Another Lens recommendation request :)

[Ninjajack]

I thought I might ask for a little help finding my next lens. I won't go into a ton of detail but I'll try and get the basics covered.

I'm an enthusiast level wildlife photographer that also likes to dabble in all areas of photography, and a bit of a gear head, as well as a technology geek. My goal is to save up enough for a big white, probably a used 500mm sometime next year. Also I want to eventually have a two camera setup, one crop and one full frame body. I was running a 60D and 7D combo for the last year or so, 7D with a Sigma 150-500mm or a 70-300L for shorter stuff, and the 60D with a prime or 10-20mm for landscapes. For now though I only have the 7D and I switch lenses as needed.

Long story short, my current lenses are Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 30mm F/1.4, Sigma 50mm F/1.4, Canon 70-300L and Sigma 150-500mm. What I'm missing is a good standard zoom, and I'll qualify it by saying that I don't have a ton to spend and I really want IS for shooting video, my current lenses have made it difficult to shoot as much video as I would like. I like to hand hold or monopod as much as possible, I prefer walking and hiking to static tripod setups waiting for wildlife to come by.

My current list of options in no particular order:
Canon 24-105mm F4
Canon 24-70mm F4 IS
Canon 17-55mm F2.8 EF-S
Sigma 24-105mm F4
Tamron 24-70mm F2.8

The Canon 24-105 seems like the one to go with since it's decent/cheap/easy to find, I really like the features of the new Canon 24-70 F4 but that price is horrible. the Canon 17-55mm is probably the best lens I can get right now for crop but won't work if I end up with something like a 6D for landscapes and my 7D for wildlife.

One other tangent that I keep thinking about is to get the new 70D with 18-135 kit lens and use that as my second camera, I really like the swivel screen and video features of the 70D, but I'm hesitant to go with another crop body. Then again, a 70D with a 7DMK2 could be a killer combo next year, and combined with a Canon 500mm, yummy!

I'm torn, can't make up my mind and pull the trigger!

Thanks in advance for any help!

https://plus.google.com/+JohnCorrea‎

 

[Random Orbits]

I'd suggest the 17-55 or the Tamron 24-70 VC. If you choose to go with the 17-55, get it used/refurbed and you won't lose much when you sell it and move to FF. Losing a stop is a killer with a crop sensor. The 17-55 is a more natural range for crop sensors.

 

[chas1113]

In addition to your list consider the EF 17-40 f/4 L. When I was running a crop/FF two-body setup, the 17-40 worked great as a standard zoom on my 40D body. I actually liked it better on that body than on the FF body, but that's another story. It's relatively inexpensive, light, reasonably sharp from f/5.6 down, weather-sealed, etc. If you don't need 2.8 or IS in the standard range, it's a lens I would consider.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'd have to recommend the 17-55. 24mm is not wide enough for a crop, so you get into changing lenses.

Even if a 7D MK II comes along, it will not be a killer. It may have the dual pixel sensor, but don't expect miracles, just the typical 1/4-1/2 stop ISO improvement. A Crop sensor is up against the limits of technology, so larger sensors are needed if you want high ISO.

I find that having high ISO capability can allow me to get shots that I could not with my 7D. Having a little more reach is no advantage if light is low, or if you are forced to use a small aperture. Those 2 additional stops come in handy.

 

[Tabor Warren Photography]

Hey jack, (I know it's ninjajack, but the ninja was invisible) ba-da-tss!

From my perspective, it looks like your long range lenses are fairly well covered. I would second the 17-40L. I use this lens and *almost* every gig for the ultra wide angle effect that it gives. Given the barrel distortion is horrid if you're up close and personal with someone, however, it looks like it would be a good fit.

I shoot a full/crop combo and love it! I also shoot a 60D/7D combo for the crop action, but the 5Dii/7D combo gets used 94% of the time and the 60D ~6% of the time. I would not worry so much about getting a 70D and focus more on a full frame. My guess would be that the 7Dii will cost ~$1,799 and the 70D is at $1,200 which totals $3K. Black Friday, (and several other days if you watch closely enough), will have the 5Diii at ~$2,500, cha-ching! you just 'saved' $500 by choosing this method of upgrading. If you sell the 60D, then you now have enough 'saved' money to purchase your new glass. Happy shopping!

I hope this helps,
-Tabor

 

[Jack Douglas]

In my area the 24-105 has flooded the marked and the value is the best on that lens.
And most of them are virtually brand new.

Jack

 

[Dick]

The Canon 17-55 is the best option for a crop body. It's a great lens and I actually miss it now that I use a FF body. The 24-105L is claimed to be better, but I at least think that the AF speed of that lens is not even close to the speed of the 17-55.

f/4 + a crop body = no playing with DOF

Then there is the question of focal length. The 24-105L might actually be better even for crop. How much does one need a "wide" end? 17mm on a crop isn't that wide either, so for wide angle stuff you need a separate lens anyway. People use a 50mm + an 85mm for events. The 24-105L has both of those focal lengths covered even on a crop body. It almost covers the 35mm option too. Too bad it's an f/4 lens and not a 1.4.

In my area the 24-105 has flooded the marked and the value is the best on that lens.
And most of them are virtually brand new.

Jack

The same here. The lens is actually quite cheap and in the end it's not a bad lens. It is not great either & that is why I rarely use it even though I have one. I guess that when you really start loving primes, you just don't use zooms anymore.

 

[Vossie]

17-55 2.8 is the one to go for

As said by others the 24-105 is not wide enough on crop.

 

[K13X5C]

Here's one more for the 17-55, for all of the reasons that others have already mentioned. On a crop body I find it to be better than the 17-40. But if you're sure that you'll be going to FF soon, then it's a no-go. As I see it you really need to decide if it's going to be FF or crop before you buy a wide angle zoom.

And I have to agree with buying one used or refurbed, you can save some serious cash like that. I always buy in person and not online. I have to see it, feel it, test it, etc. and when I do that I've never been burned.