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Which general purpose lens on a 40D?

Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
If you could have one general purpose / urban / portraiture / landscape lens on a Canon 40D, which one would be it and why?

Some constraints:
1) Owner has already a 70-200 f4 L IS for the zoom range
2) Preference for EF lenses but not a must
3) Preference for IS but not a must
4) Preference for f2.8 but not a must
5) Preference for at least 28mm equiv. FOV on the 1.6 crop camera but not a must.
6) Cost is not a primary concern, image quality definitely is.

Some possible choices could be, for example:
Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS
Canon EF 17-40 f4 L
Canon EF 24-105 f4 L IS
Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 L
Canon EF 16-35 f2.8 L II
etc.

I am eager to hear your suggestions. Thanks in advance.
 
K

Kathy Rappaport

pro member
24-70 or 24-105

Cem,

Either the 24-70 or 24-105 would foot the bill as a great general lens depending on if you needed the low light and can give up the extra 35mm of focal length for walking around. We have the 20d which always has the 24-70 on it and I have the 24-105 on my 5d much of the time. The 24-105 seems to be a tad crisper focus but either one suits us just fine. That said, I also frequently have the 50 1.2 on my 5d but am thinking of getting the 85 1.2 as my next lens purchase.

And the next question, is what do you want to shoot mostly? People, Architecture, Street?
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Kathy Rappaport said:
Cem,

Either the 24-70 or 24-105 would foot the bill as a great general lens depending on if you needed the low light and can give up the extra 35mm of focal length for walking around. We have the 20d which always has the 24-70 on it and I have the 24-105 on my 5d much of the time. The 24-105 seems to be a tad crisper focus but either one suits us just fine. That said, I also frequently have the 50 1.2 on my 5d but am thinking of getting the 85 1.2 as my next lens purchase.

And the next question, is what do you want to shoot mostly? People, Architecture, Street?
Click to expand...
Thanks Kathy. I'll shoot all three: people, architecture and street equally.
I have the 24-105 already on my 5D. I am not sure how it will behave on the 40D. It will become 38.8-168mm in equiv.fov. I'll miss the wide end I'm afraid. The same goes for the 24-70 but it is f2.8. OTOH, it misses the IS of the 24-105.

What other options I might be overlooking?
 
Doug Kerr

Doug Kerr

Well-known member
Hi, Cem,
Cem_Usakligil said:
If you could have one general purpose / urban / portraiture / landscape lens on a Canon 40D, which one would be it and why?
Click to expand...

If I have to go out with my 20D and in effect have to commit to one lens, I mount my Sigma 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (with optical stabilization). It is well-behaved and, owing to its range of focal length, very versatile.

If I think I will not need quite such a wide range of focal lengths, I will generally mount my Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. It is a "better performing" lens in many ways (but not, I must say, not gigantically). It is in many ways my "favorite" lens. (Will Thompson encouraged me to get it!)

Let us know what you decide to do.

Incidentally, tonight (assuming the sale of my "excess" home is actually consummated at noon today, as scheduled!) I will order an EOS 40D and another lens I think will be nice for a lot of work, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro. (We do not foresee moving to the 36x24mm format any time soon.)

Best regards,

Doug
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Thanks Doug. As a matter of fact, I have just sold my 5D as of 15 minutes ago. I wanted to get some rest value cashed in before the 5D MkII is introduced later this year. That is the reason I'll be getting a 40D now, also taking advantage of the new Canon rebate. I have tried out the 40D at a camera store and it feels and behaves much like my 5D. The 6.5 fps shooting is a welcome addition and so are the 14-bit RAW, the 3" LCD and the live view.

So I have the choice of selling my 24-105, which is a very dear lens to me. Or at least, it has been on the 5D. I can still use it if I would complement it with a wider lens such as the 10-22 or the 17-40. Or maybe the 17-55, but then I would not need the 24-105 anymore. Choices, choices...

Good luck with the sale of your "excess" home :).
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Going once, going twice, gone ;-)

So in the past few days I have sold my 5D, the the 24-105mm f4 L IS, the Sigma 12-24mm and the 580 EX. The only lens left behind is the 70-200 f4 L IS, which is going to be sold soon as well.

Now I am ready to start afresh again. I need a new (stopgap) camera and (not so stopgap) lenses until I may consider buying the 5D mk II in sometime next year.

Let me say explicitly that I have been given excellent advice by Kathy and Doug already but there are much more Canonites out there who could provide me with additional insight.

Now unless you folks chime in quite soon, I may even jump ship and buy me a Nikon D300 instead! LOL.

Cheers,
 
R

Ron Morse

New member
The 17-55 f/2.8 IS might not be long enough for you on the long end but the image quality is every bit as good as my 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I keep it on the camera all the time. I just love this lense. Of course it is an EF-S and might be to short for your use.
 
N

Nikolai Sklobovsky

New member
Cem,
for your forthcoming 40D I don't know a better all-around lens than EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS USM. Light, compact, fast, sharp... As they say, it would be an L if it weren't EF-S...
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Nikolai Sklobovsky said:
Cem,
for your forthcoming 40D I don't know a better all-around lens than EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS USM. Light, compact, fast, sharp... As they say, it would be an L if it weren't EF-S...
Click to expand...
Hi Nik,

Your feedback is much appreciated. You see, I was already leaning towards this lens up until I read this mini review by Mike Funnel as referred to in this thread and can be read here. I then started doubting whether I'll be better off with a good old EF 24-70 or EF 17-40.

