Just got the canon 16-35 ii and having a hard time seeing the value in this uwa

[Vivid Color]

KKC: I'd say if you are in doubt and can still get your money back, then return the lens. (That's my general rule that I apply to almost everything I purchase that has a good return policy--if in doubt, take it back.) You can always purchase it later if you become more certain about your decision. If, however, the full money back return period is over, then it sounds like you might need some PPR: post-purchase reinforcement. From what I've read and seen from other posts and threads on this list and other websites, the 16-35 II is an amazing lens. (Full disclosure: It and the 100 mm L macro are the next two lenses I want to get.) I'm sure that there are many websites that can provide inspiration. And, from the photos you posted, they show that the lens can deliver absolutely wonderful and rich colors. So, if you can't return it for full price, then I'd suggest hanging on to it for awhile and using it as much as you can. Love isn't always at first sight. But, if you don't grow to love it, you can always sell it.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

KKC: I'd say if you are in doubt and can still get your money back, then return the lens. (That's my general rule that I apply to almost everything I purchase that has a good return policy--if in doubt, take it back.) You can always purchase it later if you become more certain about your decision. If, however, the full money back return period is over, then it sounds like you might need some PPR: post-purchase reinforcement. From what I've read and seen from other posts and threads on this list and other websites, the 16-35 II is an amazing lens. (Full disclosure: It and the 100 mm L macro are the next two lenses I want to get.) I'm sure that there are many websites that can provide inspiration. And, from the photos you posted, they show that the lens can deliver absolutely wonderful and rich colors. So, if you can't return it for full price, then I'd suggest hanging on to it for awhile and using it as much as you can. Love isn't always at first sight. But, if you don't grow to love it, you can always sell it.

+100 ...said almost the same thing...more inspiration

 

[Etienne]

I bought the 16-35L II several years ago because the sale price was too good to pass up. I didn't use it much for about a year. Finally I decided I had to learn how to use this lens so I went out regularly with only the 5DII and the 16-35 lens. That forced me to work out how to use the lens.

At first I was a bit frustrated because you have to look at things differently in order to see the shot opportunity. Many of the best Photojournalism shots are taken with this lens, or other ultra-wides. Check out:
http://bit.ly/Yj8uzu
http://bit.ly/XNBfa2

Google photojournalism awards and you'll notice a lot of ultra-wide shots.

Long story short, it became my favorite lens, and I rarely leave home without it.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

Honestly...you got me thinking of of how to get even more use out of mine because now I'm looking at examples! How I approach it now, unless i can look at a scene and see some feature that just screams UWA, I tend to go on the idea of ...use the primes and the 70-200 first, then, take some risks!!!!

Here's some just general google search results for "portrait shots using canon 16-35mm"

http://www.coryparris.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/027.jpg
http://abloggablelife.typepad.com/.a/6a0115704a1242970c01676924ef53970b-800wi
http://carolineplusben.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/wpid3472-kayla-austin-bridal-session-at-capitol-and-flamingo-farm-1.jpg
http://www.kurtleblanc.com/blog/image.axd?picture=8721-Luke-Watermark-CW_thumb.jpg
http://brettharknessphotography.com/training/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/orignial.jpg

I could keep going...but, you get the idea...lol...even if you end up selling it, thank you for helping me to appreciate mine a bit more

 

[pedro]

I purchased my 16-35 II in March this year. Used. CHF 998 instead of CHF 1400 online or 1998 retail. The lens is in excellent shape. As I had a 10-22 on my 30D I wanted to get back to a classic WA on the 5D3! It is almost my walkaround lens. Again! 8) Here's some first samples

Z96A3724bMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr


Z96A3597bALTTLKLEINDefMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr


Z96A3584b KELIN ALT2TLDEF by Peter Hauri, on Flickr
note: the photograph is upside down, the lake was used as kinda natural polifilter ;-)

 

[infared]

I know but I have a short period of time here before my extra photo money will run out so I was trying to get some gear Before I am wanting a lens I can no longer afford. I love my sigma 35mm now that I mfa it the iq is awesome. I am just having a hard time creatively with the 16-35.

