Canon Lens Recomendations

I am thinking of going Canon and would like to know what would be the Canon equivalent of Nikon U/W Trinity:

> Tokina 10-17

> Nikon 60mm

> Nikon 105mm (VR or Non VR)

I am thinking of going Canon and would like to know what would be the Canon equivalent of Nikon U/W Trinity:

 

> Tokina 10-17

> Nikon 60mm

> Nikon 105mm (VR or Non VR)

1. Tokina 10-17

2. Depends on what camera you get. If you get a "crop-sensor" camera (e.g., 40D, Rebel), then the 60mm EF-S. If it is a full-frame camera, either the Canon 50mm (though it doesn't do 1:1) or the Sigma 50mm.

3. Canon 100mm

I am looking at a 5d. Thanks Mike...how about Topside? Mainly Travel Photography, does Canon have something close to the 18-200mm on a d200?

I am looking at a 5d. Thanks Mike...how about Topside? Mainly Travel Photography, does Canon have something close to the 18-200mm on a d200?

That's a bit hard with a full-frame camera. Closest to equaling that range would be a 28-300. Sigma makes one and Tamron makes one with "Vibration Compensation". Either might fit the bill as a "vacation lens". For a more professional lens in that range, Canon makes a very expensive 28-300L. If you don't have to have a "do-it-all" lens (i.e., you don't really need 200mm or 300mm), you might look at the Canon 24-105L or the much less expensive 28-105. I use the 40D so I'm probably not the best person to ask about full frame lenses at this point.

Mike

I am looking at a 5d. Thanks Mike...how about Topside? Mainly Travel Photography, does Canon have something close to the 18-200mm on a d200?

Chris,

The closest that Canon makes is the EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM. It is one of their top of the line "L" series lenses, and consequently a very expensive lens. B&H has it for $2,200.00 USD. It also weighs 3.7 lbs. Not exactly an underwater lens, nor much of a topside walkaround lens. They do make an EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM that is much more reasonable, cost wise.

My personal experience on these "all-in-one" zoom lenses is they aren't worth it. If you are moving up to an SLR type camera, having several lenses is the way to go. My personal walkaround arrangement is a Canon 30D with an EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. This gives me an effective focal length of 16-168mm with the two lenses. Not the easiest thing to carry around, as whichever lens is not on the camera is somewhat bulky in a pocket, but you can't beat the utility of these focal lengths.

Another good choice for a topside walkaround lens on one of the crop bodies (30D, 40D, 350D, 400D, etc.) is the EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM. Good luck and welcome to the Canon side of the street.

Mark

My personal experience on these "all-in-one" zoom lenses is they aren't worth it.

It all depends on what you want to get out of it. I just got a Sigma 18-200 OS for my 40D and think it is perfectly adequate for snapshots. Having said that, I rarely just take one lens with me. I usually also pack the 100-400 and a 12-24 in my backpack, swapping to those as necessary for more reach or better wide angle.

Mike

For underwater FF:

16-35L

Sigma 50 2.8 1:1

100 2.8

Outside winners:

Sigma 12-24 (find a good copy and it's a great lens)

Topside:

Having had the 28-300L, I can say it's great for the PJ in the field but not the best image taking lens. Barrel distortion 28-50+, 200-300 isn't the sharpest in the world and push pull zoom. But it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

For travel on a full frame, 24-105 IS is very nice. Top it off with a 70-300 DO IS (great compact lens which I should've kept) or even the now 70-300 IS which is quite sharp from what I've seen. If you want an all in one, the 28-135 IS is quite versatile.

