What is the APS-C equivalent of the holy trinity?

[kvnsn]

I have used the Canon 80D at work and really like its size, functionality and image quality, and I would like to get one for my own personal use, on travels and for family photos.

Most DSLR makers will have the holy trinity of lenses, usually the 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses to me are workhorse lenses, providing great image quality, large aperture and functionality. But these lenses are also made for full frame sensors.

Is there a equivalent set of high quality zooms for Canikon APS-C bodies? I do know of the Sigma 18-35 and 50-100 f1.8s, but I just wish to find out more, especially at the wide angles.

 

[Acrill]

set of high quality zooms for Canikon APS-C bodies?

No, because Canon & Nikon want to sell you the full frame set.

If these lenses are what you want on an aps-c or m4/3 sensor you will need to look at Panasonic, Fujifilm or Olympus.

 

[mkphoto79]

I've seen a few threads about this very topic on various message boards. The most common answer i see, though not all the same constant aperture is....

EF S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5

EF S 17-55 f/2.8

EF 70-200 f/4 L (and/or the IS version)

I think the L lens gets thrown in because there are no real "stellar" crop only telephoto zoom lenses. But I'd say the holy trinity should be whatever works best for your shooting style.

 

[noggin2k1]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

 

[Pontoneer]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

 

[noggin2k1]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

And likewise with Fuji - although I think trying to entice people from APS-C to medium format is a bit of a bigger challenge.

 

[mkphoto79]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

And likewise with Fuji - although I think trying to entice people from APS-C to medium format is a bit of a bigger challenge.

Yeah thats probably a bit of a stretch

I'm sure the logic for not making high quality glass for crop cameras is to entice people to switch to full frame. But I'm also pretty sure that most people that buy crop cameras never upgrade the body or the kit lens anyway, so there isnt much of a carrot for Canon to make better crop glass. Those that want better just jump to full frame, or use full frame glass on crop cameras.

 

[kvnsn]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

And likewise with Fuji - although I think trying to entice people from APS-C to medium format is a bit of a bigger challenge.

Yeah thats probably a bit of a stretch

I'm sure the logic for not making high quality glass for crop cameras is to entice people to switch to full frame. But I'm also pretty sure that most people that buy crop cameras never upgrade the body or the kit lens anyway, so there isnt much of a carrot for Canon to make better crop glass. Those that want better just jump to full frame, or use full frame glass on crop cameras.

Personally I don't really have a need for full frame, I prefer the lighter weight and more compact bodies of crop sensor cameras, but there is some truth in that by not offering higher quality glass for the crop cameras, I am tempted to just go for the full frames and shell out more money, and being able to use all the amazing L lenses without any crop factor

I pray for Sigma to release their mirrorless APS-C primes (16, 30 and 56mm f1.4s) for DSLR mounts. Together with the f1,8 fast zooms, it would be the closest to a "holy" collection of lenses for crop bodies

 

[noggin2k1]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

And likewise with Fuji - although I think trying to entice people from APS-C to medium format is a bit of a bigger challenge.

Yeah thats probably a bit of a stretch

I'm sure the logic for not making high quality glass for crop cameras is to entice people to switch to full frame. But I'm also pretty sure that most people that buy crop cameras never upgrade the body or the kit lens anyway, so there isnt much of a carrot for Canon to make better crop glass. Those that want better just jump to full frame, or use full frame glass on crop cameras.

Personally I don't really have a need for full frame, I prefer the lighter weight and more compact bodies of crop sensor cameras, but there is some truth in that by not offering higher quality glass for the crop cameras, I am tempted to just go for the full frames and shell out more money, and being able to use all the amazing L lenses without any crop factor

I pray for Sigma to release their mirrorless APS-C primes (16, 30 and 56mm f1.4s) for DSLR mounts. Together with the f1,8 fast zooms, it would be the closest to a "holy" collection of lenses for crop bodies

This is the biggest reason why my APS-C kit is Fuji, and I seriously applaud them for it. A full professional line up of APS-C lenses & bodies, whilst still offering cheaper consumer alternatives to most.

 

[Bobthearch]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Also, those premium lenses are so expensive they aren't well-suited to the modest budget nature of DX camera buyers.

 

[fishy wishy]

Depends if you want stabilised lenses or not. If you want to shoot events in natural light it's a help.

