Whats a good walk around lens to put on a new 5d Mk iii

[gary]

I am going to buy a new 5d mkiii and am uncertain about the kit lens, its 10 years old ish and was wondering about getting the new 24-70 but at 28oz its quite heavy without IS so I am stuck. I have a 70 to 200 mkii IS and a 100 macro IS so am looking to supplement what I have. Second question is, I am looking for a good wide angle, 16-35mm or 14mm. Any and all suggestions would help thanks

 

[FyreStorm]

I swear by the 17-40mm.

 

[FunPhotons]

seriously ... the 24-105 is one of the best lenses in the lineup. I used to take it for granted because it was the 5DmkII kit lens (being the kit lens it has to be mediocre, right?), then happened to notice that most of my best shots came out of that one.

I like shooting the wide end generally, but that is the best walk around lens on the planet. I owned the 24-70 I too.

 

[bchernicoff]

The 24-105 is the best walk-around lens I have used. I suspect that Canon has worked in small improvements over the years...at least the 2010 copy I had is sharper and seems to have better IS than the 2005ish copy I had.

 

[smirkypants]

Another vote for the 24-105 as being a nearly perfect walk-around lens. It's a lens create to be good at all things, but it just won't be great at any. This is pretty much the definition of a great flexible walk-around lens.

 

[Orion]

I am going to buy a new 5d mkiii and am uncertain about the kit lens, its 10 years old ish and was wondering about getting the new 24-70 but at 28oz its quite heavy without IS so I am stuck. I have a 70 to 200 mkii IS and a 100 macro IS so am looking to supplement what I have. Second question is, I am looking for a good wide angle, 16-35mm or 14mm. Any and all suggestions would help thanks

You have already nice lenses . . why would you need OUR advice when you can do the research for yourself . . since YOU will be the one spending the money

The people that will advise you on one lens or the other will have used it in the field, and since they have it, they will mostly swear by it or give some other prop in general . . .. but a unbiased review is what you really need from a pro . . . and why not.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Lens-Reviews.aspx
http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses

 

[drjlo]

Hate to say it, but with Canon 24-70 II priced at $2300, I am waiting for some test results for the Tamron 24-70 IS..
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/06/tamron24-70_2p8_divcusd

 

[Jettatore]

Haven't tried it but I've heard good things about 100mm Macro IS L being a real viable walk around lens.

 

[D.Sim]

actually anything can be a walk around lens... anything carriable anyway.
I like the 24-105, but the 17-40 isn't too bad...

 

[pwp]

Given the high iso performance of the 5D3 the f/4 24-105is makes a great deal of sense as a walkaround.
f/4 is barely a disadvantage any more. My FF traveling light kit for years has been a 5D 1,2 or 3 (coming soon!) without the grip and a 24-105.

My 24-105 outperforms the three 24-70 f/2.8 lenses I've had in every way except for being one stop off the pace.
It's tack sharp wide open. It has IS. It stretches out to 105. I TRUST this lens. And it's inexpensive.

Previously when I traveled light with a crop body (APS-C) my lens of choice was the f/4 17-40.

But that's my preference. Only you can decide this matter based on the way you like to shoot. Some people's essential walkaround will be a 24 f/1.4II and the next person will feel deprived without a 70-300L. Sift through the viewpoints here, but in the end it's your call.

Paul Wright

 

[Random Orbits]

I am going to buy a new 5d mkiii and am uncertain about the kit lens, its 10 years old ish and was wondering about getting the new 24-70 but at 28oz its quite heavy without IS so I am stuck. I have a 70 to 200 mkii IS and a 100 macro IS so am looking to supplement what I have. Second question is, I am looking for a good wide angle, 16-35mm or 14mm. Any and all suggestions would help thanks

Agree with those that recommend the 24-105, but the question is are you still planning on getting a 24-70. If so, then the 24-105 might not be as useful to you. The 24-105 is only a few ounces lighter at about 24 oz, and will not be as good as the 24-70 II/70-200 II combo. IQ vs. weight. The other consideration is which lens you choose to use for the WA range. I would suggest the 16-35 over the 14 because it is more versatile and can take filters and is less expensive than the 14. If you get the WA zoom first, then you can use a prime in the middle for something like 16-35/50/70-200, and a fast prime would help for indoor shots. And it would be 16-35/24-70 or 24-105/70-200 if you choose a mid-range zoom over a prime.

