24-70 II or 70-200 II

[SteveCSmith]

I've got the same body lens combo and same situation with the kids indoors and out. I really think the 70-200 will excel outdoors especially with the FF true focal lengths as opposed to a crop. While the 24-70 will be perfect for indoors, I would first spring for the 70-200 (outdoors) and perhaps pick up the new shorty forty for indoors. The $200 price tag won't break the bank and would be a great' temporary' lens while you build the fund for the 24-70.

While I do love the 24-70 indoors, I keep the 40mm pancake on for the most part just for the reduced weight and ease of grabbing snapshots of the fam.

Good advice!  Don't know how old the OP's kids are, but getting candid shots of my 3 and 5 year olds requires some reach so they don't know you are there.  The 40 (or maybe even a cheap 50) would take care of the portraits and tighter quarters for a while.

[Kliphten]

Thanks for all the great input!  I'm not sure if it has helped or made my decision harder, though

I think I'm going to go with the 70-200 first and then probably pick up the 24-70 when it is more readily available.

[drjlo]

While I do love the 24-70 indoors, I keep the 40mm pancake on for the most part just for the reduced weight and ease of grabbing snapshots of the fam.

It's kind of sad that the latest and greatest $2300 normal zoom from Canon is *still* f/2.8 and still without IS, which the 70-200 f/2.8 MkII thrives on.  When the 11 times cheaper 40 f/2.8 can get the job done indoors, it's almost startling. 

[Dylan777]

Thanks for all the great input!  I'm not sure if it has helped or made my decision harder, though

I think I'm going to go with the 70-200 first and then probably pick up the 24-70 when it is more readily available.

Kliphten, my wife took this shot with 5d III + 70-200 f2.8 IS II in with jpeg 

[neuroanatomist]

...most of my shooting will be of my kids/family and will consist of indoor and outdoor shots equally.

I think I'm going to go with the 70-200 first and then probably pick up the 24-70 when it is more readily available.

I think that's a great choice!

Some examples from me...


EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 70mm, 1/250 s, f/2.8, ISO 100


EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 70mm, 1/640 s, f/2.8, ISO 100


EOS 1D X, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 70mm, 1/200 s, f/2.8, ISO 100

[gmrza]

If you don't already have the 5DIII, the cheaper option may be to get the 5DIII + 24-70 f/2.8II kit - that could save you up to $500 on the bundle.  While that does leave you without the longer lens for a few months, but may save you a bit of money.

[Razor2012]

Indoors on 5D3? In my head 24-70 wins hands down unless you live in a palace with 100 ft long rooms

Actually before I picked up the 24-70 II, the 70-200 II did an incredible job indoors (and still does).  There was a couple of shoots I did and never had to use flash the whole time (because of being paired up with the 5DIII).  Was really impressed with shots @12800 too, can't say enough about this lens.

[rpt]

Indoors on 5D3? In my head 24-70 wins hands down unless you live in a palace with 100 ft long rooms

Actually before I picked up the 24-70 II, the 70-200 II did an incredible job indoors (and still does).  There was a couple of shoots I did and never had to use flash the whole time (because of being paired up with the 5DIII).  Was really impressed with shots @12800 too, can't say enough about this lens.

I am sure you got great shots. I hear it is a great lens. Could you post some photographs? We're you shooting at the 70mm end?

[neuroanatomist]

Indoors on 5D3? In my head 24-70 wins hands down unless you live in a palace with 100 ft long rooms

^^ Indoor shot with the 600mm f/4L IS II on FF.  I don't live in a palace...   

I am sure you got great shots. I hear it is a great lens. Could you post some photographs? We're you shooting at the 70mm end?

Below are a couple of indoor shots with the 5DII and 70-200 II, the first at 115mm, the second at 200mm.  But I do agree than generally, the 24-70mm would be more useful indoors.  Of my indoor shots with the 70-200mm, many are at 70mm.

[Razor2012]

Neuro you have some heartbreakers there. 

[rpt]

Thanks neuro! Wow, those are great. The 600mm shot blew me away.
I take back what I said earlier 

[neuroanatomist]

Thanks neuro! Wow, those are great. The 600mm shot blew me away.
I take back what I said earlier 

LOL, and thanks.  No - you were right...while the 70-200mm focal range can be used indoors (and longer lenses, obviously), I think the 24-70mm is a lot more useful.  I've got a lot more indoor shots with my 24-105mm and 35L than with my 70-200 II.

[rpt]

Thanks neuro! Wow, those are great. The 600mm shot blew me away.
I take back what I said earlier 

LOL, and thanks.  No - you were right...while the 70-200mm focal range can be used indoors (and longer lenses, obviously), I think the 24-70mm is a lot more useful.  I've got a lot more indoor shots with my 24-105mm and 35L than with my 70-200 II.

See, that's what I was thinking, but your 600mm shot blew me away
I have been using 28-80 on my AE1, the 17-55 on my 300D and now the 24-105 on the 5D3 for almost all of my indoor shots. I can see that one can use the 70-200 more or less near the 70 to 100mm zone and some candids near the 200mm zone. But that 600mm shot I would never have imagined

[billatthemovies]

I have a 70-200mm F4 IS on a 5D Mark II.  It is a phenomenal lens and lighter than any of the 2.8s.

Now, having said that, I have been considering the 2.8 you are mulling over because my son plays hockey and not all the rinks are well lit.  I purchased the F4 when the vast majority of my telephoto shots would be outside and my camera at the time was not FF.

[Razor2012]

I have a 70-200mm F4 IS on a 5D Mark II.  It is a phenomenal lens and lighter than any of the 2.8s.

Now, having said that, I have been considering the 2.8 you are mulling over because my son plays hockey and not all the rinks are well lit.  I purchased the F4 when the vast majority of my telephoto shots would be outside and my camera at the time was not FF.

I can't comment on the 70-200 F4 matchup with the 5DII, but on the otherhand, the 70-200 2.8II with the 5DIII is an awesome pair.  With that combo I don't think you'd have a problem with indoor rinks at all.