Hopefully the last lens thread!

From me anyway. I'm jumping back and forth between the 24-70L and 24-105L. YES I KNOW. The topics been beaten to death, but my storys a little different. The 35L does everything. Portraits, low-light, landscapes....anything you throw at it. However, I have a need for something a bit wider, and something I can use with more versatility as a portrait/landscape/low​light lens. Here's the problem:

the 24-105L would be perfect as it's a great range, has IS, but the f/4 might limit the portraiture a bit.

the 24-70L would be perfect with the 2.8 and low light ability, but im afraid it runs into the 35L a bit too closely.

Which lens would you get for the stuff I shoot if you had the 35L already? Just looking for opinions, I'm not gonna run out and buy what the general public says, I'm just in need of some extra opinions. Don't mention a prime alternative, I don't really want to switch out lenses and want the versatility of a zoom.

I'm getting the 24-105L. I've made my decision after much debate. I want the reach and F4 while slower, the IS will help when the shutter needs to be open a bit longer. And since for portraits people shouldn't move, i dont need the speed of F2.8 and from what I've learned I can get what I want out of a 5.6 so a constant 4 should be fine.

Biggest thing was the reach though. 70-105 i s a big diff!

I have one more lens purchase to make and I'll be done! 35L. I have both 24-70 and 24-105. 24-70 is a Sigma that I've had for quite a while, but I travel on business quite a bit and wanted a one-lens carry combination and the 24-105 was purchased for this purpose and it is as near perfect for that app as I can imagine.
Most of what I do is outdoors so f4 is not a problem for me, generally. However, I have used it indoors in very low light circumstances and with the combination of IS and the 5Ds high ISO performance, it works very well. If for portraits you are looking for a shallower dof, shoot at 105 wide open. dof is pretty small at head size distance. Some may say IQ will suffer, but it's still very very good.

August,

A fast lens is great for MinDoF. However, IMO, especially at the shorter end, F/2.8 isn't fast enough. So, you'll probably want to stop down a little. And F/4 is only 1 stop from F/2.8.

Now, on a 5D, 80 - 105 mm is great for portraits, and to get any decent DoF, you need at least F/4, and probably F/5.6 or F/8. So, the 24-105 is ideal for this, IMO.

However, if you do want to get into MinDoF, portraits or otherwise, I suggest a fast prime, preferably faster than the fastest zoom. Other than that, the 24-105 was designed for general use on a 5D, and fits that bill extremely nicely, if you ask me ...

Kind regards, Wim

I've had opportunity to buy the alternative several times but but on two specific occasions when it was a toss up between the 2.8 and the 4.0 IS I have chosen the latter each time. Reason is that it is smaller, lighter, less obvious, easier to get steady shots consistently, has more range.

I will use a fast prime for indoors if I need too. I have taken good shots indoors with the IS and with slower lenses. All depends on conditions and subject.

And ... all depends exactly what you want in this broad lens range. If you don't know your priorities then maybe you need to use your gear more and learn exactly what you need All we tend to get here is 'buy what I buy' or buy what I want to buy' or buy the L's that I so do love' LMAO ... or buy a cheap MF Zeiss and learn how to shoot an interesting picture which is my version of the repetitive message!

If I was in your position, I think I'd forget them both, get the 24/1.4L and use longer primes for portraits. Maybe...

August,

The 24-105 f4 on the 5D will perform similarly as the 17-55 on the 20D/30D because the 5D can "suck in" more light and has superior ISO performance.

The real question is do you need IS. I think that is the BIGGEST deciding factor.

Yes the 24-70 is 1 stop faster, however the 24-105 has a 2 stop advantage in hand-holdability against non-moving subjects.

You are coming from the 30D. The 5D will knock your socks off with it's ISO performance. So in essence you'd be making up for the 1 stop loss in the f4 if you compare it with the 30D.

The 24-105 is THE general purpose lens for the 5D. They are a match made in heaven. (well considering what is available...what I want is the f2.8 in that range with IS...that would be THE lens)

I don't think you'll find a "do it all" lens.
Even when you mentioned lowlight, what type of lowlight shooting. Museum shots or basketball shots? Your needs will vary greatly either way.

