24-70mm vs 17-55

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funkyfresh

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Hi Guys,

First post on the forum, so please be nice! I've been lurking around for ages and actually used a lot of the advice on here to get my camera.

Having had a 500D for a while I've now upgraded to a 7D. The lens I have at the moment is just a 50MM f1.8 which is a great lens but I feel limited by the focal length.

I'm really not sure which lens to go for, I use my camera for general photography such as taking pictures of family, but I also do landscape photos and go on general excursions with friends.

Really need some advice!!

Thanks guys!
 
How likely are you to upgrade to FF (or 1D) in the next few years. Are you likely to use it under harmful conditions (rain, dust)? In you could answer no to both then 17-55mm is for you. However if there is a Yes somewhere you should maybe think about 24-70mm and don't rule out 24-105mm unless you shoot in the dark.
 
daugirdas said:
How likely are you to upgrade to FF (or 1D) in the next few years. Are you likely to use it under harmful conditions (rain, dust)? In you could answer no to both then 17-55mm is for you. However if there is a Yes somewhere you should maybe think about 24-70mm and don't rule out 24-105mm unless you shoot in the dark.
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Spot on! What he said
 
How about if the answer is no to FF, but yes to rain?? (although I guess an x00D won't like rain either.)
 
The 24-70 is a great lens and works fine on a crop sensor, downsides its a bit of a weight, its not that wide on a crop ok so maybe not that great on a crop but I still bought one and use it 90% of the time. ohh yeah getting hold of one can be difficult t the moment due to stock levels.
 
I have the 17-55 and have thought about changing to the 24-70 a few times.

Pros for the change were that I wanted the superior built quality and weather sealing of the 24-70. Cons were that I didn't want to lose the IS.

I have the 10-22 to cover the wide end anyway and have never really missed the 55-70 gap between my current lenses so the difference in range was never really a concern. I may yet switch but I'm still perfectly happy with the 17-55, it's an awesome lens and the IS is useful.
 
I had the exact same quandry until recently. I had a 24-70 delivered from Kerso!

My deciding factors were that the 24-70 is

(a) aguably better quality
(b)will hold it's value more
(c) professionals have used it for years without much complaint so should do everything I need
(d)and almost as importantly, I would always wonder if I should have bought the 24-70 if I had bought the 17-55.

I think the main 2 features against the 24-70 is price (it is a bit more) and if you are using it on a crop then it becames more like 30-80.

But as I said, I bought it and I have a 7D.
 
bluesilver said:
I think the main 2 features against the 24-70 is price (it is a bit more) and if you are using it on a crop then it becames more like 30-80.

But as I said, I bought it and I have a 7D.
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More like a 38-105mm actually (1.6 crop). The 17-55 end up with a 27-88mm FOV equivalent.

If the OP does landscapes then 38mm equiv FOV could be a bit limiting?
 
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bluesilver said:
I think the main 2 features against the 24-70 is price (it is a bit more) and if you are using it on a crop then it becames more like 30-80.
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And the lack of IS.
 
Just a thought but personally, I think the 16-35 II is a MUCH more useful lens on a crop body than the 24-70 as a walkabout and if the OP does upgrade to FF it makes a fantastic UWA. I had the 24-70 for a few years and used it primarilly for groups at weddings but not much else.

The OP should at least consider this lens, IMHO.

Good luck with your selection.

Gary
 
funkyfresh said:
a 50MM f1.8 which is a great lens but I feel limited by the focal length.
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Too long? Too short?

You could try getting the 18-55 second-hand for £44 and using that for a few weeks. Then you'll have a much better idea as to what focal range you really need and you'll be able to sell the 18-55 for about the same as you paid for it, maybe more.
 
it's not the canon L lens but i've just bought a sigma 24-70 2.8, having been using only the 50 1.8 since i bought my 30d. i liked the 50mm length and the 24-70 range gives me some scope either side of that.

i know some people will say that 50mm is too long on a crop sensor but i found it alright to be honest. i'm moving more towards portraiture so the wider end of things doesn't appeal to me that much, 24mm is wide enough for me. the size of the sigma 24-70 is noticable compared to the 50 and the canon will be even bigger. the 17-55 will be a fair bit smaller and lighter if that's of concern to you.

my gripped 30d with the sigma is just over 2kgs so as a walk around it's a bit of a bruiser. my girlfriend doesn't like holding it now-this may be a plus point to you lol

next for me will be either an 85mm 1.8 or some sort of 70-200 and i'll have most things covered
 
hollis_f said:
Too long? Too short?

You could try getting the 18-55 second-hand for £44 and using that for a few weeks. Then you'll have a much better idea as to what focal range you really need and you'll be able to sell the 18-55 for about the same as you paid for it, maybe more.
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^^^ This is good advice.

Then get the 17-55. Weather-sealing apart, it beats everything else, on everything.

Worry about full frame when the time comes, if it comes. You'll get a good price for that lens.
 
In the film days many of us who had a zoom had a one that started at 28mm so when I went digital that's what I got and I thought... Jeez, what's going on?

I think it's worth remembering that the old focal lengths that we were used to are different beasts on non full frame cameras.
 
funkyfresh said:
I use my camera for general photography such as taking pictures of family, but I also do landscape photos and go on general excursions with friends.

Thanks guys!
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Both great lenses but on that body I'd say the 17-55 over the 24-70 all day long based on that criteria.

