Second lens reco's between an EF 17-40mm or an EF 70-200mm

[yobri]

Looks like there's a deal for each going on right now from Dell for these two lenses for $539 and $502 respectively. I'd like to hear from you pros as to which one you would choose as a second lens, since I really want to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens that came with my XT.

I'm a fan of shooting close shots, so the 17-40 would be a good choice there, but I know that a 70-200 would probably provide a much better zoom range than either the 17-40 or 18-55. If I were to get the 17-40 as a second lens, would I be somewhat redundant (in terms of ranges, not quality) with my collection of [two] lenses?

Any advice and insights are surely appreciated. Learning more everyday... :lol:

[Todd Jacobsen]

Screw both, go for the 70-200 IS. Hard to beat 25% off...

[yobri]

Screw both, go for the 70-200 IS. Hard to beat 25% off...

Holy geez... I can buy a 20D with that kind of money! :D

For my second lens... don't know if I want to spend that much :lol:

Could you give a layman's overview difference between the two 70-200 lenses?

[Todd Jacobsen]

One has IS and 2.8 apeture.

Shoot sports indoors, you want the 2.8 (faster than 4.0 lens)
Shoot handheld, you want IS.

Shoot primarily outdoors and daylight with the lens, 70-200 4.0L is good enough.

A lot of people trade up when the money is available. Very few people trade down.

You buy lenses for the long term (investment). You buy camera bodies for the short term (expense).

[m3elmo]

todd summed it up well

I would go for the 70-200. It also has a very high resale value on the used market as well.

For the 70-200s, i'm shopping around as well, and will start with the F4 and more than likely upgrade when money frees up. Each one is a $500 difference to the next, roughly 500, 1000, then finally 1500. Also consider the sigma 70-200 F2.8 as well.

If you go the 17-40, i would ditch the kit lens...

[lancea]

Having been down that path (and made the wrong decision at the start), I say get the 70-200. The F/4 is great. Lightweight, sharp and great value.

While I use my 17-40 as a walk-around lens, that's only because I paid good money for it. It is a very nice lens, but I wish I'd got the 70-200 first, then a true wide-angle (probably the EF-S 10-22). The kit lens is pretty good, and excellent value for the money. The lens I'd regard as an ideal replacement for the kit is the EF-S 17-85. I'd still like one, but if I got that my 17-40 really would be redundant ...

[CyberDyneSystems]

Don't replace what you aklready ha\ve before expanding to what you don't

ei: Get the 70-200mm f/4L
You allready have a wide lens...
expand a bit beofre spending time and money worrying about replacing stuff.

[skyphix]

It'd be my 4th lens, but my next lens will probably be the 17-40L... at that price, I dont know if I can pass it up.

How do you like your kit lens, do you always find yourself wanting to be closer? If so, get the 70-200, I have a 70-210 (not a great lens, but Ive found I dont use that range much) and strictly use it for candid and sports shots, and the only candid shots I take are at sporting events.

Do you like your kit lens and just want a better build quality, sharper photos, and less distortion at the wide end? Then get the 17-40. I'd go wider than that, but I dont have the dough for a 12-24 Sigma (I shoot film too - need something that will work on both), and I think the 17-40 is what will be good for me.

[dmilwain]

no need to replace the 18-55 yet unless you are completely unsatisfied [in which case this would not be a second lens, you'd still only have one]
get the 70-200, it's definately your best choice

-dave

[mocca]

I, personally, went with the 17-40 f/4. I figure that I might want 70-200 f/2.8 or Sigma 80-400 OS instead of the 70-200 f/4 in the future. The 17-40 f/4 is argurably one of th ebest in term of wide angle lenses (some even say it is sharper than the 16-35 f/2.8) and I don't need a very fast lenses for wide angle. For tele lenses, on the other hand, speed is everything since you need fast shutter speed and also to freeze the movement (depending on what you shoot) so f/2.8 will help. Longer range might be useful as well so the Sigma 80-400 OS is in my short list.

Also at the discount price, the 17-40 is really cheap :)

MM

[Nessus]

Where did you see that price? The 17-40L at Dell.com is $719.

[pmarz]

I don't see such a price either.

[scr11]

Use these two coupon codes (from SlickDeals.Net):
3$JFJ?K8LHNH44
and
C07TR1WFGJ18SF

I ordered a 17-40mm this afternoon for $583! ( I had to pay $44 tax)

Scott

[pmarz]

Holy Cow, thanks!

[scr11]

I know, it's stellar. I can't wait to get mine. I just bought one (17-40mm) last week from Amazon for $689. Obviously, it's going back to Amazon!

Scott

[ashforth]

I bought a Sigma 18-200mm for an upcoming overseas trip. I wasn't that impressed with its sharpness, but I did like its size and weight.

I returned the lens and bought the Canon 17-40mm and was very impressed with its sharpness, colors and contract. I then decided to buy the 70-200mm f4 which I got yesterday. I only took a couple of shots, but, again the colors and sharpness are excellent! You won't go wrong in choosing either of these lenses.

The last time I experienced similar results was when I had a Nikon Photomic Ftn with a Nikkor 105mm prime lens.

My only problen is the 20D with the tele attached no longer fits my LowePro Nova 2 bag which I really like. I'm frantically trying to find a replacement by Saturday and the only style that seems to fit right are backpack designs- which I do not like. Everytime you need to access the bag, you need to take it off and lay it down to get in. Anybody have a 70-200 that can recommend a decent bag?

Thanks,
Herb

[booggerg]

I have both.. I definitely see more use with teh 17-40 than the 70-200..

I do street photography, the wide angle is much more useful and likewise for interior photography. Get the telephoto if you shoot lots of sports.

[scr11]

Shocker! Dell just changed my ship date from today to August 22nd. I guess that's what I get for trying to buy a lens from them. That will be my last attempt at a purchase from Dell. And while I paid more for the 17-40mm from Amazon, at least I have it already!
Good luck to those who also ordered one.


Scott

[kram]

If you are in no tearing hurry, Dell deals work fine. I ordered my Drebel with them - waited and waited for a shipping date that was 1 month away and on the shipping date, they moved it!! I thanked them for being so considerate and took my business elsewhere for $20 more.

But for a lens, it may not be so bad I guess.