Friend wants a 600/650/700D what lenses ?

[Kym]

Canon peeps... I need your advice....

I have a friend who wants a 600/650/700D (one of) and has asked advice.

I said skip the twin lens deals and get a good fast lens to start with.
People and events (low light) are the main subject, then maybe landscape

What L glass should I recommend?

[Allann]

There are usually 2 very good all rounders. the 24-105 and the 70-200. The latter comes in many guises but I recommend the f2.8 non-IS if budget is an issue. It really depends on the style. I used to do near everything with the 70-200, but then I've always like shooting long. Oh yeah, both of these will grow with your friends ability and will also move to full frame if that ever becomes a need.

[Mary Anne]

Tell your friend to research the 17-55mm f/2.8 for low light its a nice fast lens though its not a L Series Lens .. I use it on my 40D.. Then there is the 24-70mm f/2.8 L its a pricey one

[I @ M]

Sigma 18-35 F/1.8 (http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/872-sigma1835f18_canon)

[Kym]

Thanks!

[fjoe45]

X2 for the 24-105

[Tannin]

People and events (low light) are the main subject, then maybe landscape

The EF 24-105/4L IS is a great lens. Brilliant focal length range (on full frame), IS, reasonable price considering what it is. But for your friend, probably not - F4 is the killer. You said fast. This one isn't.

The EF 24-70/2.8L is outstanding. Fantastic glass, built like the proverbial. Hard-working pros don't own these by accident, they know a bulletproof workhorse when they see it. But very, very expensive, very big, and very heavy. No IS either. And worst of all (like the 24-105) it's way too long at the short end for a crop body unless you have an ultrawide as well.

The EF-S 15-85/3.5-5.6 is an excellent all-round lens for crop: sharp, reasonable price (not cheap, but good value considering the quality), nice and sharp, modern IS, faaaantastic focal length range .... but not fast. For most people, this is the ideal single lens for a crop Canon. But for your friend, probably NQR.

The EF-S 17-55/2.8IS is your answer. Quite expensive and you don't get a red L ring or get to use it on a full frame body, but built like a tank, superb optics, great IS, and constant f/2.8. Yes, it's the most expensive f/2.8 lens on the market - but most people agree, it's also the best one.

[William W]

I have a friend who wants a 600/650/700D (one of) and has asked advice.

People and events (low light) are the main subject, then maybe landscape

What L glass should I recommend?

Why is your stipulation: “L Glass”?
With that stipulation, I’d recommend: EF 24 to 70 F/2.8 L MkII USM

Logic being that, if one is approaching the EV / Acceptable ISO limit when shooting "events in low light" (aka 'people moving in low light') then one stop more of shutter speed is more valuable to arrest SUBJECT MOTION than having IS to address any camera shake. Therefore with a choice between the two zooms the 24 to 70/2.8 L MkII wins over the 24 to 105 F/4 L IS - for that specific shooting scenario.


BUT, to best advise your friend more info is required.
Key point being > > > depends on what exactly are the "events".
24mm might not be wide enough on APS-C body.

EF-S 17 to 55 F/2.8 IS USM is a safe Canon answer without more details: if one cannot step back any further to frame the shot, one has 17mm - on the other hand (comparing/contrasting with 24 to 70/2.8) – one can crop from a 55mm FoV to get the 70mm FoV without much waste.

On the other hand – if the “events” are indoor swimming meets, one of the EF 70 to 200/2.8 L lenses might be a better option.

No EF-S lens can ever sport the L Series red stripe, as an EF-S Lens cannot meet the L Series criterion that requires the lens to be able to mount to every camera body in the Series. Current Series is EOS. Not meeting the criterion of being able to mount to all cameras in the series does not mean that any particular EF-S lens does not meet other criteria of being an L Series Lens.

A very handy, high quality Canon ‘two lens low light, social events camera kit’ for use with Canon APS-C camera is: EF-S 17 to 55 F/2.8 IS USM and EF 85 F/1.8 USM

Neither of those lenses is an L Series lens, yet both are very high quality lenses.

WW

[Kym]

Why is your stipulation: “L Glass”?


Being fairly ignorant of Canon glass I said L in the sense of better lenses vs kit lenses.
As the Canonians seem to thing L means good and kit means not good

[William W]

Thanks for replying.

I suggest that you and your friend judge each lens on its own merit and usefulness to the application and not place a criterion of 'L Series' on your choice.

WW

[unistudent1962]

You didn't mention any sort of budget, or a preference for zooms over primes.
I don't do much (if any) low light work, and my walkaround lens is the Canon 15-85.
A fast prime might be more suitable for event photography.
Although I've never used one, the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 gets very good reviews and may be a suitable option.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-18-35mm-f-1.8-DC-HSM-Lens.aspx

Mark

[William W]

What did your friend choose?

WW

[Kym]

What did your friend choose?

WW

Still waiting

[William W]

ahhh!

choices / choices. . .

Good luck to him/her . . . I am always interested in outcomes. . .

[johntorcasio]

The Canon EF 17-40mm f4L is a good lens to start with !!