Canon 24-70mm f2.8 vs. 24-105mm f/4

DDirector

Veteran
If you had the choice of only one lens, which of the two would you get for the T2i?

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8
Canon 24-105mm f/4

I have a Canon 50mm f/1.4 & a 28mm f/1.8 lens. I want to sell them and buy one of the lenses listed above (USED).
If you were in my situation, what would you do? Would you even sell the lenses and get one from the list? Or keep the two lenses I have? (Canon 50mm f/1.4 & Canon 28mm f/1.8)

The pro for the 24-105 is it has a longer focal length comp. to the 70mm. But, the 24-70mm is better in low light which is a BIG plus, but more expensive.


*The reason I am thinking of doing this is because I have more often been doing a lot of photos and videos that are not planned (like films) but more live events, and don't have time to change lenses.
 
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for event stuff you need range more than speed.

i vote 24-105...


i wish there was a 24-150........
 
since you already have a 50mm which is either a 1.8 or 1.4 id go with the 24-105mm for sure.

the IS is a very big big plus and being able to zoom up to 105mm is much more complimentary from a portrait aspect since it flattens quite a bit more than 70mm on the other lens.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
for event stuff you need range more than speed.
i vote 24-105...
That is true. That's why I am considering getting it, but live events are not the only thing I am doing. The other work (films) that I do, would really help if I had the f/2.8 over the f/4.

I too would wish they had the 24-105 f/2.8

In order for me to get one of these lenses, I will have to sell both of the lenses I currently own so I can afford to get the new one.
 
Both these lenses are for FF chips the OP is T2i

condsier a lense in the 16-50 range as a basic event lens

both those lenses one is payijng for image circle that is not used by the T2i

S
 
Well I have the 24-70 2.8 and am about to buy the 24-105 just because of the IS. I think it's that big of a deal.

I too am in that boat with those of you wishing the 24-105 IS was 2.8, In fact, I wish Canon would do that instead of adding IS to the 24-70 2.8 (which who knows when that will be...yea I have seen the rumors...been seeing them for the last several YEARS!!)

Regards,

G.
 
Both these lenses are for FF chips the OP is T2i

condsier a lense in the 16-50 range as a basic event lens

both those lenses one is payijng for image circle that is not used by the T2i

S

this is obviously true but im assuming the OP already knows that.

a 16-50mm on a 1.6 body IMO wont do as nice of a portraity look since 50mm doesnt compress enough. even 70mm from the 24-70mm is only mild telephoto.

the 24-105mm does offer a more complimentary "portrait" type of look since 105mm has a nice amount of compression compared to 50mm and even the 70mm on the canon. although i dont use the 24-105 as often for photography since i like the shallowest lens options but for video its much harder to shoot as shallow as one would for photos.

the question that i would ask to the OP is...does zooming in for a more noticable "compressed/portrait LOOK" have value while also being able to get fairly wide @ 24mm (38.4mm) when needed have value.

on the other hand, the 24-70mm @ 2.8 does offer a little more shallow DOF when shooting at those lower than tele lengths. this is pretty cool too but you have to make a choice of whats more important and the 24-105mm has some compromises.

given there is enough light. the 24-105mm is an extremely versatile lens and the fact that it has IS is a massive bonus for run and gun. i also have a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 (no IS). not of the caliber as the canon 24-70 but still a very nice lens. sometimes ill use this for its 2.8 factor but if im not on a shoulder rig ill get less smoothness than i would with the 24-105mm w/IS handholding with just my ZFinder pressed up against my eye.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Buy both. Seriously. One at a time. They are complimentary.

I've seen this debate played out so many times it feels like a Gilligan's Island episode.
 
Buy both. Seriously. One at a time. They are complimentary.
No can do.
I can only get one of these lenses. I have a whole bunch of other stuff I still need after this, like a new tripod since my oldie broke not too long ago. But I cant get it until I sell some other non-filming stuff of mine.

I want to stay with primes since they are faster and all, but Ive been doing live events more then I was expecting, and I just don't want the hassle of primes, so I am getting one good zoom lens only. Plus, with those two lenses the focal lengths overlap - I find no need for both. I just want one good lens and stick with it.
 
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I'm using the 24-105mm with the 5d at events all the time. I used to have a 24-70 sigma., but I felt like the extra telephoto to 105mm is worth it. Not to mention the 24-105 is a good $200 cheaper.

With that said, I would recommend you to keep the primes tho. The 1.4 or 1.8 is much faster than the f4 or even f2.8. In indoor situations you are gonna be pushing the iso real high or it just might be too dark. My 50 is a life saver at times. The 1.4 pulls enough light to get a useable image.
 
No can do.
I can only get one of these lenses. I have a whole bunch of other stuff I still need after this, like a new tripod since my oldie broke not too long ago. But I cant get it until I sell some other non-filming stuff of mine.

I want to stay with primes since they are faster and all, but Ive been doing live events more then I was expecting, and I just don't want the hassle of primes, so I am getting one good zoom lens only. Plus, with those two lenses the focal lengths overlap - I find no need for both. I just want one good lens and stick with it.

That's the beauty of this, their is NO one magical lens that does it all. If it did it would cost at least $5K.


#FACT
 
Yeah... that's the problem alright.

If I cant sell/trade my two lenses, I wont be able to get this lens.
I recently got an offer to trade my two lenses (50mm f/1.4 & 28mm f/1.8) + $100 for the 24-105mm f/4.

Would that be a good idea?
I don't have enough to buy a new lens. I will have to sell both my lenses in order to get a new one - which also has more zoom.

If I do go with the deal, the 24-105 would be my only lens for a long time.
 
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my vote is for the 28-105.

I can't even think of a scenario in which I would even consider buying the 24-70. It doesn't have IS, so that means anything outside of a tripod is a no-go for me. And if I'm on sticks and shooting somewhere in the 24-70 range I'd much rather have a prime. Also, I feel when shooting interviews with a zoom in the 24-70 range you still have to get pretty close to the talent to be able to get a wide and a close up from the same spot.

Unless forced by lowlight/no light, I prefer to shoot no faster than f/4 as well.
 
440$ retail = 340$ used
340$ retail = 240$ used
+ 100$
lens you want = 960$ retail = 860$ used I just seen one going for 550$ on ebay though it has like 100 views and 10 bids ends in 5 days lol

so 680$ for a 860$ lens

just throwing the discount prices from used off my head here.

Hey, why not get the zoom you want and a 100$ 50mm F1.8, it's just about as good as the 1.4 just worse build quality, less light, still pretty darn sharp compared to most zooms.
 
Yeah... that's the problem alright.

If I cant sell/trade my two lenses, I wont be able to get this lens.
I recently got an offer to trade my two lenses (50mm f/1.4 & 28mm f/1.8) + $100 for the 24-105mm f/4.

Would that be a good idea?
I don't have enough to buy a new lens. I will have to sell both my lenses in order to get a new one - which also has more zoom.

If I do go with the deal, the 24-105 would be my only lens for a long time.


I am a huge fan of the 24-70 because IMO it's just a better quality lens. The problem is that with current DSLR video your
not going to see that difference. So it comes down to the only advantage might be the 2.8 which if you can find some way to keep your 50mm or buy a 1.8 50mm... Then I think the 24-105 is a no brainer for sure.
Even if you sell both your lenses, the 24-105 still pretty much seems a good choice for your purpose and budget.
 
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