Cropped body : EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM?

[rhema83]

For me, the biggest limiting factor is that I'm afraid to take pictures of people, like maybe those 'ah peks' sitting around and doing nothing, wait I take picture of them they kick up a fuss. Hmmm, are you sure you are an amateur? Doesn't seem like it. Agree, 50mm 1.4 is too tight, and was considering the Sigma 30 1.4 until you mentioned the QC problems. Ah well, primes can wait, no $$$ now....

Btw, saw your post in BNS advertising your 70-200, you decided on selling it? Wonderful lens if you ask me, you have already made up your mind on selling it?

I am very sure I am just an amateur.

If you are worried about the QC of Sigma, you can spend a little more to buy a unit with local warranty. The front/back focusing problem can be fixed by bringing the lens and your camera body to Sigma Service Center for calibration. If I am not mistaken, a local set is entitled to two free calibrations during the 3-year warranty period. Subsequent or out-of-warranty calibrations cost about $120 each.

You should also keep in mind that reviewers use specialized tools under strictly-controlled conditions to determine the optical qualities of the lens. Depending on how you use the lens, certain qualities may matter much more than others in real-life usage. If you usually shoot a lens wide open to isolate the subject against a blurred background, would you even notice the soft image corners which are out-of-focus in the first place?

 

[tecnica]

yeah, the sigma 30/f1.4 can be better.

wanna buy it but AF issue is really a chore.

 

[Minglink]

I've read up on the choices in this focal range. The generally negative reviews of this lens really don't inspire any confidence. Plus it's 2/3 stop slower than the 30 f/1.4 which makes it even less attractive.

Hint to Canon: time to release Mk II versions for the 28 f/1.8 and 50 f/1.4!

Then u dont have much choice go get the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

I have use both 28mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4 on my 5DMKII, i am fine with its IQ so just dont put your fate on just review, test it and you might like it.

 

[DigitalCamera]

I am very sure I am just an amateur.

If you are worried about the QC of Sigma, you can spend a little more to buy a unit with local warranty. The front/back focusing problem can be fixed by bringing the lens and your camera body to Sigma Service Center for calibration. If I am not mistaken, a local set is entitled to two free calibrations during the 3-year warranty period. Subsequent or out-of-warranty calibrations cost about $120 each.

You should also keep in mind that reviewers use specialized tools under strictly-controlled conditions to determine the optical qualities of the lens. Depending on how you use the lens, certain qualities may matter much more than others in real-life usage. If you usually shoot a lens wide open to isolate the subject against a blurred background, would you even notice the soft image corners which are out-of-focus in the first place?

Sorry bro, but I don't believe you're an amateur...haha. Anyways, I won't be getting a prime anytime soon so I'll leave the researching later on....

 

[rhema83]

Then u dont have much choice go get the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

I have use both 28mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4 on my 5DMKII, i am fine with its IQ so just dont put your fate on just review, test it and you might like it.

Agreed. I should not be basing my purchase decision solely on lab test reviews.

Has anyone tested lens at the Canon Vivocity showroom? I would be keen to test out a few lenses: 10-22, 17-55, 24-105L, 28 f/1.8 and 35 f/2. I don't think they would be nice enough to try all 5 in a single visit, but I hope to take a few shots with each eventually so that I can make an informed decision.

And we seem to be veering off-topic again. Paiseh!

 

[DigitalCamera]

Agreed. I should not be basing my purchase decision solely on lab test reviews.

Has anyone tested lens at the Canon Vivocity showroom? I would be keen to test out a few lenses: 10-22, 17-55, 24-105L, 28 f/1.8 and 35 f/2. I don't think they would be nice enough to try all 5 in a single visit, but I hope to take a few shots with each eventually so that I can make an informed decision.

And we seem to be veering off-topic again. Paiseh!

Who cares if we're veering OT? As long as this thread is kept alive hahaha. I tried the 15-85 at the showroom, and I think you should be able to test all 5 lenses at one go, provided the person you ask is friendly enough to do so. The thing is, not much subjects there to take picture of so can't really judge how good the lens is. Why not rent some of the lens or borrow from your friends if they have them?

 

[rhema83]

Who cares if we're veering OT? As long as this thread is kept alive hahaha. I tried the 15-85 at the showroom, and I think you should be able to test all 5 lenses at one go, provided the person you ask is friendly enough to do so. The thing is, not much subjects there to take picture of so can't really judge how good the lens is. Why not rent some of the lens or borrow from your friends if they have them?

Kinda sad that we need to go OT in order to keep it alive, isn't it?

