Which would you rather have?

[stitchbug]

If you had to pick...would you rather have

24-70 2.8

or
100 2.8 macro
50 1.4
20 2.8


I'm considering selling and getting those three lenses instead.
My 50 1.8 fell and broke (fell on the carpet! the cheap piece of crap!)
I have 2 young children, and love to photograph them, of course.
I did my sister's wedding, but photography is really more of a hobby for me, and I love macro work.

Opinions?

[RexK_Cozumel]

The 24-70 is a great lens... however if you are really into macro then having a true macro lens is very very nice. If you can't afford to keep the 24-70 and get a macro lens then I guess you will have to decide what is more important to you. A great general purpose lens or macro.

[Jim Bryant]

I have a 28-70 which I also attach a canon extension tube EF25 too and it turns it into a macro.

[mstark70]

I personally am saving for the 24-70mm f/2.8. But I do a lot of portraits (babies&children) more then macro.I guess it really depends on your needs. I think the extension tube Jim mentioned would take care of that as well! Thanks Jim!

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by stitchbug

If you had to pick...would you rather have
...
I did my sister's wedding, but photography is really more of a hobby for me, and I love macro work.
Opinions?

If you love macro work then buy a true macro lens, there is no substitute.

In your case, I would do the following:

Plan A (if L lens is important):
- Keep the 24-70 f/2.8 L.
- Use extension tube until you get a macro lens.
- Get other lenses later.

Plan B (if you don't care about L lens):
- Replace your 24-70 f/2.8 L with a Sigma/Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 (FF) or ~18-55 f/2.8 (Cropped).
- Get the 100mm macro lens.
- Get other lenses later.

My general advises in buying lenses is to plan the collection in advance. Based on your interests, find out the top lenses that you'll lust for then either save enough to get them or buy similar lenses with the same specifications (depending on your budget).

[Nicole]

I'd say it definitely depends on what you really want to shoot. I really like prime lenses, so I'd probably go with your second option of the 3 lenses. My three main lenses that I feel like I just "must" have with me are my 105mm Macro, my 50mm, and then my 10-20mm. But that's just my personal preference. It wasn't until I rounded off my kit with what I really wanted that I knew exactly which ones were "the ones"

[fletch]

I'd keep the 24-70 but then I'm a big fan of a zoom. I would love to be able to afford a fast zoom.

[cphoniball]

I'd say sell the 24-70, get the 100mm macro, and then get a 85mm 1.8 and a 30mm 1.4. That'll give you a normal range prime and a telephoto.

[stitchbug]

I love the 24-70, and I know eventually I'll get it again, if I do decide to sell it.
But I need a new 50mm. I can easily buy the 1.8 again, but the thought of buying a few primes popped into my head, and I can't afford to buy more at the moment.
I'd be very sad to part with my 24-70, for sure.
Definitely haven't decided quite yet.

[daft_biker]

I have the 100mm macro and 50mm f/1.4. They suit what I shoot...I hardly ever use a zoom. Both are capable of giving frighteningly sharp pics.

Not sure I'd fancy a 24-70mm on APS-C. Even when using full frame I prefer the 50mm though!

PS. have heard rumours that the resolving power of the 24-70 isn't great on high pixel density sensors like the 5D2 and 50D. I hear the 24-105 fares better.