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

Started Dec 26, 2012 | Questions
Dave Throgmartin
Dave Throgmartin Contributing Member • Posts: 878
Re: 17-40mm f/4L vs 16-35mm f/2.8L

arty H wrote:

I recommend considering the Canon 24-105L. My copy has looked sharper, with better contrast, than the 17-40 I just got. The range is excellent. If you want a wider lens, then the 17-40L will give you that. Both of these lenses are under your price limit. I see a bigger improvement over the 18-55IS with the 24-105L than with the 17-40L.

The only reason for getting the 16-35 would be for the F2.8.

If you will never go full-frame, then you might consider the 17-55IS. It is a fine lens and has F2.8. I use a 60D, but plan to get a full-frame camera soon. If I didn't want to go this route, I'd probably be interested in the 17-55IS. I like the range of the 15-85IS, but not the F5.6 at the long end.

I should point out that you see more for your money when you get a good fast prime. I have the 35F2, and it gets used a lot. If I didn't have the older version (now $290), I'd be in the market for the new 35F2 IS.

The 24-105L is no doubt a fine lens, but 24mm can be fairly limiting on a crop sensor in some scenarios like landscape work.

Maybe 24-105L and 18-55 could coexist well?  It could lead to a lot of lens changes in the field though.

Dave

OP psychoticpanda New Member • Posts: 22
Re: 17-40mm f/4L vs 16-35mm f/2.8L

So I realized I responsed to the wrong thread before (sorry still very new to this forum)...

I have narrowed it down to these possible candidates...

  1. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  2. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
  3. Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
  4. Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
  5. Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD
  6. Any of the other mentioned lenses

By the way my budget is "about" 1000-1500$ so please don't offer top shelf lenses unless there is a great reason to invest in it... Thank you to everyone who has assisted me, I was very lost before finding this forum! You are all a huge help in the buying process of a new lens.

PS: If I get a cheaper lens like the Sigma I will be able to also afford a new canon flash or something else useful. What do you guys think I should do? I am currently leaning towards the Sigma and a new flash...

 psychoticpanda's gear list:psychoticpanda's gear list
Canon EOS 450D Canon EOS 60D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM +3 more
Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: narrowing choices

psychoticpanda wrote:

Wow so I am between about 5-10 different lenses now. Someone please help me narrow these down!

The possible candidates are...

  1. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  2. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
  3. Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
  4. Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
  5. Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD
  6. Any of the other mentioned lenses

By the way my budget is "about" 1000$ so please don't offer top shelf lenses unless there is a great reason to invest in it... Thank you to everyone who has assisted me, I was very lost before finding this forum! You are all a huge help in the buying process of a new lens. Thanks

The 2 EF L-series lenses above are too limited compared to the EF-S/DC/Di II options available = all of which are very good optically, have greater zoom range, and stabilization.

Top Shelf: These lenses have f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Gives you greater choice for shallow depth of field, low light, and also enables high precision AF. Trade-off is more limited zoom range. Choose from EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 XR DI II VC.

Middle Shelf: Still very good optically, but trade the constant f/2.8 maximum aperture for greater zoom range. Good build, and like the top-shelf offerings these have non-rotating front barrel (a big plus when using polarizer). Choose from EF-S 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 DC HSM OS, EF-S 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.

IMHO,YMMV

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Unapologetic Canon Apologist

 Lemming51's gear list:Lemming51's gear list
Canon EOS 40D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +5 more
BAK Forum Pro • Posts: 26,019
Reuters supplies the 16-35

Most of the photographers on that list work for Reuters, using cameras and lenses supplied to them by Reuters, under a contract with Canon. That's why the 16-35 is so popular.

BAK

ed rader Veteran Member • Posts: 9,068
"from the test results i have read"

that plus the fact that you haven't used the 16-35L II makes a solid case in your mind.

 ed rader's gear list:ed rader's gear list
Canon EOS 80D Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Sigma 15mm F2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L II USM Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM +4 more
rebel99 Veteran Member • Posts: 4,025
Re: "from the test results i have read"

ed rader wrote:

that plus the fact that you haven't used the 16-35L II makes a solid case in your mind.

looks like you have used 16-35L II, now, would you please enlighten us how much better this lens is compared to 17-40 f4, and how so? comparison photos will be appreciated!

cheerz.

p.s.  Although not as fast as the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L lens, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Lens is a comparable lens in terms of image quality. The biggest difference between the 17-40 and the similar-focal-length-covering 16-35 L is price!

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