Recommend some lenses for 5D Classic?

7rvar wrote:

Andy01 wrote:

Perhaps you could be a little more specific about what you mean regarding budget. A EF 16-35L f2.8 doesn't strike me as being a "budget" lens. Most of the lenses you mention are L series (and f2.8 at that), which are generally not the immediate go-to for budget lenses.

You could also perhaps provide some detail about what the use case is - might provide more insight into focal lengths and lens speeds.

You're right, I should have been more specific.

I'm not considering the late model/current L lenses but older used versions. I think I have answered some my own question in reading more reviews. I would like to try wide & telephoto 2.8 zooms because I haven't used them before. Willing to opt for 3rd party stuff if the build quality is decent. I'm just interested to play around and see what the technology and photo quality/experience was like from this era because I never experienced any high end gear until much later in my life (~2015.)

I'm thinking 20-35 and 80-200 are too dated. 17-35 or 16-35 v1 and 70-200 v1 will be my target. I'm comfortable to spend a little on a 70-200 as I'm interested in adapting it onto other cameras. Otherwise not interested in spending more than $300-500USD each used for a wide and standard zoom. I'm not sure if there are good 3rd party options in that price range. I don't really want to go f/4 on the wide zoom because I'm interested to see if I can replace a 35mm prime with the wide zoom and I know at f/4 I won't be satisfied in that regard.

Are any of the old Tamron/Sigma alternatives to Canon 24-70 f/2.8 & 24-105 f/4 decent? I know there is also Canon 28-70 f/2.8 but it seems a little pricey given the age. I'm open to variable aperture on a standard zoom but there are so many, 24-85, 28-135, etc. I don't know what is good or not. Everything from the (5d/6d) digital era seems to have had the 24-105 bundled. Is there a modern standard zoom with build comparable to 40mm f/2.8?

Myself, on a 6D, happy w. 28mm F/2.8 IS, 35mm F/2 IS, 50mm F/1.4, 100mm F/2, 135mm F/2 primes... also have a zoom 24-105 F/4 IS Mk ii

28mm F/2.8 IS: This lens is very very small, has IS and fewer distortions than a 24-70 or 24-105 zoom. Not very popular because of its limited aperture for a prime, therefore can be found for less than its "official used price"

35mm F/2 IS: Well known and recommended, nothing more to add, yes, it's good

50mm F/1.4: This lens is underrated but is very sharp indeed when closed down, very light and small, and yes, it is better than the "Nifty Fifty" 50mm F/1.8. I got a few unique pictures with artistic looks at night at F/1.4 which were impossible to shoot at F/1.8

100mm F/2: A "mini" cheaper and much smaller 135mm f2, also very sharp, nice bokeh but not "superlative" as the 135mm. Also will not take extenders as not an L lens. But good value, very small, nicely built and sharp

135mm F/2: The one lens providing really "magic" out of my 6D... a very very creamy bokeh and a "spot on" level of sharpness and contrast for portraits, skin rendering.

Important to note that the 135mm F2 is one of these lenses that can accommodate a 2x extender ... and still be .. SHARP!

And at the end only, my zoom..

EF 24-105 F/4 IS Mk ii: Bought 2nd hand, a little disappointed.. If compared to my primes, even an old design from the early 1990s, not even "L" lenses, not even IS.. as my 50mm F/1.4 or 100mm F/2.. provide nicer rendition
Also, it is BIG and HEAVY and IS has only 2 stops

The 2 ones I will keep:

50mm F/1.4: It has been my 1st lens on a digital SLR and I have dozens of thousands of pictures with this lens, so cannot sell it..

135mm F/2: The front glass, just looking at it.. it screams "I am a beautiful optic".. And yes, the combination of this very "dreamy and soft" bokeh with exactly the level of sharpness and contrast and colours you want for skin rendition makes this lens pretty unique I think for portraits.. Would be curious to see a comparions with the newer 135mm F/1.8 from Sigma and Sony. Probably slightly sharper, but do they provide such beautiful shots???

Hope it helps

Gaul