I have been photographing for four years now. I started out using a 600D with the kit lens, but upgraded after 1.5 years to a 6D because I wanted better low light performance and IQ when doing landscapes. So far, this camerahouse has been fantastic and been a companion on my all of my travels the last 2 years.
I currently have and use two lenses depending on the situation: 24-105 F4L for general walkaround lens, and the 35 F1.4L for more creative use, and "astrophotography" when the weather allows for it.
However, when I look at my pictures, the ones I like the best comes from the 35, with a few exceptions from the 24-105. When pixelpeeping the pictures from the 35 is miles ahead of the 24-105 with regard to image quality, atleast to my eyes. Besides, the pictures I take with the 24-105 tend to be either 24mm (65%) and 105mm (25%) and 15% spread among the rest of the range (from my Lightroom catalog). Lately, I've frequently found myself shooting panoramas at 24mm and stitching them in post process to cover the scene I see with my eye.
From this, it seems I want to go wider, and longer when shooting portraits. Considering I travel I also want to be able to bring atleast some of it on my travels. I want to have a system that cover lenses from the wide end to tele. So here are the options I've thought through:
My main thought is: ditch the general zoom and buy a wide angle lens and a tele lens
For wide angle I see two options: the 14 F2.8 or the new 16-35 F4 IS. A third that I might evaluate is to buy the Samyang 14 F2.8, but as I travel I don't know how much use that would give me. The 14 F2.8 does not accept any of the screw on filters I have, so I think the 16-35 F4 IS is the winner here. Another alternative could be the 24-70 F2.8, but I don't know if it will leave me satisfied with regard to the focal length.
For the tele-range I have thought through these three options: 135 F2, 70-200 F2.8 II or 70-300 F4-5.6. I might do a safari in the coming years, but I think would rent a 100-400 or 400 for that when that time comes. But I'd like to be able to photograph wildlife occasionally. The use of the tele lens would be for family events and portraits. The 135 seems light and desireable, and sounds like a good fit if my experience with it reflects my use of the 35. The gear-nerd in me want the 70-200 F2.8 II, but I am afraid it could turn out to be a very expensive paperweight and not be used much while travelling.
To sum it up:
- I would like to be able to travel with my kit. So weight is a concern (keep in mind that many airlines enforce a 7kg carry-on limit. The ones I use for short-haul trips have a 10kg limit)
- I would like to be able to photograph landscapes, urban, portraits, events and wildlife.
- I would preferably have kit with 3 lenses, possibly 4 with future 100-400 or 400.
Alternative 1:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 135 F2
Alternative 2:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 70-200 2.8 II or 70-300 F4-5.6
Alternative 3:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 100-400 or 400
Alternative 4 (that I think some of you might suggest):
- 16-35 F4
- 24-70 F2.8 II
- 70-200 2.8 II
Some of you must have experienced the same situation, or have some input on this situation?
I currently have and use two lenses depending on the situation: 24-105 F4L for general walkaround lens, and the 35 F1.4L for more creative use, and "astrophotography" when the weather allows for it.
However, when I look at my pictures, the ones I like the best comes from the 35, with a few exceptions from the 24-105. When pixelpeeping the pictures from the 35 is miles ahead of the 24-105 with regard to image quality, atleast to my eyes. Besides, the pictures I take with the 24-105 tend to be either 24mm (65%) and 105mm (25%) and 15% spread among the rest of the range (from my Lightroom catalog). Lately, I've frequently found myself shooting panoramas at 24mm and stitching them in post process to cover the scene I see with my eye.
From this, it seems I want to go wider, and longer when shooting portraits. Considering I travel I also want to be able to bring atleast some of it on my travels. I want to have a system that cover lenses from the wide end to tele. So here are the options I've thought through:
My main thought is: ditch the general zoom and buy a wide angle lens and a tele lens
For wide angle I see two options: the 14 F2.8 or the new 16-35 F4 IS. A third that I might evaluate is to buy the Samyang 14 F2.8, but as I travel I don't know how much use that would give me. The 14 F2.8 does not accept any of the screw on filters I have, so I think the 16-35 F4 IS is the winner here. Another alternative could be the 24-70 F2.8, but I don't know if it will leave me satisfied with regard to the focal length.
For the tele-range I have thought through these three options: 135 F2, 70-200 F2.8 II or 70-300 F4-5.6. I might do a safari in the coming years, but I think would rent a 100-400 or 400 for that when that time comes. But I'd like to be able to photograph wildlife occasionally. The use of the tele lens would be for family events and portraits. The 135 seems light and desireable, and sounds like a good fit if my experience with it reflects my use of the 35. The gear-nerd in me want the 70-200 F2.8 II, but I am afraid it could turn out to be a very expensive paperweight and not be used much while travelling.
To sum it up:
- I would like to be able to travel with my kit. So weight is a concern (keep in mind that many airlines enforce a 7kg carry-on limit. The ones I use for short-haul trips have a 10kg limit)
- I would like to be able to photograph landscapes, urban, portraits, events and wildlife.
- I would preferably have kit with 3 lenses, possibly 4 with future 100-400 or 400.
Alternative 1:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 135 F2
Alternative 2:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 70-200 2.8 II or 70-300 F4-5.6
Alternative 3:
- 16-35 F4
- 35 F1.4
- 100-400 or 400
Alternative 4 (that I think some of you might suggest):
- 16-35 F4
- 24-70 F2.8 II
- 70-200 2.8 II
Some of you must have experienced the same situation, or have some input on this situation?