Which lens, EF-S 10-22 or EF 17-40L?

I'm thinking of renting one of the two lenses for a quick photo shoot with my niece this coming weekend but I'm not sure which one. I'll be using it on a cropped sensor outdoors (which will be fun in the 90+ degree heat...).

Which would you guys recommend- EF-S 10-22mm or EF 17-40L? I'm leaning towards the 17-40 but I've heard of bad results with it on a cropped sensor. I've also considered the 24-105L... Thoughts?

why do you want to go so wide with shots with your niece?...how old is your niece?

outdoors i'm thinking something like a 70-200mm f2.8 would be better...either way i don't see why you'd rent a 17-40L instead of a 17-55f2.8 IS

An 18-55 with IS would do great as well, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to rent becasue you probably already have one.
70-200 is nice as well, forget the 17-40, I had one and was not impressed at all. The 10-22 was much better, by a substantial margin.

She's 18. The 17-55 isn't available from my camera shop to rent and their 70-200 is already out for the weekend. Oh well, what can you do, right? They do have a 17-85 though... How about the 24-105?

You don't want a wide lens for portrait. 70-200 is a great lens for portraiture, the 15-85 should be cheaper and also do a great job. You could also look at some fast primes. An 85 or 135?

Bsmooth wrote in post #14805394
An 18-55 with IS would do great as well, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to rent becasue you probably already have one.
70-200 is nice as well, forget the 17-40, I had one and was not impressed at all. The 10-22 was much better, by a substantial margin.

Yeah, I used my 18-55 the last time her and shot together and I liked the results. I'm just wanting to explore other lenses for future purchases.

I've currently got a 50 1.8, 18-55, and 55-250 so I know with those I can cover it because I've done it before. Like I mentioned though, I'm exploring other lenses for potential future purchases.

i'd try a longer prime then...maybe an 85 f1.8 or 100 f2...i don't think there's much the 17-40L would do that your kit lens couldn't...and i just don't know about the 10-22mm for portraits...unless you're looking for wider landscape portraits

also you could always rent online:

borrowlenses.com and lensrentals.com

If your going to be outdoors i assume you can step back, so is focal length that much of an issue? I also assume your doing portrait type work, so you would want creamy bokeh?
I wouldn't really use the lenses you've talked about because the the only go to f3.5 and f4 on the wide angles.
Rent a 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM (the newer one to which i have)
I can tell you that he MKI of this lens is brilliant for portraits. In fact, see what fast telephoto lenses you can get. The 70-200 has the perfect focal length, it allows plenty of space for the subject not to feel intimidates, the fast aperture gives great bokeh and works well in low light and the long focal lengths make the images seem more compresses, give a more flattering look.
Here is a list of lenses i would recommend for portraits:
>17-55 f2.8 - only EF-S
>May be a 50 f1.4
>100 f/2 - great lens
>135 f2
>135 f2.8 - GREAT LENS (SOFTFOCUS LENS It allows sharpness to be adjusted, makes skin tones look nicer
> 24-70 f2.8
>70-200 f4 or f2.8 (even better)

If you insist on one of those lenses, i would go for the 17-40, but only because its an L lens

Unless you're doing environmental portraits, I'd stay away from the UWA. Like others said, a fast prime, 135 f2(plenty flock to this lens for portraits) or a 70-200 variation. Mostly depends on what kind of shots you want and how much you have to move around.

Check out lensrentals.com, they can do overnight shipping but not sure they'll get it to you by this weekend.

Thanks guys! Definately gvining me some food for thought.

Try www.lensrentals.com if your local shop comes up short. Excellent service.

Longer prime IMO No way a wide angle for portraits generally.

85mm 100mm or 135mm would be nice to try.

I have a Rebel XTi and the 10-22. It's a great lens, but when shooting family pics at the park, I tend to use the Sigma 30mm prime or my 17-85 if I want to move around less

If you are exploring and haven't tried the Sigma 30mm, I would suggest to check it out. On the 1.6x crop sensor it is closer to a 50mm prime on FF. Coupled with what I perceive to be excellent sharpness as well as excellent bokeh, I think it would make for some great photos in the setting you're planning to be shooting.

Can't speak to the 17-40L as I've never even touched one, but with the 10-22 unless you're going for special/creative angles that take in more background (at 10mm, for example), I think you'd be using it at the longer end of the focal length range, which would in a way defeat it's purpose not to mention up close can distort (enlarge) subjects close to the lens. I find this more useful when shooting architectural vs. people, where interesting perspective is welcome and can be considered artistic.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!