Lens requirements for 7D

New guy here.

I have a 20D at the moment (and will keep it as my 2nd body) with a Sigma 10-20 and some old 24-85 lens. I am planning on getting a 7D a little bit down the line, however I would like to get a better "general" lens than the 24-85 I have today. Also looking at getting a telephoto zoom lens for wildlife/sport.

So my question is, would the 7D (with 18MP on a crop) require the high end L lenses to get the most out of the camera or would the normal EF lenses work great on it as well?

Maybe 50D users have a better fell for it now, after spending some time with a high density crop.

I'm not a pro, but would like to improve my chances of taking great pictures on a more constant basis. I'm still improving my photography skills, so lots of hits and misses. However I did find that I have a lot fewer misses when using a 40D with IS lenses than the 20D setup I have now.

I have used a 40D with 28-135 IS and 70-300 IS, and the pictures were so much better than the 20D with the 24-85 lens. The 40D with the 70-300 was able to capture great sport and wildlife pictures (just to set the level of what I am looking at). I would however like to get better quality pictures when getting an upgraded body like the 7D.

I just want to make sure that I invest in the right glass now for the future body.

I'd say it sounds like you need to give thought to glass before a new body if thats the extent of what you have...

You might want to take a look at the new 15-85 that Canon is sort of pairing to be the "kit" lens with the new 7D if you're happy with 85 at the long end...

But I'd bet a 7D would be wasted on you right now [Not trying to be mean] I bet you'd find the 20D is capable of producing some stunning images if you put some better glass on it

I'm hoping that the 17-55 f2.8 sings as well as it does on my 50D

I'm thinking of pairing it with a nice prime lens...perhaps a 35L or 24L.

newbiephotographer wrote in post #8626004
I'm thinking of pairing it with a nice prime lens...perhaps a 35L or 24L...which one?

24 is close to 40, 35 is close to 50...

Personally, I kinda am partial to 24 But 35 aint bad either!

Personally, im thinking of getting a Sigma 24mm f/1.8 and a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 to go with it..As well as the 15-85, 100L and my 100-400L...

Eventually, a 11-16 will come in to provide wide end backup

KenjiS wrote in post #8625435
I'd say it sounds like you need to give thought to glass before a new body if thats the extent of what you have...

You might want to take a look at the new 15-85 that Canon is sort of pairing to be the "kit" lens with the new 7D if you're happy with 85 at the long end...

But I'd bet a 7D would be wasted on you right now [Not trying to be mean] I bet you'd find the 20D is capable of producing some stunning images if you put some better glass on it

Agreed. I am only looking at the 7D down the line, but want to make sure the lens purchases I make now will be a good match for the 7D later.

For my needs I got the 10-20 primarily for landscapes, and I have found the focal length of the current 24-85 to be a bit on the short side. I loved the focal length range on the 28-135 with the 40D for general use, and looking at something giving more reach than the 85 I have now. The 28 is not wide enough on the crop, but with a10-20 that problem is now solved.

My biggest issue with the 20D is the small LCD screen as it is virtually impossible to get a good feel of the shot on that small a screen. The 40D made things so much easier to gt shots set up or see what I'm doing wrong, the 50D screen is even better and will definitely help me to see if I get the right focus I am looking for.

Anyway that is a topic for another day.

For now I would just like to understand if a lens like the 28-135 IS would be a good match for the 7D, or whether I should be looking at spending the extra $$$ for something like the 24-105 IS L. Similar thoughts in regards to a telephoto zoom 70-300 IS vs 100-400 IS L. I would like 2.8s, but so far 4s seem to be more than capable for my needs, since most of my pictures I really care about are outdoors (and 4 seems to be just great for the sports pictures I take - although 2.8 with better AF, etc might be better).

Have folks with the 50Ds noticed a big difference when they used L glass??

I currently use the 24-105 on my Xti and have no problems with it. It's a everyday lens.

Personally I would spend the money on some nice glass then on a new body.

