Alternatives to the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L?

<p>I know Tamron makes a 28-75mm 2.8 and Sigma makes a 24-70 2.8. I'm pretty sure they don't compare to the Canon L, but basically i'm looking for something close to it but less costly. Do any of you have or have had either of these lenses and could give me any recommendations or any alternatives? I shoot crop frame right now but am planning to upgrade to a full frame soon and I need an all-around lens for weddings. Thanks!</p>

<p>I have a Canon 24-70m f2.8 that I have used for several years and it has never failed me. I use it for about 90% of my wedding/people/family photography. In more controlled situations I use a 85 f 1.4 Zeiss lens.</p>

<p>Buy the Canon. Lenses are a long term investment.</p>

<p>I'd buy the canon.... I use the canon.... the alternative is the 17-55mm 2.8 IS lens.... i know that you want to go full frame in the future but, you are using a 1.6X crop body NOW and you should deliver the best images possible NOW.... in the future you will sell it all and get new gear.... who knows, maybe in the future you won't be able to tell the difference.... with the new 7D, i already can't tell ;) good luck</p>

<p>I use two Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lenses that I swap out for maintenance. It doesn't compare to the Canon in build quality and focus speed. Otherwise, the image quality is quite close, except for the corners. But I rarely put subjects in corners, so I am quite happy with them. It is a hair soft at f2.8 at 75mm, but sharpens up nicely.</p>

The lens is much more important then going to a full frame body. I would NOT get the fullframe yet, and instead get the best zoom lens in

that range: the Canon 24-70L F2.8. The 3rd party offerings really are not in the same league as the Canon, and this is true for build, optical

performance too.

 

If you have to skimp, do so with the camera but not the lens. Get the fullframe later...

<p>Thanks for the advice everyone! <br>

My logic behind getting the body then the lenses was that I could rent the lenses for a lot cheaper than a body, and I would be saving for a lens while I rent. There is a local renter who has a lot of quality glass at reasonable prices. <br>

Is this sensible? I shot with a 5d mk I ( I have a 40d) recently and loved it. So I was looking to make the switch to FF fast. </p>

<p ><em >“but basically i'm looking for something close to [EF 24 to 70F/2.8L] but less costly . . . give me any recommendations <strong >or any alternatives</strong>? I <strong >shoot crop frame</strong> right now but am planning to upgrade to a<strong > full frame soon</strong> and I need an all-around lens for weddings.”</em>

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<p >Lateral thoughts:

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<p >The 24 to 70 is (equivalent) FoV to 38 to 112 on your “crop frame”

 

<p >Assuming you keep one, “crop frame" camera, when you buy a “full frame” camera, then an alternative, faster, longer and less expensive lens collection for that kit is: a 35/2 and 85/1.8.

 

<p >Thus giving (Equivalent FoV) 35/2; 56/2; 85/1.8 and 136/1.8

 

<p >You could possibly afford to buy these two lenses and a second hand “full Frame” camera with the same money as a new EF 24 to 70F/2.8L USM.

 

<p >WW

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<p>Hi AP,<br /> Nadine is 100% correct, the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 is a wonderful lens. It is my favorite lens. At present I am moving to primes, Nikon, however the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 is difficult to beat.</p>

<p>Let us do some number crunching. Canon and Nikon branded lens cost more and, have a much higher resale than third party lens. Attempting to put this in perspective: New Canon<em> EF 24 to 70F/2.8L</em> at Adorama and B&H cost in excess of $1,300 whereas the Tamron is $459. Even if you were able to receive 85% for your Canon lens you are still able to purchase two Tamron lens—one for backup. Next thing to think about is image quality. Take photos with both lens of numerous subjects at the same time. Then place the prints on the table asking folks to pick the "L" lens from the Tamron—no can do.</p>

<p>Some will say the Tamron is plastic, no, it is Polycarbonate. Unlike metal Polycarbonate has a resiliency. Something else to consider, the new inexpensive lens we today use are goo-goobs better than the pro lens we used fifty years ago. Even so, back then folks were impressed with their photos. It seems with digital folks have become pixel-peepers rather than image and composition peepers. I have witnessed folks pixel-peep impressive photos, "blown highlight here, under exposed and noise there" all the while they missed the beauty of the gorgeous photos.</p>

<p>The Tamron works on full frame and, digital crop sensor. It will more than fill the bill for you.</p>

<p><em><strong>" . . .I need an all-around lens for weddings." + . . . "My logic behind getting the body then the lenses . . . I shot with a 5d mk I ( I have a 40d) recently and loved it. . </strong></em>Is <em><strong>this sensible?." </strong></em><br>

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It is unclear but I am having the thought that you only have one camera: a 40D.<br>

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If this is so then it makes perfect sense to get a second camera before you shoot any Weddings - two cameras is the minimum number, for a Wedding Shoot.<br>

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WW</p>

<p > </p>

 

<p>I would also question the logic of a 24-70mm range when you shoot with a cropped sensor camera and will be shooting with it for the time being. What all around lens are you using now on the cropped sensor camera? Can you keep shooting with it until you get full frame, including an all purpose lens to go with the full frame?</p>

