Lens Advice: 2 Mid-Level Primes or 1 L-Series Wide Angle Zoom

Collett wrote:

YardYeti wrote:

Collett wrote:

Normal zooms like the Canon 17-55F2.8 (for crop) and 24-70F2.8mkII (for FF) are top notch zooms.

Thank you in advance for feedback.

Both of these are currently out of my price range. Should I save up for the 17-55F2.8 or is the EF-S 15-85 compriable?

I don't think you can go wrong with either of these. As B. Hollis said, it's just a matter of which is better for you - F2.8 or a wider zoom range. 2mm makes a big difference on the wide end if you want to do landscapes.

Personally, I would go for zoom to give you the range, and later pick up a fast prime like one of those I mentioned at some point for shallow DOF shots if you are in to that (not everyone is, but I am hooked on fast primes). F2.8 is not going to give you that much background blur/separation on a crop camera, so IMOHO that is where you want the fast prime.

i have both of the zooms mentioned as well as the 18-135 used on a 7d and rebel XT, the 15-85 is prefered for outdoor activities vacations,travel, landscapes etc. the 17-55 f2.8 gets used for inside schools, zoos, science centre, the 18-135 is a great kit lens and great at the long end but not as sharp/good in the wider ranges. The 15-85 gets used a lot for landscape the extra 3mm wide is very useful.

realistically and financially you could keep your kit lens and probably live with it and really evaluate your shooting style and then pick the prime that adds to your prefered FL.