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New lens suggesions for Canon 7D?

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Hired Goon

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Yet another 'which lens pour moi?' thread.

I have a Canon 7D + Canon 50/1.8 and Canon EF-S 15-85 lenses. I mainly shoot portraits (25% of the time) of the family with the 50 or long end of 15-85, and landscapes (75% of the time) with the wide end of 15-85 (I do live in Utah, after all). I use the 15-85 as my walk-around lens, though sometimes wish for something a bit longer.

Both lenses are okay (although the 50/1.8 does have focus issues) but I'm looking for a really great lens (or lenses) that I will have no regrets buying. Something really sharp with superb image quality.

I'm tempted by current prices of the 70-200/2.8, mainly because I'd like an L lens but I'm thinking it may be too long (unless I also pick up a 24-70 or 24-105 and maybe a EF-S 10-22 or 17-40 L).

In the local classifieds I can see an 85/1.8 and a 10-22 ... both are tempting but again I really want to make sure I have one superb lens (either for portraits or for landscapes) rather than two middling lenses.

I'm interested in dabbling in macro photography, so a lens that can double for macro + portraits may be useful. I may also get a 5D in the future, but for now I'm just looking for lenses that will bring out the best in my 7D.

Budget is up to $2000 - $2500.

Any suggestions appreciated.
 
Hired Goon said:
Yet another 'which lens pour moi?' thread.

I have a Canon 7D + Canon 50/1.8 and Canon EF-S 15-85 lenses. I mainly shoot portraits (25% of the time) of the family with the 50 or long end of 15-85, and landscapes (75% of the time) with the wide end of 15-85 (I do live in Utah, after all). I use the 15-85 as my walk-around lens, though sometimes wish for something a bit longer.

Both lenses are okay (although the 50/1.8 does have focus issues) but I'm looking for a really great lens (or lenses) that I will have no regrets buying. Something really sharp with superb image quality.

I'm tempted by current prices of the 70-200/2.8, mainly because I'd like an L lens but I'm thinking it may be too long (unless I also pick up a 24-70 or 24-105 and maybe a EF-S 10-22 or 17-40 L).

In the local classifieds I can see an 85/1.8 and a 10-22 ... both are tempting but again I really want to make sure I have one superb lens (either for portraits or for landscapes) rather than two middling lenses.

I'm interested in dabbling in macro photography, so a lens that can double for macro + portraits may be useful. I may also get a 5D in the future, but for now I'm just looking for lenses that will bring out the best in my 7D.

Budget is up to $2000 - $2500.

Any suggestions appreciated.
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IQ wise, your EF-S 15-85 is right up there with 17-40L and 24-105L, and IMO, the 15-85 is a much more useful lens on a crop sensor camera. So if you're expecting to improve IQ by moving to one of the L's, I think you'll be disappointed.

FWIW, I have three L's in addition to my 15-85--the 35L, 70-200 f/4L IS, and the 100-400L--and my 15-85 is right there with them.
 
Hired Goon said:
Yet another 'which lens pour moi?' thread.

I have a Canon 7D + Canon 50/1.8 and Canon EF-S 15-85 lenses. I mainly shoot portraits (25% of the time) of the family with the 50 or long end of 15-85, and landscapes (75% of the time) with the wide end of 15-85 (I do live in Utah, after all). I use the 15-85 as my walk-around lens, though sometimes wish for something a bit longer.

Both lenses are okay (although the 50/1.8 does have focus issues) but I'm looking for a really great lens (or lenses) that I will have no regrets buying. Something really sharp with superb image quality.

I'm tempted by current prices of the 70-200/2.8, mainly because I'd like an L lens but I'm thinking it may be too long (unless I also pick up a 24-70 or 24-105 and maybe a EF-S 10-22 or 17-40 L).
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Although it consumes your entire budget, this lens is amazing. A little long on a crop, but satisfies many of your requirements - no regrets buying (for me anyway, ymmv) one superb lens, really sharp, portraits, a bit longer, etc. This thing is a beast however and maybe not as flexible on crop as on FF.
Hired Goon said:
In the local classifieds I can see an 85/1.8 and a 10-22 ... both are tempting but again I really want to make sure I have one superb lens (either for portraits or for landscapes) rather than two middling lenses.
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For landscapes do you want wider than your 15-85?