The one thing on your side is that ISO 1600 and even 3200 exposed correctly is perfectly useable...

I was in the National Archives this past weekend in DC. It was DIM...I had my 5D and 24-105. I was pushing the limits. Definitely would have liked a 24-70 f2.8 IS or 24-105 f2.8 IS...or 4 stop IS on the 70-200 f4 IS.

I had to use shutter speeds in the single digits at times with ISO3200....and this is taking pics of walls, etc...things that NEVER move.

I reckon the 24-70 f2.8 would have failed MISERABLY in there...forget about it.

IS was the dealmaker...PERIOD.

Being able to go 24mm was awesome. I was able to fit the washington monument easy...while the P & S folks were struggling. Easy for me. I left my 16-35 at home...would have been fun...but really didn't need it.

I used my 70-200 for 4 shots...and that's to test out the 2x TC against the Lincoln Monument that was far, far away!

august23 wrote in post #3018030
However, I have a need for something a bit wider, and something I can use with more versatility as a portrait/landscape/low​light lens. Here's the problem:

Double Negative wrote in post #3018104
I just don't understand why you ask about equipment daily. You've just about had it all and sold it all off just as fast. What's the point in asking - or for that matter, us responding?

Get a P&S and get it over with already.

</rant>

I for one support people asking questions, even if they have been covered before.

So the f/2.8 vs f/4 for portraits... do you really shoot portraits at 2.8? If that's your intended use, then you have your answer!!

august23 wrote in post #3018030
From me anyway. I'm jumping back and forth between the 24-70L and 24-105L. YES I KNOW. The topics been beaten to death, but my storys a little different. The 35L does everything. Portraits, low-light, landscapes....anything you throw at it. However, I have a need for something a bit wider, and something I can use with more versatility as a portrait/landscape/low​light lens. Here's the problem:

the 24-105L would be perfect as it's a great range, has IS, but the f/4 might limit the portraiture a bit.

the 24-70L would be perfect with the 2.8 and low light ability, but im afraid it runs into the 35L a bit too closely.

Which lens would you get for the stuff I shoot if you had the 35L already? Just looking for opinions, I'm not gonna run out and buy what the general public says, I'm just in need of some extra opinions. Don't mention a prime alternative, I don't really want to switch out lenses and want the versatility of a zoom.

here's a sample of the 24-105L bokeh that i just posted on another thread. the 24-105L is a great walkaround but as a creative lens the 24-70L is much, much, much better .

ed rader

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August,

Why not consider the 70-200MM f/4 EF L IS? Given your satisfaction with the 35M L and the 5D body this might be a better choice for you? Then get a 50M f/1.8 to "bridge" the gap.

ed rader wrote in post #3018386
here's a sample of the 24-105L bokeh that i just posted on another thread. the 24-105L is a great walkaround but as a creative lens the 24-70L is much, much, much better .

ed rader

Do you have the very same shot taken with the 2.8 Mr Radar, so we can see what much, much, much better looks like? If it does look much, much, much better then i may purchase one. I don't think it will tho' ... I think that is just forum talk to enflame we poor IS L saps

If I had a 5D & 35L, I would choose the 24-105. I have pretty much decided to get one and the decision would have been easier if I had a 35L in my kit.

I recently chose the 24-105 over the 24-70 based on my shooting style (outdoor shooting/decently lit indoor shooting/bounce flash). I also preferred the weight, size, and feel of the 24-105 over the 24-70. For me, I like the idea of F4 zooms complimented with faster primes when constructing a kit.

terriyaki wrote in post #3018593
I recently chose the 24-105 over the 24-70 based on my shooting style (outdoor shooting/decently lit indoor shooting/bounce flash). I also preferred the weight, size, and feel of the 24-105 over the 24-70. For me, I like the idea of F4 zooms complimented with faster primes when constructing a kit.

Yup, my way of thinking too. Get (quality) zooms to cover al the basic bits, and add specific primes for specific purposes. This means the zooms don't have to be fast, as long as they are good...

Kind regards, Wim