Camera Labs

Hello from Detroit, Michigan,

I really enjoy this site Gordon and appreciate all of the time that goes into Camera Labs' reviews and information. I particularly enjoy the thoroughness of the reviews here. I'm hoping that you or someone with experience here can lend me a hand with this purchase.


I'm looking for one good lens to finish off my kit (and buying spree) for awhile. I purchased a Canon 400D last October and have been happy with it so far with the exception of the kit lens' image quality. I own one other lens for this camera; the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. I mainly use it for sports and it seems to do the job for the most part and its price range. Now I want to replace my kit lens with a really good all purpose lens that will give nice close-up portraits and group indoor shots along with the ability to capture outdoor landscapes. I've resolved to spending over $1000USD if it means that I can produce superior quality images and take my amateur photography to the next level. I plan to use this setup for many years to come.

I read your review on the 24-105 lens but I wasn't sure what conclusion to draw from it since I don't own a full frame body. How much of a difference in image quality and real world usability will I experience with either the 24-70 or the 24-105 on my 400D? I realize that the 24-105 features IS which is nice, but it's not required in my book. Wouldn't the f2.8 offer me more options in a variety of situations? With that said I suppose the extra zoom of the 24-105 would offer a different set of options. Does the Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens figure into this discussion at all or is it's quality well below that of the 24-70 and 24-105 lens? Is there another lens that I should be thinking about also discussing these?

I'm currently leaning toward the 24-70 lens because of the f2.8 glass and image quality over the 24-105 in some tests shots in the 24-105 review. Any insight anyone can provide me with will be greatly appreciated?

Thank you very much for your time and response.

Hello there cbhiii and welcome to the Cameralabs forums!

It sounds to me that you're after a good quality general purpose lens, so I'd think carefully about the range you're after - remember your 400D / XTi will effectively multiply all focal lengths by 1.6x, so the 24-105mm will act like a 38-168mm and the 24-70mm will act like a 45-112mm.

Neither will offer true wide angle on your body, so that's what you'd be sacrificing by going for them. They are both great quality lenses though!

If you do want a general purpose lens with true wide angle for your body, you'd be best off going for something which starts at the 17 or 18mm focal length. The EF-S 17-85mm is an automatic choice, but if you're after a step-up and like the sound of f2.8 aperture, then the EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 may be a good bet.

Check out these articles if you've not read them already:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon1755EFS/

and

http://www.cameralabs.com/features/Cano ... s_upgrade/

In the meantime, Cameralabs forum member Bob Andersson went for a 24-105mm to go with his 400D and seems delighted with it!

See: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88

Bob, are you still convinced it was the right choice, or are you missing wide angle coverage?

Gordon

Hi Gordon.

For me the EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM was absolutely the right choice for my 400D body. It is still the only lens I use with the kit lens never having been used. I hardly ever wish for anything wider or longer. As you say, it all boils down to individual need.

Perhaps I can turn the question around and ask "if a wider lens is needed would you need the longer focal lengths as well"?

If the answer is No then maybe the 24-105mm is not a good choice.

If the answer is Yes then I guess the decision to buy two lenses makes itself, budget permitting.

Has CameraLabs been able to get its hands on the new Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM yet? Given that I would only consider an EF lens that would be my lens of choice if I was in the market for a wider/faster lens to complement my 24-105 but I think the price might be a stumbling block.

Bob.

P.S. I wonder whether a few of the old EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lenses might be available at knock down prices now that the new one has been announced?

firstly I would like to thank Gordon for all his assistance today in setting up my account !
I appear to be having the same issues as a good few people in selecting the best general purpose lens to use with a 350d/400d camera. I have a 17/40mm lens which is excellent for short range work and am considering the 24-105mm lens to use as a longer range zoom. After reading bobs comments I think this is a wise choice but wish for a second opinion - if anyone could offer one please ?.

Thank you both Gordon and Bob.

I took your advice Gordon and researched further as to what kind of lens I really wanted (or needed) and my research took me in a slightly different direction than I was expecting.

After reading your reviews and some others on the 17-85 and 17-55 Canon lenses, I stumbled onto the Cannon EF-S 10-22mm lens. I continued my reading and started asking myself about what kinds of shots I would get from this and if I really had a need. As it turns out I do have a need for such a lens, more so than replacing my kits lens with a similar reach though better quality lens. The ability to take wider and more creative shots is very appealing at this time me. I think this will help with some of my cramped indoor shots as well as my planned scenic shots I'd like to take when I travel to San Diego next week.

So that's the direction I chose. I bought it, a hood and thin Hoya filter for protection. It should be here Monday and I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks again!
-Chuck