Camera Labs

Hey guys - I just bought a 7D body (its on a kind of layby so I wont have it till Jan.) and now Im looking at lenses.

I saw the EF-S 15-85mm and the EF 17-40mm f/4 L and now I cant make a decision.

I REALLY like the 15-85, for the range and the IS, the the L is..... well, its an L.... but no IS for me is kinda hard to understand why it doersnt exist in the L lens.

I shoot lots of indoors, portriat, weddings etc kind of shots. And I work at a local high school so I use it to teach and take photos of sports days for the school news letter etc. So Im sure IS WILL be important on those sports days etc.

Any thoughts? theres about a $300 difference between the lenses and Im not sure if the extra 300 is worth it for the red ring and the lack of IS. Im still scratching my head and I never used Canon b4 - so Im not 100% what the benefits are of the EF 17-40mm f/4 L if I decide to spend more money.

Any help would be appreciated.

Leo

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1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page

17-40 has extra water/dust sealing, and can be used with full frame cameras at a later date if you should get one. But don't get caught up in the "its a L" thing. Get the lens for the job, L or no L.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

IS is generally beneficial only if you're doing photos at a low shutter speed or videos and the camera is not mounted on a tripod or something to stabilise it. The IS compensates for movement of the camera, NOT the subject. Generally with sports photography, low shutter speeds are only required with forms of racing where you're doing a panning shot. Provided that there's enough light, taking shots of football, cricket, hockey can be done at a high shutter speed, reducing if not eliminating the need for IS.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

well my choice is leaning towards the L (in 10 years time I would like a full frame camera when my 7D gets long in the tooth or so)

Thanks Rorschach for the advice, I think the L will be right for me, Im jsut worried about the wedding photos because I have to use low shutter in a low light situation at times. I will continue to think about it

And yes, I wont fall into the "its an L" issue - but still, I would like longevity in my lenses. I do care a lot about that. But thanks for the tip - anyone else got any more ideas?

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1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page

As I understood the 15-85 is just an L lens without a red ring. It's a really good lens, it's not that worse than a 17-40. Really.
Id go for the wider range if I were you...
I have to say though there are some other great lenses out there! Like the Tamron 17-50 f/2,8 (with or without VR [IS]), the Sigma 17-50 f/2,8 OS (IS), the Sigma 18-50 f/2,8 and the Sigma 17-70 f/2,8-4 OS HSM. Dont forget them too as you have enough time to decide.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

And without the possibility of using it on a full frame camera.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I have the 15-85 and its a great general purpose lens, the 15 at the wide is end is very useful on a cropped body. The 85 at the long end is a good range too. If you go down that path would highly recommend that you plan to get a flash to go with it. It handles light rain well enough.

I have taken shots at kinder and school sportdays with the 15-85 and the 430 EX II flash and its a very capable package. Ultimately the flash comes in handy as lighting is never where you want it and just simply to freeze the action with faces visible.

Other than that I find that I need to put up the iso to keep up the shutterspeed. I have a 4 and 6 year old, following them around is challenging and noise is fixable, motion blur isn`t. For action shots, spot focusing on the subject with AI Servo mode seems to get the best results, IS obviously doesn`t help there. I also tend to use the 50 or the 85 prime for that.


Personally I think the 17-40L isn`t really suitable for a cropped body, unless you really need the weather sealing or plan on going full frame. Then I would also look at the 24-105.

Have you looked at the 17-55 2.8 IS USM, its a bit more expensive ( I personally find it too specialized and just use the flash when there is inadequate light or a prime lens). But if you are into indoors, portrait and weddings its a possible choice. The Tamron 17-50 ( Non VC) is much cheaper and a very good alternative.

