james_glucksman1 Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I am a 5D user, who frequently uses his camera for travel photography. Mycurrent lens line up is the 17-40 f/4L, the 24-105 f/4L, the 70-300 f/5.6DO, andthe 50 f/1.4. I cannot decide if I would be better off with faster lenses, orjust make more regular use of my tripod. I also sometimes find I wish I had alonger lens than the 300, but wonder if the 100-400 makes much sense. What doesanyone think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark from thailand Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Assuming you want 'faster' for low light; I always go for the fastest lens I can afford & still find I often need a tripod, especially if your travel photography includes building interiors? But then that should mostly apply to the wide angle 17-40? I have the 16-35 f/2.8 & love it, although it is expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_barbu1 Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I think you should look at your EXIF data and do some math. ;-) Also, I'd say that the f/5.6 at 400mm is pretty slow, if you're concerned about having fast lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin carron Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have a very similar line up to yours, the only faster lens being the 28-70 f2.8 L for people and portraits as I found f4 doesn't give enough background blur for my taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_osullivan Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 James: Two of your lenses have IS, so I would say no you probably dont't need a faster lens. Sure you could upgrade your wide to the 2.8 or add an 85 1.2. But that isn't going to get you much more speed. I would suspect travel/night/interior shots are getting into several seconds. So, one or two more stops wont' cut it. I would look into a table top tropod or beanbag. That's what I use for travel. My little bogen holds a DSLR with Wide to medium zoom lens no problem. For the long lens use a bean bag. You can almost alwyas find something like a trash can, railing or newspaper box to prop up on. As for the longer lens, I would avoide the 100-400 for your needs. It's huge. And 3/4 of it is redeundant. Maybe the 400 5.6 prime which is much smaller/lighter and cheaper makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_hall4 Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 As you already know, it would depend on your interest, but I am extremely pleased with my 100-400. I have the 10-22 and 24-105 and found the 100-400 to be a great lens to go with them. But again, it would be dictated by what you are wanting to accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_crist Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have a 5D and the following lenses: 17-40L, 24-70L, 70-200LIS, 100-400LIS, 50/1.4, 100/2. My only "slow" lens is the 100-400 but that is always used outside where lighting is ample. With the 5D I can always dial up the ISO to increase the shutter speed if necessary. I'm pleased with the performance of all my lenses, but wish the 100-400 had a rotating zoom control vs the push-pull design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_glucksman1 Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thanks so much for all your responses! I have done some EXIF math, and do agree that the difference of one f-stop is not going to help very much with the shots that cause me to inquire about the faster lenses. Fortunately, the 5D handles high ISO well, so perhaps a long prime would be a sensible addition, keeping my current line up as is for most of my needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgranone Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I use the 400mm F5.6L with my 5D for nature & birds. It has fantastic image quality, and fast focusing. Given your current lenses, I would also get a fast lens such as the 35mm F1.4 for low light work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_myers Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Hi James, I think the key factor here is that you say you use your camera and lenses a lot for *travel* photography. Many travel photographers choose to compromise on having the fastest lenses... Instead favoring more compact and lighter weight models that are inevitably a bit slower as well. So, before you make any final decisions, ask yourself how much additional bulk and weight you are willing to haul around in airports and such, then carefully compare the lenses you are considering with the ones you already have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenPapai Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Life is too short -- faster, better glass is always a reasonable, smart, and never-regrettable purchase for the Long Term. Your viewfinder, AF, and eyes will thank you. Travel schmazzle! (However, I never shoot longer than 200mm, so on that aspect I have no comment when it comes to "travel" lenses) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Key points as I see it: >>> 17-40 f/4L, the 24-105 f/4L, the 70-300 f/5.6DO, 50 f/1.4. [. . . ] sometimes find I wish I had a longer lens than the 300, [ . . . ] I have done some EXIF math, difference of one f-stop is not going to help very much [. . . ] so perhaps a long prime, keeping my current line up as is for most of my needs. <<< Gaining one stop might (seemingly) might not be worth the trouble: but would two be worth it? and improved IQ, and . . . Consider as a long term kit: selling the 70 to 300IS DO and getting: . 70 to 200F2.8LIS, . 300F4LIS . x1.4MkII IMO, this gives you: much faster; better IQ; a more flexible lens kit for separate lens choice for travel / choice for specific tasks; better AF; brighter viewfinder; and IS at 420mm, which the 400F5.6L does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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