KevinH

Hi all, I love what I am seeing in the new Tamron 24-70 G2 lens for Canon, However it's well above the cost of the camera i have! I have a Canon T6i, so what would be a good 24-70 lens for this entry level DSLR? Thanks all I love this forum it's really comfortable to this old shutterbug!

Kevin

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

One of the advantages to buying good glass for your current camera - the same lens works on higher end cameras - so as you progress to a higher end body, your old good glass can move along with you to the new body.

I shoot a Canon 80D, a 1,200.00 camera, but I have a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L lens that was over 2,000.00 - it works on my daughters T6i, and on my 80D fine.....and if I move to a better body in the future, as long as it is a Canon, that same lens will most likely fit and work fine as well.

Don't discount investing money in good glass for your camera. There is a difference that is seeable easily in the resulting images.

KevinH

Don,

I understand the value of new and better glass. But there's this thing of having to explain a lens that is more than 4 times what I payed for my current rig to my wife! I don't mind a decent lens at this point as I am just getting back into photography after many years of fixed lens digitals.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Someone said something along the lines that you marry your lenses and hire your bodies ... You'll need to balance the need vs want decisions for yourself. But, you'll find a full-frame lens starting at 24mm to be rather limiting for your current camera. If the expense is an issue, consider this as a benefit in helping to avoid a questionable decision given your camera. Granted, this lens will be an excellent companion to a full-frame camera. But, you don't own a full frame camera ...

You didn't express your current lens line-up nor the specific need(s) a 24-70 f/2.8 lens will address. If you're looking for a "fast" lens, consider a prime at the focal length you tend to use most when shooting in low light. Look at your current work and note the focal length(s) involved. This analysis will help highlight your natural tendencies. Canon has a wide selection of razor sharp primes, covering both the EF and EF-S mounts, at f/1.8 to f/2.8 and from 20mm thru 85mm, several that offer IS assistance. One or a few can be purchased new at less than the cost of either the Tamron and Canon 24-70 II models. If you shop for used equipment, you can stretch your budget even further.

If you're still committed to an f/2.8 zoom, look at KEH, ebay and similar for the original v1 of the 24-70 f/2.8L or even the v1 of the 24-105 f/4L. These are still limited on the wide end on a crop body, but represent valid investments for years or potentially decades of use and enjoyment.

KevinH

Hi,

I'm looking to replace the standard kit lens with it and would use it as a primary wide angle also using it for Milkyway pictures so something as fast as I can afford would be even better.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I said "limiting" earlier, I meant that 1.6x at 24mm is a field of view of 38mm. This borders on normal rather than wide. Consider your many options for a prime lens that gives an actual "wide" field of view on your body. There are also f/2.8 zoom options covering the range 16mm to 35mm that may prove to be a better fit to your Milkyway needs.

Consider too using <quote reply> to direct your comments as replies to specific comments.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

If that lens is 6 times what you paid for the camera body, you didn't buy a brand new one. Have you checked out refurbished lenses?

KevinH

Thank you for the reply and yes going to a even shorter focal length sounds like a good idea. I have not done forums in a long time but I will get the hang of it!

KevinH

Not yet on this one and it should have been 4 times the price and the camera for some reason came with the kit lens and two 75-305 lens I think off the top of my head why two of the same thing I don't know and a backpack and battery and charger and wired remote.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

If you like the 24-70 G2, then make that the lens for you, its always the lenses that make the picture and not the camera!
If you put a $40 dollar crap lens on a $80,000 camera, the pics are going to be crap!

Joe Blow

I feel your pain. And confusion. Not everyone can afford great glass.

I would recommend the Canon EF-S 18-135, f3.5-5.6 IS STM. It isn't the best lens in Canon's line up, but is a good lens. $400 new and available used for just over half that. That works out to roughly a 28-200 35mm equivalent. Lightweight, it covers a lot of ground and makes a good walking around camera when paired with that T6i.

Add on a Canon EF 50, f1.8 STM (80 mm equivalent) for around $125 new. Very inexpensive but also very sharp and most reasonably fast. Very lightweight, it is a good prime for portraits and low light.

These are not the best lenses available. However, they are good lenses and the 50mm is a bargain. But most photographers don't need top of the line glass. You can bet your booty that they are nice to have, but that doesn't mean you need them. Dang, we get a lot of very good photos on here from cell phones. If, and when, you can afford an EF-70-200 f2.8 then go for it. But if you can't afford it then don't worry about it.

Buying used from Canon (more expensive) or reputable sellers, (Adorama, B&H, Roberts, KEH, and some others) can score you a bargain.

Good luck

To add, a good lens is nice, but the moron behind the viewfinder is even more important. Second, even the base Canon lenses are good quality.

KevinH

The camera was bought used and came with:
(1) EFS 18-55mm and (2) EF 75-300mm lens and I already had a (1) 35-80 EF lens so so far that's my kit.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Buy the best lenses you can afford, regardless of the camera. You won't regret it. A bad lens will limit a great sensor. A great lens will get the most out of a mediocre sensor.

The G2 is a fine lens. But if you can't afford it, the first version of this lens is available used for $700 to $750 at KEH. Six month warranty. The AF is a little slower and noisier, but otherwise, it's a great lens.

https://www.keh.com/shop/tamron-24-70mm-f-2-8-sp-di-vc-usd-a007-lens-for-canon-ef-mount-82.html

(I've bought two lenses from them in EX condition that looked and function as if brand new.)

Another possibility is an old favorite of mine, the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Aspherical Macro DI IF LD (A09) Lens For Canon EF Mount {67}. It's available used for $257 or less from KEH as well. We used hundreds of these for portraiture at Herff Jones Photography Division (defunct; now part of Lifetouch), from 2005 to 2012. Like the 24-70 lenses, it works on full frame and APS-C cameras.

https://www.keh.com/shop/tamron-28-75mm-f-2-8-xr-aspherical-macro-di-if-ld-a09-lens-for-canon-ef-mount-67.html?m=Grouped&prod_id=41159&aid=41159&rmatt=tsid:%7Ccid:873153775%7Cagid:46488288160%7Ctid:pla-343744330480%7Ccrid:204869037524%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:4836738326888281157%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o3&gclid=CjwKCAiAhfzSBRBTEiwAN-ysWGF6e3naWteIH_f6kIe_4wXS6sC_TyQwNEe0WEWiQK4sEMFIbc_CVBoC0jkQAvD_BwE

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

That is exactly why you would spend the money on a lens rather than a camera body. Your T6i will lose value every day until it is just pennies on the original dollar you spent. A good lens will hold value through many years of use. The initial loss of value will be purchasing new (like driving a new car off the sales lot). You can save by buying refurbished. A good lens will allow your camera to capture sharper photos. All things being equal, a quality lens makes any camera better.

Haydon