I wouldn't call the 85 1.8 a middling lens. It is fantastic for portraits and one of Canon's best bang/buck lenses. I have used mine on a 30D and a 5DII. It's a bit long indoors on a crop, but you're shooting at "the long end of 15-85" so you're familiar with the length. Also, you've got the 50 1.8 when you need wider.
Hired Goon said:
I'm interested in dabbling in macro photography, so a lens that can double for macro + portraits may be useful. I may also get a 5D in the future, but for now I'm just looking for lenses that will bring out the best in my 7D.
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I hear great things about the 100L as a combo portrait/macro lens. I would likely get one if I didn't already have the non-L version.
Hired Goon said:
Budget is up to $2000 - $2500.

Any suggestions appreciated.
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If you're doing landscapes 75% of the time, here's a twist: get the 85 1.8 (for portraits) and put the rest of your budget towards a WA Zeiss or Canon TS-E 24mm.

--
Lyin' Pete used to do this all by touch...
 
The canon 17-55 mm F2.8 is an excellent general purpose lens. The 70-200 mm F4 IS is an excellent medium telephoto lens though some people prefer the F2.8 Mk II. The 60 mm F2.8 macro is fast focussing and produces very sharp macro, portrait or landscape photos. For wide angle the 10-22 mm is also very good on a 7D.
 
1Balance said:
For landscapes do you want wider than your 15-85?
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There's only been one occasion when I wanted a wider lens, and that was to get a really wide perspective on a shot of a rusting car in the desert. But otherwise I can generally stitch some shots together to emulate a wider lens.

I was thinking of the 10-22 since I was also thinking of the 24-70 (or 24-105) , but I wasn't sure how the 10-22 compared to 15-85 at the wide end. A bit soft out wide, I seem to recall reading.
 
I would recommend looking at the 100L. It is one of my favorite lenses and spends a ton of time on my camera. Works great for portraits, has beautiful bokeh, and is the sharpest lens I own. If you have a real interest in macro photography, you should consider it.

Another thing to think about is renting a lens or two for a week and see if you like it before you make the investment.
 
The 70-200 2.8 is a great lens but at half the weight and 1/4 price the f4 non IS is spectacular! I have kicked around the F4 IS for myself as a compromise for size weight. Can't get over the entry cost.
you could buy 2 great lenses on your budget.
 
...You have everything you need in both your current lenses. You said you thought the 70-200mm range might be too long which means you do not need or desire telephoto. You already have a good combination with your 2 lenses. what more are you looking for exactly?
--

Darkness is the monster and your shutter is your sword, aperture your shield and iso your armor. Strike fast with your sword and defend well with your shield and hope your armor holds up.
 
Rakumi said:
...You have everything you need in both your current lenses. You said you thought the 70-200mm range might be too long which means you do not need or desire telephoto. You already have a good combination with your 2 lenses. what more are you looking for exactly?
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The 50/1.8 is does not focus as well as I would like at f2.8 and below, even on a tripod. It may be a dodgy lens or user error, perhaps, but I'm looking for a lens that will allow me to take better portraits (in terms of IQ) and has a higher success rate.

The 15-85 is fine, although as I said I do wish for something a bit longer at times, and something that works better in low light. I like it for most part, although I'm not getting images as sharp as I would like (although opinions above claim the IQ is just as good as a 17-40L, for example).

The 85/1.8 may be a contender (if it's more than just a longer 50/1.8) , although I am looking hard at the 100L macro as another option.
 
Hired Goon said:
Hired Goon said:
The 15-85 is fine, although as I said I do wish for something a bit longer at times, and something that works better in low light. I like it for most part, although I'm not getting images as sharp as I would like (although opinions above claim the IQ is just as good as a 17-40L, for example).
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The 15-85 is quite a sharp lens. Here's a tool you can use to compare its sharpness to the 17-40L, or pretty much any other lens you might be interestd in.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=675&Camera=474&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=100&Sample=0&CameraComp=474&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

So if your 15-85 isn't giving you sharp results, then there's likely a problem with your lens, camera or technique.