Anyway I still haven't heard from any 24-105L users. There must be SOME out there, right?

 

[kollybie]

i uses 24-105 and 15-85 on my 7D , i felt 24-105 is much better on build and image. if you think u need a wider angle just pair it with canon 10-20 or tokina 11-16 it is a great combi so far for me.

 

[meDaniel]

Yeah. Please stick to the 24-105 range. Planning to get this over the 24-70. Mainly because of the IS? Though I don't think it will be much of a problem if I'm gonna use it for portrait and landscape. Fast shutter plus tripod~

 

[DigitalCamera]

Kinda sad that we need to go OT in order to keep it alive, isn't it?

Anyway I still haven't heard from any 24-105L users. There must be SOME out there, right?

Haha go OT also nevermind what...anyway this thread also about the 24-105, my friend has the 24-105, don't hear him complaining much about it except it isn't wide enough for him.

i uses 24-105 and 15-85 on my 7D , i felt 24-105 is much better on build and image. if you think u need a wider angle just pair it with canon 10-20 or tokina 11-16 it is a great combi so far for me.

Build on 24-105 supposed to be better since its a L lens isn't it? IQ...i think both of them are on par, though the 24-105 will really shine on FF.

Yeah. Please stick to the 24-105 range. Planning to get this over the 24-70. Mainly because of the IS? Though I don't think it will be much of a problem if I'm gonna use it for portrait and landscape. Fast shutter plus tripod~

Won't you need a UWA for landscape?

 

[hongkie]

You are going to have hell lots of problem taking indoor shots with a cropped cam on 24-105mm. Especially at confined spaces.

 

[meDaniel]

Won't you need a UWA for landscape?

I do but there are times when only certain parts of the scene is the focus. I sold my 10-22 away earlier this year to fund my studies. Now financially a bit better I'm upgrading, will be getting that EF-S lens soon. At the mean time, I'm looking for a more generic lens.

After using a 70-200 L lens, I'm never going back to using normal lens anymore. Haha.

 

[kollybie]

well i felt... if you know you are going for full frame eventually.. why not spend more get 24-105.

 

[tecnica]

words like 'eventually, very soon, near future' etc, are very vague.

if it's like next month, well go ahead and get the 24-105L.

but if it's like next 2 years, i'll go ahead and get something more suitable for crop sensor body, then sell it when the FF arrives.

 

[rhema83]

well i felt... if you know you are going for full frame eventually.. why not spend more get 24-105.

What if you are not intending to go full frame?

To me, the biggest advantage of full frame is its higher dynamic range, lower noise and the larger field of view (thus better bokeh potential especially when using fast prime lenses). EF-S zoom lenses (especially UWA varieties) have almost caught up with the full frame counterparts and the lightweight APS-C system can be quite advantageous for travelling.

 

[tecnica]

And if you are not intending to go full frame?

buy what fits your shooting style, that's really the gist of the whole discussion.

 

[kollybie]

cause i felt everyone when it reaches a point will tend to switch to better gears. so i make a point eventually hehe... btw even if its two years than you change to full frame , it will be good to save up for 24-105 IS as you wun be spending more on getting another general purpose lens. i felt 24-105 will have more resale value. correct me if i am wrong.. i am still new to this world.

 

[tecnica]

cause i felt everyone when it reaches a point will tend to switch to better gears. so i make a point eventually hehe... btw even if its two years than you change to full frame , it will be good to save up for 24-105 IS as you wun be spending more on getting another general purpose lens. i felt 24-105 will have more resale value. correct me if i am wrong.. i am still new to this world.

depends on what lens you are choosing, as mentioned many times before the efs hidden Ls(10-22/17-55/15-85) can hold their value pretty well, so no worries if you wanna sell them later in time.

 

[huatman]

between the 2 lenses stated, 15-85 stay on my 7D (which is a crop body) more compare to 24-105L. When I out with my 7D + 24-105L, there are times when I feel it just not wide enough for certain shot.

But then the lens that really stay on my 7D most is the 17-55

 

[rhema83]

cause i felt everyone when it reaches a point will tend to switch to better gears. so i make a point eventually hehe... btw even if its two years than you change to full frame , it will be good to save up for 24-105 IS as you wun be spending more on getting another general purpose lens. i felt 24-105 will have more resale value. correct me if i am wrong.. i am still new to this world.

Actually L lenses don't hold value as well as you think, mainly because of the lens date code. People assume that older lenses are in poorer condition even before seeing with their own eyes (which I think is a fallacy). On the other hand, EF-S lenses hold value pretty well after the warranty period is over, especially if they are kept in very good condition.