 

[Loswr]

Best walkaround lens? The 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS. Covers moderate wide to quite long, has IS, weather sealing, and optical quality is equivalent to the 24-105mm. You can capture almost everything with just that one lens. Sure it's a little heavy, but if you want light, get a PowerShot S100. Carry it with a Blackrapid strap and the weight is on your shoulder, so it's ok to carry around for the day.

Best walkaround lens? The 24-105mm f/4L IS. Versatile focal length, has IS, weather sealing, quite sharp. Great value when purchased in a kit with a new 5DIII (or 5DII).

Best walkaround lens? The 24-70mm f/2.8L II. Tack-sharp, weather sealed, IS not as important with shorter focal lengths, top optical quality, and f/2.8 gives shallower DoF for portraits.

Best walkaround lens? The 35mm f/1.4L. Combined with a FF body having great high-ISO capability, you can't beat a fast, wide angle prime for walking around at night.

Best walkaround lens? The 16-35mm f/2.8L II. Captures stunning ultrawide shots that you just can't get with a standard zoom, but at the long end it's useful for general purpose shooting. The fast aperture means good low-light capability.

FWIW, I just got back from a trip where I took the gripped 5DII, 28-300L for outdoor walkaround, 35L for indoor ambient, and 135L for portraits. I found it to be a very versatile kit. I brought a 430EX II and didn't use it at all. It all fit perfectly in a Lowepro Flipside 300 (which I enclosed in a Pelican Storm im2500 for the plane).

Only you can decide this matter based on the way you like to shoot.

Yeah, that's what I meant. But you put it much more succinctly.

 

[smirkypants]

Best walkaround lens? The 35mm f/1.4L. Combined with a FF body having great high-ISO capability, you can't beat a fast, wide angle prime for walking around at night.

I'm currently in Argentina but I have a new 5D3 waiting for me when I finally get home. I'm really excited to try a fast prime in the evening with the new gear. Really excited. I'm wondering about the kind of dusky field shots I can get. Seriously, I'm about to jump out of my shorts.

 

[FunPhotons]

Best walkaround lens? The 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS. ...

Good post, as usual. I haven't noticed the 28-300 much. Looked up the review on The Digital Picture, If it wasn't push-pull, a design I'm not fond of, I'd seriously consider one.

 

[briansquibb]

Best walkaround lens? The 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS. ...

Good post, as usual. I haven't noticed the 28-300 much. Looked up the review on The Digital Picture, If it wasn't push-pull, a design I'm not fond of, I'd seriously consider one.

My favourite is the 70-300L - comparible in sharpness to the 70-200 f/2.8 II but with the extra reach. Makes an excellent candid portrait lens too (using f/4 or more)

 

[gary]

Thanks to everyone, you have all given me lots of food for thought. I had scoured endless product reviews, but the personal thoughts found here are most helpful. Still undecided but may take the less expensive 24-105 and 16-35 and use the savings for a nice mid range prime, thanks again.

 

[dunkers]

I use the 100L macro as a walk around.

Sure I miss some shots, but that lens is so fun to use and you don't disturb your subjects as much thanks to the focal length. Plus, if I happen upon an insect or something I can easily take a shot.

 

[Loswr]

Best walkaround lens? The 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS. ...

Good post, as usual. I haven't noticed the 28-300 much. Looked up the review on The Digital Picture, If it wasn't push-pull, a design I'm not fond of, I'd seriously consider one.

Seems there's a love/hate thing for the push-pull design. I like it for the way you can very rapidly change focal length, and the fact that the tension ring lets you effectively lock the zoom at any focal length, vs. other lenses with zoom creep that only have a lock when fully retracted.

There's definitely something to be said for the convenience of a superzoom, especially for travel. The problem is that with most superzooms, you pay a big price in terms of IQ for that convenience. With the 28-300L, the price you pay is size/weight (and cost, of course), but in terms of IQ (distortion/sharpness) it's on par with the 24-105mm.

 

[sanj]

Undoubtedly the 24-105 IS.

 

[Eiremon]

Buy a "used" 24-105 - there are going to be lots of them floating around in new / mint condition from the 5D Mk III kits. If you don't like it, resell for little/no loss.