Canon 17-40 L f4 or Canon 50mm 1.4... what to buy?

I'm kinda on the fence between both of the lenses... I've been reading all of the posts that I can find on both... on one hand, I'd like something a wide (17-40 f4) and on the other, I'd like something that a little faster (50mm 1.4)... I know about the 16-35L 2.8, but I don't really want (or should say can't) spend that much money right now for 1 stop faster... one of the MOST important things to me is the quality of the image... I want something sharp (not soft)... I currently have the 24-70L 2.8 and unfortunately, it's a little too soft for my liking... I'm kinda leaning towards the 17-40L f4... can someone tell me why I should (or shouldn't) go with this lens over the 50mm 1.4... could you please post some pictures taken (along with your recommendation ) with the 17-40L f4 so I could see what the quality is like... a few pictures at varying focal lengths would be great too... what's this lens like at 17mm f4 & f5.6 vs. 40mm f4 vs. 5.6?

Thanks for your time and can't wait to read your posts and admire your pictures!

Phil

17-40L and 50mm compliments each other. I think you should get both.

Flipster wrote in post #2138257
I'm kinda on the fence between both of the lenses... I've been reading all of the posts that I can find on both... on one hand, I'd like something a wide (17-40 f4) and on the other, I'd like something that a little faster (50mm 1.4)... I know about the 16-35L 2.8, but I don't really want (or should say can't) spend that much money right now for 1 stop faster... one of the MOST important things to me is the quality of the image... I want something sharp (not soft)... I currently have the 24-70L 2.8 and unfortunately, it's a little too soft for my liking... I'm kinda leaning towards the 17-40L f4... can someone tell me why I should (or shouldn't) go with this lens over the 50mm 1.4... could you please post some pictures taken (along with your recommendation ) with the 17-40L f4 so I could see what the quality is like... a few pictures at varying focal lengths would be great too... what's this lens like at 17mm f4 & f5.6 vs. 40mm f4 vs. 5.6?

Thanks for your time and can't wait to read your posts and admire your pictures!

Phil

if your 24-70L is a good copy and you aren't happy with the images it produces you won't like the 17-40L either.

ed rader

Flipster,
What do you want to shoot?
What camera are you going to shoot with?
I personally would rather have the 17-40L for landscape photos. I would rather have the 50mm f/1.4 for portraits.
I agree with Luckie8, I would rather (and do) have both.
I also agree with ed rader, if your not happy with images from your 24-70L (it does have a good reputation) then you might not be happy with the 17-40L

How about the 17-40, and picking up a 50 f1.8 for the low-light stuff. That way you get both, and if you really like the 50 you can purchase the 1.4 latter.

Luckie8 wrote in post #2138349
17-40L and 50mm compliments each other. I think you should get both.

Thats what I did ... no regrets .. I am getting a 24-70 L soon ... all have different purpose

I think they compliment each other well too. I have both, but if I had to choose only one I'd take the 17-40 because of a little more flexibility with the zoom capability.

I agree you can't have one or the other. I usemy 17-40 for landscapes but I found it's no good for prortraits so I got a 50mm 1.4. Also bear in mind the 17-40 tends to be softer at 40mm, so even more reason to get the 50mm. At 17mm it's sharp and there's little difference between the two (above f2 on the 50mm). My huge thread entitled "50mm 1.4 - first impressions" has a lot of people's views on this lens.

My website (Peru&Bolivia section) has shots from my 17-40.

Thanks for the replys so far...

I would be using this lens on both a 10D & 20D... the version of my 24-70 lens is soft... I should have sent it back when I first noticed this, but it was outside my return timeframe... I did send it to Canon for "calibration" which they did do, but it's still not sharp enough for my liking... they wanted the camera sent in as well (which would really mean sending in both cameras) and I couldn't do that at the time (maybe one of these days I'll get a chance)... I also have the 70-200 L 2.8 IS and that is my BEST lens... I love every picture taken with that lens, even at 2.8... but my 24-70, I just don't get that same feeling (and others have this issue too)... it's not as "crisp" as my 70-200... I take portraits mostly, but also like the occasional landscape... given the choice, I'd use my 70-200 for portraits, but there are times when you don't have the room... 70mm on either of my cameras is 112mm (basically)... so I'd like something wide that I can use for both landscapes and portraits, but portraits mostly... I also do the occasional wedding where you need that something wide when your up close and for group shots... again, I'm not saying I don't like the 24-70, I'm just not that happy with my copy of it!

Hope that helps explains things a little !

I went for the 50mm, yes its a bit of bined to use as on my crop body its really an 85mm, but with it being 1.4 it has taught me so much about DOF, and i have had great fun experimenting with it over the summer.
I bought the 50mm because i only had the kit lens and rather than replace that i thought i would buy something that would add something new to my set -up.

My 17-40L is being delivered tomorrow 4 months after i bought the 50mm, and 12 months after buying my 20d. I havent had to wait long for the 2nd choice but i enjoyed shooting with the 50mm so much that i could justify spending again on a hobby that i have come to love again- kinda sappy but its true- 50mm is a great lens i cant speak enough of how great it is, hopefully my 2nd lens purchase will be equally as rewarding.

Good luck in your decision!