RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

He/she stated they have no lens yet for the 5D mk4? And is asking for some help!

TMcD Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I have the 24-70 2.8 L II for my 5D IV and it is on the camera most of the time. I understand your concern about it not being stabilized, however the high ISO capability of the 5D IV makes this a moot point. The lens is extremely sharp and very versatile.If I could have only one lens for the camera, this would be it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Your budget isn't large enough to buy 2 lenses for that camera body. For a few more bucks start with the new 24-70 lens. It will fit the portrait bill and landscape bill. Later when you can afford it, buy a wide angle zoom like the 16-35 or the 17-40. Forget about a prime lens unless you become a full time portrait photographer and have a studio and do mostly just glamor sittings or something like that.

Mike Ga Loc: Long Island, NY

I have the m I'V with various lenses. My suggestion would be 24-105L II. This is a great walk around and landscape lense. The 85mm 1.8 will do for portrait. Additional lenses such as 16-35f4 IS L, the 70-200 f4 IS L and the 100-400L can be added for landscaping. The 85mm L for portrait can be added also.

Opusx300

Just to clarify, when you say the new 24-70mm, do you mean the f2.8 not f4, correct?

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I have to say with that budget you may have trouble getting both. That being said with some careful shopping on Craigslist you can find what your looking for. Here is what I found in the last year and a half and LOVE all of these lenses. All of them in outstanding condition as well. I found a 24-70mm f2.8L (not the vII but still excellent) for $550, 70-200mm f2.8L IS II $1,475 (absolute steal for an almost a brand new lens) and a 100mm f2.8L Macro $625 which I use almost exclusively for Portraits (outstanding in this capacity). I have attached 2 sample of a recent senior shoot I did with 2 of the lenses listed. The deals are there you just got to go looking.

Sam: 70-200 f2.8L IS II

(Download)

Sam: 100mm f2.8L Macro

(Download)

JohnH3 Loc: Auburn, AL

With you having a 5DmkIV, you have one of the nicest cameras made. Congratulations!

Regardless of what you do, I would encourage you to invest in Canon EF-L series lens, the Sigma Art series, and as well as the higher level Tamron lens. (Regardless, I find even the older EF-L series lens to be extremely sharpe. You can get good used lens.) The red line on the lens is the key. Yes, they are more expensive and they hold value fairly well if you purchase one and then decide it was a less than optimal choice for you. Although the lower priced versions are good, they don’t have the sharpness of the L series lens at least in my “very humble” opinion. I have duplicates of many (the lower priced versions and the L series as well.). I often use the lower priced versions with my Canon T6s (crop frame) especially when I might be going into a situation/conditions where I just don’t want to risk taking my “far more” expensive lens and camera.

I don’t think you would go wrong with the EF-L 24-105 f4 for a first lens. I do well over 50% of my shooting with that lens on a Canon D6mkII (okay... a little jealous of your D5mkIV 😀).

My main suggestion to you is start collecting high quality lens for the camera you have. Look for slightly used lens if and when possible. You can often save money by doing so. Think about what you want to shoot and prioritize your lens selection to those goals. I have some lens that I use constantly and some that I seldom use; however, when I need them, I have them.

My second suggestion is to find a local camera store and establish a good relationship with them. I live in Auburn, AL. We have an outstanding local store with a local owner. The store is Cameragraphics. The help and advice that I have received from John Oliver, John Rhodenizer, Brian Peters, and Ashley McVey has been so valuable. As well, when a good used lens that is exceptional comes in, John let’s me know. Their advice has been priceless over the last three years.

Of course my advice was free and often you get what you pay for! (LOL) I hope I at least gave you something to consider. Bottom line... I have learned that even the best camera in the world is no better than the lens attached to the front of it. You are fortunate and have one of the best cameras. In all reality, I would rather have a better lens on a lesser camera than a lesser lens on a great camera. The lens is the eye of your camera!

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Seconded again. This lens will do it all for you.