Both your current 20D and the new 7D are 1.6 crop bodies and, therefore, will work with all Canon EF and EF-s lenses. Your requirements will be no different with a 7D than they are with the 20D. Think about what is the appropriate glass for the type of shooting you want to do, not about what glass is appropriate to a particular body.

have both 20D and 50D .....
a 7D is in the future here also.....

i love the tammy 17-50mm on the 20D.
but on the 50D - its the 24-70mm L that really kicks.
it is not a night and day difference - its the refinement across the board.
-contrast, color, depth perception, etc .....

i also am looking into the 35L and 135L for shooting weddings.

Later,
Mark

bulldog-yota wrote in post #8626328
For now I would just like to understand if a lens like the 28-135 IS would be a good match for the 7D, or whether I should be looking at spending the extra $$$ for something like the 24-105 IS L. Similar thoughts in regards to a telephoto zoom 70-300 IS vs 100-400 IS L. I would like 2.8s, but so far 4s seem to be more than capable for my needs, since most of my pictures I really care about are outdoors (and 4 seems to be just great for the sports pictures I take - although 2.8 with better AF, etc might be better).

Have folks with the 50Ds noticed a big difference when they used L glass??

Ah alright then, I would recommend spending the extra $$ for the 24-105 then yes, optically its a lot better than the 28-135, its built better and its a fantastic lens, I had one on my 30D a long time ago and it was a real peach!

As for telephoto zooms, Theres no comparison on the 70-300 IS vs the 100-400, the 100-400 is amazing, awesome, sharp wide open, has contrast color and bokeh like you wont believe and its also cool and white

Ok I own one, Screw me for being a little biased towards loving that lens to pieces! its the one lens i have no regrets on at all and i find perfect

Thx for the input. Seems to validate what I have read so far, to get the best out of the new crop bodies good glass is required.

Seems like I will have to save up and get some good glass. This way I don't have to pay twice, once for cheap glass and then for the good stuff (so it is actually cheaper to get it right form the start).

At least I will be set for a better body in the future.

I have a 20D also, and have changed lenses a bunch until I finally settled on the 24-105 for walking around and 100-400 for sports. My 17-40 and 70-200 (f4, non-IS) rarely get used anymore.

Also, my 50 f1.4 is being neglected in favor of the 85 f1.8 for portraits these days. 100 f2.8 does strictly macro.

I bought these over the past few years when I wasn't buying a 30D, 40D, or 50D.... but now I'm 90% sure I will buy a 7D once the full reviews confirm that it's everyting it's hyped up to be.

Volatile wrote in post #8627442
I have a 20D also, and have changed lenses a bunch until I finally settled on the 24-105 for walking around and 100-400 for sports. My 17-40 and 70-200 (f4, non-IS) rarely get used anymore.

Also, my 50 f1.4 is being neglected in favor of the 85 f1.8 for portraits these days. 100 f2.8 does strictly macro.

I bought these over the past few years when I wasn't buying a 30D, 40D, or 50D.... but now I'm 90% sure I will buy a 7D once the full reviews confirm that it's everyting it's hyped up to be.

Exactly! With me, I had a trio of lenses from my EOS-3 [24-105, 50 f/1.4 prime and the 200mm f/2.8L] when i got my 30D, I then after that spent most of my time and money on lenses and not getting new bodies, Finally i did what was supposed to be my ultimate upgrade early this year in preperation for a new body..

Then I found issues with my lineup EXCEPT the 100-400....Because i concentrated TOO hard on the 100-400 and ended up rushing decisions on he rest of my lenses...

Now I really have the perfect lineup in my head....

For zooms, a Tokina 11-16, Canon 15-85 IS and the 100-400 IS

To supplement, Sigma 24mm f/1.8, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and the Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro...

Sometime in the future, a big prime, Most likely a 300mm f/2.8 and teleconverters will be added...And I was seriously thinking of the Vivitar 7mm f/3.5 fisheye for fun

The 100mm f/2.8L IS kinda removes my need for a 70-200 i think...I might get a 580EX II however, just to have a flash in my system to really make sure i can do anything...