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

BearLeeAlive wrote in post #2216869
This was my first thinking once I had my camera for a while. After handling these three heavy lenses and thinking about carrying all of them plus other stuff I realized the weight would be too much, I do lots of outdoor stuff and like to carry lots of gear. This is one of the reasons I plan to stick to the L f4 zooms (might get one faster one) and get a set of fast primes.

That's a good point. I originally was going to buy the 70-200 2.8 IS, but then I held it and realised it was too heavy for me. So I ended up with the F/4 version. I still plan one 2.8 lens (Sigma 24-70 2.8) becasue it's about the same weight as my 70-200 F/4, but I am trying to avoid any lenses more then about 1.7 lbs or so. I am still worried about the wild life aspect of things, as I want to get into wild life photography, but all the lenses, but the Tokina 80-400 seem heavy (the 80-400 seems iffy though.) The one I'm eyeing is the 300 F/4 which is a heavy lens (2.6 lbs I believe), but maybe it won't be so bad considering it will almost always be on a monopod.

motion_projekt wrote in post #2215805
what about the holy zoom trinity?

16-35L
24-70L
70-200L IS

That's what's in my bag along with my 20D, and I have never really wished for anything else since I got the rig.

Someday I might expand the glass collection a little, but for now I'm trying to build up a significant location lighting package with radio remotes, etc. Gotta go slow on that collection because of the better half's opinions, but as soon as I get another paying job to use it, I should be able to pretty well complete the package. I have been forming plans for doing large group photos at events like school reunions, etc., as a retirement income source in a few years.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2216888
I still plan one 2.8 lens (Sigma 24-70 2.8) becasue it's about the same weight as my 70-200 F/4, but I am trying to avoid any lenses more then about 1.7 lbs or so.

jag, you should note that the 2470EX f2.8 is an 82mm filter while the (lighter) Sigma 1850f2.8 (non Macro) or Tamron 1750f2.8 are 67mm, so they would in the "same filter size" sense of things be a better fit for your 70-200f4 which is a 67mm filter thread. The 2470EX is a great lens, especially at its price point, but just so you know this other aspect which might be meaningful.

LightRules wrote in post #2216916
jag, you should note that the 2470EX f2.8 is an 82mm filter while the (lighter) Sigma 1850f2.8 (non Macro) or Tamron 1750f2.8 are 67mm, so they would in the "same filter size" sense of things be a better fit for your 70-200f4 which is a 67mm filter thread. The 2470EX is a great lens, especially at its price point, but just so you know this other aspect which might be meaningful.

Yeah, I was originally planning the Tamron 28-75 due to it's 67mm filter, but you know I realised that all my lenses are going to end up having diffeernt filter sizes (if I get a telephoto prime or super telephoto zoom like I hope they'll probably be 77mm), a few of the primes I want will be 58 mm, then my 70-200 F/4L will be 67mm, etc. It's not like I'm buying filters now, and I am not into UV filters. I don't know if filters are really my thing considering you can do so many crazy things with Photoshop these days. I want the 24-70 focal length though because one day I might upgrade to the Canon version. I am trying to link my focal lengths as well as possible and avoid overlapping lengths.

Cool-cat wrote in post #2215787
Hi All,


First of all I owe you a HUGE THANK’S for all the folks who came back with there skilful answer’s.

From what I’ve learned:

I overshadowed the 2.8 aperture I will consider strongly 17-55 or 24-70 / 2.8
EF lenses vs EF-S lenses,going for a FF camera later I won’t be able to use them.
Controls on all the lenses should be as similar to each other as possible.
I’ll start with one good lens (~17-55 f2.8 IS)
420EX focus assist beam will not cover the focus point pattern of the 30D.
As most of you have suggested the set #3 might be it:


10-22 f3.5-4.5

17-55 f2.8 IS

50 f1.4

70-200 f2.8 IS

Thanks Again

Harry.

Nice choice. Exactly what I recommended and what I will end up with.

*Looks Infuriatingly Smug*

EOS 400D
Sigma 10-20
Canon Nifty Fifty
Tammie 28-75
Sigma 100-300
Tokina 100mm Macro


That's the setup I'm building, but the 10-20 and 100-300 will have to wait a LONG time until i've got the $$$ needed lol...

Hi,

I have set #3 now and it a great combo of lenses to cover 10MM to 200MM. If I knew then what I know now then I would have never bought the 24-70MM EF L. I like the 17-55MM EF-S IS much better and IQ is equal.

Set #2 is good as well except for the "medium" zoom where you give up f/2.8 for f/4.0 but do gain coverage for 55MM to 70MM where the 70-200MM picks up.

If you buy the 50MM I would get the f/1.4 version. If you want the best prime to augment your zooms then I recommend the Sigma 30MM f/1.4. It is the very close to the "normal" view from the classic 35MM camera days with a 50MM lens onbaord.

Good luck and enjoy the research drill..there are lots of great folks here who will share their opinions and experience...listen to all and then map that advice to your shooting style and, of course, your bank account.

And, most importantly welccome to POTN