24-70mm 2.8 vs 16-35mm 2.8

Hey guys,
I'm getting ready to buy a lens and wanted some opinions on which to get. I mostly photograph theatre shows, dance shows, concerts, and headshots. I also do the normal family and portraits sometimes. I am about to start shooting for ballroom competitions on a regular basis. So I'm trying to decide on either the 24-70 2.8 or 16.35 2.8? I have a Canon 7D. Also I already have a 50mm 1.4. What are some pros and cons on these lenses for things like ballroom dancing??
Thanks!!!

Of only the 2 you mention I would say the 16-35m will be a better choice since you can still use the 50m so you will have the wide range covered but you will not have the reach for head shots. Not even with the 24-70m because it's not long enough either at about 110m with crop format. Personally if I only had 1 choice it would be the 70-200m f/2.8 although on a crop format it's still going to create its own issues with being too long but many times it's easier to move back than it is to move forward with crowded venues. Although you'd still have the 50m you'd still not have anything very wide since it will be shooting at 80m. An affordable alternative would be something like a Sigma 30m f/1.4 which you can pick up under $300 used but that is outside your question.

ktcharlotte wrote in post #16724866
Hey guys,
I'm getting ready to buy a lens and wanted some opinions on which to get. I mostly photograph theatre shows, dance shows, concerts, and headshots. I also do the normal family and portraits sometimes. I am about to start shooting for ballroom competitions on a regular basis. So I'm trying to decide on either the 24-70 2.8 or 16.35 2.8? I have a Canon 7D. Also I already have a 50mm 1.4. What are some pros and cons on these lenses for things like ballroom dancing??
Thanks!!!

I use my 16-35 significantly more than my 24-70, and I'm on full frame.

ktcharlotte wrote in post #16724866
Hey guys,
I'm getting ready to buy a lens and wanted some opinions on which to get. I mostly photograph theatre shows, dance shows, concerts, and headshots. I also do the normal family and portraits sometimes. I am about to start shooting for ballroom competitions on a regular basis. So I'm trying to decide on either the 24-70 2.8 or 16.35 2.8? I have a Canon 7D. Also I already have a 50mm 1.4. What are some pros and cons on these lenses for things like ballroom dancing??
Thanks!!!

Hello,

Although great for concerts where you'd get the wide-angle (less wide on crop but that makes it all the more important) I think the 16-35 might be too wide for theatre, dance and headshots.

For the ballroom competitions, it depends on where you would be positioned - in close to the edge of the dance floor and the 16-35 could be great for some dramatic shots, but if you're any distance from the stage itself, then it's probably going to be too short. This would be my experience of shooting theatre and dance in different sized theatres - and in the larger ones you see the reason people buy 70-200s.

On full-frame the 24-70 gives you a good compromise but you'd need to look at the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 or perhaps a third party lens (I don't know their specs exactly as I try to avoid learning too much about gear I'm not in the market for) of similar values - is there a reason you're not looking at this lens? I think it's better to buy for the camera you have in your hand than the one you may have in the future, in case it's a full-frame minded decision.

Hope this helps in some way. All the best with your decision, feel free to PM me.

Owain.

I agree with #4. The 17-55 will give you the same image quality at a lower price. It would be my choice unless you are planning to purchase a full frame body soon.
I do think that the 17-55 or 16-35 are too short if you are shooting from the seats in an auditorium. Wide angle shots of an entire stage tend to all look the same.