Upgrading my lenses - what would you do?

[psk4363]

Having just bought the superb 17-40L whilst over in the States 3 weks ago, I really have been bitten by the 'L' bug (as everyone predicted, I admit!).

So, would some of you look at my current stock of lenses, etc., and suggest ways of upgrading my total kit to include at least one more 'L' lens to supplement the 17-40L? I may be able to add some cash (say £350 or $600) without causing too much of a problem with my good lady. There are only 4 items that must stay, CS (of course), the 10D, the 17-40L and the 550EX. My principal interests are landscape and portraiture if this helps. Bear in mind also that I will be paying UK or UK-import prices.

Many thanks inanticipation.

Barry :)

[psk4363]

:!:

Doh! Forgot to list the current kit! :?

Canon 10D, Canon 30E, 550EX, Canon 17-40L, Canon 50/1.8 II, Sigma DX 100mm Macro, Tokina 28-70/2.8, Tokina 80-200/2.8. All boxed, mint and under 6 months old.

Barry

[JimR]

It looks like you have a good group of lenses to me. I've been looking at the Tokina 28-70 2.8 myself. What do you think of that lens?

[psk4363]

Jim,

The Tokina 28-70 is a very sharp lens. It has excellent contrast too. Somewhat large and relatively heavy but it is capable of delivering great images.

Barry

[CoolToolGuy]

If you are happy with the 28-70, I would stick with it. If not, consider the Canon 28-135 IS. It is a good complement to the 17-40, and is very sharp.
'L' glass in that price range is going to be tough to find. The 70-200 f4 fits into that. I do not have it, but the reviews on this forum are good.
My suggestion would be to add a couple of good primes to improve your low-light capability. Think about the Canon 85mm f1.8 and/or the 35mm f2. The 35mm acts like a normal on the digitals, and the 85mm approximates a 135mm. Coupled with your 50 and 100 you would have a pretty good range of sharp and fast lenses from 17mm to 100mm.

Hope this helps
Have Fun
Rick 8)

[psk4363]

Thanks for the advice Rick. But what I mean when I say I could add some cash is adding it to that obtained in selling any of my kit that I could do without.

Barry

[Whaler]

Wait for the reviews on the new Canon 28-300mm"L" f/4 IS. If the reviews are good, go for it.

[Andy_T]

Wait for the reviews on the new Canon 28-300mm"L" f/4 IS. If the reviews are good, go for it.

... but don't forget that it's about as expensive as the rest of your gear (including the 10D :roll: )

Regards,
Andy

[Andy_T]

Why do you want to upgrade your Tokina lenses to Canon 'L'?

Is the 17-40 *that* superior to the Tokina Pro series?
I know the build quality *might* be different, but sharpness and colour rendition of the Tokina should be quite good.

I'd be afraid that you would have to pay a hefty upgrade, as the 28-70/2.8 and the 70-200/2.8 L lenses are not exactly the cheapest Canon has to offer.

Normally, you always lose some money when selling used lenses (unless they're Canon 'L' lenses).

I'd suggest to visit a photo dealer with your existing lenses and camera and ask whether you can take sample shots with both lenses. You can also inquire about the trade-in value of your lenses. With the examples from both lenses you can then decide if the upgrade gives you so much better quality as to justify the expenditure.

Regards,
Andy

[CoolToolGuy]

Thanks for the advice Rick. But what I mean when I say I could add some cash is adding it to that obtained in selling any of my kit that I could do without.

Barry

Sorry, I missed that.

Well, I still say if you're happy with the 28-70, stick with it. However, the 24-70 f2.8 Canon 'L' lens is an awesome lens. Pricey, but outstanding. If you are willing to swap out some of what you have, that is an amazing piece of hardware. I have it as well as the 28-135 IS, and they are both fine lenses. Some interesting points on the 24-70: it uses a novel approach for the hood (which is included) where the hood attaches to the fixed portion of the lens barrel, and the front housing zooms in and out. At 70mm, the front housing is retracted, and the hood shades a lot. As you zoom wider, the front housing extends, so the shaded area gets wider. Very cool. Another couple of considerations are that it is big and heavy, so it is a load to carry all day (but you probably have that with the Tokina), and it is long enough and big enough in diameter that your built-in flash is useless (you have a 550EX, so no problem).
I can't speak yet for the longer 'L' lenses. I need to have a session or two at the races this spring to see how much telephoto I need before I spend that much cash on a long lens. Dependng on what you want out of a telephoto, I'm sure there will be several suggestions for you from other voices on the forum.

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[psk4363]

:D Thanks for the advice and opinions so far everyone. What I am considering is selling the EOS 30E and the Tokina 80-200/2.8 to finance the Canon 70-200L/4 or part finance the Canon 80-200L/2.8.

I know I'll be without the benefit of a film camera but ..................!

Any further thoughts out there?

Cheers,
Barry

[Belmondo]

I know I'll be without the benefit of a film camera but ..................!


Cheers,
Barry

Believe me, Barry, you'll hardly notice. To me, handling film is roughly equivalent to changing diapers. Once you've graduated from that stage in your life, do you really want to go back?

Unless you're strongly rooted in tradition, there just aren't enough practical arguments in favor of shooting film any more.

Others will disagree, I'm sure. This is just my opinion.

Tom

[Andy_T]

:D Thanks for the advice and opinions so far everyone. What I am considering is selling the EOS 30E and the Tokina 80-200/2.8 to finance the Canon 70-200L/4 or part finance the Canon 80-200L/2.8.

I know I'll be without the benefit of a film camera but ..................!

Any further thoughts out there?

Cheers,
Barry

That sounds like a smart way to go ... but you should really test your 0-200 Tokina against the 70-200 L and decide if the better quality is really worth the extra f-stop / money.

According to the lens tests on http://www.photozone.de/, the Canon L lens surely looks better on paper. (Rating of 4.07/4.17 vs. 3.36)

Regards,
Andy

[CyberDyneSystems]

You can find used Canon 28-70mm f/2.8 L for about $700.00-800.00 if you are unsatisfied with the Tokina.

Canon has 70-200mm f/4, and two f/2.8 versions

The 80-200mm is a much older lens,. it should be available used for about $600.00 as well;
http://www.tanchung.com/canon/ef80200mmf28x.htm

I had heard that Tokina 28-700mm was really nice though,. and it was one of the Tokina's I was going to get if I bought new.. In the end I found a 28-70 L for under $700.00 and got that instead (very happy)

I've heard nothing on the Tokina 80-200mm... it seems people either discuss the Canon or the Sigma 70-200mm and that seems to be it. Both of which are fantastic.

If your goal is to replace your existing lenses with all Canon "L",.. I'm not sure what the question is though... eventually you just do it,. as your finances will allow.

[JKSinMB]

Barry -

I think your lens collection is very well suited to your interests in landscape and portraiture. It's easy to become enamored with the optical quality, build quality and feel of L lenses, but given your interests, I don't think you will see any improvement in your photography. The only knock on your Tokinas is that their image quality when wide open is not as good as that of L lenses. But for landscapes taken at mid aperture, you will barely see a difference if at all. The 50mm is an excellent lens for portraiture on your 10D and your 100mm is an excellent portraiture lens on your 30E. If you really want to spend the money, ditch your 28-70 and 100mm and buy the 24-70L, but I think the money would be better spent on a workshop or travel.

[Andy_T]

You can find used Canon 28-70mm f/2.8 L for about $700.00-800.00 if you are unsatisfied with the Tokina.


That's great but it does not give a lot of hope for the resale value of the Tokina lenses...

Regards,
Andy