For the ultrawide zoom, Tokina 11-20 f2.8 is a sound choice if you get a good example. With stabilisation, Tamron do a 10-24 f3.5-4.5 VC. It's not perfect and has pronounced CA on the wide end I think, and maybe isn't so brilliant at the edges, but it's a nice range.

For the standard zoom, you have the original manufacturers doing some kind of 17-50 f2.8. Take your pick according to budget. Sigma is okay, Tamron also okay if maybe not so clear at 50. Yes, you can get the 18-35 f1.8 if you don't mind being short on range without stabilisation.

There aren't many choices specifically for crop sensors in the fast telephoto zoom category and they're usually discontinued. Sigma did several 50-150 f2.8, Tokina a 50-135 f2.8. I wouldn't especially recommend the 50-100 f1.8 because it's rather big and heavy and has no stabilisation. Even though image quality is excellent.

 

[vzlnc]

I have used the Canon 80D at work and really like its size, functionality and image quality, and I would like to get one for my own personal use, on travels and for family photos.

Most DSLR makers will have the holy trinity of lenses, usually the 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses to me are workhorse lenses, providing great image quality, large aperture and functionality. But these lenses are also made for full frame sensors.

Is there a equivalent set of high quality zooms for Canikon APS-C bodies? I do know of the Sigma 18-35 and 50-100 f1.8s, but I just wish to find out more, especially at the wide angles.

Not sure about canon, but Nikon does not offer that kind of a system on DX. It only has variable aperture 18-XX zooms mostly, which are pretty good actually. The new AF-P 10-20, 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P lenses actually make a pretty solid combination with DX bodies for less that 1500$, I think its an unbeatable price performance combination.

But, the lineup just isnt comparable to whats available on FF. So if you like those 70-200 2.8 zooms and its siblings, better just go FF.

 

[john Clinch]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Or because the flange the flange distance means that they would be big and expensive or slow. I not Pentax have gone for slow

 

[Rexgig0]

The “pro zoom trinity” remains the same, in my opinion. Early in the digital era, “digital” SLR meant APS-C or APS-H, anyway. The “trinity” lenses did not shift to longer focal lengths, to compensate for less “reach.”

Even on DX, 14mm and 16mm are reasonably wide. My Nikkor 14-24/2.8G works well on a DX/APS-C camera, and my Canon EF 16-35/2.8L II spent more time on a 7D Mark II than on 5D cameras.

Working professionals who need fast AF will need fast AF, regardless of sensor size. Superior weather-sealing is another need that is independent of sensor size, as is overall “build quality.” These are characteristics of the “pro trinity” zoom lenses.

 

[Badwater]

I have used the Canon 80D at work and really like its size, functionality and image quality, and I would like to get one for my own personal use, on travels and for family photos.

Most DSLR makers will have the holy trinity of lenses, usually the 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses to me are workhorse lenses, providing great image quality, large aperture and functionality. But these lenses are also made for full frame sensors.

Is there a equivalent set of high quality zooms for Canikon APS-C bodies? I do know of the Sigma 18-35 and 50-100 f1.8s, but I just wish to find out more, especially at the wide angles.

For Nikon DX it would be the same as FF. Because Nikon doesn't make a line of constant aperture f/2.8 zooms with VR for their DX system. But you can cherry pick the best 3rd party glass to compensate. Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 VR, and Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 stabilized (if you can find one used).


For Canon the same would apply. And would be called Legacy Lenses.

If you seek the best APCS and dedicated lenses Fuji is the top APSC camera maker with the flagship XT3, you can fit it with their Holy trinity or Legacy line of lenses, and get better features and better performance over a DSLR crop for less money than the top DSLR crop with holy trinity or Legacy glass. And because those Fuji lenses are made specifically for their top cameras, you get all the performance benefits. Thus, better performance cost ratio.

 

[vzlnc]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Or because the flange the flange distance means that they would be big and expensive or slow. I not Pentax have gone for slow

Mount is the same, so dedicated DX lenses couldnt be be bigger than the FX ones that people end up using. Very good DX lenses means there would be less incentive to upgrade to FF. Secondly I think the business case is also weak. Creating a bunch of 2.8 DX zooms might not be profitable if there is not that much demand, which does seem to be the case as buyers of DX systems are typically looking for cheap DSLR systems.

