Walking-Around zoom lens for Canon 70D
Nov 25, 2014 22:46:23 #
I have been interested in a 'walking around" lens for my 70D, so I can avoid changing lens and bringing so much equipment with me as I travel. I have been considering a Canon 24-105L lens but just read Ken Rockwell's review, in which he says it would be foolish to purchase a lens designed for a full frame sensor on a crop sensor. Is he correct? I also read a review by someone else stating that the lens is not as sharp as other L lens. Would I be better served to purchase a different lens designed for my crop sensor? I am afraid to purchase a lens in the approximate range of 18-300 mm because of my concern that the lens are not terribly sharp. Any thoughts from any of you Hoggers?
Nov 26, 2014 00:57:40 #
There are many different opinions on what makes the ideal "walking around" lens. For some, light weight and compactness is most important. For others, the greater the focal length range, the better. Then there are many that simply want the lens to cover the range that they most frequently use for their particular approach to photography.
Nov 26, 2014 05:25:28 #
lwerthe1mer wrote:
I have been interested in a 'walking around" ... (show quote)
l, my recommendation for a lens would be the 18-135 STM that is offered as the kit lens. I was a little surprised the other day when I saw the MTF chart for that lens. It should be a VERY nice lens. But mainly is that it's designed to work with that cameras video auto focus system, plus it's a nice range. Outside of that I would look at the EFs 15-85 lens as it is decently wide. It's the 24-105 lens equivalent on a crop camera.
The problem with the 24-105 is that it's just NOT very wide on a crop body. Otherwise it's extremely sharp, no matter what you read. But all 3 lenses are pretty slow.
I would always carry a nifty 50 as well. Not all that wide but very fast for indoor shooting. A 35 would be better, but they start to get more expensive as the get faster.
I have traveled a lot and very rarely need a lens longer than 100mm. You will never have everything you need. Usually I might need wider, but rarely longer, but probably just my style. Good luck. ;-)
SS
Nov 26, 2014 06:58:50 #
I'm glad I didn't read Ken's review before I bought my 24-105L to put on my 60D. Awsume lens, but maybe just a little too heavy for a walkaround (for me). I use an 18-200 Tamaron for that. :thumbup:
Nov 26, 2014 07:24:13 #
I use the EFS 18-135 as my walking around lens. Very decently sharp and flexible. Have printed at 13x19 inches with excellent results. Attached photos are compressed so not as sharp as originals.
Nov 26, 2014 08:21:41 #
djtravels wrote:
I'm glad I didn't read Ken's review before I bought my 24-105L to put on my 60D. Awsume lens, but maybe just a little too heavy for a walkaround (for me). I use an 18-200 Tamaron for that. :thumbup:
I have the Canon 60D and the 24-105L setup and couldn't be more pleased with using this as a walk-around setup. I highly recommend it. I ignored Ken's review and I'm glad I did!
For the price, you can't beat it.
Nov 26, 2014 08:54:22 #
lwerthe1mer wrote:
I have been interested in a 'walking around" ... (show quote)
I use the 18-200 Canon on a 50D a friend uses the 18-200 Tamron on a 70D. Whether you go with the 135 or 200 max I think you will like the 18 better than the 24 for close quarters.
Nov 26, 2014 09:02:38 #
Nov 26, 2014 09:03:21 #
DavidM wrote:
I have the Canon 60D and the 24-105L setup and couldn't be more pleased with using this as a walk-around setup. I highly recommend it. I ignored Ken's review and I'm glad I did!
For the price, you can't beat it.
For the price, you can't beat it.
One of the problems I have in attempting to do my research on product purchases is that there are so many products and so many opinions that I get confused. It is very hard to rely on reviews, and the number of unprofessional opinions is even harder to digest. Nevertheless, I value the opinions of Hoggers and thank everyone for sharing your experiences and opinions.
Nov 26, 2014 10:04:20 #
lwerthe1mer wrote:
I have been interested in a 'walking around" ... (show quote)
I have a 5D full frame and I have two walk arounds. I usually know ahead of time where I'm going to be shooting and make the decision. I flip between 17-40mm L and the 24-105L. Sure there are times where you wish you may have wider or longer but it makes you a better photographer when you have to make do with what you have.
Actually, I seldom leave home without both of them. If I'm hiking a few miles to some mountain or valley, I like to play with both.
Nov 26, 2014 10:49:35 #
I like the flexibility of my Sigma 18-250. It's sharp, plus it's lighter and more compact than most kit lenses.
Nov 26, 2014 11:39:20 #
What about trying the 17-70 from Sigma, should give you about the 24-105 equivalent.
Nov 26, 2014 11:51:29 #
philz
Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
Stevewayne23 wrote:
I like the flexibility of my Sigma 18-250. It's sharp, plus it's lighter and more compact than most kit lenses.
I have used the Sigma 18-250 on several overseas trips in Asia and Europe since the Fall of 2013. The results have been surprisingly good as long as one does not go too long in focal length. I found that almost all of my images, many of which have won awards at the Salon level at my camera club and the NJFCC, were shot in the 18-70 mm range with only a few above 90 mm.
So I decided to buy a highly recommended Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-4 Contemporary to see if I could get a big boost in IQ. After several test shoots, the answer was NO! In this range if there was any difference versus the Sigma 18-250 it was slight and not worth the $499 price, so this lens went back to B&H on Monday.
I also tested a Canon 24-105 f/4 L which was OK but again not so much better. Plus that 24 mm would have not been wide enough for a majority of my shots while traveling.
Now would the Canon 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 or Canon 17-55 f/2.8 or Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 be any better in IQ? Maybe someone can advise?
Nov 26, 2014 11:59:57 #
lwerthe1mer wrote:
I have been interested in a 'walking around" ... (show quote)
First, Don't believe everything you read. The24-105mm lens is a very nice lens and is very sharp. I got one when I bought my 6D figuring I could sell it if I didn't like it. I sold the 6D but kept the lens. It works well as a walk around most of the time.
You will find that the most money you are going to spend will be on lenses. I don't agree with him on that statement. I never thought I would buy a FF but as wrong. I had to replace three of my lenses because they wouldn't work on my FF camera! Always buy the best lens you can afford. One more thing to consider. L series lenses hold their value much better than ef-s lennses if you ever decide to sell it.
Jim D
Nov 26, 2014 12:36:52 #
I, too, am starting to use my new Canon 70D. Here's a picture I took last night's sundown with that camera and my walking around EF-S 18-135.
Slanting tree, winter sunset
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