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

Set #2, but would look at a 50 1.4 if it would work.

My plan now is to get a full range of f4 zooms and compliment that with a 30ish, 50 and 85 fairly fast primes.

BearLeeAlive wrote in post #2212844
Set #2, but would look at a 50 1.4 if it would work.

My plan now is to get a full range of f4 zooms and compliment that with a 30ish, 50 and 85 fairly fast primes.

That's not a bad idea either. I'm building my setup off of primes more or less. I only have a 70-200 F4L, but I plan to eventually have a 135L and maybe 300F4L. Although for my street zoom (the lens that probably ends up getting the most use when you go out and only want to carry one or two lenses) needs to be f2.8, just incase I encounter somewhere where I need the narrower depth of field or light compensation.

Going with the title question.
I would have what I have minus a couple of lenses, although updated for the newer lenses.
If I had to replace my lenses I would buy in this order.
- 24-70/2.8L (best mid range lens, it is my travel lens as well (I have the 28-70/2.8L works just as good for me)
- 50/1.4 (good value, low light lens to tide me over until I went FF - if already FF you could probably skip)
- 70-200/2.8L IS (This is the long end with good backup for the 85/1.2L for head shots)
- 16-35/2.8L (my wide angle lens for indoors and to get the cool artistic distortion)
- 85/1.2L II (THE PORTRAIT LENS - I have the mark I )
- 100-400L IS (Air shows - nothing better; way cheaper then a 400+mm prime)
- 24mm TS/E (I like doing the occasional archetecture shot what can I say)

I had all but the 85/1.2 and 24 TS/E lens before I went FF.

I might get the 10-22 EF-s instead of the 16-35L if I had a 1.6x camera, but I would still get it in the same sequence.

And I can say that F2.8 sometimes gets the shots that F4 won't. Also sometimes F1.8 gets the shots F2.8 won't either. So why limit your lens choice if you are only going to do it once unless you have to due to cost. If you want a good set get the F2.8 Zooms.

Just my opinion,

I would go with set 3. The 10-22 and 17-55 are two of the best lenses for use with the 30D. However, I like faster lenses and would put off purchase of the 70-200 f/4 until I saved enough for the f/2.8 IS version. (I am hoping Canon will bring out a 50-200 f/2.8 IS EF-S lens before too long to match with the 17-55)

I seldom use a 50 mm prime lens since I got the 17-55, so I would leave the 50 f/2.8 off the list, unless that is just play money.

I like set #3. The 10-22 and 17-55 IS are an awesome pair with great IQ.

I would add the 24-70 L to the set and you will have quality glass from 10MM to 200MM.

The 17-55 IS becomes the "low light" specialist in the kit

JimAskew wrote in post #2213290
I like set #3. The 10-22 and 17-55 IS are an awesome pair with great IQ.

I would add the 24-70 L to the set and you will have quality glass from 10MM to 200MM.

The 17-55 IS becomes the "low light" specialist in the kit

Do you mean the 70-200 rather than the 24-70? In my mind having both the 17-55 and 24-70 is a bit too much overlap for those 15mm that I can foot zoom.

Some suggestions:
A)10-22, 17-55, 70-200 2.8
B)10-22, 24-70, 70-200 2.8
C)10-22, 24-70, 100-400

Throw in a prime or two with any of those and you'd be good to go. Now what I'm working towards and will have very soon:

17-40, 50 1.8mm (would like to upgrade to 1.4)100mm macro, 70-200 2.8. This is my realistic and everyday use lineup, I'd love to add an UWA and the 100-400, which I consider to be more specialist lenses.

I like the C)10-22, 24-70, 100-400 and 85 f/1.8 prime

Chrisedge wrote in post #2212672
10-22
17-55 IS
50 1.4
70-200 2.8 IS

This, IMO, is probably the best set up you could get for a crop body. You would likely regret purchasing f/4 lenses, as Skip has already advised.

liza wrote in post #2213454
This, IMO, is probably the best set up you could get for a crop body. You would likely regret purchasing f/4 lenses, as Skip has already advised.

I think F4 zooms are okay if you have primes to back them up.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2213494
I think F4 zooms are okay if you have primes to back them up.

Like many others, I've always regretted buying the f/4 version of the 70-200. It doesn't cut it for night sports nor is it good for weddings. In good light, it's wonderful, but I rarely shoot in good light. I'll never buy another f/4 lens. For me, it's a huge waste of money.

Different strokes for different folks. You're right though Liza, for what you shoot F/4 is a waste, for others 2.8 might be a waste of money because they don't need the speed. It's all about balance. I'm all zen tonight.

Dorman wrote in post #2213407
Do you mean the 70-200 rather than the 24-70? In my mind having both the 17-55 and 24-70 is a bit too much overlap for those 15mm that I can foot zoom.

Some suggestions:
A)10-22, 17-55, 70-200 2.8
B)10-22, 24-70, 70-200 2.8
C)10-22, 24-70, 100-400

Throw in a prime or two with any of those and you'd be good to go. Now what I'm working towards and will have very soon:

17-40, 50 1.8mm (would like to upgrade to 1.4)100mm macro, 70-200 2.8. This is my realistic and everyday use lineup, I'd love to add an UWA and the 100-400, which I consider to be more specialist lenses.

The OP had the following in his set # 3

Set # 3.

EF-S 10-22
EF-S 17-55 F2.8 IS
EF 50mm F1.4 & F1.8
EF 70-200 F4 L

I was looking to bridge the gap from 55MM to 70MM with the 24-70 L. Granted that this is a very expensive bridge.

I have that 5 lens set (OP's Set #3 + the 24-70 L) now and love them all. I augment them with 30MM, 85MM and 100MM primes. All in all, great glass from 10MM to 200MM

I just bought my 30D and lenses two weeks ago and was faced with the same.

EF-S 10-22
EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS
EF 85 f/1.8
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS

*I'd definately go with the 85 f/1.8 over the 50mm

Don't get carried away with the lenses! Buy 1 good lens and shoot it for 3 months at least before deciding what to get next. The 50mm F$$$ is a good start. I found that the 100mm 2.8 Macro also makes a very good first lense. It is one of the sharpest of Canon's lenses and is amazingly versatial. Some of my best landscaps wre taken with the 100mm 2.8 macro. Either of these will also work on a FF if you upgrade later. Been there, bought too many lenses too soon.

Remember the camera DOES NOT change the focal length! It only changes the field of view! (FOV).

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2213494
I think F4 zooms are okay if you have primes to back them up.

and if you are prepared to carry always all your gear with you...

I think f2.8 zooms are a compromise, and f4 zooms an excessive compromise (unless it is a cost based decision, or you use that lens or focal range mainly for travel/landscape photography, as I do with my 17-40 f4L).