Lenes for a Canon 6d: HI everyone. I received this camera, a Canon 6d with a 24 to 105 zoom lens. This is a great lens, but rather limited to what I wish to shoot, namely trains on the...

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

HI everyone. I received this camera, a Canon 6d with a 24 to 105 zoom lens. This is a great lens, but rather limited to what I wish to shoot, namely trains on the mainline. I am asking the astute photographers on this blog for help. What lens, specifically, would you recommend? I am retired so price can be a decisive factor in my choice. The 6d is a full-frame camera, so I don't think the Rebel lenses (t2i or t3) would fit. I may be wrong, but I would like to know. I was looking in a range of either 75 to 300mm or 100 to 400mm. Additionally, what good retailer could I purchase this recommended from?

Musket Loc: ArtBallin'

The same place you bought your camera from would be very happy to sell you a lens. Look at the 100-400mm. You can rent it from a many a online lens rental places before you buy it.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Either lens would be a good addition with longer reach for your body, but with the longer reach you will want to make sure you get an IS model so you won't be tied to a tripod all the time.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Railfan_Bill wrote:

HI everyone. I received this camera, a Canon 6d w... (show quote)

I find that I use my 24-70 for train images. Trains are huge and if you plan to get then in your frame you won't want a huge focal length. If you want detail on just one part of a car then I suppose you would want a larger lens. But I just came from a train museum and used my 24-70 and my 10-22. Your 24-105mm covers most of what you need and is a good L series lens.

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

Hi Jeep daddy,
I know what you are saying about a good wide angle lens for static displays. I have been to many RR museums and I find the lens I have (24 to 105mm) to be outstanding. However, when I shoot landscape with this lens, I cannot get close enough on the mainline to warrant the shot. That is why I would like to get a longer lens to complement the exposure. When I was using film cameras (OM-2n) I used the 70-210 mm lens almost exclusively for my over-the-road shots. Here are some examples using both lenses. (BTW, These shots were taken with a Canon T2i using the 18 to 50? mm and the 75-250 mm lenses)

Short lens (24 to 105 mm)

Long lens (75 to 250 mm)

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

Musket, Don't know where the camera was purchased. It was a gift from a friend visiting us from Taiwan. I need to get the lens in this country, not Taiwan. Tanks for you comment anyway. I know people on this blog always want to help.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

You need for a another lens depends on just what you want to do.
The 24-105mm f/4 L lens is a terrific lens. To complement this with a longer lens I would recommend a 70-300mm lens. With these two you can take pictures of trains until the cows come home.

Also remember what we all learned in Boy Scouts. To determine if a train is coming your way, put your ear down on the track.
However, not too long.

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

Your right about the placing an ear on the rails. Just think of that neat perspective of that shot, just before your melon is squished by the front truck!!! You can will it to your next of kin, LOL.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Railfan_Bill wrote:

Musket, Don't know where the camera was purchased. It was a gift from a friend visiting us from Taiwan. I need to get the lens in this country, not Taiwan. Tanks for you comment anyway. I know people on this blog always want to help.

If you are looking, I have a MINT condition Canon 100-400mm L lens on consignment in my store for $1300, you literally cannot tell it from a new one. $15 shipping anywhere in the lower 48.
And my son is here visiting from LV this week, he will be flying back on Monday, might even be able to save you the shipping cost.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Railfan_Bill wrote:

Musket, Don't know where the camera was purchased. It was a gift from a friend visiting us from Taiwan. I need to get the lens in this country, not Taiwan. Tanks for you comment anyway. I know people on this blog always want to help.

Nice friend. That's a $2600 gift

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Look at lensrentals.com to try before you buy ... Regarding the Rebel lenses, your 6D can use only the EF mount. An EF-S mount will not work with your full frame camera.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

Railfan_Bill wrote:

HI everyone. I received this camera, a Canon 6d w... (show quote)

HI Railfan,
I too have the 6D and you are right, the L style or professional glass is all that will work. These are the EF lenses from Canon or you DG designator for Sigma Lenses.
Sigma is as good as if not better on some lenses than canon. They are a close running.

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

I'm in a similar situation. We are stuck with EF lenses and some 3rd party lenses will work. My Tamron 70-300 works well and I got some decent shots while on vacation recently.

EF-S lenses designed for Canon crop cameras won't work on your 6D. I like the results I get with my 24-105 but I need something longer. Torn between the 70-200 2.8 and the 100-400.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

GaryS1964 wrote:

I'm in a similar situation. We are stuck with EF lenses and some 3rd party lenses will work. My Tamron 70-300 works well and I got some decent shots while on vacation recently.

EF-S lenses designed for Canon crop cameras won't work on your 6D. I like the results I get with my 24-105 but I need something longer. Torn between the 70-200 2.8 and the 100-400.

HI Gary,
what is you area of expertise in photography?

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

sportyman140 wrote:

HI Gary,
what is you area of expertise in photography?

I'm not an expert in anything. I take a lot of candid shots at family events. My sister in law and I are the photographers in the family. She takes mostly posed pics and I shoot mostly candid. I also take pictures of my grandchildren playing soccer and swimming and the 70-300 serves me well.

When I go out by myself to shoot it's mostly landscapes and buildings. Occasionally some wildlife. I like to do HDR (natural looking) and do like to shoot interiors of interesting buildings when I have the chance. One thing I don't do is portraits.

My guess is the 70-200 would probably be the best lens for what I do. I can zoom in by cropping.