L Zooms vs L Primes

I originally thought about getting a new line up of zooms since I recently went FF. I was using a 10-22, 17-55IS, 70-200 f/2.8 and a 50mm 1.4 on my 40D.

I shoot alot of large orchestra concert performances as well as smaller recitals.


For the 5d mkii I was thinking about doing a 24-70L and a 70-200 f/2.8 IS. And throw an extender on the 70-200 for a bit more reach.

What would you suggest if I were to go all primes? I was thinking maybe a 24L, 50L, 100L IS or a 135L. Any suggestions? The few extra stops might help me in unpredictable situations. Just not sure if I want to keep changing lenses or risk not having enough zoom pending funds for fast prime glass.

in your case i would definitely get the 70-200 zoom with the extender for reach.... coming from crop i think you feel you need the reach. and maybe get a 35L for indoor shooting and your walk-about needs if you need a wide fast prime..... just a thought.... and if budget allows add another prime like the Sigma 50 1.4 ? OR 85 1.8? do you need UWA?

So skip the 24-70L and go with a 35L instead?

You're saying,

Buy List:
70-200 2.8 IS
35L


I have a Canon 50mm f/1.4 already.

Ide go 35L / 85L / 135L / 200 2.8 (or 2.0!)
Covers everything pretty much.

Or:
Sigma 30 1.4 / 50 1.2L (f/1.2 will give you some amazing low-light results) / 100 2.8L (IS helps you get those 1/30 sharp shots) / 135L

Down_Shift wrote in post #9911620
So skip the 24-70L and go with a 35L instead?

You're saying,

Buy List:
70-200 2.8 IS
35L


I have a Canon 50mm f/1.4 already.

That looks pretty good then.

I'm not familiar with shooting orchestra concerts. I'm assuming your in a fixed distance away? bad light? good light?

what aperture were you typically using ?

Stopping down an f/2.8 zoom from wideopen will improve sharpness and contrast. Depending on what apertures you shoot this will be a determining factor to go PRIMES or ZOOMS. When I shoot f/4 with my 24-70L with the 5dmkII I almost feel like its prime quality in a zoom.

Having a 16-35L, 24-70L and 70-200 f/2.8IS (or mkII) will be an extremely versatile zoom set especially with the 5dmkII's excellent High ISO performance. Supplement that set with primes that will aid you in those low light, less ideal lighting conditions.

Down_Shift wrote in post #9911620
So skip the 24-70L and go with a 35L instead?

You're saying,

Buy List:
70-200 2.8 IS
35L


I have a Canon 50mm f/1.4 already.

yeah... thats exactly what im saying... considering you already have the 50mm FL covered with a fast prime.... maybe if your budget allows.... maybe spring for a 24L over the 35L?

all in all thought i still think that would be a decent setup.... 70-200 2.8 IS and 35L.

then in the future maybe you can sell that 50mm prime and get a 85L and you would have one mighty setup of lenses IMO.

Personally my goal is to build towards this setup in the future: 35L, 135L, 70-200 F2.8 IS, 17-40L, 24-70L<<<<<< LOL.... I can dream right!

having come from the same setup you're coming from - even though I still love the 17-55, the 24-70 will be an easy transition. Great lens that will give you the same reach the 17-55 did on your 40D. Also, the 24-70 and 70-200 is a great setup.

I use the 35L for my low light shots, but the 5D2's ISO does a great job when you need to bump it up

Might do the 24-70 and 70-200 setup now as I plan on purchasing both this month.

Then I can slowly get the primes when I feel they are needed.

35L seems the perfect prime for me. I personally think the 50mm is still too long for my usual walk-around shooting. Might sell the 50mm to free up some cash and use it towards the 35L or something, even though it is only a fraction of the cost!

Oh next question is if you guys find it cumbersome to lug primes around and switching lenses.
I'm just afraid I would be switching lenses alot if I went straight primes.

I know when I had my 17-55IS I shot mostly in 24-35 range.
My 70-200 was usually zoomed in all the way or around 135.

Down_Shift wrote in post #9913206
Oh next question is if you guys find it cumbersome to lug primes around and switching lenses.
I'm just afraid I would be switching lenses alot if I went straight primes.

I know when I had my 17-55IS I shot mostly in 24-35 range.
My 70-200 was usually zoomed in all the way or around 135.

I'll wear my Thinktank modular belt to hold a bunch of primes. When time is on your side foot zooming will help reduce lens swaps. At fast paced events you may find 1 prime/1 body to be limiting...well you may find your perspective all the same.If your using two bodies and primes this will help getting different flavours from your photos.

If your in a scenario where light is ample and groups of people you might aswell use a zoom stopped down (dont want small groups to be OOF) and achieve prime like qualities.

Down_Shift wrote in post #9913206
Oh next question is if you guys find it cumbersome to lug primes around and switching lenses.
I'm just afraid I would be switching lenses alot if I went straight primes.

I know when I had my 17-55IS I shot mostly in 24-35 range.
My 70-200 was usually zoomed in all the way or around 135.

Like Alan said, zooming with your feet will yield great results nearly every time. I used my 60mm on my 40D nearly all the time for about a year, and it really teaches you to not rely on needing to zoom. Not only that, it helps you think about and decide on composition as well. For a long time my lenses were 28mm, 60mm, and 135mm. The 135 was sold to fund the 70-200L I have now, and I will be getting a 24-70L in the next 6 months. Seems I'm going from primes to zooms. I do love my primes though, and have always wanted a 35L, which I'm SURE I'll have at some point.

All the best.

- j

Note, you can't ways zoom with your feet, many situations you are restricted by area, and after running around all you, you will be tired (especially if you are on vacation or working ALL day). I honestly wouldn't go all zooms or all primes, a good mix is best for most situations.

Down_Shift wrote in post #9911483
since I recently went FF.

forthewinwin wrote in post #9911626
Ide go 35L / 85L / 135L / 200 2.8 (or 2.0!)
Covers everything pretty much.

Or:
Sigma 30 1.4 / 50 1.2L (f/1.2 will give you some amazing low-light results) / 100 2.8L (IS helps you get those 1/30 sharp shots) / 135L

impossible

For zooms I would go with 16-35 2.8 (or 17-40 f4L) and 70-200 2.8L (or 70-200 f4 IS). No need to get 24-70L which is the beast.