L series lenses

[qbr]

I plan to take pictures in a high humidity environment and was informed that the L series lenses would be best for this environment.

When looking around for lenses, I noticed that the L series lenses seem to be 70mm and greater (common 70-200mm). What lenses would you recomend for the following photos

close up of snakes, frogs, lizards
landscape shots
birds in flight

Thanks

[kevbailey]

They do have "L" series in lenths less than 70mm: Here is a list.
EF 14mm f/2.8L USM
EF 24mm f/1.4L USM
EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

I am not very versed in close-ups so I'll let someone else tackle that question.

Kevin

[Mycroft]

You forgot the 24-70mm f/2.8L :)

[blonde]

I plan to take pictures in a high humidity environment and was informed that the L series lenses would be best for this environment.

When looking around for lenses, I noticed that the L series lenses seem to be 70mm and greater (common 70-200mm). What lenses would you recomend for the following photos

close up of snakes, frogs, lizards
landscape shots
birds in flight

Thanks

by that order:

canon 100mm macro
canon 17-40L
canon 400mm f5.6L or canon 100-400L if you want zoom.

[formula4speed]

For what you listed I'd go with the 300 f/4L IS with a 1.4 TC and the 17-40 f/4L. The 300 has a nice close focusing distance as well as nice reach so you won't need to get so close to your subjects, add a 1.4 TC and you've got a nice bird in flight lens. Throw on the 17-40L for your landscape shots.

[MDJAK]

throw some extension tubes on and get really close for not a lot of dough.

mark

[SuzyView]

How much money are you thinking?

[JohnnyG]

100-400 lens would be wonderful for the in-flight shots!

[Ronald S. Jr.]

The 400 5.6 would be much better. Insanely fast AF for 400mm, small, light, and exceptional IQ. Cheaper, too!

[qbr]

How does that canon 100mm macro lense hold up in high humidity??

Is it considered an L series lense??

Love the photographs I have seen online with that lense.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

It's not an L, and it's not weather sealed. I've gotten condensation in/on mine before. Still works, though.

[Jon]

Not all L lenses are weather-sealed either. And weather sealing's meant for active precipitation, not for general steamy conditions of high humidity. If you're in a high-humidity environment but not working in the rain, just rely on storing your gear in air-tight cases with dessicant to absorb the moisture from the air.

[superdiver]

How does the 400L compare in IQ to the sigma 50-500?

[qbr]

john.

The environment will be 85-90% humidity (I imagine 100% humidity and no rain is also possible in this environment) will a 30D withstand operating in that environment??

I noticed that the 1 series say operating environment < 85%

[motion_projekt]

i've hard that only the 16-35L, the 24-70L, and the 70-200IS L are the "True" weather sealed ones...my 17-40 is sealed but only if i add a filter to the lens...same with my 24-105

[JohnnyG]

How does the 400L compare in IQ to the sigma 50-500?
Are you asking about the 400L or the 100-400L?

[chemicalbro]

Canon do a 180mm L macro lens, it's quite expensive tho (over a thousand bucks) and the quality of the shots i've seen from it are no better than a sigma 105 (the 180 has better build quality and sealing, as you'de expect from an L lens)
any half decent macro lens will be BRUTALLY sharp (guess they have to be to pick out the detail in a flies eyes :))

the 180mm will give you a bit of reach for the bird in flight shots (probably not enough tho)

[Jon]

It takes a while for the moist air to work through the system. If you can keep the gear stored in low-humidity conditions (and remember to let it come to outside temperature before removing it from its container(s) you'll reduce the internal components' exposure to the moisture, which will help. If this is work-related, figure on the cameras and lenses as expendable. They'll probably survive, but be prepared for some or all of the gear to experience problems from the moisture.

And most of the weather-sealed L lenses need a filter to ensure the full weather seal. The exceptions are the rear-filter super-teles, for which you'd be paying 2 arms and 2 legs for the filter, in addition to the assorted other body parts you need to sell in order to get the lens proper.

[superdiver]

Are you asking about the 400L or the 100-400L?

The 100-400L...

[JohnnyG]

How does the 400L compare in IQ to the sigma 50-500? The Sigma has 100mm more and the Canon has IS so it's hard to compare. Here is the thread where they were compared before:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=166263&highlight=100-400

[chrishunt]

The 300 f/4.0 IS will do well with macro and birds. Then get the 17-40 for landscapes. Weather proof lenses don't really help with humidity...so focus on keeping your lenses at the temperature you plan to use them in so that they don't fog when you're tying to take photos.