I don't agree with Drew on the underwater lens complement. The 17-40 F4L is a sharper lens at less cost than the 16-35L. You can't get a fisheye zoom for FF yet. Here's what I'd recommend (I have a 5D and lots of lenses):

UW:

17-40L

15mm Sigma

50mm Sigma

100mm Canon USM Macro

Topside:

High Quality:

24-105

100-400

Mid Quality but Small:

24-85USM

70-300 DO IS

Cheers

James

Maybe it isn't too surprising that I have almost the same compliment of lenses as James. They are all good choices. Here is my list. Strange as it sounds I don't have a 50mm prime, although I probably should since they are so cheap. I find however that the 17-40 is versatile enough that I use it when I would otherwise use a 50mm. The big difference is that the 17-40 is under a dome and the 50mm would be under a flat port, so in addition to the extra 10mm, there would be the 30% magnification from the flat port. I'll think about it.

UW:

17-40L

15mm Sigma

100mm Canon USM Macro

Topside:

High Quality:

24-105

Mid Quality but Small:

70-300 DO IS (This lens is loved or hated depending to who you talk to, but I like it).

I would get the:

100mm Canon USM Macro

85mm F1.8 (if you want a full frame equivalent of the 60mm Nikkor)

For wide angle i like the 24 1.4L, on a full frame it is wider than you may think. I think the lens is great, but you have to make sure that the lens has only the center point in autofocus, otherwise it tends to miss shots. Other than that it is really great.

Underwater: 15mm Canon, 17~40/4 Canon for w/a OR 24/1.4 if you want the bightest viewable image.

Underwater: 60EFS + 12mm MkII Extension tube for 40cm ~>1:1 (slightly limited but very good indeed - excellent value)

100/2.8 (superb)

Above water the 24~105 is useful

I've used all these and you won't find any untoward optical problems on the 5D provided you get ports set up ok. The 24~105 CAN be used underwater too - though I wouldn't bother personally!

Hi Chris,

I just got to ask since no one else has, if you already own this camera ( Nikon D3 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD3/page32.asp ) why on earth would want to move to a 5D?

Phil Rudin

Hi Chris,

 

I just got to ask since no one else has, if you already own this camera ( Nikon D3 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD3/page32.asp ) why on earth would want to move to a 5D?

 

Phil Rudin

Because the Tax Man was mean to me this year. I have gotten used to shooting in high ISOs and it seems the 5D is the closest to the D3 right now at a reasonable price. And when I do want to go back into U/W photography, I am betting that the 5D housings will be cheaper than the D3s.

...Here's what I'd recommend (I have a 5D and lots of lenses):

 

UW:

 

17-40L

15mm Sigma

50mm Sigma

100mm Canon USM Macro

 

Topside:

 

High Quality:

24-105

100-400

I agree totally with James on the uw group. If you want something with more reach, just add a 1.4X or 2X TC to the 100mm for super-macro, assuming your housing will accomodate it (with a manual focus ring, which is essential with the TC's).

For topside high quality, I agree with James on the 24-105 (a recent acquisition for me), but disagree with the 100-400. If you can afford it, I much prefer the 70-200 f/2.8 for mid-telephoto, and take along a 2X TC for times when you want something longer; that makes the 70-200 effectively 140-400, and yet it is still faster than the 100-400, and is internally zooming, rather than that annoying push-pull zoom of the 100-400. I sold my 100-400, and am happy as a clam.

Although the Canon 28-300 IS sounds appealing at first glance, that's because a glance doesn't give you any sense of what a heavy beast it is. Don't consider buying it without hefting it first. Considering the cost and weight, I think it is a lens that never should have been built. Spend the money on other high-quality lenses that you're more likely to actually use (i.e., be willing to carry).

For mid-quality topside, i.e., a walking around vacation lens when portability is more important than optimal image quality, I recommend the new Tamron 28-300 VR that MikeO mentioned. I've used the predecessor 28-300 (without VR) for years, and have been very happy with it when I didn't want to/couldn't carry a camera bag and just wanted one small, lightweight lens on the 5D to take snapshots, or at parties with a flash, etc.. The VR on the new version makes it even better, and I'll be buying one before my next topside vacation (already gave the old one to my bro-in-law).