Canon 24-105mm f/4 L or something else?

Retired_97 wrote in post #6408424
I am in the same type situation here.

I have both the 17-55 f/2.8 IS and the 70-200 f/4 IS for my 40D. I think they are a great combo but, I WANT the 24-105 f/4 and realize that there's a bit of overlap here. Overlap to the tune of $1,000!

I WANT the extra reach that the 105mm will add over the 55mm but don't want to be hampered by the 24mm at the other end.

I have all 3 zooms: 17-55, 24-105, 70-200, so I'm covered with large "overlaps" from 17-200mm. With my XTi, I don't really "need" all three but it sure is flexible! As you said, it's a $1000 cost for the flexibility!

I sort of fell into having all 3 by accident, but will hang on to the 3 until I decide if I go totally FF. If I stay 1.6 crop, I'll sell the 24-205. If I go FF, I'll sell the EF-S 17-55 and buy a EF 17-40. If I keep both FF and 1.6 crop, I'll keep all 3 zooms and maybe add a 17-40 for the FF (the most expensive option)..

Large overlaps actually mean less lens changes.

I just bought a Canon 40D a few months ago with the 70-200 f4 IS, and last week a Tamrom 28-75, leaving me room to buy a wide angle zoom to cover the bottom end.

Buying a 17-50 or so would not have made sense for me leaving me too large a gap in the middle where I do most of my shooting. Not long enough and not wide enough. It's still an option but I am looking at something wider.

I'm not a building type photographer nor take pictures of large groups of people, so wide/ultra wide angle, for me, will be more of a creative tool.

I think one needs some sort of plan when buying a lens. See how it fits in to what you have or are planning to have, once you're all set and done. I don't collect lenses so do not see myself ending up with 10 lenses or so. I do see myself with 6 or so, in the next year or less. If it's not used, it's sold.. Actually it probably would never have been bought.

If I was to own just one lens, the 24-105 would certainly be at or near the top of the list for a do all lens.

I think from the looks of it, I'm pretty convinced in getting the 24-105 f/4 L lens. It seems to be the best range that I am looking for. Luckily Henry's let's me try it out, so I can see how it works out indoors in low light. My goal at the end would be to have maybe 4 lenses. The 24-70 2.8L has a lesser zoom than my current 24-85, therefore it would not be very beneficial for me. I'll have to see how that extra stop is going to affect me.