If you could choose your lens set from the very beginning WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Hi All,

This is my first thread just before buying my new 30D.
I have been reading most of the posts here and collected a list of so called GOOD Lenses.

I collect them in Sets.
I need your experienced help in order to help me choosing the right set from the start.

The idea is not to start with the “wrong” and then to upgrade etc…

Please advice for better set from your experience.

I own a speed light 420EX so small aperture is not so important (Correct me if I’m wrong).

I don’t intend to by the whole set at ones but at list I’ll have a plan and I’ll start with your suggestion as the one/two I would need to buy from the beginning.

Set # 1.


Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
80
$75
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
16-35
$675
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
45-168
$230
Canon 70-200mm f/4L
112-320
$575

Set # 2.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
16-35
$675
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
38.4-168
$1,149
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

80
$75
EF 70-200 F4 L

112-320
$575


Set # 3.

EF-S 10-22
16-35
$675
EF-S 17-55 F2.8 IS
27-88
$1,079
EF 50mm F1.4 & F1.8
80
$75
EF 70-200 F4 L
112-320
$575


Set # 4.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
16-35
$675
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

80
$75
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
27-64
$670
Canon 70-200mm f/4L

112-320
$575


Set # 6.

Canon 24-105L IS f/4.0
$1,149
EF 50mm F1.4 & F1.8
$75
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
$400

Cheers,
Harry

Set 2, and go with the 1.4x instead of the 50 for more reach.

Why aren't you considering the 24-70 2.8? Also, do you really want to spend so much $ starting out? Is this your first SLR, etc.

Set 2or Set 4, but don't even bother with the 10-22. Look at the Sigma 10-20 - optically almost identical, and $300 cheaper.

Cool-cat wrote in post #2209592
The idea is not to start with the “wrong” and then to upgrade etc…
I own a speed light 420EX so small aperture is not so important (Correct me if I’m wrong).

I think you may be "wrong". A faster aperture will not only help you with low light situations, but also with other things, like focus, DOF control, isolating your subject from the background, etc.

Even when using your flash, you may get a more natural picture with a wider aperture, as your flash will add to the existing light, instead of having the flash as your main light source.

Another consideration is EF lenses vs EF-S lenses, as the later ones will only work with cameras with a crop factor, like the 30D. If you go for a FF camera later you will not be able to use them.

Of course, it all depends on your needs and plans.

Id say set 2

Set 2.

Set 2
Yellow on white is next to impossible to read... I had to highlight the lines.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2209637
Why aren't you considering the 24-70 2.8? Also, do you really want to spend so much $ starting out? Is this your first SLR, etc.

Both 24-70 and 24-105 start with 24 and since I will use one of them as a walk around I'll prefer the longer 105.
Yes it will be my first SLR after the G6.

Set #2.

Cool-cat, there are several things I consider when looking at a "set" of lenses.

One factor which, to me, is VERY important is that the controls on all the lenses be as similar to each other as possible. For me, this would totally eliminate the Canon 50 f/1.8, for example, because of the way the manual focus works (twisting the filter thread ring instead of a conventional focusing ring).

Another factor you should strongly consider is the maximum apertures. The "slower" a lens is, the darker the viewfinder will be. Also, auto focus will be more limited with a slower maximum aperture. Of course, slower lenses are more limited for available-light photography than faster lenses.

Do you really know what focal lengths you "need"? The listing in the first post shows a lot of values that appear to be focal lengths multiplied by the "crop factor" of the 30D. What you need to base decisions on is the fact that the "normal" focal length for the 30D is approximately 31mm. 16mm or 17mm is plenty wide enough for most folks with the APS-C format, and many folks like to stretch out to 200mm. If you want to use this total range, your selection should not leave huge gaps in the coverage.

I don't know what your budget is, but I chose the 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200 - all with f/2.8 max apertures - for my 20D. If you examine these lenses you will see that I kept to my reasoning of having all the lenses operate the same and being reasonably fast. There is some overlap but no gaps in the focal length coverage.

Yes, the lenses I chose are expensive. However, you could probably find another family of third-party lenses that give fairly similar performance for less money. However, I recommend that you don't just haphazardly mix and match based on price alone.

If you want a 50mm prime, give the Canon 50mm f/1.4 some strong consideration. Remember, though, that is a short telephoto on the APS-C format - highly suitable for conventional portrait work, but not a general-purpose "normal" lens focal length.

When you're lucky enough to get a response/help from Skip, read it twice. He's one of the most knowledgeable around and his suggestions are right on, especially in this case.

mark

Set 2.

I have a better set, though (imo).

24-70L
50 1.4
10-22
70-200 f/4L

Same cost as set 2, but better IQ, better handling, similar conrols, and faster aps.

Set #2. I would like the same exact set because I'm currently without a lens below the 100mm - 400mm except my trusty 50 1.8. I sold my 17-85 recently and am looking at both the 24-70 and the 24-105 and leaning towards the 105.

And, I lust after the 70-200 f/4 IS!!! I might have to settle on the non IS version though.

i would go with set 2 of the above. but i like ronnies set aswell