Canons New 24-70 ii and a full frame upgrade

[Mani Gill]

Hi, this is my first thread and I hope those of you who are experienced could help me with my query. I currently own a Canon 550D with a 18-135mm kit lens and also a 50mm f1.8, I had purchased the camera in Nov 2010 and it was my first DSLR. I spent just under £1000 for the whole package. Now that I am used to DSLRS I would like to move up to the next stage and possibly buy a full frame camera once I have sold the Canon 550D. It seems I may lose quite a bit of money if I sell my camera, so my second thought was to buy the new 24-70 L series lens and use this on my 550D as it may improve the quality of my photography. I do not get paid for my photographs but I am often asked to shoot friends and families events, hopefully with a better camera I can get better quality photos or even with a better lens. Which option to choose......

 

[djinn]

I`m a Nikon user so whether a the Canon 550d is good or not I would`nt know but making the upgrade to the `pro` lens will definitely worth it and definitely the way to go.

 

[4wd]

It's a sound idea to get the lens for now then go body only on a full frame later.
You might miss the 18mm end as 24mm is not that wide on your cropped sensor.

 

[Little John]

When did I miss the announcement of the 24-70 II?

From a user of a 500D and 450D with the current 24-70 its an awesome upgrade, about 2 years of using it before upgrading to the 1D but still have the 500D I had almost always been able to take a step back so the 24mm wasnt really an issue and I learnt to addapt. My shooting style was always get in close anyway but for the times I had no option then the 10-22mm was on the 2nd body. A new better on a "lesser body" is always a better route than a lesser lens on a better body the lens will hold its value also a lot better than the body will. I bought a bunch of lenses for my 450 and 500 before stepping up the body.

 

[On the Huh]

You may get better IQ with L glass and a FF sensor, but having a bigger camera and lens won't make you a better photograher. Sure, you will be less limited with some shots.

 

[EOS_JD]

I'd go with the MkI rather than the MkII (at least until the price settles a bit) - Having just done that

I believe also that a 5D3 will be announced this year.......

 

[stevewestern]

Why not go for the mk1 version of the 24-70 but second hand and with the money you save over the mk2 you can buy a second hand 5d2 as well !
The price of the mk2 is £2300 roughly - the mk1 is under a grand.
Selling off the 550 and 18-135 lens may also allow you to go some way towards another lens - maybe even a 70-200 - the f4 IS is a wonderful lens and easily within reach.
You may also want to consider the 24-105, which is only f4 but it is longer, lighter and cheaper than the 24-70 and not too shabby either.

Just taken a look and for £2300 you can get a 5d2 with 24-105 new from WEX, and cheaper by going with Kerso I expect.

 

[POAH]

buying a lens will not improve your photography neither will buying a new camera.

Is there somthing particular that is lacking from the 550 thats holding you back or are you just wanting a new toy?

Personally I would invest in some lenses, what do you tend to shoot?

sell the 18-135 and 50mm

Hi, this is my first thread and I hope those of you who are experienced could help me with my query. I currently own a Canon 550D with a 18-135mm kit lens and also a 50mm f1.8, I had purchased the camera in Nov 2010 and it was my first DSLR. I spent just under £1000 for the whole package. Now that I am used to DSLRS I would like to move up to the next stage and possibly buy a full frame camera once I have sold the Canon 550D. It seems I may lose quite a bit of money if I sell my camera, so my second thought was to buy the new 24-70 L series lens and use this on my 550D as it may improve the quality of my photography. I do not get paid for my photographs but I am often asked to shoot friends and families events, hopefully with a better camera I can get better quality photos or even with a better lens. Which option to choose......

 

[wealthysoup]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that if you mainly take photos of family and friends that a flashgun would be a far better investment than the camera or lens at the minute. It will open up a whole new photographic experience which in my opinion a new lens or camera won't unless your current ones are limiting you

 

[CarlosGilbertos]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that if you mainly take photos of family and friends that a flashgun would be a far better investment than the camera or lens at the minute. It will open up a whole new photographic experience which in my opinion a new lens or camera won't unless your current ones are limiting you

This ^^ A thousand times this ^^

 

[EOS_JD]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that if you mainly take photos of family and friends that a flashgun would be a far better investment than the camera or lens at the minute. It will open up a whole new photographic experience which in my opinion a new lens or camera won't unless your current ones are limiting you

that's a good point

 

[Noah_]

I've been looking to buy the 24-70mm for quite a while but haven't been ablw to afford it. Hopefully with the release of the MKII it'll make the MKI more affordable? New glass may be beneficial for the moment. Best wishes :}

 

[jacob12_1993]

I've been looking to buy the 24-70mm for quite a while but haven't been ablw to afford it. Hopefully with the release of the MKII it'll make the MKI more affordable? Best wishes :}

Unfortunately the MKii is twice the price and has added no worthwhile features so I can't see it happening

 

[Noah_]

@jacob12_1993 You don't reckon the cost of the lens will reduce at all?

