Bob on Canon Lenses

“Bob”:http://bobsplanet.com is really a great photographer. By his permission, here’s an excerpt on picking lenses. Don’t you love IM?

Bob Wise says:
good, how are you?
Rich Tong says:
Goofing off. Scanning 35mm film from 1999 and looking for cameras. Have to leave in 3 minute to go to work We should talk cameras and lenses though, I’m deep into it right now. Think I need the very light Digital Rebel for walking around in China (less obvious, doesn’t say rob me) plus the 5D for the serious stuff.
Rich Tong says:
But the issue is what lenses to get? Went though the whole Canon inventory and picked out a few (they are on tongfamily.com), tell me what you think. Also now going through Sigma. The Sigma stuff seems cheaper and if you are smart pretty good.
Bob Wise says:
I love my 24-70L
Bob Wise says:
Going to sell the 17-40 probably
Bob Wise says:
Get the sigma 12-24
Bob Wise says:
only decent wide-angle zoom for FF
Bob Wise says:
I’m definitely a zoom guy instead of a prime guy
Rich Tong says:
So what do you have exactly? I agree, the zooms don’t have the same tradeoffs in the old days
Bob Wise says:
I have the 24-70L, 50mm, 100mm macro, 100-400L, and 17-40L
Rich Tong says:
Wow, nice lenses. Here is what I’m thinking: Sigma 12-24, Canon 16-35L, 24-105L, 70-200IS. It is a tossup on the 24-70L vs the 70-105L with the main difference being the F/2.8 vs. F/4.0
Bob Wise says:
24-105L is good. Has IS which is nice
Bob Wise says:
I think you will find that the 16-35 or the 12-24 are redundant
Bob Wise says:
I’m very tempted to get the 16-35 myself
Rich Tong says:
Yup, I was thinking the IS plus the ISO 800 performance of the 5D would help. I agree on the 12-24 vs. the 16-35. One or the other.
Bob Wise says:
the 12-24 seems to have the usual sigma QA issues… a bit hit and miss on getting a good copy
Rich Tong says:
I haven’t found a review of the 12-24 yet, but the 16-35L has great reviews and is a good fit for the main lense of the Rebel given its factor. On the Sigma, you get what you pay for I guess, it is way cheaper. Makes ebay look good. these things cost!
Bob Wise says:
I think I’m going to order the sigma and see how it like it. If I don’t like it I will sell it and get the 16-35
Bob Wise says:
I have really liked the 2.8 speed on the 24-70, though!
Bob Wise says:
It’s a beast of a lens, though.
Rich Tong says:
Yeah, you are right, the 24-70 has the 2.8, but not the IS. These are all very big lenses you are right. been looking at sizes and weights
Bob Wise says:
BTW, the 17-85 IS with the crop works out to be very close to the 24-105 on the FF
Bob Wise says:
I think that is your China rebel lens
Bob Wise says:
I was very torn about getting the 24-105, but had to shoot a low-light wedding and went for the 24-70 – no regrets.
Bob Wise says:
See “my photos”:http://www.bobsplanet.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=80
Rich Tong says:
Will check out. Hey, can I edit and blog this whole conversation. You are the font of all knowledge. Oops, got to go! Call me if you’ve got time, we can BS

One response to “Bob on Canon Lenses”

  1. Count Bob Avatar

    Rich,

    I’ve got the 12-24 as discussed, and I’m quite happy with it! I’ve posted a link with an example of the great effects you can get shooting at 12mm on a 5D. The rectilinear 12-24 is particularly good for photos with horizontal lines in it like the sample at the url.

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