Don't know what to buy

Help! In the market for 24-105 or 70-200 2.8. I mostly take landscape and macro photos and now i want a new lens. Going to thailand in september (honey moon) and i think a 24-105 will be perfect. I have a 20D. Any other suggestions in that money range? Don't need extra flash for macro. I have a 17-40 for the wide. I just can't decide on what to get.

The wide L is a very decent walkaround on the crop bodies. You have a 50mm too. If you didn't have them I'd suggest the 24-105 IS L but I reckon the 70-200 is the way to go. It will add most value to you. Do you really want the 2.8 tho'? Light is pretty good in Thailand ... unless it's the monsoon The 4.0 would be nicer to carry around, but long term you may have a need for the faster version. The new Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro seems a great option. Plenty of scope for close ups and save you taking the 180mm too. Travel light

I think the 24-105 is a great walkaround (general purpose lens.) However, you already have a 17-40 so it is a little overlap. I guess I'd say the 70-200/4 if you want to travel light. Only a small gap from 40-70. Maybe a 1.4x and an extension tube.

i have the 24-105 and the 70-200L f4 so i think you should get both . but for your trip and shooting preference the 24-105L will serve you much better, imo.

in fact, i'm not sure i would pack a long zoom for that trip.

ed rader

GENE, I'm still waiting for your sig update. What's the hold up man?

The 24-105 is a great lens for every day use and I think would be perfect for your trip. Perhaps the redundanacy it would create with the 17-40 could be addressed by selling the 17-40 and replacing it with the 10-22 (although not an L lens it certainly has terrific reviews and exceptional IQ). Just a thought!

Get the 200 f2.8L and the 1.4X TC.

The thing is, i want only 1 lens for this trip. I had the 70-200F4 but didn't use it (half year) so i sold it. I also don't use the 50mm, so that's up for sale shortly. I was thinking of the f2.8 (70-200) for a zoom lens, because i don't have one. Macro is a thing i do mostly, say 95%.
It is mayby stupid to buy the 24-105 for the trip and then never use it any more. Would the 17-40 be good on this trip?
Difficult person, i know.

First i thought about the 135f2, but i don't think it's usefull on this trip. I'm in bangkok for 3 days and then off to Pucket. First thing i thought about the 135 is that is would be great for flowers but i know i would use my 180 for that.

that's a personal choice. i have the 24-105 and a tamron 17-35 and i would take both.

if i could only take one lens it would be the 24-105L. but i could see someone else wanting to go the other way.

ed rader

One lens solution is different. The 24-105 will proably be more practical overall. If you go to the floating market then some length will get you some great candid shots of sellers, etc., but you will miss on the wide end for the temples and street scenes. Difficult one. The 17-40 and an 85mm might be a pragmatic solution. I dunno. I just wouldn't go with one lens. I would want two for wide and up to around 100mm. 24mm could just do you tho'. Hey, taking one lens imposes a viewpoint that can lead to greater creativity than a bagfull!

If you don't know what to buy, don't purchase either. Sit and wait until you feel confident in the right lens purchase, then pull the trigger.

Generally people prefer wide angles for vacations, so they can take landscap/cityscape shots.
I'd recommend getting an ultrawide like a Canon 10-22 or a Sigma 10-20. If you don't want anything too wide, then a Canon 17-40L or a Tamron 17-35 might be a good idea as it covers about 28mm-50mm in 35mm format.
Lastly, you could also get a Tamron/Sigma 18-200 as a do it all one lens for vacation. Optically it isn't as good, but it's very versatile.
Good luck

For Thailand use your 17-40L, I use a 12-24 F4 as my main travel lens and it works really well. I sometimes take a 28-75 as well and I use it occasionally, a 70-200 F2.8 is WAY too heavy to travel with IMHO, i'd never take mine with me. Also, don't forget it's a honeymoon not a photography expidition!

It sounds like you want a new toy rather than needing a new lens. I'd recommend a 24-70 F2.8 (Sigma probably) as a general lens, or the amazing Canon 100mm F2.8 macro for macro (and portraits).

I almost never nibble on these "buy" threads, but since Tim did, with his 11,000+ posts, I'll BITE...

If money is plentiful, buy the 24-105 f/4L IS (you're looking for an excuse anyway) AND a Kenco new DC (digital camera) 12mm extension tube. That will cover your new lens lust, your macro lust, your honeymoon lust, etc. Take that combo, or take it with the 17-40mm.

A 12mm tube, at 24mm focal length gives about 0.5-0.6x magnification for "thing in their environment" close-ups. A 12mm tube on the 17-40mm @ 17mm provides a whopping 0.8x magnification. Close to true macro. I love "a thing in its environment close-ups" which can't be done with macro lens. Of course, then you'll be doing that instead of paying due attention to spouse....
Jack