full-frame general purpose zoom lenses for Canon FF

I love my Sigma 17-70 for my cropped sensor d200. It is a great general purpose lens.

I'm trying to find an "equivalent" lens for my full-frame EOSs which I admit, may be impossible.

The first obvious option is the Canon EF24-105mm f4L with its 77mm filter thread and 45cm min focus. I already have this lens, but have not housed it yet.

An alternative might be the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM. It's got a minimum focus distance of 38cm but

one problem I see is the 82mm filter thread which will almost preclude the use a diopter.

So I'm wondering if anyone has considered or is using either of these lenses behind their dome, or can suggest another alternative.

I haven't tried the 24~105 myself but I do know that it does work (Seacam do support it with a zoom gear). I tried out the 24~70/2.8 Canaon but wasn't overly impressed by its usability - the closer focus of the 24~105 made it quite usable apparently (and IS is handy too so I have been told). I think that the 24~105 works fine behind a superdome (not sure which extender) or macro (from about 50~105) as a fish lens). I'd agree about the 82mm diopter - should be available but I haven't located a supplier in as much as the dealers I would normally use don't seem to stock one!

So you're looking for an equivalent in 35mm terms of 28-105 w/ close focusing ability (macro).

I think the older Sigma 24-70 or 28-70 may be an option. It's not as fast focusing, but who cares, it doesn't need to be. It also has a smaller filter thread.

Scubastu here uses the older Canon 28-105 and he really loves it - so hopefully he'll chime in.

Cheers

James

I tested a Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-F2.8 (the older larger version - 77mm filter) in Cayman and was very pleased with its performance and corner sharpness. It used it behind 4", 6" and 8" domes with +4 and +3 dioptres and liked it a lot. You can probably find one second hand for not too much money.

That said it does not offer the close focus ability of the Sigma 17-70mm.

Alex

I have used the Tamron AF28-75mm F/2.8 quite a bit underwater and have been happy with the results. It focuses down to 13" over the entire zoom range and you can get 1:3.9. I have simply used it without a diopter behind a flat port. The lens extends less than 1.5 inches so itseasy to get into a flat port. Also one of my favourite topside lenses.

it's slow, but the old Canon 24-85 is really not a bad lens

As James mentioned, I have used the Canon EF28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM, there are 3 versions of this lens, while mine is the original one that came with my EOS A2e kit, there is the version II and the slower EF 4.5-5.6 version (don't get this one!). This was my favorite go to lens when I shot cropped bodies, giving me basically a 45-168 lens with my 10D and 40D. Coupled with a Woody's diopter (sometimes 2 of them), I got a good all purpose lens. I did use it behind a Subal Flatport. Now, with Full Frame, I do plan on using this on my upcoming thresher shark trip to the Philippines. I'll be shooting it behind a Subal SWC Compact dome with either a +3 or +4 diopter (still need to test). I did get decent images when I did use this lens last with film.

Stu