UAW lenses are the most challenging lenses to compose images with...but also the most rewarding. With experience you will get a feel for it. Many times it is helpful that you have a foreground element that leads you into the shot...read up on it and get some experience...I just gets better! (For instance the DJ shots on page two he uses the platter to "pull you in" to the DJ)...the shots are dynamic and almost have a feel of motion to them.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

http://flic.kr/p/ecFDqf

This is a shot of my cat trying to find a use. It is nice but as a previous post said. I think I am a 24mm and above guy. I just like the 24-300mm range. So maybe a 100mm Macro or the 70-300l for vacations is in my future. Either way I am just not feeling very inspired. I will return it and take a long look at do I even need anything right now. I can say I rented an 1.4 extender and did like the extra 80mm reach. So maybe that 70-300mm l is my calling for outdoors summer shots with the kids and also wildlife even though 300mm for birds is nothing.

 

[CarlTN]

I bought the 16-35L II several years ago because the sale price was too good to pass up. I didn't use it much for about a year. Finally I decided I had to learn how to use this lens so I went out regularly with only the 5DII and the 16-35 lens. That forced me to work out how to use the lens.

At first I was a bit frustrated because you have to look at things differently in order to see the shot opportunity. Many of the best Photojournalism shots are taken with this lens, or other ultra-wides. Check out:
http://bit.ly/Yj8uzu
http://bit.ly/XNBfa2

Google photojournalism awards and you'll notice a lot of ultra-wide shots.

Long story short, it became my favorite lens, and I rarely leave home without it.

Nice story. I think I prefer fast telephotos to UWA's...and yet I like doing landscape...wildlife...sometimes people. I guess I don't know what kind of photographer I am. I know l like being able to go really wide, medium, or even really long...sometimes macro.

The only time I've been published (so far) in a national magazine, was a landscape wide angle shot (a mere Sigma 17-70mm)...of the night sky. If it had been daytime in the same location, it never would have been noticed. It was at home in my front yard in Tennessee...rather than in Yosemite...or...the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Namibia, Madagascar, Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland...a fjord...the ISS...etc. But I think I would like those places too.

 

[CarlTN]

Not with the 16-35mm but with a 10-20mm Sigma on a 1D Mark IIN. I feel it's relevant as it shows how an UWA lens can be utilised with people.

I adore UWA lenses, I love the way they put subjects into context. It's all about getting close when you use a UWA. Not always something liked by photographers, especially those who prefer to stay discrete.

Very nice shot!! Trying to guess exposure time...1 1/2 seconds?

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Follow up. I spent the weekend looking at different uwa perspectives and it just is not my cup of tea right now. I definetly am going for more reach and some other things I need like a good tripod and remote trigger.

 

[jasonsim]

After reading through this thread, I got inspired to take my 16-35mm with me over the weekend to a Tae Kwon Do tournament that my children participated in. I'm glad I took it, even though I only used it for a few shots.

 

[cayenne]

I got the 17-40mm....I found a good used one for like $500 I think and figure that would hold me till I went for a 16-35 later.

But honestly, I love the lens, this and my 24-105 are usually my daytime walk around lenses.

I actually wanted something even more UWA to play with, and got the rokinon 14mm...which is about the last on the edge of rectilinear.

that thing is WIIIIIDE...but has proven for something relatively inexpensive (I caught a special sale for like $199 I think?)....it is a LOT of fun to play with. And for $25 I found a program to correct for the problems the lens is knowns to have. But I've had a LOT of fun playing with this UWA lens, and the 17-40mm, is quite easy to walk around with and use.

My next lens..I'm debating between the 24mm tilt shift, or a 50mm L f 1.2.....I'm leaning towards the 24mm TS here lately, I like the wide angle stuff.

My $0.02,

cayenne

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi I hired the efs 10-22 for a special job I used the lens on my 40d which gives about the range you are querying, a friend has a camp site that is also well stocked with static caravans and he wanted interior shots of the different models to help customers choose which to rent, I did use the lens for a couple of days to get to know it a bit. For the job it was used mostly fully wide as there is no room to take a step back though some shots did require zooming in slightly to get a better frame. If this is not the sort of thing you do I guess that you may not find a need for it. I have it on my wish list as although I don't need it I did like the abilities of this lens over the normal 17-85 when I was trying it out, people, landscapes, pets seem to pop more, and the creative abilities are there if only I was creative.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Yeah i returned it and afterusing it. I felt getting the 70-300l was something I knew i could use. I go on a lot of trips where I could use the reach and while slower than my 70-200 2.8. I think it offers the lighter travel lens that i was looking for but still retaining good IQ. It just felt odd buying the same focal length but both will serve their purpose. Thanks again for everyone's input.