chris_clarke3

<p>Mendel, it feels really nice on the 5D2. Not big at all. I'm not a fan of overly big kit, that's why I sold my 24-70.<br>

The 50L just feels so right on the 5D. Just my view and it is each to his own.<br>

I'm not making money with my kit and that's why I have the 25-105 over the 24-70 and the 70-200 F4 IS over the 70-200 2.8 IS.<br>

I like light!</p>

<p>I find the 50L pretty sharp from 1.6-1.8, and the bokeh at 1.2 is something you can't get from any other Canon 50.<br>

I think people have to realise that the 50L is a niche lens and you should really research your needs and expectations before buying any lens.<br>

The 50L meets my needs and expectations but it might not meet others with somewhat unrealistic ones.<br>

My 2 cents.</p>

<p>Basically, if you have the cash get the 50L. If not the 1.4 is a good #2 to it.<br>

The L is better built, weather sealed and get's to 1.2. Plus it looks very nice!<br>

I have the 50L and I'm very happy with it. It took some getting used to but I'd say 95% of my OOF shots are down to me and dealing with the narrow DOF. Once you get the hang of centre-point focus on the eyes you are good to go.</p>

 

<p>I don't use my 70-200 F4 IS that much but I do like the results I get. It's very sharp and light and the IS means you can handhold to about 30 th second at 200mm.</p>

<p>Ewan, I take it you are in the UK? If so, the low light issues you Brit's have to deal with (I'm an expat) would get me to lean towards F2.8 over F4.<br>

A good mate of mine just exchanged his 70-200 F4 IS for the F2.8 version, he's a bird spotter. He needed a high shutter speed and the cloudy days in that Green and Pleasant land were not helpful at F4.<br>

Most of us in the US and Canada are a lot further south than you and F4 is much less of an issue here. Just something to consider!</p>

<p>I would love IS on ALL my lenses. My 50L would be even better with IS, as would my 16-35.<br>

I don't get people who think it's a waste of time, sorry. Having IS on my 24-105 and 70-200 F4 has made me a believer.</p>

<p>Oops</p>

<p>I had the F4 non-IS. I liked it but once I got the 24-105 and got used to IS and lower shutter speeds I decided to buy the overly priced (but very nice) 70-200 F4 IS.<br>

This is a very light and nice lens. I believe it is about the same weight as the 24-105. The IS is slightly better and I can get sharp shots (with good breathing techniques!) at 30th sec at 200 mm, which I still find quite amazing.<br>

I don't know if it is sharper than the non-IS but it is definitely the sharpest zoom I have.<br>

Buy it.</p>

 

<p>I went from 20D to 5D2. A huge leap and wel worth it. The 5D is just a great bit of kit. FF is another dimension. Do it!</p>

<p>Peter. I'm really gonna try! I don't know if I'm strong enough not lug a load of lenses about though. Is there a self-help group for this kind of problem?</p>

<p>24-105. I don't think you can go wrong with this lens. I see people's point on the G10 route but I would always be thinking I could have got a way better shot with my 5D2.<br>

I'm really trying hard just to take this and a 50 on an upcoming vacation in Mexico. I might just have to take my 16-35 too........this in never gonna work!</p>

<p>24-105. That will do it! On my 5D2 it's just great. It's not 'budget' but it is good value, weather sealed, has IS and a very useful focal range. On FF just get it.</p>

<p>Mus, I bought my 50L last Feb when the Canadian $ was at par to the US $ and BH had a sale on for $1149.<br>

To buy the very same lens now would put me in the Can $ 1800 range (with taxes). That's a $700 increase in 12 months.<br>

Not good!</p>

<p>Paul, you might look at your card reader as a speed bottleneck.<br>

I recently got a SanDisk Extreme USB reader and my full size RAW files now load very quickly into DPP.<br>

I also use Extreme III cards so maybe it's a mixture of the two and a dual core 2.5 ghz HP laptop.</p>

<p>We beginners rather like it Ken.<br>

Have you ever used the 24-105 or did somebody just beat you about the head with one?</p>

<p>I was never really impressed with the 24-105 on my 20D but on the 5D2 it's my most used lens. I now LOVE it.<br>

