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

[D.Sim]

Not that I have my MkIII yet (this week it might arrive!), but I agree with ET that a 50mm prime lens is perfect for "walk around". How a 28-300mm lens ends up in the discussion where walking around is considered is beyond me.

and why would it not fit the walking around bill? Its not overly heavy, at 1.6kgs, not much heavier than a 70-200.

If you consider the fact that you won't have other lenses to carry around, you're probably going to end up lighter overall.

That, and you have a full 272mms of focal lengths to choose from more than that prime, in both directions, means you can shoot wide, zoom in, and pretty much shoot any outdoor situation.

 

[RLPhoto]

I was skeptical at first about the 24-105 when I got my first MKII in '08, but it is REALLY a good all-purpose walk-around lens. I was shocked at how much I was using it. And at how much I liked it. Zooms are versatile and necessary, depending on what you shoot, but if you really want to open up your creativity and force yourself to think and look at things differently and creatively, get a few nice, fast primes. But since the question is about a good walk-around lens, go with the 24-105.

Why the hate for the 50mm? Is a superb walk around lens, it's not too wide and not to long. Right smack in the middle and can open up to 1.8 and lower. Sharp as a tack stopped down, sucks in light wide open and cheap as chips. What's not to love?

 

[D.Sim]

I was skeptical at first about the 24-105 when I got my first MKII in '08, but it is REALLY a good all-purpose walk-around lens. I was shocked at how much I was using it. And at how much I liked it. Zooms are versatile and necessary, depending on what you shoot, but if you really want to open up your creativity and force yourself to think and look at things differently and creatively, get a few nice, fast primes. But since the question is about a good walk-around lens, go with the 24-105.

Why the hate for the 50mm? Is a superb walk around lens, it's not too wide and not to long. Right smack in the middle and can open up to 1.8 and lower. Sharp as a tack stopped down, sucks in light wide open and cheap as chips. What's not to love?

Why the hate for a zoom? Everyone has their own taste, and preferences. Yes, the 50mm is a good lens that can open up and give you some great bokeh for your shots, but you're trading that in for a bit of versatility. back to a wall but need to go wider? Whoops. Bit far from your decisive moment? Whoops. That added range could help.

Not to say that the50mm isn't a superb walk around lens, just because most people are suggesting the 24-105 as a first choice, its just far more versatile.

Seriously. No where in that post you quoted did he mention he hated the 50mm. Neither has anyone else.

 

[EvilTed]

What Daniel said...

and I just bought a 50mm 1.2 as my walk around lens for my MK3

For sale, one brand new, never used 24-105...

"Zooms are versatile and necessary, depending on what you shoot.."

I could argue mid-range zooms are unnecessary, regardless of what you shoot, but I don't think you'd understand

ET

 

[briansquibb]

I was skeptical at first about the 24-105 when I got my first MKII in '08, but it is REALLY a good all-purpose walk-around lens. I was shocked at how much I was using it. And at how much I liked it. Zooms are versatile and necessary, depending on what you shoot, but if you really want to open up your creativity and force yourself to think and look at things differently and creatively, get a few nice, fast primes. But since the question is about a good walk-around lens, go with the 24-105.

Why the hate for the 50mm? Is a superb walk around lens, it's not too wide and not to long. Right smack in the middle and can open up to 1.8 and lower. Sharp as a tack stopped down, sucks in light wide open and cheap as chips. What's not to love?

Why the hate for a zoom? Everyone has their own taste, and preferences. Yes, the 50mm is a good lens that can open up and give you some great bokeh for your shots, but you're trading that in for a bit of versatility. back to a wall but need to go wider? Whoops. Bit far from your decisive moment? Whoops. That added range could help.

Not to say that the50mm isn't a superb walk around lens, just because most people are suggesting the 24-105 as a first choice, its just far more versatile.

Seriously. No where in that post you quoted did he mention he hated the 50mm. Neither has anyone else.

I dislike the 50 1.8 because of the hexagonal bokeh shapes. The 1.4 is almost OK.

I guess the walkabout lens usefulness depends on where you a walking. In a city a 50 or 35 would be good, in a forest then perhaps the 24-105.

 

[D.Sim]

What Daniel said...

and I just bought a 50mm 1.2 as my walk around lens for my MK3

For sale, one brand new, never used 24-105...

"Zooms are versatile and necessary, depending on what you shoot.."

I could argue mid-range zooms are unnecessary, regardless of what you shoot, but I don't think you'd understand

ET

I could also argue that 1.2 is unnecessary for a walk around, but would you understand?

Everyone has their preferred system, for whatever reasons it is. Is that fact so hard to get your head around that you're so willing to knock anyone for suggesting it with a snide allegation?

 

[Joellll]

Most likely you will find this suggestion useless but I would suggest a Voigtlander ULTRON 40mm f/2.

It's really small and light. No autofocus but I can live with that. The flare is lovely if you try really hard to make it flare.

Bottom line is it's compact and simple.

 

[EvilTed]

D Sim,

I do apologize, I was a little drunk and making fun of you, sorry

ET

 

[briansquibb]

D Sim,

I do apologize, I was a little drunk and making fun of you, sorry

ET

10 minutes on the naughty chair for you then ;D ;D ;D

 

[EvilTed]

Oooh, the naughty chair, I like the sound of that
Any pics?????

ET

 

[briansquibb]

Oooh, the naughty chair, I like the sound of that
Any pics?????

ET

Dont do self portraits ;D

 

[dickgrafixstop]

35mm f1.4

 

[Wideopen]

The kit 24-105 is A pefect all arounder...I usually use a 24-70 and or a 50mm 1.4 prime for a walk around lens

 

[JR]

The kit lens would make for a nice walkaround lens if you are looking for a zoom and cannot wait for the 24-70 mkII. Then again you need to decide what is more important: weight and IS (for the 24-105), or sharper and faster zoom but heavier (24-70).

Answer that question and you will pick the right one for you.

 

[briansquibb]

I have the 70-300L as my ff walkabout lens.

 

[birdman]

I would go with the 70-200 f4.0 IS if you can go with the longer FL. I would use a 70-200 coupled with a 50/1.8 in my pocket. This is an excellent pairing IMHO

 

[swrightgfx]

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.

Completely agree. This lens, despite being one of the oldest in the lineup is simply fantastic. Personally, it is the ideal (or slightly short of ideal) focal length for hitting the streets. It really depends on how you shoot as to what lens you should get, though.