Buying A New Lens - Need Expert Advise

[tprickett]

Hey gang!

So I have been dying to get a new lens to add to my gear bag, my current lens is the crummy kit lens that came with my Canon 30D.

I have three lenses I want to buy, but am unsure on a few things.

1.I want a lens that’s good to go on a walk with (walk around lens) I want to be able to shoot Portrait, Outdoor, event etc more general shooting

2.What lens provides the best quality/speed (minus the prime lens) (sharpness)

3.What is the best value & why?

4.What lens offers more bang for the buck without sacrificing quality

Lenses:
First Choice: Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens
Price: 1,190.00 USD
Link: Here

Second Choice: Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens
Price: 1,190.00 USD
Link: Here

Third Choice: Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Autofocus Lens
Price: 1,300.00 USD
Link Here

I have the cash and it’s burning a hole in my pocket, please help me choose.

THANKS!
TPrickett

[lowbone]

Sound to me like you are expecting allot from one lens. From walk around which usually includes some wide angle to events that would generally demand a telephoto. I think you should consider two lenses for your needs. For starters, the 70-200 f 2.8 is an excellent lens that will also work well with a 1.4 TC becoming a 280mm f4 lens. The problem here is that this lens as an only lens leaves you with a minimum of a 112mm lens when you take into account the 1.6 crop factor of your 30D camera. I would recommend against the 24-70 as well as the 50mm 1.2. The 24-70 f 2.8 still leaves you a little long at 38mm equivilent and the 50mm f 1.2 has not had the most sterling reviews especially at the fast stops. I think that considering your needs and your cameras 1.6 crop factor I would recommend going with a 17-55 f 2.8 lens. This is a terriffic lens, sharp even at f 2.8. I liked it so much that I sold my 17-40L.

[mcbit]

As has already been stated the choice is dependent on what you shoot predominantly.

Out of the three you have listed here I have the 24-70 and the IS version of the 70-200. I would certainly recommend the 24-70 as a good "walk around" lens but this also on the body you have. I have a 5d and a 30 so have a choice.

For me it's a better "walk around" lens on the 5d.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by tprickett

1.I want a lens that’s good to go on a walk with (walk around lens) I want to be able to shoot Portrait, Outdoor, event etc more general shooting

1. 24-70/2.8
2. 70-200/2.8
3. 50/1.2

2.What lens provides the best quality/speed (minus the prime lens) (sharpness)

1. 24-70/2.8
1. 70-200/2.8

3.What is the best value & why?

1. 70-200/2.8 - 'cause I like it and it has more focal range
2. 50/1.2 - mucho sharp and razor thin DoF with great bokeh
3. 24-70/2.8

4.What lens offers more bang for the buck without sacrificing quality

1. 70-200/2.8 - most focal range for the buck
2. 24-70/2.8
3. 50/1.2

Some thoughts:

- All of this is so relative and subjective, it's not even funny. Put 10 photographers in room with these choices and you'll get 20 different arguments. Don't laugh. I said it wasn't funny.

- Watch the weight on these. "Walkaround" lens for me isn't based on weight but some people REALLY factor carryability into the equation. I'll lug a Remington 700 with a match barrel and big 'ole scope all day long for a single shot, though, so I'm not particularly weight conscious.

- If lowlight shooting is important to you, the 24-70 has IS while the 70-200 that you chose does not. The 50 can shoot so wide open, I can't say IS is really even required.

- Eventually, you'll get them all so just pick the one you want FIRST. You know you're buying the others later.

- Manufacturer specific questions like this are better placed in the topic specific forums, like the Canon forum for this one.

[mcbit]

- If lowlight shooting is important to you, the 24-70 has IS while the 70-200 that you chose does not. The 50 can shoot so wide open, I can't say IS is really even required.

The 24-70 doesn't have IS unless they've just added it.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by mcbit

The 24-70 doesn't have IS unless they've just added it.

Oh, boogers. I just blew my "expert" status. Disregard everything I just said, please.

[mcbit]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Oh, boogers. I just blew my "expert" status. Disregard everything I just said, please.

I have one but Canon occasionally do things without my permission!

[tprickett]

WOW! Thank you so much for the fast and honest answers! I would high five and shake your hands if I could.

you all rock, and I value your opinions

TPrickett

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by tprickett

WOW! Thank you so much for the fast and honest answers! I would high five and shake your hands if I could.

you all rock, and I value your opinions

TPrickett

Enough with the useless words. Throw me some KARMA.

Seriously, you're welcome.

[richardpcrowe]

You are really shotgunning by offering three totally different type lenses as choices. Anyway, I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability. I am not being snide in these answers.

1.I want a lens that’s good to go on a walk with (walk around lens) I want to be able to shoot Portrait, Outdoor, event etc more general shooting - 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

2.What lens provides the best quality/speed (minus the prime lens) (sharpness) - 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

3.What is the best value & why? - 17-55mm f/2.8 IS Simply because it is the absolute best choice for a 1.6x camera.

4.What lens offers more bang for the buck without sacrificing quality In this case the answer is probably the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 although I still opt for the - 17-55mm f/2.8 IS as the best choice

a. superb image quality
b. great focal range for a 1.6x camera (27-88mm)
c. constant f/2.8 aperture
d. later generation IS
e. relatively light weight

[Julio]

you can include the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 , and not spending $$$$$$ on the 1.2
---
the choices than has been sugested seems ok to me
I have and I'm pleased with
24-70 L 2.8(is most on the time on my main camera) / 17-40 L 4 / 50 1.8 / 85 1.8 (I use a lot in my 2nd camera)/70-200 L F4 IS(this is the one I use less , but is a terrific lense, Mostly used for other type of work, like portraits)