17-40mm f/4L vs 16-35mm f/2.8L

psychoticpanda wrote:

Okay so I need some serious help, I am new to the forums so I very much apologize for a possible repeated question but I feel it is a on person to person basis for a lens decision so here goes nothing...

I have a newly bought Canon 60D and I'm looking for a new everyday lens for both photos and video. I want to get a higher quality lens compared to what I have now (50mm, 18-55mm, 70-300mm) but they aren't doing it for me.

What I am looking for out of a new lens:

1. Better image quality then my standard outdated lenses.
2. Wide angle for both portrait and landscapes (and portrait videos)
3. A lens which will make me look the next level of professionalism because these small lenses aren't cutting it. (Not so important, haha)

I may be asking for too much in one lens, but can you please tell me what the difference is in these two lenses that makes one double the price? I am no pro at photography but I am not a beginner either. Although I do not know much about lenses, I know more about setting up a shot then anything else. Please help!

If you can suggest any other lens which is good for everyday use that would be great too. I can afford the 17-40mm right now but I will have to wait a little longer for the 16-35mm lens. Any other info you need to know just ask because I feel like I am forgetting a few things since it's so late right now...:-P

You should buy lenses that are optimal for the camera you have. For 'normal zoom' on the 60D, the only advantage those two L lenses have over EF-S lenses is build quality. Or dual use only if your primary camera is 1Ds/1DX/5D.

The EF-S lenses (or Sigma DC or Tamron Di II) have as good (or better) image quality, have IS, have greater zoom range, have same or greater max. aperture.

Instead of the 17-40/4L or 16-35/2.8L you should instead be choosing between EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM, or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 XR Di II VC. Any of those would also give you your "look" as they are larger (77mm diameter front element). Getting and using the lens hood (comes with the Sigma and Tamron lenses) also goes a long way to making you look like you know what you're doing.

The image quality of the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM should not be letting you down. But upgrade to that lens would be Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 Di VC USD, any of the EF 70-200 Ls, or the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM.