Lens dilemma, seeking advice

[Kayaker72]

Canon 5DMKIV
Canon 24-105 f4L II
Canon 35 1.4L II
Canon 16-35 F4 (just purchased)
Canon 70-300L
Canon 100 F2.8 L


My most basic advice is that is a nice line up. You now own it. Shoot with it and see what you use and like. I tend to reassess my kit each winter and then shoot with it for the next year to see what I like and do not like and adjust my kit the following year. I would recommend something similar. You had reasons for buying each of these lenses. You own them. Shoot with them for awhile and see what you like using, what you do not end up using much at all, and what holes do you have that need filled.

Also, for every shot I can see you "gaining" by going to the 16-35 III, I can see you losing the same or more shots by selling off the 35 II and losing IS from the 16-35 f/4 IS. Sometimes reshuffling the deck is just that, no net gain.

As for the initial assessment, I can see keeping all three, especially if you end up liking the 35 mm focal length, as they each serve a purpose:

• The 24-105 II is your general purpose zoom. I replaced Mark I with the 24-70 II and it is, by far, my most used lens. BTW, was this a kit lens? I didn't think Mark 2 was out?
• The 35 f/1.4 II will give the wide aperture, low light, best IQ, blue-goo, limited distortion, bokeh, and easy has the best vignetting at each respective aperture (f2.8 or f/4). People might argue that vignetting can be corrected in post, but if you already shot at ISO3200, and you pay a 3 stop push penalty in the corners, the correction is noticeable, IMO.
• The 16-35 f/4 IS is your UWA lens that can also serve as a wider general purpose zoom. I am constantly switching between the 16-35 f/4 and the 24-70 II for waterfalls and other landscapes. Both are excellent and very nice to have.

I can see people selecting the 16-35 VIII for indoor event shooting and starscapes. But it has pretty significant vignetting at f/2.8 and almost the same vignetting at f/4 as the 16-35 f/4 IS. I am sure this will be an excellent lens, but the vignetting will affect starscapes, it is also bigger/heavier and you loose IS.

My last thought, regarding the 50 mm discussion. The Canon Store tends to have some good refurbished sales after the "holiday return" season. You could probably pick up a 50 f/1.4 for a very nice price. I've owned it and f/2.8 and up, it is near perfection. f/2 is very good. f/1.4, not so much. But for not much money, you would be able to see what you think about 50 mm focal length on FF.