Canon lens recommendations: My son has just acquired an EOS-1D body, and is looking for the best range of lenses. I know nothing about Canon, so I hesitate to advise him. His budget is...

MACT Loc: Connecticut

My son has just acquired an EOS-1D body, and is looking for the best range of lenses. I know nothing about Canon, so I hesitate to advise him. His budget is practically unlimited (tens of thousands), but he doesn't want to spend unnecessarily. While I think most of his shooting will be indoors, city streets and parks, he might also venture into both wildlife and macro, so you can be pretty wide-ranging in your suggestions.
Many thanks

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L ll (Wide Angle), Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro (Macro), Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM (Medium Telephoto, best "walk around lens for everyday stuff), Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II (best lens quality of all the Canon Lens, Medium Telephoto, good for wedding photography, Sport photography), Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II (Long Telephoto). Canon's "L" series glass is top of the line for Canon cameras.

MACT Loc: Connecticut

Thanks Bob. Are there any prime lenses you think are worth adding?

KD Stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

My recommendations are lenses I currently use ----- Wide Angle: I go with L Primes say 24 1.4 L II along with the 35mm 1.4 II (a really great "walk around lens") nothing wrong with the 50mm 1.4 & 85mm 1.8 (also a great companion of the 35mm when walking around) then the sharpest lens in my bag the 135mm 2.0 L --- anything above that then there is of course as bob states the 70/200 & the 100/400 --- I use the old model 100/400 --- The 70/200 is a great/fantastic lens that due to my other lenses & my use & their coverage I have never been able to fully justify purchasing -

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

KD Stern wrote:

My recommendations are lenses I currently use ----- Wide Angle: I go with L Primes say 24 1.4 L II along with the 35mm 1.4 II (a really great "walk around lens") nothing wrong with the 50mm 1.4 & 85mm 1.8 (also a great companion of the 35mm when walking around) then the sharpest lens in my bag the 135mm 2.0 L --- anything above that then there is of course as bob states the 70/200 & the 100/400 --- I use the old model 100/400

While I don't shoot with Primes (other than the 100mm Macro), there is a UHH Bird photographer (Carolina Wings) who gets absolutely great telephoto shots with a Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS. This is the next lens on my bucket list.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Do you know which 1D model?

I read an interesting note yesterday on a different discussion board about moving in doubles as in 24 & 50 for primes or 35 and 85. The comment was in response to a three lens kit for travel where the third lens tended to be one of Canon's variations on the 70-200 zoom.

Thinking practical with unlimited funding, I'd consider the following:

16-35 f/4L - use the clean high ISO capable of at least the 1D IV if he didn't get either of the 1DX models
50 f/1.2L
135 f/2L - you can't point this lens at anything and fail to get a great picture ...
100-400L II - I suggest this lens rather than any of the 70-200Ls unless he needs f/2.8 speed for low-light

I'm suggesting from my own experiences as well as thinking about that 2- or 3-lens kit for travel and / or being mobile. I'm not trying to cover all focal lengths. Rather, a set of excellent tools for most any situation alone or paired with just one other. Either the 135 or 100-400 can fill a macro need until he wants / needs a dedicated lens and has invested in a tripod.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

My three lens kit for Canon is the 35/1.4 L II, 50/1.2 L and 1002.8 L IS Macro. Mirrors the classic Leica 3 lens kit of 35, 50 and 90mm.

KD Stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

There is one lens I forgot to mention --- It is the one I use for Macro/closeup Photos --- It's Canon's 500D closeup lens or what is often call a filter lens --- I generally use it in conjunction with the 135 2.0 L --- I use the 77mm version -- It does quite an admirable job without further filling-up the Camera Bag with yet another full size lens

Haydon

MACT wrote:

My son has just acquired an EOS-1D body, and is looking for the best range of lenses. I know nothing about Canon, so I hesitate to advise him. His budget is practically unlimited (tens of thousands), but he doesn't want to spend unnecessarily. While I think most of his shooting will be indoors, city streets and parks, he might also venture into both wildlife and macro, so you can be pretty wide-ranging in your suggestions.
Many thanks

If his budget is unlimited then consider the 11-24 mm F4 if he wants a UWA.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

MACT wrote:

My son has just acquired an EOS-1D body, and is looking for the best range of lenses. I know nothing about Canon, so I hesitate to advise him. His budget is practically unlimited (tens of thousands), but he doesn't want to spend unnecessarily. While I think most of his shooting will be indoors, city streets and parks, he might also venture into both wildlife and macro, so you can be pretty wide-ranging in your suggestions.
Many thanks

11-24 L 4.0
24-70 L 2.8
70-200 L 2.8 IS II
100-400 L IS II 4.5-5.6 should cover it to the most part.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cost no object:

16-35 f2.8L II
24-70 f2.8L II or 24-105 f4L IS
70-200 f2.8L II IS
100-400 f4.5-5.6L II IS
100 f2.8L Macro IS

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

CHG_CANON wrote:

Do you know which 1D model? br br I read an inter... (show quote)

I wish I'd talked to you before I bought the 17-40mm f4... my next goal is going to be the 135 f2 after checking reviews!

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Cost no object:
24/1.4 L II, 35/1.4 L II, 50/1.2 L, 85/1.2 L II, 100/2.8 IS L Macro, 135/2.0 L

Cost a consideration:
24/2.8 IS, 35/2.0 IS, 50/1.8 STM, 100/2.8 Macro

Money really tight:
24/2.8 IS, 50/1.8 STM, 100/2.8 Macro

Al Freeedman

I would include the Canon 24 MM lens. It's a great walk around lens. Small & compact.

Captain Al

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

any 'L' lens that suits his fancy depending on what he wants to shoot