Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

you can get a nikkor ai 35mm f/2 prime for like $120 on ebay....pentax takumar glass for even less.
 
Roberto,

You might consider the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8

Pros -
better build
sharper a bit on the end ranges
much less dust prone than the 17-55mm
slighlty wider

Cons -
Shorter zoom
heavier build
 
Roberto,

You might consider the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8

Pros -
better build
sharper a bit on the end ranges
much less dust prone than the 17-55mm
slighlty wider

Cons -
Shorter zoom
heavier build

Hey John!

Forgot about the price. :)

The idea behind the zoom is to have a lens that can left on the camera for long periods and it also happens to be the only with this range.

I am however quite worried about dust... even if it is not supposed to affect the image in a noticeable way.

This is hard... it might be easier once I can narrow down my exact budget.
 
How is it less dust-prone? Please explain.
The 17-55mm is known for becoming fairly dusty. I think it's just people overreacting, but people have gone so far as to create tutorials on how to take the lens apart to clean it. (Most of the dust accumulates near the front) The 16-35mm f/2.8L II has weather sealing (Rubber gaskets, etc) and will stay dust-free.
 
How is it less dust-prone? Please explain.

I only say this based on some reviews stating that dust tends to get into this particular lens much more than should be acceptable. I think it has to do with a less solid build but do not know any specific details.

Beyond that, it seems to be a good lens for the money, especially considering the focal range and f/2.8 aperture. Just not quite as good as a few of the higher priced Canon lenses out there -- or so I would assume. There are quite a few out there who claim it to be the best walk around lens in it's class for DSLRs.
 
As far as I understand it is because of the lack of weather sealing that is added to the L-Series. And perhaps it isn't that much of a problem, but perhaps a perception deal when people expect it to perform like an L since it basically is an L lens. They just get carried away.

What I want to know is if there is something I can do to seal it. :huh: Though I guess there isn't a simple way which doesn't hurt the resale value, or service-ability of the lens. Otherwise there would be a tutorial on that. Am I wrong?
 
Roberto,

You might consider the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8

Pros -
better build
sharper a bit on the end ranges
much less dust prone than the 17-55mm
slighlty wider

Cons -
Shorter zoom
heavier build


Another con would be no IS, but I have made my decision not to go with the 17-55. It is an EF-S lens and I know the next version of the 5D will have the bells and whistles and more. Want to invest in glass that will work on a variety of cameras and that means and EF or L lens. Heck, the 1D Mark 4 is coming and who knows what goodness that will have (the price is high, but compared to video?).

I think I will go with a couple of EF primes and a cheap zoom and rent L lenses for bigger jobs. The 16-35 II is a nice lens for almost the same price, minus a little zoom range and IS.
 
That's what I did (EF USM primes and the 28-135 kit zoom) but I am stumped for something fast and wide that is either prime or non EF-S....that doesn't cost more than the 7D.
 
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The 16-35mm f/2.8 is a great fast and wide.

also the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 is a great zoom

The combination of both will cover a great deal of shots. Both are fast and give solid results.
 
How many of you would get the Tokina and the 24-70mm f/2.8 in my scenario?

PROS
_ Resale! FF, Perfect for FF, Popular
_ Only a few hundred more
_ Should be a nice "hold me over" for portraits!!! :)
_ No vignetting at all with APS-C
_ Very close focus
_ 24mm to 16mm jump shouldn't be astronomical
​

CONS
_ Wide end will hurt
_ Just a tad heavier (0.67lbs)
_ 24mm to 16mm jump isn't small at all

​
What am I missing?
 
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I'm sticking with the Canon EF 35mm f/2.0. The 7D body alone was a stretch for me cost wise, so I personally can't drop another $1400 on a single lens... wish I could. For less than $300 the 35mm f/2.0 will do me fine...

... or should I cough up a few extra bucks and pick up the Sigma 30mm 1.4? Not tremendously more expensive and even lower light. Thoughts?

http://www.adorama.com/SG3014EOS.html

I've had a sigma 30 1.4. Fantastic lens. Just get a good copy and you'll be happy with it.
 
How many of you would get the Tokina and the 24-70mm f/2.8 in my scenario?

PROS
_ Resale! FF, Perfect for FF, Popular
_ Only a few hundred more
_ Should be a nice "hold me over" for portraits!!! :)
_ No vignetting at all with APS-C
_ Very close focus
_ 24mm to 16mm jump shouldn't be astronomical
​

CONS
_ Wide end will hurt
_ Just a tad heavier (0.67lbs)
_ 24mm to 16mm jump isn't small at all

​
What am I missing?

I think it should be a good lens. I had the Tamron 28-75 on a Nikon D70 shooting stills and it was a nice lens for the price. I use this website to look up Canon lenses (they also have Tamron and Sigma reviews): http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

Also try borrowlenses.com and see about rentals. Some of these go pretty cheap for rental, so you can test some before you buy.
 
As far as I understand it is because of the lack of weather sealing that is added to the L-Series. And perhaps it isn't that much of a problem, but perhaps a perception deal when people expect it to perform like an L since it basically is an L lens. They just get carried away.

What I want to know is if there is something I can do to seal it. :huh: Though I guess there isn't a simple way which doesn't hurt the resale value, or service-ability of the lens. Otherwise there would be a tutorial on that. Am I wrong?

Don't try to seal it, you will probably end up damaging it. I have one of these lenses. Been used at about 30 weddings now. It has gathered some dust inside but it doesn't have any effect on the images at all!

BTW, it is tack sharp as already mentioned, great lens!
 
Thanks studio. I decided to go with the 24-70 since I can't get additional lenses right now and the portrait range is a bit more important to me right now. Together with the ultra wide Tokina I will get the best coverage for my budget and my immediate needs.

I'll rent the 85mm f/1.2 as needed, and if I need to shoot more serious narrative on this camera I'll try to rent ZF's or something like that.

Thanks to everyone that's been helping me! :beer:
 
The ef-s 17-55mm is compatible with the 7D?

The ef-s 17-55mm is compatible with the 7D?

So this is not a concern (from Canon website re: this lens) -

*Note: Only compatible With the 20D, 30D, Digital Rebel, Rebel XT,

I assume that is just old info that has not been updated?
 
This lens (17-55 f2.8 EF-S) WILL WORK fine with the 7D. It's what I've got on my 7D, and it's a killer lens. Expensive, but it really feels like an "L" lens, just without the red ring.

--SM
 
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