Which lens trio would you choose for a Canon 50D user?

[holeysox]

I would generally agree with everyone else here. I don't know anything about the Tokina but I have only ever heard praise for the EF-S 10-22mm. I can understand the difficulty with the decision between the 24-105 and the 17-55 especially if you want everything to overlap and not to miss any of the range. The difference for me would be mostly the fact that with the 24-105 I could reach a little farther and still be able to shoot my still subjects in low light. Then again if you are shooting moving subjects you probably should look at the wider aperture for stopping the action. Finally I might also suggest if you have not used primes that are of high quality you get your hands on some and play with them. When I borrowed a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM from a friend a couple of months ago I was blown away with what having a good prime made my pictures look like and on top of that how creative and different my pictures were because I was being limited to one focal length. It is an interesting challenge and a fun experiement at the same time and of course you often get much better lenses with better aperatures when you go prime. Just a thought to consider as you step up your lens line.


Samuel

I've got the Sigma 30 f1.4 and the Canon EF 50 f1.4. I'm planning to pick up a trio of zooms over the next year or so and then pick up a third prime ..... probably the Canon EF 100 f2.8 MACRO. Would love the IS L but I don't know if I can justify the cost ...

[holeysox]

I have the 50D with the trio of lenses listed as #2. It's perfect for me, although I'm about to pull the trigger on a fast prime because I do feel limmited by the f4 max aperature. I'm trying to decide between the 50 f 1.4 and the 85 f 1.8.... Leaning to the 85.

I've got the Canon 50 f1.4 and I love it. At 80mmequivalent,it's great for head/shoulder shots and still somewhat usable in tight indoor spaces.


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[holeysox]

My two cents: buy one lens at a time. Learn it, know it, become comfortable with it. Buy another lens, learn it, know it, become one with it. Use the knowledge from the first to help you pick the second. Use the knowledge from the first two to help you pick the third.

I agree but I am trying to plan ahead a little .... []

[Keith B]

And I'll choose option 3:




Canon EF-S 10-22 f3.5-5.6 USM $770

Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS USM $1060

Canon EF 70-200 f4L USM $640

Totaling $2470

I'm on board with the option 3 folks. I'd definitely take the 17-55's f/2.8 over the 24-105's f/4.0.


I gave up the 24-105 for the 24-70 mainly for the extra stop.

[holeysox]

I have a Sigma 30 f1.4 prime and I think, in terms of IQ, it's on par with my Canon 50 f1.4 prime and probably a bit sharper around the edges. The Sigma 30 f1.4 is a great normal prime for APSC cameras.


This is why I don't mind considering 3rd party lenses, especially the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 as I have seen and heard some of the great results it produces. The only issue for my Trio #1 is the Sigma as I haven't been able to find much feed back and sample images on it.


Perhaps you can post a few photos from the Sigma 50-150 for me?


Thanks!

[Sean Setters]

Any issues with the gap between 55-70?

Only an issue if you can't use your legs (which, for me, doesn't happen often).

[mattsartin]

Here's a couple from the Sigma 50-150mm II f/2.8


1/640s f/2.8 iso 100 @ 150mm





1/1250s f/2.8 iso 400 @ 150mm





1/400s f/4 iso 100 @ 60mm

[peety3]

Any issues with the gap between 55-70?

Only an issue if you can't use your legs (which, for me, doesn't happen often).
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Only an issue if you can't use your legs AND:


1) You're completely forbidden/unable to edit the image before submission AND you need the composition to be perfect, or


2) You're printing the image so large that a small amount of cropping in post will severely impact the appeal of your finished product.

[Daniel Browning]

I suggest option 1. To me, the focal length ranges are more useful and the DOF control / low light performance are important. I would replace the Canon EF-S 17-55 with the Tamron 17-50 VC, though, and put the savings toward a fourth lens.

[Flaming]

I am glad to hear you are already out there with great glass! I wish I could drop money on lenses of that caliber and justify it. Oh well.


I would encourage you to check out Daniel's suggestion of the Tamron. I have never heard anything bad about it and if my ASP-C camera were EF-S compatible I would be very tempted to buy it as a replacement of my current EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. If you did save this little more then you might be able to justify that 100mm L Macro!


Samuel