Is the 24-70 an overkill on my T2i? Anyone use the combo?

Hey guys,

I'm selling my kit lens to my friend tomorrow so the only lens I'll be left with my 50mm 1.4. I need to upgrade my "all around, walk around" lens and have debated it down to the 24-105L vs the 24-70L. My question is, would the 24-70 be an overkill for my T2i? Both physically (my camera was literally facing straight down from my neck when I had this lens mounted), and quality wise? (will my camera be good enough to create nice images that are similar to a 7D or a 5D?)

I like both and while I like the 24-105 for having a lot of great features like IS, better focal length, matches my body more, etc, I like the 24-70 because it's a faster lens (i shoot indoors a lot) and it seems like everyone LOVES it.

I know either way I can't go wrong and will be lightyears ahead of the kit lens but i wanted to hear your inputs. Also if anyone's using this combo (or T1i, Xs, Xsi, etc) how their experience with it is. Thanks.

Why do you think you need an L?

24-70L is heavy as hell and is overrated in my opinion (probably got a soft copy).

24-105L is a great daytime walk around but isn't all that great indoors. (traded for 17-55)

Go for the 17-55 IS. It has f/2.8 + IS.

I would've kept my 17-55 if I didn't need to pay for car repairs. =[

Grab the 15-85. Its the best walk around lens for crop cameras IMHO. If you shoot indoors alot I would stick to your 50mm prime.

i guess i don't "NEED" an L lens, but i'm also sure not everyone buys/bought their L's because they NEEDED it..more of a want. I don't want to buy lenses over and over when I'll probably end up with the better ones later on anyway...and yes I do plan on adding a FF later on and the combo with 5D2 and 24-70 blew me away (in the lens thread). also, i knew the 17-55 was going to come up but I don't want to spend nearly same amount of $ for an ef-s lens and the focal length doesn't appeal to me that much (17 not wide enough and 55 not long enough). lastly, i find my prime is too long to use indoors and wish now that i bought a 30mm instead.

so yea...does anyone actually HAVE the 24-70/t2i combo?

a t2i/24-70 would be so uncomfortable to hold for any extended period of time

If 17 is not wide enough for you then 17-55 is out of the question, have you considered 15-85? maybe add a flash if your gonna be using it indoors a lot?

edit: if you dont find 17 not wide enough, why would you consider 24?

I have....its a bit front heavy but its produces some excellent shots.

i plan to get the sigma 10-20 so the 24mm not being wide enough is fine..

so do you guys think the 24-105 would be a better choice?

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12048444
i plan to get the sigma 10-20 so the 24mm not being wide enough is fine..

so do you guys think the 24-105 would be a better choice?

do you shoot a lot of indoor events? if yes then also consider a flash with it, if not, then 24-105 is a very good outdoor walkaround with great focal range.

a flash would be a better choice than any of the lenses you mentioned. When shooting in low light, f2.8 will never be enough. Like they have mentioned above, go for one of the crop lenses, such as 17-55 or 15-85. Do not go for 10-20 + 24-70. You will change lenses alot with this combo and miss many shots.

hope this helps

I just chose the 24-70 over the 24-105 and I'm glad I did. The lens is not as heavy as every claims and I actually like the feel of it better than the 24-105. Now don't get me wrong, the 24-105 is a fantastic lens but I'll take 2.8 over f/4 any day. Do some research. You'll find most guys never take if it there bodies. It's incredible. But even though 2.8 isn't that great for low light it's better than f/4. Trust me I exchanged my 70-200 f/4 for the 2.8 and I can definitely tell the difference when indoors. A lot of people don't l like the weight of the 70-200 2.8 either, but I again prefer it and have no issue with it and I've carry it around with me wherever I go.

Since you're shooting indoors a lot I would suggest completely rethinking your bag.

The 24-105L is a great lens but at F4 it's just not fast enough indoors even with IS and ISO 3200.

The 24-70L will make your Rebel feel imbalanced. It was still front heavy on my gripped 7D. Also, the 1 stop gain compared to the 24-105L wont be enough since it doesn't have IS.

Here are some more suggestions:
- buy a flash
- shoot with primes (ie. +28 or 30, your 50, and +85)
- sell your 50 for a 28 or 30 and buy a 15-85. (The prime will solve your lowlight needs and the 15-85 for daytime walk arounds)
- get the 24-105L and a flash
- get the 17-55
- sell everything and get the 5d2 kit

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12048444
so do you guys think the 24-105 would be a better choice?

I agree with everyone that mentioned a flash.

Here is how I view things.
Depending on the lighting conditions, and what you are shooting in doors, you might be better off with a prime or two.

Will 2.8 be fast enough for what you want to shoot in doors?

I shoot outside a lot in natural light with a tripod. For my style, the 24-105 would be great on my 40D. IMO, for my style, a great "all round, walk around" kit would be an UWA, 24-105, and a 100-400 or 70-300. That would cover a lot of range and a lot of possibilities.

Yes, not the fastest lenses. But that's what flashes and primes are for. 2.8 lenses like the 24-70 and 70-200 are great. But you might find that 2.8 isn't as fast as you wanted it to be.

Personally I think the 24-105 is an awesome walk around lens on a crop. Especially paired with an UWA.

17-55 and a flash!