Lens for Canon 5d mark ii

Hello, recently I finished repairing my Canon 5d mark ii, and now I want to buy a lens for test it because I have some doubt =). Before that, I had experience with EF-S lenses and crop cameras only, so I want to start from the beginning, almost.

Can you please suggest me a cheap lens for my camera? with EF mount. I will look for the used lens and I expect to spend about 300 CAD (234), maximum 500 CAD (390 USD).

I'm not a pro, I will use it only for learning photography. I want to try myself as in a portrait and in a landscape. Also interested in astrophoto. So I want a wide range lens.

 

I found some on ebay, but I'm not sure about specs. Different sources have different descriptions about mount.

• Tamron 18-200mm Di II VC EF or EF-S?
  
• Sigma DC 18-200mm again I see EF mount.
  
• tamron b003 18-270mm f 3.5-6.3 di ii asph vc af
  
• Tamron LD 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 A061 model - so cheap because of old?
  
• Tamron 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD Model A010 - Too expensive =(
   
  
• Canon ef 24-105 usm - perfect, but too expensive for now.
   
  

I'll really appreciate if you suggest me some cheap lenses with a wide range.

Lens for the first time only so I didn't expect super quality.

I wouldn't get any on that list except the 24-105 - - - save a little more, quality is worth it!

I wouldn't get any on that list except the 24-105 - - - save a little more, quality is worth it!

 

The problem is that I'm not sure if camera works properly after my repairing. It was damaged by water.

So I want to buy a cheap lens for a test of all aspects and functions. The cheap lens is not so sorry if it does not turn out to sell.

The first three lenses will not work on the 5D they are for crop cameras.

Why don't you get a EF 50 mm f1.8 it's cheap and works on both crop- and full frame.

The first three lenses will not work on the 5D they are for crop cameras.

Why don't you get a EF 50 mm f1.8 it's cheap and works on both crop- and full frame.

Because I'm interested in wide angle at least 28mm and want to use zoom. I hoped that I could find something

There are also various EF 28-70 mm lenses from Canon that are not expensive.

There are also various EF 28-70 mm lenses from Canon that are not expensive.

Oh, this is an option. Canon EF 28-70 and Tamron a061 28-300 have approximately the same price. Both lenses without stabilization. The canon is so much better than the tamron? How big is the difference in this case?

Oh, this is an option. Canon EF 28-70 and Tamron a061 28-300 have approximately the same price. Both lenses without stabilization. The canon is so much better than the tamron? How big is the difference in this case?

 

That I do not know, as I don't own these lenses, but the higher zoomrange lens (28-300) isn't a lens I would buy.

That I do not know, as I don't own these lenses, but the higher zoomrange lens (28-300) isn't a lens I would buy.

Thanks!

I will wait for some other opinions and options to make the choice more meaningful.

Canon ef 24-105 usm - perfect, but too expensive

But it IS perfect, or at least the single best compromise.

 

First, the original mark I is available used (pre-owned) for much better prices. Look at KEH or B&H or Adorama.

Second, the new mark ii is better but definitely $er. There may be some reasons for going for the new one, but these don't matter to most people, like me anyhow.

You might consider the old Tamron 28-75. Optically a very good lens, although a bit soft in the corners on a FF camera. I had one for years and loved it. No bells and whistles--for example, no full time manual focusing in AF mode--but it got the job done. Completed sales on eBay are typically below $200.

On a shoestring budged, for toe dipping purposes, I'd look for a 1980s 35-80mm, usually sold with a rear cap named EOS 500 in the 2 pizza range. Compact portable dispensable and once you know your camera is working, you can either buy a decent zoom or spend the rest of your cash on a Yongnuo 85 or 100mm for portraits.

I understand why you suggest me these lenses and why big range is bad for quality, but I'm just curious, this Tamron 28-300 a061 is really so bad? I didn't find a lot of bad reviews about it. Also for some reason, it exists and is being modernized.

24-105 has a good reputation, as JDM says.

Maybe older big range lenses are expected to be a bit down in quality, or have distortions you don't want to know about, so they don't attract critical evaluation as much .

EF lenses for film cameras also included 38-76, 35-70, 28-80, 28-90. You shouldn't have to pay more than $10 for one of these plus a film camera like EOS 3000 at a garage sale. I would have thought a 50 f1.8, as suggested, being fast and cheap, might also be good for testing

The Tamron 28-300 exists because there are lots of people who own DSLRs who want a single lens to cover all their needs. These consumers don't really care about optical quality in the same category as the people who frequent this forum. There is a place for a 'vacation zoom' such as this, and I've used one before - they ARE helpful when you can't carry a bag, or don't have time to switch lenses. In this case, the reason it's being updated is because it lacks VC. This makes a huge difference in long slow lenses (300mm @ f6.3 is long and slow) especially when your market is already people who don't know how to shoot.

 

As far as your list goes...

Just because they are designed for APS-C cameras does not mean they won't work fine on your 5D2. For example I have an old Tamron 10-24/3.5-4.5 which is (obviously) designed for use on crop cameras. Guess what? It work(ed) just fine on my 5D2s. Granted, at anything wider than 14mm, you got some rather...ahem... severe... vignetting ;) but the lens worked fine and didn't interfere with the mirror. Some of these lenses will likely do that through significant portions of the zoom range. However, only the Canon EF-S lenses are guaranteed not to work (since they are designed not to mount to the camera).