 

[Rexgig0]

Let’s keep in mind that until the D3, “pro DSLR” meant APS-C, a.k.a. DX, for Nikon shooters. And, at that time, true ultra-wide lenses were rare. So the Nikkor 12-24mm f.4 G DX lens would be wide member of the trinity, with the AF-S 28-70/2.8D, and later, the 24-70/2.8G ED, being the mid-range zoom, and the 70-200/2.8G VR handled the telephoto duties.

Notably, many consider the original 70-200/2.8G ED to be weak along the edges, and in the corners. Well, in its day, there were no FX corners for the designers to worry about

 

[john Clinch]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Or because the flange the flange distance means that they would be big and expensive or slow. I not Pentax have gone for slow

Mount is the same, so dedicated DX lenses couldnt be be bigger than the FX ones that people end up using.

That's just not true. The classic case is why did Nikon never make a 35mm equvalant fast prime for DX. Well look at a full frame 24mm f1.4. it costs over £2000 and takes 77mm filters and weighs 620g

The Fuji 23mm f1.4 costs abit over £800 weighs 300g.

The difference is the flange distance not the sensor size.

Making a 24mm lens that suit over 40mn from a sensor requires a retro focal design. Hence big heavy and exoensuve

Very good DX lenses means there would be less incentive to upgrade to FF. Secondly I think the business case is also weak. Creating a bunch of 2.8 DX zooms might not be profitable if there is not that much demand, which does seem to be the case as buyers of DX systems are typically looking for cheap DSLR systems.

 

[Rexgig0]

I have used the Canon 80D at work and really like its size, functionality and image quality, and I would like to get one for my own personal use, on travels and for family photos.

Most DSLR makers will have the holy trinity of lenses, usually the 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses to me are workhorse lenses, providing great image quality, large aperture and functionality. But these lenses are also made for full frame sensors.

Is there a equivalent set of high quality zooms for Canikon APS-C bodies? I do know of the Sigma 18-35 and 50-100 f1.8s, but I just wish to find out more, especially at the wide angles.

The Canon 16-35mm L lenses are OK on APS-C cameras. I liked my EF 16-35/2.8L II much better on a 7D II than on my 5Ds R. (I sold/traded my EF 16-35/2.8L II, with plans to eventually “upgrade” to a better/newer ultra-wide zoom.)

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens is a very nice ultra-wide zoom, with an “equivalent” angle-of-view of 16-35mm. Some have written that this one could be considered “L” quality, if it had weather-sealing. Well, let’s remember that L lenses have not always been weather-sealed. I really liked my EF-S 10-22mm lens, until it separated into two assemblies, late last year or early this year, after almost seven years of heavy use.

I never bought a 24-70/2.8L II lens, largely because my needs were well-met by an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. When I needed a lens for crime scenes, shallow DOF was not needed, and this 24-105L lens has the magnification to be more helpful with the close-range shots.

I never bought an EF 70-200/2.8L II IS, largely because the EF 100-400L II IS was introduced, and proved to be a better choice for more of what I wanted to shoot. I needed a good 100mm macro lens at work, not a pro trinity zoom.

Another reason I have not bought Canon 24-70/2.8L II or 70-200/2.8L II IS lenses, is because I use both Canon and Nikon cameras, and one can go broke building complete, duplicate lens sets for more than one system. I bought pre-owned Nikkor 24-70/2.8G ED and 70-200/2.8G VR lenses, and a new Nikkor 14-24/2.8G. These are suitable to be a “trinity” for either DX or FX Nikon cameras.

I do not claim to have been a “professional” photographer, but strived to produce the best possible images, as a first-responder/public servant with the added title of “forensic photographer.” I did not need a wedding/event-shooter’s trinity. My 24-105L and RF 100/2.8L Macro IS were perfect for the job. I did add a second EF 100/2.8L Macro IS, because a spare lens is the best instant insurance, so this could be seen as completing my evidentiary/forensic/crime scene trinity. ;-)

 

[Pontoneer]

I personally think Canon & Nikon purposely don't offer high quality primes for their APS-C line, as it's a carrot to get you into their (more profitable) full frame setups.

Pentax do

And likewise with Fuji - although I think trying to entice people from APS-C to medium format is a bit of a bigger challenge.

Yeah thats probably a bit of a stretch

I'm sure the logic for not making high quality glass for crop cameras is to entice people to switch to full frame. But I'm also pretty sure that most people that buy crop cameras never upgrade the body or the kit lens anyway, so there isnt much of a carrot for Canon to make better crop glass. Those that want better just jump to full frame, or use full frame glass on crop cameras.