Architectural Photographers- What do you shoot with?

Architective wrote in post #9670513
How important is the f/2.8 for composed, architectural type shooting?

not very important, you usually stop it down some, to get more dof... but as with other types of shooting, having the ability to handhold it in more extreme situations is always nice.. like with this one, where I didnt bring my tripod and my boss wanted some of us with cameras to get this shot.. thanks to f2.8+IS I was the only one who got a decently sharp result, despite a 0,3 sec long exposure..

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I'm just getting into architecture myself. 17-40 for now but I plan on getting a 5D MKII and a TS lens.

denMAR wrote in post #9670975
I'm just getting into architecture myself. 17-40 for now but I plan on getting a 5D MKII and a TS lens.

I'd love a 5d and a mid range TS lens. I can stitch when needed.

I get some some decent results with my sigma 10-20.
check it outttt...

Not at all. You'll want more DoF.

24mm TS-E on APS-C (top two) and 4x5 view camera (bottom two)

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I've got most of my wide angle needs covered by my Tamron 10-24mm until I can get to a TS lens. I need a lens moreso for exterior shots. I have an 18-55mm kit lens, and occasionally borrow a friends 24-85mm canon. I'm planning out the next purchase for lens, as I'd like something with a little better/sharper image quality than the kit lens. A 24mm f/2.8 prime has crossed my radar more than a few times.

So I shot some pictures tonight with a friend's 17-55 f/2.8 lens and really liked it. I don't necessarily need the f/2.8 or really the IS for that matter for the type of shooting that I'm going to be doing with this lens (architectural building shooting, all on tripod, all manual focus). So f/2.8, and IS not withstanding, what is a good, sharp lens in that category? I'd prefer it start in the 17mm range, but I'll entertain 24mm's.

Also, this may put me in another bracket, but a lens that would work if I ever do go FF 5D. I imagine the EF changes things. I don't think the FF switch will happen for at least a year, maybe 2.

Budget - up to $1k.

Tamron makes good lenses, but the Canon 10-22mm is just magic! It can so wide with such sharpness and low distortion that it is my first choice for architectural shooting. For general purpose use, I highly recommend the Tamron 18-270mm. It has an IQ not found in any other superzoom and IS (which they call VC) that is better than on any other lens I have tried (perhaps equal to some of the newer L's). At the ends of its range it is not super sharp in the corners wide open, but you will generally need DOF that keeps you in the f/7.1 + range where it give beautiful results. Being able to zoom in to 270 will also let you capture details that you might not otherwise get, or wouldn't have the time to shoot if you had to change to a telephoto and back every time.

Biased but one of the best combos are TS-E 17mm + 1.4x converter, giving you a cheap TS-E 24mm if ever needed. I like the 17mm much better because in Europe streets tend to be narrow, especially in the historic centers. Also because it offers a very unique look, being the only TS-E 17mm available for FF. Nikon has 24 too, so that gets boring I like buying unique lenses because of the extra value.

Maybe you should consider selling your stuff and moving to a 5D. Then you can get an MF shift lens for <$1000 (~$600?) and still have a wide AoV.

Wish I could sell and go 5D, but that's not in the cards for now. A few more paid shoots and some continued work could push me closer to that. Now I'm probably better off buying an EF lens that will work for future FF options. What are the best EF options with my criteria?

Anybody?

Architective wrote in post #9823580
Wish I could sell and go 5D, but that's not in the cards for now. A few more paid shoots and some continued work could push me closer to that. Now I'm probably better off buying an EF lens that will work for future FF options. What are the best EF options with my criteria?

17-40, 16-35.

Let's keep this alive. What's in your bag?

Canon 10-22

Whichever lens gets me the shot:

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