 

Please be advised, I do not know if the lenses you have listed will work or not, and if they do not, it will be because they interfere with the travel of the mirror... That will definitely give you pause even if it doesn't ruin your day ;)

 

That said, as james_elwing says, old EF glass is uber cheap. you can get some of these for under $20 from KEH. Personally, I'd shoot for something a little 'wider' in range - especially given your budget - Something like an EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS can be had for ~ $100+, and in the $150-200 range for one that is in excellent condition.

 

I get the desire for a WA capability, but, just to be clear, there is ZERO difference in testing the camera's functionality between a 50/1.8 and a 28-80 (or 28-135). the change in focal length is entirely in the lens.

Marcus Ian, thank you, a lot.

 

I have the last question: What do you guys think about tamron 28-200, I found, that it has ef mount.

My most used lens on my 5D II, by far, is the 24-105mm L f:4.0. There is a newer version II on the market, which has created a surplus of the older, and almost as good, version (about $650 new, or $500 or less for used on eBay).

Many thanks to all the respondents. I decided to buy Canon 28-135.

That seems to me to be a good value for money choice. I hope your camera repairs are good to go.

 

***

 

You were asking about whether some of the lenses were “EF” or “EF-S”

 

And there is a response from Marcel stating that the first three lenses “will not work on the 5D . . .”.

 

I think that is not an accurate and full account and can (and does) lead to a common misunderstanding, so, expanding on Marsus Ian's comments and to clear up the confusion regarding the third party lenses (i.e. Tamron and Sigma et al).:

 

As far as I am aware ALL of these Third Party Lenses (made for the Canon EOS System) will have an EF Bayonet Mount.

 

Secondly, as far as I am aware, it is ONLY Canon that make lenses with an EF-S Bayonet Mount

 

This is where the differentiation between “MOUNT” and “IMAGE CIRCLE” is important.

 

For example: consider the lens “Tamron 18-200mm Di II VC”. This lens has an “EF LENS MOUNT” but the nomenclature “Di II” indicates that the IMAGE CIRCLE is for an APS-C sized sensor; so, it is possible (probable) that when mounted on a 5D series you will get an optical vignette at some (a few) Focal Lengths, but in all other aspects the lens will work fine.

 

On the other hand, the Canon Lens “EF-S 17 to 55F/2.8 IS USM” has an “EF-S LENS MOUNT” and will not mount on a 5D Series Camera, unless the lens’s mount is modified; and if the lens’s mount is modified and the lens is attached to a 5D series camera it is likely (very likely) that the rear element of the lens will hit the mirror. This is the case for all “EF-S MOUNT” Lenses. The “S” in the nomenclature “EF-S” means “Short back focus” and the rear element protrudes a greater distance than the EF Mount Lenses.

 

Additionally, (for those interested in the history), although commonly mentioned, it is not correct that the EF-S Lenses will mount to ALL of the APS-C Sensor Sized Cameras in the Canon EOS range. For example the Canon 10D only allows EF Mount Lenses. There are previous (older) models where this also applies.

 

Understanding the differentiation between the nomenclature which describes “MOUNT” and/or “IMAGE CIRCLE” may be significant, for example, when one has a Dual Format Kit (e.g. 6D and 80D) and at a pinch, or in an emergency, one could mount and use a Tamron 17 to 50/2.8 Lens on the 6D, but could not use (in fact could not mount) a Canon EF-S 17 to 55/2.8 on the 6D.

 

WW

That seems to me to be a good value for money choice. I hope your camera repairs are good to go.

 

***

 

You were asking about whether some of the lenses were “EF” or “EF-S”

 

And there is a response from Marcel stating that the first three lenses “will not work on the 5D . . .”.

 

I think that is not an accurate and full account and can (and does) lead to a common misunderstanding, so, expanding on Marsus Ian's comments and to clear up the confusion regarding the third party lenses (i.e. Tamron and Sigma et al).:

 

As far as I am aware ALL of these Third Party Lenses (made for the Canon EOS System) will have an EF Bayonet Mount.

 

Secondly, as far as I am aware, it is ONLY Canon that make lenses with an EF-S Bayonet Mount

 

This is where the differentiation between “MOUNT” and “IMAGE CIRCLE” is important.

 

For example: consider the lens “Tamron 18-200mm Di II VC”. This lens has an “EF LENS MOUNT” but the nomenclature “Di II” indicates that the IMAGE CIRCLE is for an APS-C sized sensor; so, it is possible (probable) that when mounted on a 5D series you will get an optical vignette at some (a few) Focal Lengths, but in all other aspects the lens will work fine.

 

On the other hand, the Canon Lens “EF-S 17 to 55F/2.8 IS USM” has an “EF-S LENS MOUNT” and will not mount on a 5D Series Camera, unless the lens’s mount is modified; and if the lens’s mount is modified and the lens is attached to a 5D series camera it is likely (very likely) that the rear element of the lens will hit the mirror. This is the case for all “EF-S MOUNT” Lenses. The “S” in the nomenclature “EF-S” means “Short back focus” and the rear element protrudes a greater distance than the EF Mount Lenses.

 

Additionally, (for those interested in the history), although commonly mentioned, it is not correct that the EF-S Lenses will mount to ALL of the APS-C Sensor Sized Cameras in the Canon EOS range. For example the Canon 10D only allows EF Mount Lenses. There are previous (older) models where this also applies.

 

Understanding the differentiation between the nomenclature which describes “MOUNT” and/or “IMAGE CIRCLE” may be significant, for example, when one has a Dual Format Kit (e.g. 6D and 80D) and at a pinch, or in an emergency, one could mount and use a Tamron 17 to 50/2.8 Lens on the 6D, but could not use (in fact could not mount) a Canon EF-S 17 to 55/2.8 on the 6D.

 

WW

 

Really appreciate. Thanks!