I broke my 85mm--which lens should I get?

[Fujito]

**** guys, I was shooting food pics for the restaurant 5 minutes ago and when I was done I was carrying my gear and I dropped my Canon 85mm f/1.8.

It fell directly on the lens cap, so the impact shattered the glass throughout the lens.

Well, I've been thinking about getting a new zoom lens anyway to replace the 85mm. I was going to sell it and put the money towards the new lens.

It's either the 24-70 f/2.8 L o the 70-200 IS f/2.8 L. $1300 or $1800. I'm not sure which to get. I figure the 24-70 would be a great overall walk around lens, which is something I don't have anymore. The 70-200 could get some really great action shots and shallow DOF.

And I want to buy it either this week or next week. MOD (Mitsubishi owners day) is coming up and I really could use a lens. If you guys see some used ones up for sale on your photography forums or other car forums let me know. I'm pretty bummed since this money is my coilover money, but oh well.

[djb5118]

both are solid choices (at least in the Nikon camp) so I would think Canon is the same way. I'd personally lean towards the 70-200. You can find relatively inexpensive alternatives for the 24-70 (again, at least for Nikon) but its really hard to beat a 2.8 zoom with IS.

edit:
for example, I have the Nikon version of http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&gclid=CPaSgv30yqICFYM65QodLCpZyA&A=endecaSearch&Ntt=tamron+28-75+canon&Q= and it has been very good. I can't say that I have ever had a time where I wished I had the larger, heavier Nikon alternative, except in a New Zealand downpour but even an expensive camera cover easily makes up for the difference in price.

[Fujito]

I need to look through one and see how it is.

The 85mm itself required me to walk back pretty far from my subject. I don't like being a mile away.

[djb5118]

I need to look through one and see how it is.

The 85mm itself required me to walk back pretty far from my subject. I don't like being a mile away.

Yea, that was something I forgot to mention. Even 70mm is a pretty long lens especially for simple walk-around shots, but with that you get some pretty sweet DOF...but I've also noticed exactly what you said when using that length.

[YellowMSP]

I had the 24-70 and 70-200 at the same time before and it was a great combo. I didn't have the IS model which puts the two closer in price without it and I never really felt the absolute need for IS. Having to pick one would be a tough choice and all comes down to your shooting style. With those food pics the 70-200 may work better but I don't think you can go wrong with either

[kjj512]

Crop body or full frame?

[Fujito]

Yea, that was something I forgot to mention. Even 70mm is a pretty long lens especially for simple walk-around shots, but with that you get some pretty sweet DOF...but I've also noticed exactly what you said when using that length.

When I go to car events most people with cameras have telephoto lenses. I'm generally the only one with a super wideangle. And all of their photos look the same--tons of DOF. But from experience it's annoying as hell trying to get a shot of a car standing way back because everyone walking in front of you don't know they're in your shot. When you have a wide angle you're right in front of it so traffic goes around you.

That being said I'm going to wait a little to get the lens. I can afford it now and I can afford it later, but I want to do some things to my car this month.

[SoStock92]

Do not even consider the 70-200 2.8L IS MKI today. The MKII is SO MUCH BETTER.

[djb5118]

When I go to car events most people with cameras have telephoto lenses. I'm generally the only one with a super wideangle. And all of their photos look the same--tons of DOF. But from experience it's annoying as hell trying to get a shot of a car standing way back because everyone walking in front of you don't know they're in your shot. When you have a wide angle you're right in front of it so traffic goes around you.

That being said I'm going to wait a little to get the lens. I can afford it now and I can afford it later, but I want to do some things to my car this month.

Yea, then I guess that comes down to your shooting style. Seems like you may be more inclined to go with the wide lens after listing those cons.

[Fujito]

Well I already have the wide lens haha. I'm just saying I don't need the new lens now like I thought I did since this one is good for the cars I like to take pictures of and my food photography for the restaurant marketing I do.

The 24-70 and the 70-200 would be great for a lot of things, but I don't have any time for photography right now. My favorite time to take get creative and take pictures is in the late fall when it's chilly and the leaves turn colors. Right now it's hot as fack.

[97TurboDSM]

70-200 is an AWESOME lens. i only hear awesome things about the 24-70 too. go somewhere and play with both of them. 70-200 is a great walk around lens as well even though the IS version is much heavier than the non-IS

[Fujito]

Yeah, I think I will get the 70-200, but definitely IS. I read through a few comparison and IS is definitely worth it.

I don't think I will get the II though... The IS on it seems to be superior to the older generation, but it costs $500 more. $2400

[97TurboDSM]

I had the non-IS and had no issues getting a sharp image. both with the 30D and 5D. wasnt worth the extra scratch for me.

[Fujito]

Got this used today. Saved $400, got a free UV filter, and a 1 year warranty. It's a little rough on the outside, but the glass is perfect.

http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac226/jesseito89/lens.jpg

[gtsiawd96]

Nice!! Is that the Ti-83 or the Ti-83 plus?? :mrgreen:

[Fujito]

TI-84 Plus :lol:

[gtsiawd96]

Awesome lens, you try it out yet? I'm trying to got the opposite way of you and find a 24-74mm f2.8. Good luck with it.

[Fujito]

I did at the store on a Rebel and at home. I was about to walk out on the guy at the store, but he said he'd give me a 1 year warranty, so that cleared my mind of any chance that he's just trying to get rid of the lens because of some defect.

I got it for $1500+tax. I searched online and used ones are like $100-200 cheaper than new. It's $1899 new.

So I plopped it on the Rebel he had at the shop and started snapping shots and fell in love. I inspected the glass inside to see if there are any scratches or marks and it's 100% clean.

24-74 should be a great walk around lens. How much do those go for?

[gtsiawd96]

Warranty ftw.

The nikkor lenses go for around $1300-$1600. Tamron, Sigma make a comparable lens for alott cheaper. A friend has been shooting with a Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 for the past year and half and loves it hes upgrading to the older Nikon version. So I might pick that lens up of him for much cheaper.

[SoStock92]

Yeah, I think I will get the 70-200, but definitely IS. I read through a few comparison and IS is definitely worth it.

I don't think I will get the II though... The IS on it seems to be superior to the older generation, but it costs $500 more. $2400

The difference isn't just the IS though. The optics are way, way sharper.

Here, this may change your mind:

http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0&Lens=103&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=687

Mouse-over to compare.


Oops - I see you picked it up already. Oh wells. I bought the MKI then saw the MKII reviews and crops and just had to exchange!