I shall (not) cut to the chase! (looking for lens) Help, please!

[boxerjess]

Hey everyone, I suspect you all will become new friends in the many months ahead - please help a relatively new young photographer in need. I have $1000 (give or take $100 or so) and need a work horse "everyday" lens. I have a Canon EOS 30D and the majority of my photography income comes from doing budget weddings for young couples - what do you guys recommend! I am very close to purchasing the Canon zoom super wide angle ef-s 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM. Am I even close in thinking this is correct, or are there much better options? Please help me feel good about dropping the money.

You guys have no idea how much I appreciate your feedback – may karma shine on you! And thanks for having a green newbie.
JesseD.

[Tee Why]

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is nice.

[jklewer]

Hey... you are asking a very common question around these parts! Not to worry though. If you do a search on 17-55 vs. 24-70, you will have more reading, and a bigger headache than you know what to do with..!

I own the 17-55 and it is a brilliant lens! Image Quality is superb, it is very fast at 2.8, has IS, the whole package.

Not being a wedding guy myself... I might actually suggest the 24-70 for your purposes. You will lose some wide angle range, but gain some telephoto range. You will lose IS but gain incredible build quality and image quality.

For the everyday shots I do, the 17-55 is perfect for me... but for weddings, you may want to check out the 24-70!

[dkangel]

I think the 17-55 ef-s Lens is perfect for what your price range and for what you want to use it for. The 24-70 is also a good lens but its $150 above your limit.


Also here is a pretty decent recommendation link:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Wedding-Lens.aspx

[boxerjess]

I knew this was something lots of people asked but for some reason I can't gain perspective on it - and every time I try to make the big money decision I get the biggest headache - I don't only do weddings - I enjoy shooting all types of scenarios and portraits but the money is coming from the weddings right now. Thanks again so much guys - any more feedback would be much appreciated.

JesseD.

[Woolburr]

Weddings and portraits....how about a Tamron 17-50 and a Canon 85mm f/1.8? Nice glass and better range than a single lens option at a reasonable price for what you are hoping to do.

[jdizzle]

One thing the 17-55 doesn't have is that it's not sealed. The 24-70 is sealed and has better optics and build quality. You can still do everything with the 24-70 and you won't regret the purchase. I have a friend who has the 17-55 and he loves it but, he recently sent it back for repair due to the IS going wacko on him. Other than that IQ is good on the 17-55 and deciding on either of these great lenses will be up to your needs and also the extra pocket change for the 24-70. One thing to note is that the 17-55 will collect dust on the front element on the inside over time but, its only from seeing it on my friends lens. Hope that helps.

[Kennymc]

I would save the extra and get the 24-70 ($1,119 at B&H)... A quality pro class lens that will last you for ever...

[overclock]

17-55 for $925 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478110&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

24-70 for $1075. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478112&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

Since weddings are your focus don't forget the 24-105 IS for $960. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478115&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) Great reach with IS and gLass.

[jklewer]

17-55 for $925 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478110&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

24-70 for $1075. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478112&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

Since weddings are your focus don't forget the 24-105 IS for $960. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=13047&A=details&Q=&sku=478115&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) Great reach with IS and gLass.

I cannot recommend the 24-105 for wedding work as f/4 is just not fast enough for the low light situations you will be in.

The IS will help with portraits, but during dancing, etc, the IS will do no good and you will need to rely on the 2.8

[davidfig]

I bet if you pose this question in the wedding forum you will get a resounding 17-55mm IS. You have a 30D after all.

For me I am tempted by the 24-70 and 24-105L. But I'm FF.