Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Hi all.

I've been contemplating on updating my Canon EF-S 17-85 F/4 lens to an "L" lens. I've been watching the prices on Ebay between two different ones; 28-80 F/2.8 L and the 24-70 F/4 L.

Any constructive thoughts as to favor one over the other? Should I worry about losing the difference in the Lower focal range (17 compared to 24 & 28)?

Thank you,
Bud in New Mexico

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You might want to check your sources, no such lens exists.

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Really? Would this not be genuine Canon Lens then? I've got several saved searches on Ebay for this lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

First, there are no APSc L lenses - and yes, you will miss the wideness of 17 or 18mm ! The lenses you are looking at are full frame and the 28-80 is quite dated ! - so, with that in mind my recommendation for you is - if money matters get the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4. If money does not matter, look at the Canon 17-50 2.8, or Sigma 18-35 1.8.

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MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Your link goes nowhere. But the lens referenced STILL does not exist.

There WAS a very old 28-80mm L film lens, but it was an F2.8-4 variable aperture lens, NOT a fixed F2.8 lens. Could that be what you are looking for?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, the 28-80 L exists - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EF-28-80mm-f-2-8-4-L-USM-Lens/253737376584?epid=101735813&hash=item3b13ed1b48:g:dB8AAOSwyARbQRq8

but 28mm is not wide enough and it is a very old technology lens.

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Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Thanks imagemeister. I guess I just assumed that there were L lenses for cropped formats like my 70-200 L that there would be L lenses in the shorter focal lengths as well.

Guess I need to investigate a bit closer!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

With a few exceptions, most “L” zooms have range of 3 or maybe 4:1 max (there are optical compromises in large zoom ranges). To cover the same range you have now, you’ll need two lenses. If you can afford it, the 16-35 f2.8L and 24-70 f2.8L are the 2/3 of the “holy trinity” of Canon lenses (the other being the 70-200 f2.8L) and the “ne plus ultra”. If that’s on the pricey side (which it is for many), you can substitute the 16-35 f4L and 24-70 f4L. They will cost you a stop, but are half the price, excellent lenses and smaller/lighter. A less expensive alternative to the 16-35 f4L is the 17-40 f4L, and some might choose the 24-105L instead of the 24-70, which will give you more “reach” plus IS. Note that are MKII or MKIII versions of several of these, which might be slightly improved, but the MKI version can often be had for half the price and 90% of the performance. There are some “non L” EF-S lenses that are also excellent for a crop body, but I’ll let someone more knowledgeable, like amfoto, comment on those as I have no first hand knowledge. Finally, now is a good time to decide if you’ll ever want to go full frame. If that’s a future possibility, then you’ll want to start purchasing EF glass rather than EF-S. If not, then either will do.

SaR_foto Loc: Northeast Wisconsin

All for the L lenses that have an EF mount will also couple and fully function on the EF-S mount used on crop sensor bodies.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The 70-200 L is a full frame lens.

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

You do know that none of Canon's 70-200 L lenses are designed for cropped cameras, correct? It reads like you are saying that your lens is.

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Not "designed" for crop but can be "used" on crop camera. Is that more correct?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If we can step back from the technical details of the EF vs EF-S mount, can you give us a sense of your reasoning to upgrade and why specifically an L-zoom? You have an IS-enabled lens and your L-options with IS that cover the 16-24mm range are limited to just 1 lens. Do you want something faster than the f/4-f/5.6 maximum aperture of your current lens? Some other reasons? Do you have a price range limit?

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Hi CHG_CANON.

Faster is always nice but it seems ya pay the price. As for why, I always heard that glass is king and that L glass is highly thought of. That's really the only reason. Price? That's always open to the "good deal" feel when it comes time to pull the trigger.

Maybe I just have GAS. 😊

Bud in New Mexico

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hey Bud - There's many people who will help you find a creative solution that has a priority other than spending the most. But, that kind of help comes with understanding your objectives.

If you haven't been to the Digital Picture before, here's a roster of detailed reviews for all of the current Canon line-up, in zooms. Below all the lenses, there's also a link to selected reviews of older / discontinued models.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Zoom-Lens-Reviews.aspx