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Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

Started Jun 21, 2014 | Discussions
MitchG23 Forum Member • Posts: 75
Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

Hi,

I just picked up a 70D with the 18-135mm STM.  I have about $1000 left to spend for lenses.  I'm looking at the following:

  • Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM EX DG Macro II (non-IS) (about $750 used)
  • Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 VC (about $400)
  • Canon 50mm f/1.4 (About $300)

I shoot a little of everything, but particularly my 20 month old son.  I don't have anything really on the long end and I remembered the Sigma 70-200 being a good lens before they discontinued it.  Part of me is thinking the Sigma 70-200 and the 50mm 1.4.

I want decently fast glass since my kit lens is more general purpose.  I'm open to other suggestions too.

Thanks for the advice.

Mitch

Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EOS 70D Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II
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Jonathan Brady
Jonathan Brady Veteran Member • Posts: 6,725
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

Consider the 50/1.4 and either the 85/1.8 or 100/2.
You could also substitute the 60/2.8 macro if you are a sharpness freak and won't use the 50/1.4 until 2.8 because that's where it really sharpens up. In that case, go with the 100/2 or even the 135/2 if you can fit that in the budget.

Many people forget that kids are SO much smaller than adults and much longer focal lengths are needed for similar shots.
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jpsinon Junior Member • Posts: 41
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

I just got from Canon's refurbished the 70-200 f4 Is for my 70d. I really like this lens. I had borrowed a friends 70-200 f2.8 Mark I and this is so much sharper. Really like it so far. Also the weight of the lens is half the weight of his.

KENTGA Veteran Member • Posts: 8,733
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

I'd get the Canon 70-200 f4 IS.

Kent

 KENTGA's gear list:KENTGA's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Canon EOS 80D Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO +14 more
Keith Z Leonard Veteran Member • Posts: 6,134
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

The 17-50 f2.8 OS is a wonderful lens, top notch, right up there with the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS, in fact I like it better personally.  Having said that since you have the 18-135 it seems a bit redundant.  Do you have a bounce flash?  The 430ex II is an excellent choice, it'll "solve" a lot of your indoor low light problems.

 Keith Z Leonard's gear list:Keith Z Leonard's gear list
Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EOS 400D +16 more
OP MitchG23 Forum Member • Posts: 75
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

The 17-50 f2.8 OS is a wonderful lens, top notch, right up there with the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS, in fact I like it better personally. Having said that since you have the 18-135 it seems a bit redundant. Do you have a bounce flash? The 430ex II is an excellent choice, it'll "solve" a lot of your indoor low light problems.

I actually did pick up a 580 EX speedlite.  I think that's a nice lens, but feels redundant.

Keith Z Leonard Veteran Member • Posts: 6,134
Re: Need help choosing another lens for a 70D

It's difficult to recommend the sigma 70-200 f2.8, honestly, as it's not particularly good at f2.8 so you end up shooting at 4 anyway, then it's similar in price to the Canon 70-200 f4 L IS but weighs a ton more.

The Canon 50 f1.4 is outperformed by the old Sigma 50 f1.4 EX and the new Sigma 50 art is leading the pack for AF 50mm lenses.

If you want to avoid the f4 zoom, then I would recommend picking up some primes, like the 85 1.8, 100 f2, etc...  I am a big 135mm f2 convert but it's about what focal lengths work for you, I think the 135 would be awkward on a crop camera for normal indoor stuff.

 Keith Z Leonard's gear list:Keith Z Leonard's gear list
Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EOS 400D +16 more
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