If on the other hand you were planning a wide angle lens as well - then I'd go with the 24-70.
 
Would the 24-70 be any good on my d5000? I'm struggling with all the terms like IS, crop sensor etc etc :(
 
Scottynoooo said:
Would the 24-70 be any good on my d5000? I'm struggling with all the terms like IS, crop sensor etc etc :(
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They are talking about canon lenses here so most of it isn't of value to you anyway. But yes a 24-70 would be good on a d5000, preferably the nikon version but sigma do some also. Nikon have a 17-55 which you may find better suited as the d5000 is a crop camera so a 24mm isn't really very wide.
 
TCR4x4 said:
They are talking about canon lenses here so most of it isn't of value to you anyway. But yes a 24-70 would be good on a d5000, preferably the nikon version but sigma do some also. Nikon have a 17-55 which you may find better suited as the d5000 is a crop camera so a 24mm isn't really very wide.
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Thank you TCR. I have a sigma 10-20 to fill that void. Cheers.
 
Then a 24-70 seems like the best option! Or if you don't mind loosing a few mm, nikons 28-70 would be a very good buy.
 
When I had only my 7D, I had the 17-55/2.8 IS - It was a great lens, sharp as hell and gave a good colour rendition. Stuff looked good when taken with that lens (photographer aside!!). I found that the focal length was really good, sometimes I wanted something a little longer, but nothing that a few steps couldn't cure. When I got a 5DII I got the 24-70/2.8 as my walkabout lens and moved on the 17-55. The 24-70 is a nice lens, heavy though. I never really try it on the 7D, maybe I should one day!!

If I got rid of my 5DII and went back to only using a 7D, I would sell the 24-70 and go back to a 17-55. It really was a good lens. People will say that it is a dust pump, hell, yes there were a couple of specs of dust in it after a year or so, but lets get real, that doesn't affect the pictures you take.

My advice would be to get to a shop if you can where you can try them both and see which you prefer the weight and handling of. Also, getting a cheap kit lens is a good way to see how you feel about the focal length. Also there is a programme out there, can't remember what it's called at the moment, that will analyse your pictures and tell you what focal length they are taken at. Perhaps put your most taken type of pictures in a folder on your hard drive and get the programme to look at the focal lengths. That will help you decide whether the longer or wider end would be of more use to you as well.

Off to have a look for the programme, if I find it I'll post a link!

Exposure plot - Here's the link



Hope that helps.
 
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Wow!

Thanks for the great advice guys. I haven't had a chance to get back on since I originally posted, and to see such great advice is amazing! Really feeling the love :)

I do agree that maybe a 24-70 on my crop body will be a slight disadvantage. I may want to go FF, but I wouldn't do that for at least a few years so I'm leaning towards the 17-55.

I actually had a play with one today and it was fantastic! The focussing was so perfect it was amazing!

I do like the idea of a 24-70 but with all these views from you guys the 17-55 makes more sense economically and with what I want to use, I'll keep you all posted on what I do.

Would you guys recommend Jessops? Their 0% seems quite tempting rathe than paying it all in one go!
 
swag72 said:
When I had only my 7D, I had the 17-55/2.8 IS - It was a great lens, sharp as hell and gave a good colour rendition. Stuff looked good when taken with that lens (photographer aside!!). I found that the focal length was really good, sometimes I wanted something a little longer, but nothing that a few steps couldn't cure. When I got a 5DII I got the 24-70/2.8 as my walkabout lens and moved on the 17-55. The 24-70 is a nice lens, heavy though. I never really try it on the 7D, maybe I should one day!!

If I got rid of my 5DII and went back to only using a 7D, I would sell the 24-70 and go back to a 17-55. It really was a good lens. People will say that it is a dust pump, hell, yes there were a couple of specs of dust in it after a year or so, but lets get real, that doesn't affect the pictures you take.

My advice would be to get to a shop if you can where you can try them both and see which you prefer the weight and handling of. Also, getting a cheap kit lens is a good way to see how you feel about the focal length. Also there is a programme out there, can't remember what it's called at the moment, that will analyse your pictures and tell you what focal length they are taken at. Perhaps put your most taken type of pictures in a folder on your hard drive and get the programme to look at the focal lengths. That will help you decide whether the longer or wider end would be of more use to you as well.

Off to have a look for the programme, if I find it I'll post a link!

Exposure plot - Here's the link



Hope that helps.
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That was awesome thanks man, I think a 17-55 is the way forward!!
 
There are cheaper places to buy than Jessops - For example Kerso (a member on here) can get you a cheaper deal, but of course then you don't get the 0% finance. I often paid over the odds for something as I needed finance to do it at the time.

There may be other places that are cheaper than Jessops that may help with finance - Check here for prices - There's always an option of buying on a 0% credit card. On the other hand, a bricks and mortar shop is good if there's a problem.

I wish you well, where ever you decide to buy!
 
Even though I don't use mine enough there is the 15-85mm which was pretty much meant for the 7D and it is £200 cheaper, smaller, has a wider focal range and as far as I can tell on par for IQ and focus speed with the 17-55mm. It is not constant 2.8 but you have a 50mm 1.8 which is a fast lens if needed.

You could use the extra money you save for a decent flash or even another longer lens. The 55-250 would not be my first choice but it is less than £200 you would then have 15mm to 250mm covered.
 
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