Buying Advice: What First Lens for a Full Frame?

[timothetoad]

I dished out on the Canon 6D, which will be my first full frame body. I'm looking into buying a new lens, since the only lens I have on my Canon 7D is the gorgeous Sigma 18-35 f1.8. Obviously, it's not exactly made for a full frame body, so I'm sure there'd be vignetting. As a first timer in the full frame market, what would be a good versatile lens?

I do multiple kinds of photography: landscape, portrait, concert/music

I should also note that I'm on a very tight budget.

Thanks!

 

[Dylan777]

2470 f2.8 ii

 

[gigabellone]

I'd suggest a Canon 24-105/4. It's good, not very expensive, and the lengthy focal range will get you covered in almost every situation. It's not very fast, though. If you need fast glass on a budget, fixed focal length is the way to go, but you have to be sure you'll like the focal length you choose. I think anything between 35 and 50mm will do. I use a Sigma 35/1.4 as my main lens and i love it.

 

[mrzero]

A good versatile lens would be a standard zoom, like 24-105 or 24-70. The 24-70/2.8 MkII is probably out of your budget. Consider a "white box" 24-105 F/4L or the new 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM. I went with the 24-70 F/4 because I wanted something light, small, and constant aperture. I love it but others are picky. It is a little more expensive than those two choices.

 

[rpt]

Obviously the 24-70 f/2.8 is great. However if that is out of your range, buy the 6D with the 24-105L as a kit lens and also buy the 40 mm pancake. It is a f/2.8 lens.

 

[wickidwombat]

do you still have the 7D and 18-35? if so i'd say get the new 16-35 f4L IS for the 6D leave the 18-35 on the 7d for general zoom

 

[bholliman]

What do you like to shoot?

The EF-24-70/4 IS is a nice lens at a reasonable price. If your budget is higher the 24-70/2.8 II has prime quality IQ and is maybe the ultimate standard zoom available now.

 

[Ryan85]

Congratulations on your new camera. You didn't say what your budget is, but if go for the 24-105 f4 is L lens. It's a great all purpose lens. I'd also get a fast prime like the 50 1.8 which is only 100 dollars. Or the 50 1.4 which is a little more.

 

[Nethawk]

It depends. What type of photography interests you the most? 24-105mm would be a great choice for standard walkaround lens, 24-70mm (depending on which) will give you slightly better IQ but less versatility, but if you're into landscapes or like your views to be on the wide side the 16-35mm f/4 should provide more fun than you deserve with clothes on. ;D

I already had a few FF L lenses, but bought the 16-35mm before a FF body because this lens is why I went FF.

 

[tolusina]

.....I should also note that I'm on a very tight budget. ....

Then there's only one right answer, EF 50mm f/1.8 II.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_50mm_f_1_8_ii
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html
It's built like a toy, seriously, like Hasbro quality. Canon should create a marketing arm for these that sounds like a Western Pacific mainland cheap rip off, Canhoon maybe?

Cheap feel aside, it's got great IQ, fast focus, f/1.8 is pretty fast for low light, a more or less natural perspective, you can't go wrong with it. It just works and works very well.

50's were the "Standard" lens way back when, they've been made so long they've been rather refined for quite a while.

Working with a prime's limitations sure sharpens one's compositional skill set, zoom with your feet and all that that statement implies.

The 40mm Pancake is a little more money, has a very solid, professional build quality feel.
At f/2.8 it's not as low light fast as the 50mm, doesn't focus anywhere near as snappy as the 50 though the 50 is sometimes too fast and overshoots then hunts back.
The 40mm has an STM (stepping motor) for focusing that is both a curse and a feature.
The STM makes a groan/whine noise when running, non-mechanical and fully electronic focus goes to sleep rather quickly and then you cannot manual focus until you wake it again.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/870179-REG/Canon_40mm_f_2_8_EF_Pancake.html

 

[Click]

I'd suggest a Canon 24-105/4. It's good, not very expensive, and the lengthy focal range will get you covered in almost every situation.

+1

My suggestion is the 24-105 f4L also.

 

[Ryan85]

To the op...sorry I didn't see the tight budget part. IF you go with the 24-105 check the canon refurb store and canon price watch. On CPW they can send you emails when there's a good deal going on. Also lots of people buy a camera and lens in a bundle for a good price then sell the lens. Might want to check ebay for a deal like that.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

You can usually find a new white box 24-105mmL in the $600-$650 range. For someone on a budget, that's hard to beat.

At a very low price, you can often find a 28-135mm IS. Not a fantastic lens, but adequate and often under $200.

The Street Price from a authorized dealer is $630 right now thru CPW. CPW will refer you to a dealer who will sell it for that price, or you can try to negotiate that price.


http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/00047/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f4L-IS-USM-price.html

 

[antonioleandro]

Considering your tight budget, I would recommend the 24-105 f/4L IS. It is an extremely versatile lens, which might be useful in several kinds of photography. It can be found on "white box" versions from dismembered combos with camera bodies.

 

[candc]

Your 18-35 works really well at 35 on the 6d, its about as good as the 35 art in that respect.

 

[jdramirez]

landscape, portrait, concert/music

landscape
No clue... I'd probably lead towards a Rokinon 14mm, but I'm not a wide angle guy.

portrait
85mm f/1.8 usm... very solid portrait focal length, sharp wide open, only around $350 or so used... andit can use used for concert... but it might be a touch short depending on how far you are.

, concert/music

alternatively, the 100mm f/2 is a solid option. People don't talk much about it... but it does a solid job... and you get a touch more length.

 

[slclick]

Budget normal zoom- 24-105 (C or S)
Budget prime set- 28 2.8 IS, 40 Pancake, 85 1.8 (all which can be had for the price of the 24-105)

 

[Ripley]

Your 18-35 works really well at 35 on the 6d, its about as good as the 35 art in that respect.

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Art is for APS-C only I thought.

 

[jdramirez]

Your 18-35 works really well at 35 on the 6d, its about as good as the 35 art in that respect.

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Art is for APS-C only I thought.

Maybe there is a converter... and there is a crazy amount of vinetting...

 

[Ryan85]

portrait
85mm f/1.8 usm... very solid portrait focal length, sharp wide open, only around $350 or so used... andit can use used for concert... but it might be a touch short depending on how far you are.

, concert/music
[/quote]


+1 for the 85 1.8. Id still go with a 24-105L as your first ff lens for all around. But for a prime if you can afford the 350 or so it cost the 85 1.8 is a great lens. Very sharp, has a extremely fast focus. If it's over budget the 50 1.8 for 100 would be my next choice for a prime.