What’s Your Preference?

aebohlin · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 09:34 AM

Hello.

At the moment i have a Canon 5D mark II, a 50mm 1.8 a Sigma 70-300 and the fantastic Canon 35mm L.

I find myself not wanting to use the 50 or the 70-300 because the 35L is simply so very much better.

The problem is of course that the 35L is not very versatile. I find it hard to capture emotions because i need to get so close up in peoples faces and that is intruding.

I do not have the money to buy an extra lens, if I had I would consider an 85mm prime.

I'm considering changing the 35L for a canon 24-70L 2.8, but I am afraid that should i do this I would regret it because of the amazing quality of the 35L.

I guess I'm afraid I would miss the wide aperture, the fantastic colors and the extreme sharpness. What I would gain on the other hand is a much more versatile lens that would fit more situations.

I shoot some nature, some weddings and general family / children.

Could someone advice me as to what do do here?

Thank you very much!
Anders Bohlin

autofocus · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 12:37 PM

I think the added versatility of the 24-70 will be more than enough to offset the differences (if any) in image quality. why not rent a 24-70 to try it out...most users/owners love this lens

Rentham · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 01:13 PM

You'll regret letting your 35L go. The 24-70 is a nice lens, but the primary feature for me is convenience. I'd beg, borrow, and steal enough to get something like an 85mm 1.8 then. If you do enough weddings to warrant having a 24-70 rent it to cover weddings until you can afford to buy it.

OsmosisStudios · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 02:59 PM

Ditch the telephoto zoom, throw in a bit more change (you'll find it in the couch) and get an 85/1.8

veritasimagery · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 03:59 PM

Personally, I wouldn't get rid of any non-kit lens. Unless you really can't stand it. You really can't have "too many" lenses.

OsmosisStudios · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veritasimagery

Personally, I wouldn't get rid of any non-kit lens. Unless you really can't stand it. You really can't have "too many" lenses.

Except that you can.

inkista · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veritasimagery

You really can't have "too many" lenses.

Agree with OS. You can. I do.

But also agree that letting the 35L go would be a mistake: you'll just end up repurchasing it again. It's one of the Holy Trinity of L primes (the other two are the 85L and 135L), and the bokeh and available light you can get from it at f/1.4 is not going to be available to you with the 24-70L.

I say start saving. Unfortunately, your other glass isn't going to recoup even close to what you need for replacements that will come close to what the 35L is giving you. There is a reason that some folks say the 5Dii requires Ls. It doesn't, but you really really want them more when you go full frame. OTOH, you don't HAVE to go L for some great portrait performance. The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM or its identical cousin, the EF 100 f/2 USM are worth looking at.

Problem is, if you want L, you're gonna have to pay L prices. Personally, the 24-70L or 24-105L are probably the walkaround choices to look at, and the 70-300L or 100-400L are probably the telephoto choices you want to look at.

aebohlin · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 05:58 AM

Thank you for your replies!

I agree that when it comes down to the 35L is hard to beat.
Thing is though, in a month or so I am going to be a daddy, and so for the next year there will be no possibilities at all to put money towards gear, hence the idea to change it for a zoom.

Then at some point in the future i can buy it again (or the 2nd generation of it).
It's just that as I just have money for one lens, I'm really doubting that the 35L will be enough, its not just weddings, for that i borrow lenses if i need to, but everything else, street photography for one, candid portraits is another where I find the 35L lacking since u have get up in peoples faces and that kinda ruins the candid part :-)

So with that in mind, is it still a bad idea?
Should i go for the tamron, that has gotten quite good reviews and try to keep the 35L or do I (as i think) need to go all the way up for the canon zoom to not get dissapointed with the quality?

A thought, perhaps try to buy it used? Or maybe that is a gamble since it is popular with photojournalists that tend to take a few pictures per year...

Thanks again, love the quick feedback here, you guys rock!

/Anders