who shoots nature, landscapes, and architecture. I'm been doing more urban and close up portraits of late, however. I know the 2.8 isn't as important for the types of shots I take, but I do love playing with DOF effects when I do use it.
http://kristophercui.com