35 vs 50

[sambisu]

Supposed I could keep shooting landscapes with the T2i + 17-55

[HDNitehawk]

Do you think the 35 + 70-200 combo would be too limiting? I really love the look of photos I've seen from 1.4 primes vs 2.8 zooms, but maybe the zoom versatility is worth sacrificing that 1.4 look.

That was my primary set up back when the IQ quality of the zooms didn't match the primes.
With 24-70 f2.8 L II you are not sacrificing any IQ.

I wouldn't go to a 24 mm prime, compared to the Zoom, you would gain even less. Not enough Bokeh to matter. The 35mm f1.4 gives you just the right amount of Bokeh to create an interesting 3D look.

The 35mm is a specialty tool, do you want a specialty tool or versatility. That is the question.

When I first bought my 24-70 II my step daughter asked me to take some pics of their family. She was in her second trimester with her second child. At the end of the shoot I changed to the 35 mm. A few shots later I had the best pictures of the day, pics that couldn't be created with the zoom.

Personally I would buy a Zeis 35mm 1.4 with a FF if I were rebuilding my kit from scratch. Next I would buy a t5i with a kit lens to document the kids growing up. When I look at family pics Bokeh and creative photography do not come to mind, times, people and events do. Just me, ymmv.

[sambisu]

Thanks for all the insight. Gonna have to think on this lens choice for another day or so. Right now I'm thinking I could keep shooting with the T2i and 17-55 2.8 in place of a 24-70 2.8 for the 5DIII. So i guess I'm still stuck on the 35 vs 50 debate.

[peety3]

A couple of thoughts: although not worth millions, you could at least sell your 18-55 and 55-250. If you're going to sell the T2i as well, the 17-55 could/should be sold as you'd have nothing to use it.

Also, I cannot imagine having a 5D3 with a 70-200, but no walk-around or wide-angle zoom. Look at the 16-35/4IS for a while, or consider the 24-70/2.8II as soon as you sell off the EF-S gear. Although not exactly the same scenario, when I bought my 70-200 in 2007, I tried doing things with just that, and OMG did I get a lot of exercise running 20 yards back to make the shot work. In your case, having 27mm EFL now and going to 35mm would be enough of a shock that I can't imaging going to 50mm as your widest lens - that 16-35 is sounding really good to me right now.

[sambisu]

I was actually planning on keeping the T2i as my backup/time-lapse camera. Didn't seem worthwhile just trying to sell the kit lenses. But I may reconsider this to get some extra money for an additional lens.

16-35 is definitely on my short list for the 5DIII. I borrowed a 10-22 earlier this year and loved shooting with that on the Rebel.

[HDNitehawk]

Not sure what your budget is but since you are talking close to 5K if you get a 24-70 II and a 5D III, have you considered the 6D at all?


Great lens and a 6D or a 5DII is better than a so-so lens and a 5D III IMO. I am still shooting a 5D II for FF and I have a 1D IV. A
used 5D II would get you where you want to go, you could buy it and the 24-70 II for not much more than what the 5D III will cost you.

[sambisu]

I did consider the 6D, but decided for a number of reasons that the 5DIII would be worth the extra cost for me.

If I sold my T2i and associated gear, I could probably get enough to buy a 16-35 f/4 IS. If I paired that with the Sigma 50A and 70-200 seems like I'd have pretty good coverage as well as some nice creative options with the 50.

[Kayaker72]

If I paired that with the Sigma 50A and 70-200 seems like I'd have pretty good coverage as well as some nice creative options with the 50.

I've considered this exact kit. Great glass, everything is 77 mm filters, but I don't have the 16-35 mm f/4 IS. If you were clustered at 17 mm and 55 mm on your T2i, you would now have those focal lengths +/- covered. Fast glass would also be covered, except for the wide angle. For extra reach, at some point at the 2xTC.

Do you have a good flash?

[sambisu]

I just have one 430EX-II. I have a light stand, umbrella and extra long ETTL cord. It's not much for lighting, but I've done some cool shoots with it. My lighting wish list would be 3 600EX-RTs plus additional stands and modifiers. I think that would make a nice versatile and mobile light setup.

[sambisu]

Ended up getting the Sigma 50 Art. Just came yesterday along with my new 5D3. Definitely feels like a big upgrade from the T2i. My favorite thing so far...the viewfinder feels HUGE compared to my Rebel. How did I ever compose images in that thing? And along with the 1.4 lens it's so bright too.

I got the sigma dock along with the lens, but I did some focus testing and it seems to be dead on already.