Lens Upgrade Advice

[bertelm]

I am looking to upgrade one of my lenses, so I need some advice.

Currently I have a Sigma 12-24, Canon 24-85 and Canon 75-300IS/USM. I was thinking of either replacing the Canon 24-85 with a 24-70L or the 75-300 with the 100-400L. Price wise, both lenses are similiar.

I use the 24-85 most, so in some ways it make sense to replace this first. I loose a little bit in reach, but can a faster/sharper lense.

On the other hand, replacing the 75-300, I would add 25% plus extra sharpness. Out of the the two canon lenses, I'm probably least satisfied with the 75-300. I find it soft after 200mm.

Any suggestions - I don't have any experience with these lenses, other than trying them out in the camera store. Given the lenses I have, which would give more more bang for my buck?

[ssim]

When I first got my 10D the first lens that I got was the 24-85. It didn't take me long to realize that it wasn't of the calibre that I wanted. I replaced it with the 24-70 f2.8 L. It is the lens that spends the most time on my camera. It is a great walk around lens.

The 100-400 is an awesome lens as well.

It really depends on what you spend most of your time shooting. If you need the length in the zoom range then the 100-400 is a great choice.

Of course you could go for broke (literally) and get both

[scottbergerphoto]

I have the 24-70 and 100-400. They are both great. You should get both. The one you buy first depends on which you want to have first.
Scott

[CoolToolGuy]

The lens that I am most unhappy with is the 75-300 IS. So if it was me, I would replace it first. I have used the 100-400 L, and I was pleased with it, although I want something longer.

I have not used any of the normal or wide lenses you have, so I don't know how they perform.

[nosquare2003]

I would choose 100-400 for one reason: -- you have extra reach to 400mm that you don't have it now. Anyway, it depends on your needs.

[bertelm]

Thanks for all the advice.

My leanings are to the 100-400 lens. It gives me more reach. Also, if I compare the two lenses I have, the 75-300 lens I have is softer than my 24-85 lens. That would imply that I will notice the difference in sharpness more with the 100-400 lens.

[Olegis]

I myself would go to the 100-400 too - it's excellent optically and the IS adds a lot to it's overall value. Someday I'll by myself one of those ...

[Belmondo]

Every time somebody asks a 'which lens' question, the members provide a bewildering range of answers. In this case, we've seen suggestiongs that cover a range from 24mm to 400mm. Eventually someone chimes in with the obvious answer: "Only you can answer which lens will be best for you."

I have both the lenses in question, and I'd be hard-pressed to decide which is more useful. The 24-70 is the lens that stays on my MK II almost all the time. There are a couple reasons for this:
1. It's the most useful focal range for all-around shooting.
2. It's a fast lens
3. It fits in my Mini-Trekker.
4. Knowledgeable people consider this to be a very sexy lens.

On the other hand, the 100-400 is my 'go to' lens for railroad photography. My train photos are the main justification I have for buying all this gear, and most of my most important shots have been taken with the 100-400. Here are a couple considerations with it:
1. It is also a useful focal range (4X), but definitely on the long side.
2. It's not particularly fast, although very useable in normal daylight situations. It does have the additional potential of being coupled to a CANON 1.4X or 2.0X TC, although at the cost of 1 or 2 f/stops respectively.
3. It doesn't fit in anything (except possibly the back of my truck). It's a brute, especially at 400mm (remember: it's a push/pull zoom and is almost a mile long when fully extended).
4. Everyone thinks it's sexy. It's big, white, and stands out like a sore thumb. It's a great conversation-starter, albeit very often with people you don't necessarily want to talk to.


Ultimately this is a decision that can only be made for you by you. Getting all these opinions might be helpful, but every opinion here is based on the personal preference on the person offering it, and can really only serve as food for thought.

You decide. It's your money.