I am still thorn between the choices.

Cheers,
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Cen,

Cem,

Did you get the 40-D? If not, why not buy the Canon Xsi? To me it seems the best value for money? What is so much better in the 40D?

To me the 40D is just another price point but the Xsi can do everything you would need!

Asher
 
K

Kathy Rappaport

pro member
Try it...

Cem,

If you have the 24-105 (or did you sell it?). Thanks to Will Thompson having harped on me, I moved this lens to the main carrying lens in my kit. I have the 24-70 on my 5d but, happily shoot with the 24-105. Even on FF sensor, it's one of Canon's best IS lenses. It's sharp and good sized - and you already had/have it.

BTW - B& H can't ship until Tuesday - so you have an extra day or two to decide. We have a holiday on Monday here in the US - it's Memorial Day and UPS is closed for shipping!
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Asher Kelman said:
Cen,

Cem,

Did you get the 40-D? If not, why not buy the Canon Xsi? To me it seems the best value for money? What is so much better in the 40D?

To me the 40D is just another price point but the Xsi can do everything you would need!

Asher
Click to expand...
Hi Asher,

Right now, the 40D is $ 940 (and in stock) and the 450D is $ 800 (and out of stock).
The price difference of $140 is negligible considering the fact that:
1) 40D is more ergonomic to hold and manage
2) It has higher shooting speed and higher ISO
3) Less noise due to less cramped sensor
4) Better batteries, longer lasting
5) 3x custom settings
6) and some more...

So the question is, why should one then buy the 450D?

Thanks for the suggestion though, much appreciated :).

Cheers,
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Kathy Rappaport said:
Cem,

If you have the 24-105 (or did you sell it?). Thanks to Will Thompson having harped on me, I moved this lens to the main carrying lens in my kit. I have the 24-70 on my 5d but, happily shoot with the 24-105. Even on FF sensor, it's one of Canon's best IS lenses. It's sharp and good sized - and you already had/have it.

BTW - B& H can't ship until Tuesday - so you have an extra day or two to decide. We have a holiday on Monday here in the US - it's Memorial Day and UPS is closed for shipping!
Click to expand...
Hi Kathy,

I have sold everything, including the 24-105, which has hurt me the most of all. That lens was very dear to me. In the past 1.5 years, 60% of all my pictures were taken with that lens. So I know what I have parted with precisely.

But, I am going to buy me a new one eventually :).

B&H say on their web site that they are open on Monday? We'll see.

Thanks again.

Cheers.
 
K

Kathy Rappaport

pro member
B & H is open - UPS is not

It is a National Holiday on Monday here in the USA; Stores are generally open - hours might be shorter. But UPS and FEDex are on holiday. If you order, they will probably ship on Tuesday for delivery on Thurs or Friday.

I agree. Nik, I would not want to step down to the Rebel class of camera. I need a 2nd body and since there is no new 5 out, thinking I might have to get a MkIII if I don't see an announcement soon. Marginally thinking about the 40D. What to do...what to do....Love my 5d but time for a technology update - actually past due.
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
The result....

Hi folks,

Thanks again to all of you for helping me out in making a decision. It was a very tough call.
In the end, I have ordered the following:
1) Canon 40D Body and the battery grip
2) EF 17-40 f4 L
3) EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS and the 1.4x TC

I have chosen for EF lenses only since I am going to buy the next gen 5D in a year or so.
I have doubted between the 16-35 and the 17-40. The latter is just a tad longer and is for the half price. And I can still sell it for a reasonable price if I really want to give in to temptation later ;-). I now have a gap between the 40mm and the 70 mm. I am planning to fill that with a 50mm prime such as the f1.4. Meanwhile, I still have the cheap but usable EF 50mm f1.8 Mk II until such time.

I should mention that I've almost bought another 5D having sold mine a week ago, but I was able to resist the urge. LOL.


Cheers,
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Cem,

Good choices!


I wish you well!

But tell me why you go for the extra weight of the battery grip? For portrait mode?

Asher
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Asher Kelman said:
Cem,

Good choices!


I wish you well!

But tell me why you go for the extra weight of the battery grip? For portrait mode?

Asher
Click to expand...
Thanks Asher. Yes, since about 1/3 of my pictures are taken in portrait mode. But also the fact that I always carry a couple of reserve batteries with me. With the grip, they are inside the grip itself rather than in my camera bag. Total weight increase is the empty weight of the grip itself which is not much.
Also, I find that the grip makes holding the camera easier and the added weight adds some stability as well. And I can always remove the grip when it is inconvenient to have it mounted ;-)
 
N

Nikolai Sklobovsky

New member
I second Cem on this. Grip makes a huge difference if you shoot portait mode. When I started shooting runways, one time I decided that maybe it'll help to shave off a few ounces and detached the grip. Boys I was wrong. My right arm went numb by the end of the first run, since I had to keep it much higher. And in this deal there is no pause, models go one right after the other...

If anybody want to experience what I did - raise your hand with the camera in it to the normal shooting position in a portrait mode (index finger on the shutter) and keep it like that for 10-15 minutes straight. You'll quickly learn to appreciate the convenience of the grip.

Battery life also seems to be much better with it, since two batteries last longer together then two single ones one by one. I think it has to do with the maximum amperage consumption - dual batteries do not go into "drain" mode as often as a single one..
 
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