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

I have to go along with the other recommendations for the Canon 24-105. I use mine on my 5Ds in my studio, on my 5DMk4 in various applications, and on my 7D2. From what I have the first version of this lens, but I have also heard good things about Ver. II which is reported to have some improvements. I have also been told that I would be hard pressed to see the difference in IQ between the two versions, so I have so far not stepped up to the new model. IMO, the version one is quite sharp on all three of my camera bodies, plus it is available for a good price. My only caution in recommending the Ver.1 is that it has a history of wear problems associated with the diaphragm ribbon cable when it has accumulated some hours of use. Repair of that ribbon is something around $350. I had mine done about a year ago and all is well for now. The lens was 10 years old when the ribbon problem occurred, so I found the cost of repair to be within reason.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yes, but I also mean the Mark II lens versus the older original f/2.8 lens by Canon. Both are great but the new Mark II is awesome. It's smaller, lighter and sharper than the original.

I've read some of the other comments about the 24-105 and I think that would be a good choice too. It will keep you more within your budget.

I still have the original 24-70mm f/2.8 and will be selling it soon. But it needs work because it's quite old and has a lot of miles on it. The zoom is sticking a little in the middle of the zoom range. But I'll probably only be asking about $500 for it.

Selene03

You don't have a lot of money to work with. You might want to check out Canon refurbished and see what they have on sale. The lenses are refurbished and come with a 1 year warranty. I have been more than satisfied with every one I have purchased. My favorite landscape lens is the 16-35 F4 L lens with IS. It is an extremely high quality and light lens, but it is a wide angle lens. Sometimes in landscape you want a longer lens. Again, for one all purpose lens, I would recommend the 24-105 F4 lens (either I or II--I personally like the II a lot better, but most reviews don't notice much difference). My favorite portrait lens is the 70-200 L 2.8, but it is out of your price range. Others have given you advice here.

Selene03

These are good suggestions.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

$1500 isn't a lot to work with, but thankfully your needs are pretty straight forward.

I'd recommend a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM for the landscape photography... about $1000 new (hood included).

And get a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM or EF 100mm f/2 USM for the portraiture... either of those will be in the $500 or less range, plus the cost of a hood (not included).

I'd love to recommend the new EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM or the legendary EF 135mm f/2L USM for portraiture, but either of those would completely blow your budget. Eventually you might want to upgrade to one or both of those.

I'd NOT recommend the EF 24-105L IS USM... either version. Sure, they're okay... or even quite good... just not as great as some of the other Canon mid-range zooms. In fact, the old EF 28-135mm IS USM can rival the original 24-105L in almost all respects.... focus speed, IS performance, close focusing ability, IMAGE QUALITY at all the focal lengths they share.... at about 1/3 the cost (which might be why Canon recently discontinued the 28-135... they'd rather sell you a $1000 lens than a $350 lens that does just as good a job).

The new 24-105L "II" primarily improves the IS system. It's also got the new Nano USM AF, a bit quieter and smoother, which might be beneficial while shooting video. It also may be more durable and better sealed for weather resistance, although only time will tell for certain (the original 24-105L proved to be no more reliable/durable than the non-L 28-135mm... even though the L-series lens seems less plasticky and better built). Image quality of the II is not all that different by all accounts (read the reviews and look at the MTF charts for them all).

IMO, the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is a better choice as a mid-range "walk-around" zoom. Better image quality, less distortion, MUCH closer focusing ability, more compact and equal in other ways (max aperture, 3 to 4 stop IS, etc.)... and it actually costs less than the 24-105 II. Just not quite as large a range of focal lengths.

Or, if the size, weight and much higher price are manageable, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L "II" is uncompromising with superb IQ (though it's not stabilized and isn't particularly close focusing). But for almost half the price, the f/4L comes awfully close to the same IQ and has stabilization and has a macro mode that gives 2X to 3X greater magnification than any of the other zooms.

But for landscape photography, if it were me, I'd want the wider 16-35mm.

And I'd rather have an f/2 or f/1.8 lens for portraiture... than an f/4.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Good choice on the 24-105L. My 5D Mk IV arrives today from Adorama, so am sitting at my window replying to your post watching for 'The Big Brown Truck', and my 24-105L IS USM II will be the lens I mount. It is a wonderful piece of glass. Come on BBT!