Another "Which Lens"...but I will make it easy !! CANON EF

[Brad Wardman]

Camera:
5D MkII - Just going to full frame from Cropped, thus the question.

What For:
Serious Hobby - Boudoir/Glamour as requested by several friends....may become income at some point. Also, think that the models will be doing some fluid movement poses, not just stationary poses. From headshots to full body.

Type:
Zoom, not a primary.

Lighting:
Both studio w/ a couple alien bees or reflectors for outdoor shots...lets call it 50/50%.

OPTIONS ????:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
or
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM


Which & why ??? If you have other ideas, price needs to not exceed $1500.

Thanks Much,
Brad

[MrJones]

welcome to the Full Frame club.. you're going to love it
the answer to your question depends on your other lenses.
from what I know, the 24-105 is sharper and you'll enjoy the image stabilizer which is always nice to have.
the 24-70 has the max aperture of f/2.8 which has it's value when shooting outdoors and you want to blur your background.

so.. if you have a good prime which can go to f/2.8 or wider - go with the 24-105.

but why limit yourself for those two lenses? for the type of work you're doing a 70-200 will give you a much better answer and if you'll go for the 70-200 f/2.8 you'll have a winner

[Brad Wardman]

I had looked at the 70-200....I have never worked with "moving" models before....just posed. But I have ideas LOL...Is the Image Stabilization something that is worth going with for the added price ?? I know for fast shutter its not necessary, but is it financially beneficial overall? I will be handheld, not usually on a tripod.
Brad

[RichardTaylor]

These two reviews may help you decide.

24-105
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Review

24-70
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review

I use a 24-105 on a 5D as my general purpose lens and I am very happy with it. I have friends who use a 24-70 and are happy also.

[gturner]

I am not sure how much sharper the 105 can be over the 70... my copy is insanely sharp... to the point of counting eyebrow hairs from handheld shooting positions.

I would say that if you are shooting tight portraits, the 105mm is what you want. Remember that the wide angles will bulge body shapes

If you want 1 lens, I would go for the 24-105. I do not own one, only because I already have the 2 mentioned.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by Brad Wardman

I had looked at the 70-200....I have never worked with "moving" models before....just posed. But I have ideas LOL...Is the Image Stabilization something that is worth going with for the added price ?? I know for fast shutter its not necessary, but is it financially beneficial overall? I will be handheld, not usually on a tripod.
Brad

I'm assuming you're not shooting handheld with ambient light at night so the IS is something you can consider to lose for a cheaper lens (not that a 1500$ lens can count as cheap).
the more I think about it, the more I tend toward the 70-200 for your kind of photography.
it's insanely sharp, even the f/4 version.
great colors.
and more important - it's superb for portrait and fashion because it doesn't distort the model's body.
if one of your friends own one then try it or rent it somewhere.
you can't go wrong with the 70-200 for all of it's versions.. it's the flag ship