What do to: 17-40L vs. 24-70L vs. 24-105L

Sold my 24-105L this morning in hopes of finding something a little quicker. In my search, the 24-70 2.8L is the front runner, and the 17-40 F4L is in the mix, only because of the wide option. Obviously, I know it's the same speed.

This is for my 5D2. I tend to shoot a lot of landscape, lightning, weddings, etc...

Suggestions?

It really comes down to your priority. The 17-40 is a nice ultrawide to wide zoom. But has limited use for wedding work. The 24-70 is by all accounts a brilliant wedding lens as is faster. Which focal range floats your boat?

Landscapes, lightning, AND weddings..?! Go with 24-70L.

Anything slower than 2.8 would be too slow.

The 24-70 fits the range I'm looking to cover, and at 2.8, is perfect for low light. Fits nicely between the 50mm prime and my 70-200. However, I still want an UW at some point. The 17-40 would fit that for the most part, but I just can't decide if I can live with the empty slot between 40 and 70, and an f4 isn't ideal for wedding work, as you mentioned. Hmmmm.

pratman64 wrote in post #12118680
Landscapes, lightning, AND weddings..?! Go with 24-70L.

Anything slower than 2.8 would be too slow.

Yeah, weddings are a new thing. Landscapes and lightning are the passion.

if you liked the image quality of the 24-105mm you will love the 24-70mm f/2.8 it was noticably sharper and on a 5DmkII its fast enough to use indoors if the subjects aren't moving very fast with the high iso capabilities. The 24-70 shines better on my 5dmkII than the 24-105mm did.

gotaudi wrote in post #12118870
if you liked the image quality of the 24-105mm you will love the 24-70mm f/2.8 it was noticably sharper and on a 5DmkII its fast enough to use indoors if the subjects aren't moving very fast with the high iso capabilities. The 24-70 shines better on my 5dmkII than the 24-105mm did.

I think I've decided that's the way to go. Hard to find a used copy though. Almost ready to pull the trigger on a new one from Abes..

24-70 would be my pick.

Buy new or patiently wait....Hmmm.

SCMedic wrote in post #12118883
I think I've decided that's the way to go. Hard to find a used copy though. Almost ready to pull the trigger on a new one from Abes..

i got an almost new one on craigslist it was about 7 months old it was pristine condition and came with receipt. and got it for a really great price for being so new.

I agree on the 24-70 as well but don't buy from abes. You might get a used looking lens in a diff box and warranty card that doesn't match the box. They're cheap for a reason avoid at all costs. Just pay 20$ more at bh or adorama.

24-70 is a great lens. I chose the 24-105 for the extra reach and IS and if just can't get enough light I'll use my flash. The 17-40 was a fun lens to have but it really felt like a 1 trick pony when I used it at weddings

24-70 no question. Its the best lens of the 3 by a long shot.

For your uses, I'd say 24-70.

I'll dissent just a touch here because I think the 24-105 is actually a better choice here. I can more than compensate for the 1 stop aperture difference by using the IS so why give up the reach and arguably, some light, since I think the IS is worth at least 2 stops?

Another option (since you have the 50 and 70-200 already) is to consider a used 16-35 II (more cash, I know), or maybe even look for a used 17-35 f2.8 L