24-70L sound like my best bet for next lens?

You can see my current lineup in my sig below. I am not in love with my current zoom; and the nifty fifty is what it is--I get good enough IQ from it, but I wouldn't cry about being able to replace it. In contrast, I have been thrilled with my 85 1.8 and I try to make it work as much as possible.

I am ready to start stepping up to some L glass. I do primarily portrait work for others; my personal photography consists mainly of portrait-type shots of my kids, and I would also like something usable as a walkaround on my crop 50D.

Given all that, I am thinking that the 24-70L sounds like the best bet for my first L purchase. The 24-105L would also cover that range, but with the 85, I don't feel as strongly about the long end as I do the short end. With the crop sensor, I don't use the long end of my current zoom very much.

So, 24-70 sound like a good first foray into L glass for me? Or am I not thinking of something else?

If you're planning on the zoom being used for portrait work, I think the 24-70 is the tits on crop. However, if your zoom will be taking on all walk-around duties, I would personally go wider, like the 17-55mm, and let your 85 be your portrait go-to. If you're not happy with the 50mm, what about a swap over to one of the 1.4s?

If you must go zoom, go 24-70 or 17-55. I would recommend a 35mm L for you because from what I can see is that you love primes and it would be like a 50mm focal range on a crop. If you love your 50mm so much then get the 1.2, you will see a nice difference in build quality, focus, contrast, and sharpness.

Tc202 wrote in post #14919006
If you must go zoom, go 24-70 or 17-55. I would recommend a 35mm L for you because from what I can see is that you love primes and it would be like a 50mm focal range on a crop. If you love your 50mm so much then get the 1.2, you will see a nice difference in build quality, focus, contrast, and sharpness.

I'm not wedded to going zoom--portrait work is much more my primary consideration. I could live with my current zoom if I just used it for walkaround type stuff. I just hate using it for any portrait work.

The nifty fifty is alright as far as IQ (though I can see a definite difference comparing it to my 85 1.8)--but the sloooooow focus kills for stuff like taking pics of (perpetual motion) kids. And, I'm not in love with the 50mm focal length on my crop 50D. It's just too close to the 85. I want something that gives a definite contrast with the focal length of the 85.

The 35L is a possibility. Thanks so far for the comments!

It's the same old debate again....L zoom on crop.

Do you find 28mm on your current lens not wide enough sometimes? If you are ok with it, 24-70 can be a good choice.

Personally I wouldn't get one now. mkI has gone up in price and mkII is just around the corner. Unless you are looking to buy used.

Look seriously into the Tamron 24-70 VC imo.

24-70 isnt that wide on a crop. but if you arent worried about landscaping, go for it. otherwise the 17-55 on a cropper is nearly impossible to beat.

Right now you minimum focal is 28mm. Try to rent a 17-55 to see if you enjoy the wide end.

You kinda already got a very good portrait lens in the 85mm f1.8... if you go wider, dont expect as much bokeh.

As for me, best ef-s walk-around lens is the 15-85mm. Perfect range for family shots.