I liked the IQ of the 24-70 but it just didn't feel 'right' on my smaller frame cameras which meant I rarely used it and I sold it ( for basically the same price I paid for it three years ago).<br>

With the great ISO capabilities of new cameras I think that the time is here when 2.8 isn't the great advantage it used to be. <br>

Of note on this topic, one of my mates in the UK (I'm in Ontario) bought the 70-200 F4 IS on my recommendation and found the dark skies and F4 not to his liking. He got the 2.8 IS version instead.<br>

In summation I find the 5D2/24-105 combo very good. This lens shines on the 5D2. The 24-70 just didn’t do it for me.</p>

 

<p>I'll go with Jeff A Bubis and rave about the Kata reflex E strap.<br>

It's well comfy and I like the two little pockets for CF cards, the best place for cards!. A huge improvement on the Canon strap.</p>

<p>Dave, I wasn't happy with it on my crop because the equivalent 38mm wide end just isn't wide enough for my shooting style.<br>

I love the range on a FF, it's a very useful zoom for me personally. I barely used it on the 20D.</p>

<p>I agree with your summation on the 17-55 vs 16-35. I forget that not everybody thinks the same sometimes!<br>

I got the 20D as my first foray into the DSLR world, but I quickly got to lust after a full frame camera and waited 18 months for the 5D2.<br>

I built up my collection of "L"s with the replacement of the 5D in mind so I really did have a "FF" firmly in my sights wchich meant I had an "L" bias against EF-S lenses.<br>

Guilty as charged, and I'm sure there are very many good non-L lenses out there.</p>

<p>I have the 24-105 on my 5D2 and it's great! I also use the 50L for low light action stuff.<br>

I wasn't so happy with the 24-105 on my crop but it's a nice bit of kit on FF and covers a great range.</p>

 

<p>I have had the 16-35II for a while. On my 20D it was basically my 'walkround' lens and was on the 20D 90% of the time. It's a great FL on a crop, it's light, well built and fast.<br>

I now have a 5D2 and it's a fantastic WA lens as well as a great indoor lens.<br>

The obvious plus the 16-35 has over the EF-S lens is its future compatability should you go FF. It is also going to be an easier re-sell should you rethink it's usage.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Henrys. Mmm, reputable, mmm.<br />I used to frequent the Oakville store. I listened as I was browsing. I either heard the staff there be very condescending to the newbie type customer, or they pushed them to get a particular lens etc.<br />No choice with a UV filter there for the rookie, "you have to have this, and one of these, plus you need this shite tripod...."<br />The final straw for me was seeing them jack up the prices on Canon lenses that were on rebate from Canon. The 24-70 had a $150 rebate, they put the price up $150. I sent them mail on it and I've never got a response.<br />The extended warranty is a waste of money. $450? Keep it and deal with Canon Canada in Mississauga if you live in the GTA.<br />I now shop at Duncan and Wright's in Burlington. They will always beat Henry's prices plus they are nice guys.</p>

<p>Dan, I think you take extremely professional and well composed 'happy snaps'. <br>

I'm even fooled into thinking you are quite good.<br>

<br>

Hope you have a good New Year mate<br>

<br>

Chris Clarke AKA Eyebrock.</p>

<p > </p>

 

I agree Brian. I've never had to be talked out of buying a lens and I rather like my 50L.

In fact I don't think I have ever linked the words " talk me out of buying xxx lens" in thoughts or speech.

 

More like, "My missus is gonna kill me when she sees this nice new lens!"

There are well documented issues with back focussing but despite that I enjoy this lens.

 

I have had a few strange results with it but I stress a 'few'. It's shallow DOF is a challenge after using zooms and being used to 2.8/F4 , so user error is a factor that has to be addressed.

Personally I can see why pros get frustrated with this lens but as a guy not relying on shots to earn cash I'm quite happy with it.

I'm looking forward to trying it out on my pre-ordered 5D2 as FF is where this lens should be. (It's just too long for me on my 20D).

Build quality is excellent and it feels very nice.

That aside I bought it on a B&H special for $1100 US in February when the Canadian dollar was at par.

If I don't like it on the 5D2 I can sell it for at least what I paid for it. Quids in!