Here are some samples taken with my 7D and 15-85:



































 
I have a 100mm 2.8 L Macro bought as second lens after my

standaardzoom efs 17-55mm 2.8. I was suprised about how sharp the 100mm is. I think it's ideal for portraits, the bokeh is briliant. Also macro performance is verry good. Here some examples. I also bought recently an efs 10-22mm. I'm happy with my choise and I think afterwords it was the right desicion to by the 100mm first, before 10-22mm



 
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I'm just wondering: if I currently did not have any lenses, and given my requirements in the first post, would you still recommend the 15-85 and the 50/1.8?
 
Hired Goon said:
I'm tempted by current prices of the 70-200/2.8, mainly because I'd like an L lens but I'm thinking it may be too long (unless I also pick up a 24-70 or 24-105 and maybe > a EF-S 10-22 or 17-40 L).
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I'm confused. Are you looking for a one lens solution? Because I don't see how you can have the 15-85 and the 70-200 being too long UNLESS you pick up a 24-70 or 24-105. So what do you have and what do you want?
 
Hired Goon said:
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I'm just wondering: if I currently did not have any lenses, and given my requirements in the first post, would you still recommend the 15-85 and the 50/1.8?
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For what budget? The same $2-2500? Or another $650 assuming you sell your current kit to upgrade?

It depends, I don't like variable aperture lenses. However the 15-85 is the only standard zoom out there that can go to 24mm equiv. I would recommend either the 15-85 and a 28/1.8 or 30/1.4; or a 17-55/2.8 to cover the normal. I would then suggest the 60/2.8 and 70-200/4 IS. I would then stretch an UWA into the mix like the 10-20/5.6 or 10-22.
 
Peter too said:
The canon 17-55 mm F2.8 is an excellent general purpose lens. The 70-200 mm F4 IS is an excellent medium telephoto lens though some people prefer the F2.8 Mk II. The 60 mm F2.8 macro is fast focussing and produces very sharp macro, portrait or landscape photos. For wide angle the 10-22 mm is also very good on a 7D.
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I agree with Peter. I own the same lenses and a 7D. Here are my comments:
17-55 f2.8is is my go-to lens for low light, sharpness and versatility.

70-200 f4is is excellent mid tele. Pair it with 12mm tube for macro or 1.4 TC for 280mm reach. I've had excellent results with both add ons.

60 EF-s macro- very sharp, but requires you to get close, which I find cumbersome with a full pack, bad back. This lens is optional unless you really go macro. I would research longer macro lenses.

10-22 I've borrowed and it's light and wide. I also use Sigma 12-24 for architectural or landscape work.

I would choose the 17-55 + 70-200 f4is (unless you really want a big heavy lense, then get the 2.8 version). You could buy both within your budget and could add a Kenko or Canon extension tube for a few extra bucks.

Best of luck with your choices!

Andy
 
AndyWright said:
Best of luck with your choices!
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Still haven't made a decision yet ... too many options!

I'd like the 85/1.8, but the 100 macro may be the better choice.

Maybe 10-22, 24-70/2.8, 100 macro?
 
The macro is great for macro shooting but the 85mm is great for portraits.
--

Darkness is the monster and your shutter is your sword, aperture your shield and iso your armor. Strike fast with your sword and defend well with your shield and hope your armor holds up.
 
I use the 17-40L on my 60D and it's outstanding for landscapes. I've thought about getting a 10-22 a number of times, but I really don't feel comfortable taking a less-than outstanding build quality lens like the 10-22 or 17-55 onto a beach or into high grass, etc. For that reason, I've decided to stay with the 17-40 for landscapes even though I'd rather have the 17-55 since it covers more situations (but not landscapes, for my purposes).

Bottom line: you can't go wrong with the 17-40L for landscapes on the 7D. If you're worried about the lens taking somewhat of a beating, you don't need to since the build quality of the 17-40 is second to none.
 
I am seriously thinking about a 70-200 lens. In my initial post I mentioned landscapes and portraits and thought that a 70-200 might be too long, but a lot of lens reviews mention that 70-200 is a very useful range, and I've been playing with an old kit lens at 200 and think I might get some good use out of it.

I'm leaning towards a 70-200 f2.8 L, non IS. I would love the IS version but that is another $1000 on current prices, which I'd rather put towards another lens.

Any thoughts pro or con?
 
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