Canon 17-55mm vs 24-70mm

Kathy,


I shoot professionally and once I sold my 5D and decided to go with a crop body (40D) I bought the 17-55 F2.8IS. It's a great all-purpose, leave-on-the-camera lens. While it's as fast as the 24-70L, it has IS so it can be hand-held at slower shutter speeds. It is sharp as a tack. It is a bit heavy and it's every bit as well-made as the 24-70L. When I shoot events, I need the wide end and I also need the 55 end for portraits. It is just a tremendously versatile lens. Also, it holds it's value in terms of resale. If you decide to go with an APS-H or Full Frame body in the future, you'll be able to sell this lens for virtually what you paid for it.





I've owned and shot the 24-70 F2.8L and the 24-105 F4L IS and both are very nice lenses but neither is sharper nor more versatile than the 17-55 F2.8IS, in my opinion.





Jim

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Originally Posted by fyrcat

I am a volunteer firefighter, so I need a lense on my camera for a quick shot when we first arrive to something exciting, that can capture just about anything in various lighting conditions.
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I've done plenty of fire scene photography. You really want the L on your camera for those conditions. When someone forgets to put the correct spin on a 5" LDH and a hose starts snaking around, you'll be glad it's the 24-70 on your camera. Reminds me of the many times that I'd go to training and put on my helmet/gloves/pants/boots every time. Folks would ask why, and I'd respond "for safety". Within five minutes, they'd see why, and then go do the same thing. :)

helmet = fully sealed L lens


gloves = fully sealed camera body


pants = quality lens filter


boots = everytime


Safety as an analogy to cameras is a system, with no a single line defense. Forget any one, and you'll still be at significant risk. Sorry, I couldn't think of anything better for boots... [:P]


I'm saving for thef2.8 70-200 for fast/low lightaction shots...the crop bodies are catching up andappear to be digging in deep...I love my 17-55mm. [:)]

I had a point and shoot fuji digital before the Rebel xsi, and it worked great for a quick down and dirty pic,especially when first arriving on a fire. I am an engineer, and many times I got yelled at to get to work as I snapped a couple of pictures...but when we were thru, all those snappy mouths came to me for copies of my pictures.

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Originally Posted by fyrcat

all those snappy mouths came to me for copies of my pictures.

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Sotrue. LOL

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Originally Posted by 2slo

gloves = fully sealed camera body

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Cathy, just be aware that the XSi is not a weather-sealed body. Of course, a Ziploc bag with a couple of rubber bands will provide substantial protection.

Every firefighter knows there's no such thing as weather-sealed &lt;anything&gt;, and also can tell if something will survive the fireground with one glance. A Motorola indicator is usually a good start, but only if it was made for the fire service.