L glass for an XTi ?

I'm finally getting off the sidelines and picking up a DSLR. Can't swing the 5D that I really want, so I guess it'll be an XTi. I WILL own a 5D in the near future, and am considering getting the lens that I would if I did have the 5D, namely the 24-105 L IS.

Background: I'm a professional artist (illustration/digital imaging, fine art painter) and consider myself an advanced amateur shooter. Since dumping my Nikon SLR I've splashed away (darn trout!) two RAW capable point & shoots, and can't stand not getting the IQ that
I want/need. I shoot only RAW and post-process as much as needed to optimize my pics.
The lack of IQ has been costing me marketing opportunities. Please don't suggest a kit lens
or Tamron, etc.

I know the balance would probably be lousy with the 24-105, but I really want IS and the highest IQ I can afford. Considering what I've been using, I can live with the crop until I go FF. I shoot (and paint) landscapes, with a little floral/macro. And yes, I know one lens cannot do it all.

Am I missing something, and what size/speed cards should I get, keeping in mind the future RAW 5D files?

Thanks!!

I have/use a 5D as my main camera...now, i don't own the 24-105L....but i've heard it's very good. I'd also consider the 24-70 2.8L.....it's faster , but you don't have IS...i think that the difference in speed makes up for it though, and this lens is razor sharp.

If you don't need the reach of the 24-105, then get the 17-55 2.8 is. It is one of the best lenses you can put on a crop body.

BobbyT wrote in post #4602465
If you don't need the reach of the 24-105, then get the 17-55 2.8 is. It is one of the best lenses you can put on a crop body.

dont think the 17/55 will fit the 5d .
Rob.

There is nothing wrong with L glass for an XTi.

I can't comment on the 24-105 as I don't own it. I do, however, own the 24-70L and, although it's a good GP lens, I don't use it that much for landscape work since I don't find it wide enough on the XT. It will better serve that purpose on the 5D, though, where it will give you a true 24mm focal length at the wide end instead of 38mm equivalent. If you're planning on upgrading to full frame, you might want to consider something like the EF 16-35 to compliment (not replace) the 24-105 at the wide end.

Buy the battery grip - it will help with the balance.

I use an XT and shoot only in RAW. My 1GB cards give me approximately 100 frames and my 2GB cards approximately 200. Your XTi will give you slightly less frames per card, and the 5D slightly less again. Exactly what size card, and how many you'll need, depends on your shooting requirements and download intervals. However, I don't think I'd consider anything less than 2GB, and would probably be more inclined towards 4GB minimum.

L glass is an investment, more than bodies. Bodies get old fast lenses rarely get replaced especially L Glass... i doubt they would come out with a new 24-70, or 24-105 anytime soon...

I own the 28-70mm L f2.8 the 24-70mm predesessor... and it's just as good some people say it's better in some areas... The only diff is 8mm and weather sealing but i wont be shooting in the rain... :P

I use 4 GB Ultra II San Disk cards they hold nearly 400 raw + Jpeg shots...pretty good unless your traveling then i'd suggest bigger..so you have to unload less...

Get some!

It's a great choice.

I had several L versions before we upgraded out of an XT.

And would do it again.

24-105 is a great lens...great IQ and color. However, I'm a wide kind of guy (in several ways, unfortunately) and if I were shooting a crop body, I'd go for the 17-40. It's the equal in IQ in my opinion and it's close-focusing capability is remarkable. Great for landscapes. I find I'm using it on the 5D as much as the 24-105.

I have an XTi and two L lenses. I had just sold a rifle (Barrett 82A1) and had some cash to buy camera gear. I figured the glass would last longer than the camera so I could always upgrade the body later.

Get the good glass and build up bodies as you can afford them.

Get a bunch of 2gb cards. Cards crash, get lost, or get damaged from time to time and it's my belief that it's better to have a lot of small cards than one big one. I carry three 2gb cards and I've never run out of memory before running out of batteries. (And I have the battery grip with two batteries.)

Buy a couple extra eye cups, too. They're about $11 each and fall off at the worst times. I lost my first one at an anti-war rally and ordered a couple more. Now I'm on my last one of those and need to order more.

I know someone w/ a 40D who uses the 24-105. I questioned him about how he like the lens with his crop sensor and he said he loves it. Bear in mind that he has a number of shorter lenses like the 17-85 IS, and the 10-22.

Do you plan on keeping your xti as a second body? If so it may be worth picking up a Canon 10-22, a Tamron 17-50, or something else shorter, if you need it, to get the shots you can't get with the 24-105 in the meantime.

As someone said earlier I'd really look at the 17-55mm/2.8 IS EF-S lens, even though it won't fit on the 5D down the road - it will keep most of it's resale value a bunch more then the either the XTi or 5D would. You could easily sell the 17-55mm for a Canon EF-L 24-xx zoom down the road with minimal lose, but in the interim you get the ideal lens for the XTi IMO.

Also don't rule out keeping the 17-55mm and upgrading for a 30/40D down the road...after all Canon has no zooms lenses with wide FOV (effective) with fast aperture and IS.

Trout Bum wrote in post #4602369
I'm finally getting off the sidelines and picking up a DSLR. Can't swing the 5D that I really want, so I guess it'll be an XTi. I WILL own a 5D in the near future, and am considering getting the lens that I would if I did have the 5D, namely the 24-105 L IS.

Background: I'm a professional artist (illustration/digital imaging, fine art painter) and consider myself an advanced amateur shooter. Since dumping my Nikon SLR I've splashed away (darn trout!) two RAW capable point & shoots, and can't stand not getting the IQ that
I want/need. I shoot only RAW and post-process as much as needed to optimize my pics.
The lack of IQ has been costing me marketing opportunities. Please don't suggest a kit lens
or Tamron, etc.

I know the balance would probably be lousy with the 24-105, but I really want IS and the highest IQ I can afford. Considering what I've been using, I can live with the crop until I go FF. I shoot (and paint) landscapes, with a little floral/macro. And yes, I know one lens cannot do it all.

Am I missing something, and what size/speed cards should I get, keeping in mind the future RAW 5D files?

Thanks!!

It sounds like allot of your work will be macro and copy work. If thats the case get one of Canons TRUE macro lenses like the 50, 60 or 100. Sounds like IQ is important and seems to me you do a good deal of copy work. A true macro sounds like it would be a much better choice for the type of work you are doing and the end results you are looking for.

The XTI is a fine camera with "L" Glass
Even for someone that doesn't know how to use it...
70-200 f/4 L and XTI

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i ran a 35L as my main lens on my xti for the whole time i had it, which set me up nicely for when i moved on to a used 5D

...and if you are going to get a 5D eventually stay away from EFS lenses like the 17-55 that wont fit it. Or at least be comfortable with selling them when you move on. And a used 24-105 can be had for around 800 or so if you hunt

Canonista wrote in post #4602586
I have an XTi and two L lenses. I had just sold a rifle (Barrett 82A1) and had some cash to buy camera gear.

Hehe, I too sold my rifle to afford new glass. If you plan on doing landscape, look into the 16-35L. I have a 24-70 lens that I love, but lately I might switch over to some prime lens instead.