Is Canon 24-105L or 15-85 any good indoors ?

Just got 24-105 from canon online store as a refurb for price of new 15-85. I have 60D now and I don't need extra focal length. My main aim is to shoot indoors and take great pictures of my 1yr old daughter. I currently have 50mm f/1.8 and 18-135. I also have 50mm f/1.4 on backorder with canon store.

I have heard 24-105 is not the best indoor lens. How is 15-85 indoors ? I know 17-55 would work, but I need some level of zoom which both 15-85 and 24-105 would give me. Any opinions if I should keep 24-105 or get 15-85 ?

you should clarify why you are asking... do you need speed for indoors or what reason you think one is better than the other... I would never get rid of my 24-105 for a 15-85 for any reason... just mho...

Keep the 24-105 and get a flash. You will really like the longer zoom.

What I would do is get a flash such as the 430EX or 430EXII, a Stroboframe camera-flip bracket and a diffuser reflector such as the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro ( www.dembflashproducts.​com ). You will also need an off-camera sync cord unless you are shooting with a 7D or 60D which has wireless sync capability...

I don't have any pictures of kids but here are some products ot the above setup...

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …LJM#1244840976_​GPhDr-A-LB

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …LJM#1245211250_​kPtxT-A-LB

Flash!

focus.pocus wrote in post #12766282
you should clarify why you are asking... do you need speed for indoors or what reason you think one is better than the other... I would never get rid of my 24-105 for a 15-85 for any reason... just mho...

Mostly for speed. Kids move all over the place.

Also would like to know expert users opinion on canon refurb lenses. Are there any specific tests I can do on lens to make sure I don't have a soft copy ?

Each lens is different. The test you can do is just to shoot ISO charts (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Help/ISO-12233.aspx) or anything you like that offers good detail over the entire image and just pixel peep. Use manual focus in live view 10x zoome to make sure focus is correct, bung the setup on a good stable tripod, shoot with 2 second delay and mirror lock up set. And peep away.

As for your original question. I find the 24-105 too slow f-stop wise for in doors motion. With a flash it works well. I also wonder if 24mm is too narrow for in doors for you but that's for you to judge. The USM AF should be fast enough to keep up if there's enough light to focus on.

Thanks everybody for your opinions. I think another option for me is to cancel 50mm f/1.4 and get 17-50 f/2.8 Tamron non VC lens. That will help me cover some wide angle with a constant f-stop indoors and use 24-105 in situation with optimal light. I have heard rave reviews of 24-105. My budget is approx $1000, so suggestions welcome for alternate options.

Now I don't have budget for canon flash. Any other cheaper flash that I can use instead of 430 EXII ? Don't need special features in flash. Plain and simple would work.

How much have you got left over after the 24-105? 430 EX shouldn't be that expensive. You can also consider nissin flashes. Good value with the cavet that there are some limitations if you ever want to use it off camera.

ateet wrote in post #12766659
Thanks everybody for your opinions. I think another option for me is to cancel 50mm f/1.4 and get 17-50 f/2.8 Tamron non VC lens. That will help me cover some wide angle with a constant f-stop indoors and use 24-105 in situation with optimal light.

The 17-50 f/2.8 might not be fast enough for photographing children in your home without a flash. It would not work in my home. Use your 50 f/1.8 at f/2.8 to check if you can have a shutter speed fast enough to stop the action of children. I treat photographing children at play like shooting a sporting event.

Children + indoors = requirement for a flash! A faster lens will not make up for a flash. I made that mistake once thinking it would, sold a 430exII and quickly found what a huge mistake it was. I use my current flash with both my Sigma and my 15-85 when indoors.

Okay so the consensus is flash then. Rather than get 50mm f/1.4, I am going to get Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. I can get the educational rebate so price will be less than 50mm f/1.4. Will keep my 24-105L and 50mm f/1.8. Gotta get rid of 18-135 then.

I am now kind of kicking myself for not getting 430EXII last year when after price match it was available for ~200 at Staples. Prices have gone up like crazy for photography items with Yen appreciating against the Dollar over last year. My next purchase will be from 10 to 24 range UWA lens.

the tamron 17-50mm is a cracking lens.

i got one. The downside is that teh AF is terrible. IQ is brilliant

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/josh1408/440752​3170/

jonneymendoza wrote in post #12768231
the tamron 17-50mm is a cracking lens.

i got one. The downside is that teh AF is terrible. IQ is brilliant

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/josh1408/440752​3170/
Day 20 039_1 by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

Is this non-VC version ? I think a new for around ~300 after all kinds of rebates is a no brainer to me.