Having a hard time to choose a lens.

I am looking to buy another lens, but I am having a hard time to choose which route I should go for:

1 - 10-20mm + 24-105mm F4L IS
2 - 17-55mm F2.8 IS

I will use the camera mostly for travel, and will shot indoor once awhile.

Thanks for the help

10-20mm + 24-105mm F4L IS + 70-200mm F4L IS is a great combo. I would go with option 1, especially if you can use the 430EX for indoor shots.

option 1 is actually 2 lenses. If you are going to buy only 1, then I'd get the 10-22. This way you're covered: 10-22, 17-70, 70-200. later you can replace your sigma with a 24-105/4 or 24-70/2.8.

ebann wrote in post #4676380
option 1 is actually 2 lenses. If you are going to buy only 1, then I'd get the 10-22. This way you're covered: 10-22, 17-70, 70-200. later you can replace your sigma with a 24-105/4 or 24-70/2.8.

Thanks, I was actually thinking about that as well, the question is F2.8 or F4 with IS. Was thinking I should have at least one F2.8 Standard zoom lens, it might be handy for some night shot when I travel.

To my mind, the focal length range is more important than the aperture range for travel.

The 17-55 is an excellent travel lens because it allows you to pretty often wander about with just the one lens. When I had the 30D only I appreciated having a 17-55 for the ability to have a true 1 lens walkabout kit.

If I was carrying two lenses, then I also carried the 10-22.

To my mind, the biggest problem of the 24-105 on the smaller format is that it isn't wide enough as a 1 lens travel walkabout. Thus you pretty much always need to carry both the 10-22 and the 24-105.

OTOH, on the 5D the 24-105 is even better than the 17-55 on 30D since it is then both wider and longer. This setup was one of the draws to the 5D for me.

eason_c wrote in post #4676417
Thanks, I was actually thinking about that as well, the question is F2.8 or F4 with IS. Was thinking I should have at least one F2.8 Standard zoom lens, it might be handy for some night shot when I travel.

IS will save you from carrying a tripod in some circumstances. If you have shaky hands, it's very useful. F2.8 is heavier and a little longer. If you can afford it, get the 2.8 IS and never look back!

On the other hand, your general walk-around lens should be 2.8, thus later on get the 24-70/2.8L and get the 70-200/4L IS now (because it is the sharpest of all 4 models).

If you plan to visit museums then the 17-55 IS is a must.

Some museums won't let you take a tripod in and the 17-55 will allow you to shoot handheld in low light with acceptable results. Hardest thing is getting the white balance right...

17-55 f2.8 IS is a great traveling lens but just make sure not to expose it to dusty environment

From what I gather, the dust won't affect the IQ if it's on the inside of the lens though.

Dust on the sensor will still be noticeable.

Since you already have a 70-200/4 IS, I would get the 17-55/2.8 IS. You'll be covered from 17 to 200 mm for travel, and I don't think you'll miss not having 55-70 mm covered. You could also bring your 50/1.8 for its f/1.8 just in case.

I travel with a 17-55 IS and 70-300 DO IS (and a 100/2.0) and have never felt I needed the 55-70mm focal length. Also, at a Rick Sammon seminar he said that if you're stuck with a not-wide-enough lens, take 2-3 shots and stitch them together as a panorama. Great suggestion! Your 17-55/2.8 IS will be wide enough for most shots and be very good indoor.