Choosing the right lenses.

Hi everyone.

In 3 weeks i am making a major purchase of glass. I own a 30D and the 75-300III and the 18-55 USM.

I am going to sell the kit and maybe the 75-300 after i purchase my new set up.

The lenses i was thinking of getting were the;

(1) 70-200 f/2.8LIS
(2) 24-70 f/2.8L
(3)17-40 f/4L
(4) 85 f/1.8 USM.

But now i am most likely going to get this line up;

(1) 70-200 f/2.8L IS
(2) 24-70 f/2.8L
(3)16-35 f2.8L

If i get the second choice which i really prefer i will still get the 85 prime in the future.

Am i crazy to get the 16-35L and loose the 85 prime or will the f/4 be too slow and i am making the right choice.

I am purchasing them locally at Quality Camera Sales.

My photography is not limited to any field I will be shooting Landscape, portraits to birds "everything".

Thanks i need all your wisdom here guys. I plan to buy a 1D body next year and plan to keep these lenses and do not want to have to sell them ever

From what your gallery has I would definitely get the 70-200 IS and 17-40. The 24-70 is nice for portraits, but if your budget is tight, just spring for the 85 1.8 or 50 1.4.

My line up works really well for me. The 16-35 may be great indoors, but the 17-40 is amazing for landscapes.

I would skip the 16-35 and get an 85 f1.2 mk1. The other lenses are great. I would see if you really need to go wider than 24mm. I think you need at least one fast prime for low light or portrait bokeh. If the 85 is too much I would get the 50mm 1.4. You could get the 17-40 and the 50 1.4 for less than the 16-35.
I may be speaking out of turn but I would consider the 5D rather than the 1D unless you require high frame rate or weather sealing.

mebailey wrote in post #2245690
I would skip the 16-35 and get an 85 f1.2 mk1. The other lenses are great. I would see if you really need to go wider than 24mm. I think you need at least one fast prime for low light or portrait bokeh. If the 85 is too much I would get the 50mm 1.4. You could get the 17-40 and the 50 1.4 for less than the 16-35.
I may be speaking out of turn but I would consider the 5D rather than the 1D unless you require high frame rate or weather sealing.

Gee this is so hard. I prefer the 85 over the 50 prime. Your right about needing a prime for the speed and bokeh though the 24-70 would be great for portrait work too and I've seen great bokeh with the 24-70.

With my next body that's uncertain as I don't know what bodies will be around in a year anyway.

Thanks mebailey for helping out

I think your second choice is an excellent one that will stand the test of time. And adding the 85 later will truly enhance your kit.

SuzyView wrote in post #2245683
From what your gallery has I would definitely get the 70-200 IS and 17-40. The 24-70 is nice for portraits, but if your budget is tight, just spring for the 85 1.8 or 50 1.4.

My line up works really well for me. The 16-35 may be great indoors, but the 17-40 is amazing for landscapes.

Suzy I was pretty much determined to get that with the 85 and then i thought i should get the 16-35L as i probably would sell the 17-40 to get it anyway.

It will be great to get my first L's but even better to have them all 2.8 and the 16-35L is sharper at the wide end which is pretty enticing.

Thanks Suzy

liza wrote in post #2245736
I think your second choice is an excellent one that will stand the test of time. And adding the 85 later will truly enhance your kit.

Your thoughts are just what I've been thinking. The 85 1.8 is pretty affordable compared to the other lenses and i won't have to wait long to get it anyway.

Thanks Liz maybe I'm not nuts after all

I would skip the 16-35mm unless you need a lowlight wide angle. Personally, I would go with option 1.

God help me!!! Now I am going just about crazy

My problem is i currently own a 30D and the current glass isn't even worth mentioning.

But in 2 Weeks i am making a purchase/investment in some lenses i have $7000 AUD to spend and plan to cover from Ultra wide to 200MM + 1.4TC.

The lenses i was thinking of getting till just today are;

16-35L
24-70L
70-200 2.8IS

I am planning on getting a Pro body probably Full Frame.

But today i have been bitten by the EF-S 10-22 should i get it instead of the 16-35L.

So the line up would be;

10-22
24-70L
70-200 2.8LIS
1.4TC

I am going crazy!!!!

Please help me with this very hard desision
_______________

Now you're just being crazy! You've thrown an EF-S lens into the mix, which won't work on a 5D or 1D. If you're going to start talking EF-S, then I'll need to suggest dumping the 24-70 for the EF-S 17-55 IS (/me ducks and runs for cover)

If you plan on being in this hobby for a while, there's a good chance you'll eventually be bitten by the full-frame bug. If that happens, your EF-S lenses become paper weights.

Just a reminder.

h0rde wrote in post #2279432
Now you're just being crazy! You've thrown an EF-S lens into the mix, which won't work on a 5D or 1D. If you're going to start talking EF-S, then I'll need to suggest dumping the 24-70 for the EF-S 17-55 IS (/me ducks and runs for cover)

Me swings but hits cover ouch!:o

Save a few bucks:

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS
Canon 24-70 f/2.8L
Tokina 12-24 f/4

Throw in a low cost prime or 2 later if you feel the need.

belmondo wrote in post #2279449
If you plan on being in this hobby for a while, there's a good chance you'll eventually be bitten by the full-frame bug. If that happens, your EF-S lenses become paper weights.

Just a reminder.

Yes i know and for the record I already have been bitten by that bug. For now it's a serious hobby but would love to do this for a living in the future once i become good enough, i have a long way to go.

My 30D would be a great backup camera.

I don't know what I am going to do, until today a swore i wasn't going to get any EF-S lenses, but the thought of having Ultra wide compared to wide is very tempting.

Or maybe ill sell my 17" Powerbook and use it to get a 5D

RgB wrote in post #2279517
Yes i know and for the record I already have been bitten by that bug. For now it's a serious hobby but would love to do this for a living in the future once i become good enough, i have a long way to go.

My 30D would be a great backup camera.

I don't know what I am going to do. until today a swore i wasn't going to get any EF-S lenses, but the thought of having Ultra wide compared to wide is very tempting.

Or maybe ill sell my 17" Powerbook and use it to get a 5D

The ultrawide could stay on the 30D permanently if/when you upgrade to a full frame, foregoing the need to spend mega on an ultrawide FOR full frame (same FOV).

Don't sell your laptop for a camera body though. You can get more out of the 30D and notebook than a 30D, 5D and no notebook.