Outdoors the 15-85 may also be a bit too short, consider the 70-200 and the 70-300 lenses. There is many good options, but that is a bit off topic.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

I also have a 7D and a 15-85 mm.
You should know that the 15-85 mm has some pretty pronounced vinietting at 15-20 mm and it has ruined some of my shots, even with lens correction and editing it just doesnt do it for some of them, so I have to crop the picture to get rid of those dark corners.
I've actually considered buying another one, but it will be a lot of money to fix a relatively small problem

Apart from the vinietting I think it is a great lens.

I've heard a lot of great things about 17-55 f 2,8 it might be worth considering.


M

I took a look at the 17-55 and it looks awesome, the 2.8 looks really tasty.

But I did see a kit with the 24-105mm and imo that seems really interesting. Its an L but whats with the f/4 constant thing? Its like all the L series that are affordable are just not very bright?

Any other thoughts? I am leaning towards the 17-55 unless someone thinks that the extra cash for the 24-105mm is worth it....

So sad, my budget is betting more and more expensive lol.

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1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page

The 24-105 is a great lens, my most used one, but not quite the wedding, indoor sports lens. I’ve been to some weddings (not as the wedding photographer mind you) and it pushed the ISO too high for my taste. In a church I had to go to ISO1600 in order to be able to shoot with 1/250 s in order to have a chance to stop subject motion. Everything changes if you use a decent flash or off camera lighting. But that’s another story.
But otherwise it’s a fantastic general purpose lens.

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Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net

If budget is a concern the Tamron 17-50 holds its own against the 17-55, it misses out on IS. But I personally don`t see that as an issue at the shorter focal length, leaves you money for something else.
Also the 17-55 is a substantial lens, certainly much bigger and heavier than the Tamron.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Ok I've made my decision, I'll try to see if there is a kit avaliabel witht he 24-105mm L Lens. But my only issue is that im in Australia and NO ONE sells it here at retail

I tried to support Camera labs by clicking on support us and looking at what stores I can use to support Camera Labs and only Ebay is listed. Im not 100% keen on that, because if I buy something more than $1000 australian, I have to pay GST and also Im not 100% about grey imports and worse, Im not sure about warranty issues.

I called Canon Australia, so I know 100% there are no kits like that, the only kits are the 18-200, 18-135 and the 17-85 and thats it, the rest is "buy seperately" and thats $1000-$2000 MORE than if I bought it from Ebay Hong Kong or USA. Now Im kinda upset lol...

Any Australians here know a way to support Camera Labs and not get hit with GST or a way to get retail and not end up paying 1k more than I ahve to. My budget is only $2500 and thats perfect for Ebay, but not for Aussie retail.

I just kind wish that there were decent retail in Australia, I still dont undestand why we cant get any real choice the way US and EU and Asia can, and worse, we pay more (even without GST, the price hike is enormous)

Sorry for my rant I just never realised the HUGE differnce in price till now (I have always been all for buying retail and shopping around and asking for deals etc, but..... wow, I didnt realise so many ppl offer sooooo much better prices, even US stores are a shock to me, I mean, the Aussie dollar is doing well but damn, I kind want to just wip out my credit card and just go for it.)

Leo

_________________
1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page

L lens glass has always shocked me in its rendering of a composition and far superior over any EFS lens. I would encourage an L len purchase if funds can permit.

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Mark Osborne
My life through an iPhone

If you want really pleasing shots, have the lens take in a lot of light, and not cost that much, have you considered a prime lens instead?

They do not zoom, but a 50mm f/1.4 or a 85mm f/1.8 would take in a lot more light than any lens mentioned above in addition to being a fraction of the cost.

Having a basic zoom and a prime might be a better combination for you.

You could also rent a lens to make sure it is the one you want rather than buying first.

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Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

Thanks for the suggestions - Ive decided on the 17-85 and then later add a 70-300 L, white lens.

Im actually thinking I should just get the body here in australia and order the lens from overseas since body price is similar but lenses are.... well, theres a huge difference between them and even with reputable aussie stores, online seems to win.

Leo

_________________
1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page