Should I keep Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4L IS

[Igor]

Hello everyone,


I've just got myself the following 3 lenses:


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


- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM


- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM


I need to sell one of them. I think I will definitely keep the 70-200 for my kids' sports events. Should I keep 24-105 or 17-55? I am thinking to keep 17-55 for the wider angle coverage and faster apperture. Any advice please?


My camera is Canon 7D.





Thank you

[Sean Setters]

If you have plans to upgrade to a full-frame camera in the near future, then the 24-105mm f/4 L IS is the way to go. If not, I'd suggest keeping the 17-55mm f2.8 IS. I find the 17-55mm focal range to be the best general purpose focal range for a crop (APS-C) sensor. Right now, I have 3 zooms and 3 primes--and if I could only keep one lens, the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS would be my personal choice.

[neuroanatomist]

Both theEF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and theEF 24-105mm f/4<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS are excellent lenses. IMO, the 17-55mm is the best general purpose zoom lens for a 1.6x body like the 7D. 24mm x 1.6 is 38mm FF-equivalent, meaning at the wide end, the 24-105mm is technically not even a wide angle lens on a crop body. I really don't think you'll miss the 55-70mm range. The only other consideration is weather-sealing - the 24-105mm is a sealed lens (note that a filter is required to complete the seal), meaning you can use your 7D with it in the rain if you want - not so for the 17-55mm. But that aside, I'd really recommend keeping the 17-55mm. As you state, faster aperture, and provides a wide angle.


As Sean states, if you plan to get a FF body very soon, then the 24-105mm is a better choice. Alternatively, if you have an ultrawide zoom like the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, that combined with the 24-105mm and the 70-200mm II would deliver excellent versatility.


Personally, although I have a 5DII and love the 24-105mm on that body, I kept my 17-55mm for use on my 7D.

[Fast Glass]

I second the opinion on keeping the 17-55mm unless you upgrade to FF soon.


For what its worth, I have taken my 60D and my old MF primes (MD mount) in the rain with my 60D many times in heavy rain and no problems. But they are cheap and I don

[Igor]

Thanks everyone!


I think I am going to keep the 17-55mm. Weather-sealing is nice, but probably not as important to me as having that extra wide angle range.