<p>If not, but you plan to use the cropped sensor camera for at least another 4 months, I'd get a used Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and sell it when you sell the cropped sensor camera. It holds it's resale value quite well.</p>

<p>Ditto, re questioning the logic. <br>

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To get a breadth of detailed advice it might be best if you list all the gear you have at the moment . . .<br>

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You need to have an end goal, describing in detail the kit you want.<br>

Each item needs to be prioritized in a list.<br>

You need a strategy and time line to acquire each item.<br>

You need a capital plan, so you do not deviate from your purchasing timeline<br>

Also you need to factor in buying and reselling, and renting, if these are options for you.<br>

<br>

At the moment it seems the end goal is a vision - but maybe not too clear a vision and the steps to get there are a bit ad hoc.<br>

<br>

I think it is "blank piece of paper" time and begin defining what the kit is you want - and answering "why" for each element.<br>

Assuming you stick to Canon DSLR camera System - the first fundamental you need to decide is: "how many formats" and then "what formats are they".<br>

<br>

Your final kit Wedding must have: Complete System Redundancy, should any element or two elements or three elements . . . fail.<br>

<br>

WW<br>

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I have the 24-70, but fo the past 3 years, or so, I've been using the Canon 24-105. The reason fo this is the weight issue. The lens quality of the 24-70 is a tad better than the 24-105.

<p>Nadine: I have the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and am looking to get a 5d mk I within the next week or so (there's a small chance that I might get the mk II, but I am not counting on it).</p>

<p>WW: 40d, Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon 85 1.8, 580 ex II</p>

<p>My plan, though not set in stone, is to (1) get a 2nd body, which will most likely be a 5d mk I; (2) shoot with the 5d with the tamron 28-75 and the 40d with the 85 until I save up enough to get (3) another 5d mk I and use the 85 (plus rent lenses). Also gonna acquire a 430 ex II somewhere in there too.</p>

<p>A P--sounds like a plan. I also have a 5D and 40D, and use the 28-75mm on the 5D and my 85mm on the 40D (a lot). I like having two formats, but it is a personal thing.</p>

<p>You won't get any argument from me about the Tamron. It fits me, but may not fit you. All I can say is that the image quality is very close and you can always sell it and get the Canon 24-70mm later. The Tamron also holds it's resale value pretty well because people know the image quality is close. You probably already know that the QC on the Tamrons can vary, so be careful about that. However, my second copy I bought brand new, and it was great out of the box.</p>

<p>I concur - that is a logical plan.<br /><br />Bits and pieces of detail:<br>

<br />1. So you will keep the tamron 17 to 50 after you purchase the 5D and the 28 to 75? IMO, the answer should be "yes" because that way you keep an high level of system redundancy. For example if the 5D goes down, then you have the 40D + 17 to 50, although the 28 to 75 is doable on a 40D it is not that wide, also on the other hand without the 17 to 50 you are cactus, if the 28 to 75 goes down.</p>

<p>2. The kit is exposed at "wide and fast" - the fastest lens you have is F/1.8 at 85mm and the widest lens you have is 28mm (same with the 17mm on the 40D) - but those lenses are at F/2.8 - so you need to be aware of the following situations: Tight Areas; large Wedding Groups and a No Flash Rule. If you are faced with that situation renting a 24L would be my choice - very handy for tight situations and no Flash on the 40D - you can pull back a bit keep the edges clear and crop tighter in post production.</p>

<p>3. Referring to point (1), and if you keep the 40D (or any other two format system) IMO you will be better served with a lens like the EF17 to 40F/4 or the EF16 to 35F/2.8 rather than the Tamron 17 to 50, because the Tamron will vignette servery if used on the 5D - there is greater leverage in your kit if you have a wide angle zoom which can mount AND work effectively on both format cameras.<br>

<br /><br />Just by way of comparison and to show the variance of how we think about kits: whilst Nadine and I both have a dual format kits based upon the same camera configurations, as she has mentioned, she relies heavily on the 28 to 75, she has two of them.<br />On the other hand, I do NOT have a 24 to 70 nor a 28 to 75 nor any "standard zoom" for the 135mm format (i.e. for my 5D). <br />I chose a 16 to 35 as a "main working zoom" and I use APS-C bodies for that work and I still have the flexibility of a very wide zoom on my 5D. <br />Whilst the 16 to 35 is my main working zoom, I usually use only Prime Lenses on my 5D.<br /><br />Most importantly you should create the kit to suit your needs and create the purchasing plan to address all possibilities until you attain the final kit you want. <br />I think that having a “rental” fallback is very sound thinking, and I assume that having thought of that, you also reconnoitre each job thoroughly.<br /><br />I like your thinking and planning very much – it is very sound, IMO. <br /><br />WW</p>

<p>When I use full frame I use the 24-70L, when I use my 7D I use the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Tokina also makes a lens that seems to have very good reviews for a crop camera, 16-50 f/2.8.</p>