Need lens advice - 16-35L II or 24-70L II?

[Norkusa]

Got the 5D Mk III on pre-order which will force me to make changes to my current lens line up. Right now I have a 7D and the widest lenses I have are the 15mm fisheye and the EF-S 17-55.

I obviously can't use the 17-55 on the 5D, so I'll have to get a new wide lens for it. Right now I'm torn between the 16-35L II and the 24-70L II. Range-wise, the 24-70 is more similar to the 17-55 and would make a sensible replacement, but I rarely shoot higher than 30-35mm with the EF-S when I'm in the pit. So I'm thinking maybe the 15-35L II would be better for me.

What lens would you choose? And what lenses do you guys usually shoot from the pit with at shows?

[narlus]

i can't imagine that the 24-70 II is worth 1K more than the version 1...find a used version if you like that range,

just a note...if you find yourself shooting in the 17-35 range currently, just be aware that on a 5D that will effectively be 27-56. 16 on a full-frame sensor is *really* wide.

[ImCBParker]

I would go with the 24-70 to start and perhaps look at a wider lens later. The 24-70 is quite versatile. I agree with Narlus in that I cannot see dropping $1000 for version II, but I have not shot with it yet, so do not hold me to that.

[Norkusa]

Originally Posted by narlus

i can't imagine that the 24-70 II is worth 1K more than the version 1...find a used version if you like that range,

just a note...if you find yourself shooting in the 17-35 range currently, just be aware that on a 5D that will effectively be 27-56. 16 on a full-frame sensor is *really* wide.

Yeah, I don't understand the $1k increase in price from the original version either. Makes me think that it must be god tier quality or that Canon has just gone insane. I guess it'd be smart to wait for the reviews first before I make up my mind. Could probably pick up both a used 16-35 & 24-70 Mk I for the cost of the new 24-70 II.

I just put my fisheye on an old Elan film body to get an idea of what 15mm would look like on a full frame and yeah, it is *really* wide. I don't think it's too extreme though and I could definitely see myself using a 16-35 quite a bit at shows. But maybe the 24-70 makes more sense. And it's still 3mm wider than the 17-55 on a crop. I just don't know.

[narlus]

if you hunt around enough you might be able to find the 16-35 and 24-70 mk 1 for 2K...which makes a ton more sense to me.

[CosmoKid]

I have and use both. The 24-70 is used a bunch more. Its a great focal range for most venues.

I like to shoot shows a bit wider than most and I would still recommend the 24-70 first. Then the 16-35.

[Noonaki]

I've had the 24-70 eversince I got my 50D. At one point I had the 5Dc for a while and the 24-70 was much wider than it being on the 50D. The 24-70 is amazing and if you can find a really clean used first version I say go for it. After 3 years, just a couple of weeks back got the 17-40 f/4L to be the ultra-wide equivalent of the Sigma 10-20mm on my 50D. The EF-S 10-22 on an APS-C camera is exactly like the 16-35 on a FF.

[Norkusa]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up buying a new 24-70L. Tried to get a used one, but most sellers here wanted only a couple hundred less than a new lens. Figured it made more sense to buy new, especially with the Canon instant rebates going on too.

Just sold my EF-S 17-55 for $900. Was about to get the 16-35L but now I'm looking at the 24L. The lens wasn't even on my radar until the other night when shoot a show with *horrible* lighting. Wanted to get some wide shots with my 24-70 but even at 2.8 @ 12800 on the 5D Mk III they were still underexposed. Ended up using my 50L most of the night @ f/1.4 but I thought the shots with that lens looked too 'cinematic'. That's why I'm considering a fast, wide lens now.

[Tommydigi]

I passed on the 16-35 for the 24L. It's an incredible lens if you like 24. I recently sold my 24-70 but not because of performance, simple lack of use, I was very happy with it but considering the amount I was able to get I decided to sell it.

Back to the 24, it's a lens I too gave little thought about getting but now it's one of my most used.