which lens would you rather have?

James Crockett wrote in post #18446331
only thing bothers me is doesn't have image stabilization but I do like how versatile the lens is. I've considered this one and the 50mm 1.2L..

I've had the 24-70 II ever since it got released and I've never felt the need for IS. Getting to 1/FL or faster is easy on my 6D.

all these you don't need IS because of high ISO comments are kinda ridiculous...no matter what situations you shoot in, there's a time where f2.8 and high ISO won't cut it...but a lens with IS would...he mentions wanting IS, so he probably knows what conditions he shoots in...it's not like anyone is saying, you don't need f2.8, because of high ISO, just go for the 24-70f4IS...when people are choosing between a 70-200f4IS, and 70-200f2.8IS...nobody says get the slower lens because high ISO makes up for the difference

I gave my opinion based on my experience with this lens. When I have to go with a slow shutter speed, I have been able to use a tripod.

if you don't like my opinion, you can lump it.

I use slow zooms because I have fast primes. And they are cheaper, smaller, lighter. Mostly cheaper.

I Sold my 35L and 50L for the 24-70LII.....I do not regret it.....The 24-70L II Is a wonderful lens as good as the primes if not better....

DreDaze wrote in post #18446456
all these you don't need IS because of high ISO comments are kinda ridiculous...no matter what situations you shoot in, there's a time where f2.8 and high ISO won't cut it...but a lens with IS would...he mentions wanting IS, so he probably knows what conditions he shoots in...

The OP stated he wanted to use the lens for portraiture. In this use, I can't see he will often want to use a slow shutter speed for motion blurring (panning shots or moving water). So the fact is that the ability to shoot at higher ISOs with modern bodies greatly reduces the need for IS, as long as shots are well exposed, in his usage.

As it happens, the OP's current camera is a 5Dii, which is not king of the hill for high ISO shooting. Bodies come and go for me (although I like them to stick around for a good while) but lenses are for the long-term. So my opinion would still favour a faster zoom over a slower one for the OP's purposes, even it comes at the expense of no IS.

It's just my opinion. 'hope it doesn't seem a ridiculous one.

PCousins wrote in post #18446475
I Sold my 35L and 50L for the 24-70LII.....I do not regret it.....The 24-70L II Is a wonderful lens as good as the primes if not better....

@ 1.4?

Bassat wrote in post #18446462
I use slow zooms because I have fast primes. And they are cheaper, smaller, lighter. Mostly cheaper.

I agree. There's a lot to be said for a set of good primes instead of a top of the line zoom. 35mm f/2.0 IS, 50mm f/1.4 (... ... yes, I have heard all the criticism before already ... but I still think it's a more than ordinarily usable lens if you can get hold of a good copy) and 85mm f/1.8* would be a good set of modestly priced fast Canon primes that would make up a pretty complete portrait set, taken together with what the OP has already (arguably with some redundancy, since he already as a 100mm lens in there).

*Out of those, the 85mm f/1.2 would be the L range substitute I'd most want to have (and the second hand market for that lens should offer improving prices now that the 85mm f1.4 IS L is about to be released). It's not everybody's cup of tea but, when you get it right, the images have a unique quality that I find almost bewitching.

There are good non-Canon fast prime lens alternatives too, of course.

But this isn't answering the OP's actual question.

DaviSto wrote in post #18446525
I agree. There's a lot to be said for a set of good primes instead of a top of the line zoom. 35mm f/2.0 IS, 50mm f/1.4 (... ... yes, I have heard all the criticism before already ... but I still think it's a more than ordinarily usable lens if you can get hold of a good copy) and 85mm f/1.8* would be a good set of modestly priced fast Canon primes that would make up a pretty complete portrait set, taken together with what the OP has already (arguably with some redundancy, since he already as a 100mm lens in there).

*Out of those, the 85mm f/1.2 would be the L range substitute I'd most want to have (and the second hand market for that lens should offer improving prices now that the 85mm f1.4 IS L is about to be released). It's not everybody's cup of tea but, when you get it right, the images have a unique quality that I find almost bewitching.

There are good non-Canon fast prime lens alternatives too, of course.

But this isn't answering the OP's actual question.

Thanks for the comment. chime in with anything. I have the 100mm macro and gave it some thought on selling it along with the sigma and go after a high dollar piece.. just a thought. Thanks everybody!

For portraits, primes. The Canon 50MM 1.8 and the 85MM 1.8. The 50 1.8 is amazingly sharp and cheap, and the 85 1.8 is one of Canon's finest optics, even though it has been around for awhile and is also inexpensive. Another factor, front ends on these lenses is small, 49MM filters on the 50MM and 58MM filters on the 85 1.8. Finally, right in weight, both together lighter than either the Siggy or the Beast.

I'm totally invested in Nikon for 35mm.

I do feel Canon has slightly better optics than Nikon. At least that's how I've always felt. Not done any recent comparisons. Back in the film days, a film processor friend of mine saw the same thing. Obviously, he's seen way more than I ever will. I've not really compared with digital, I just assume Canon still maintains a slight edge with their better lenses over Nikons better lenses. IMO...

Canon just because it works.

It depends. A standard zoom is useful if you aren't sure what you are photographing.

TooManyShots wrote in post #18447672
It depends. A standard zoom is useful if you aren't sure what you are photographing.

...or why for that matter!

I just went from a cropped sensor 7D setup to a 6DII full frame with a 24-70, so I'm hoping I made the right choice. I still have the 35L on 'want' list, will probably pick one up to see how I like it.