 

[MatBin]

@jacob12_1993 You don't reckon the cost of the lens will reduce at all?

The mk1 will probably be replaced not augmented by the mk2 (unless they do the same thing as they did with the 100macro) and as supplies of the cheaper mk 1 dry up so the price will hold firm as people will be happy to have the lesser lens at the lower than Mk2 prices. Once all the suplies have dried up the mk2 price will settle backwards a little, depending on the exchange rate of course.

 

[Noah_]

]@jacob12_1993 Oh thats a shame.

 

[Scarecrow]

There may be a few 24-70 lenses hitting the second hand market as people feel the need to trade up ot the newer model, but I am also guessing that there will be a few owners like myself who can't justify the massive price increase just to gain a marginal IQ improvement over what they already have.

 

[StewartR]

The mk1 will probably be replaced not augmented by the mk2 (unless they do the same thing as they did with the 100macro) and as supplies of the cheaper mk 1 dry up so the price will hold firm as people will be happy to have the lesser lens at the lower than Mk2 prices. Once all the suplies have dried up the mk2 price will settle backwards a little, depending on the exchange rate of course.

There may be a few 24-70 lenses hitting the second hand market as people feel the need to trade up ot the newer model, but I am also guessing that there will be a few owners like myself who can't justify the massive price increase just to gain a marginal IQ improvement over what they already have.

I agree. Once the Mk II lens starts to drop in price, people may upgrade. But in the short term it doesn't look very attractive.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I agree. Once the Mk II lens starts to drop in price, people may upgrade. But in the short term it doesn't look very attractive.

I won't, it isn't a lens I use that much as I am more a prime shooter these days so spending £2k on a lens that comes out of the bag now and again is crazy considering I already have the Mk1.

 

[Silent-Sam]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that if you mainly take photos of family and friends that a flashgun would be a far better investment than the camera or lens at the minute. It will open up a whole new photographic experience which in my opinion a new lens or camera won't unless your current ones are limiting you

 

[specialman]

17-55mm instead of a 24-70mm if you stick with a crop body. That said, buying a lens or a body isn't an instant upgrade to your skill

 

[kerso]

Yes I should be a nice bit cheaper!

Why not go for the mk1 version of the 24-70 but second hand and with the money you save over the mk2 you can buy a second hand 5d2 as well !
The price of the mk2 is £2300 roughly - the mk1 is under a grand.
Selling off the 550 and 18-135 lens may also allow you to go some way towards another lens - maybe even a 70-200 - the f4 IS is a wonderful lens and easily within reach.
You may also want to consider the 24-105, which is only f4 but it is longer, lighter and cheaper than the 24-70 and not too shabby either.

Just taken a look and for £2300 you can get a 5d2 with 24-105 new from WEX, and cheaper by going with Kerso I expect.

 

[Starastin]

get a 17-55mm - it's a true gem . they go for about 550 used here I think.

24-70mm II will be bloody expensive. as it's a full frame lens, it shines better on FF .

 

[Mani Gill]

Thank you guys, some fantastic options for me being advised, I think I will certainly go for a lens, prices seem to be coming down on the 24-70 mark 1 now that the new one has been announced, not sure how much of a difference the new one will be in terms of image quality. Thank you to all for your time.

 

[Mani Gill]

buying a lens will not improve your photography neither will buying a new camera.

Is there somthing particular that is lacking from the 550 thats holding you back or are you just wanting a new toy?

Personally I would invest in some lenses, what do you tend to shoot?

sell the 18-135 and 50mm

Hi

I tend to photograph architecture on holidays, especially night shots, scenery and also the family/kids. My photographs are varied and I also do events for families and friends. The reason why I was looking to go up to a full frame is that I thought it would improve my photographs. I will be selling me lenses and going for a L series.

 

[Mani Gill]

This ^^ A thousand times this ^^

I'm surprised at that, being quite new to photography I was not sure what difference a flashgun would make, I tend to use the in built one on the camera, it just shows how little I know. Thanks

 

[Mani Gill]

The price of the new Canon lens will be approximately between £1400-£1600, I have seen some sites have it on sale pre order at £2200 which is crazy, very over inflated.

 

[Phil V]

I'm surprised at that, being quite new to photography I was not sure what difference a flashgun would make, I tend to use the in built one on the camera, it just shows how little I know. Thanks

Forgive me if this sounds blunt, but if you're happily using the built in flash on your current camera, you have sooooo much to learn about what will make you a good photographer.

And a Full Frame Camera or a new L series lens is far from the answer.

I'd suggest spending some money on training courses before gear. Then maybe a nice short break to get to practice your new found knowledge - both of which will make loads of difference to your photography.

Sadly a new lens or camera will just give you slightly nicer pixels representing no improvement in your photography at all.

 

[TCR4x4]

As above, I know its sounds patronising and rude, but if you really think buying the latest and greatest will suddenly produce stunning images, you'll be sadly disapointed and have a rather large hole in your finances.

Infact, if you are at the stage of still using the on camera flash, then an upgrade to a full frame body will likely make your images worse, as you try and figure out what the hell you are doing.

Spend your money, and more importanly your time on learning what you are doing with your current gear, instead of throwing money at gear that wont have any positive effect on your skill whatsoever.
Once you have mastered what you have, then you can start to add to it. Better quality lenses etc. A flashgun might be a good start now if you shoot a lot of people, but again, youll need to learn how to use it.

 

[EOS_JD]

Can only echo the last two posts.

 

[On the Huh]

Can only echo the last two posts.

 

[Mani Gill]

Forgive me if this sounds blunt, but if you're happily using the built in flash on your current camera, you have sooooo much to learn about what will make you a good photographer.

And a Full Frame Camera or a new L series lens is far from the answer.

I'd suggest spending some money on training courses before gear. Then maybe a nice short break to get to practice your new found knowledge - both of which will make loads of difference to your photography.

Sadly a new lens or camera will just give you slightly nicer pixels representing no improvement in your photography at all.

Thanks again, it does not sound patronising at all, I know it is a steep learning curve, and I am glad that people can be honest on this forum, I do have a course booked in April, I'll see how that goes. Cheers again.

 

[EOS_JD]

Thanks again, it does not sound patronising at all, I know it is a steep learning curve, and I am glad that people can be honest on this forum, I do have a course booked in April, I'll see how that goes. Cheers again.

What course did you book?

 

[Mani Gill]

What course did you book?

Hi, the course I booked is a beginners digital photography course at the Ikon Studios in Birmingham. This should help me pick up some skills, I'm hoping. I'm going with a friend who recently a DSLR as well.

 

[EOS_JD]

Hi, the course I booked is a beginners digital photography course at the Ikon Studios in Birmingham. This should help me pick up some skills, I'm hoping. I'm going with a friend who recently a DSLR as well.

Thanks - seems a lot for a beginners course when most of that is already all covered here on the forum But you do get the chance to shoot a model which is nice

 

[Mani Gill]

Thanks - seems a lot for a beginners course when most of that is already all covered here on the forum But you do get the chance to shoot a model which is nice

I managed to get a deal from Groupon, it was £20. Sounds to good to be true but we'll see. I've bid on a 270 EX speed lite flash to get me started, once I get to grips with it I'll move up.

 

[wealthysoup]

If I'm thinking right then your wasting your time with a 270ex as it has a very minimal feature set. If you want to go canon then I'd suggest trying a 430ex or ex2 or if money's a problem get a 3rd party flash depending on how much you want to spend

 

[Mani Gill]

If I'm thinking right then your wasting your time with a 270ex as it has a very minimal feature set. If you want to go canon then I'd suggest trying a 430ex or ex2 or if money's a problem get a 3rd party flash depending on how much you want to spend

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking of starting with the 270EX due to its size and as I will be new to using a flash I was thinking it may not be a considerable investment. I will have a look at the 430ex. If it was not for the forum I would be looking at a new lens and body and not thought about a flash for a second.

 

[Phil V]

I'll echo the above, the 270 doesn't have a tilt swivel head, the most important feature of on camera flash as youll be wanting to bounce off something.
Get a Nissin if you don't want to she'll out for the Canon, it's a bit of future proofing

 

[Mani Gill]

I'll echo the above, the 270 doesn't have a tilt swivel head, the most important feature of on camera flash as youll be wanting to bounce off something.
Get a Nissin if you don't want to she'll out for the Canon, it's a bit of future proofing

Thanks Phil, much appreciated.