Lens choice for Interior/Architecture

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smountifield

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Hi folks...

Newbie to the forum, but not to photography... I have recently decided to get my head back into photography, after falling out of love with it a little several years ago... My aim is to focus more on interior and architectural images, however I am unsure on the right lens choice to begin with...

The 3 lenses I have been looking at are
  1. Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L MK II USM
  2. Canon EF 24-70 mm F/2.8 L USM
  3. Canon 17-40 f4L USM
Having done some research, I whilst understand that there is not quite such a need for an f2.8 due to large amounts of my photography will be with a tripod... I always try to strive for the best equipment I can afford... I perhaps could afford Option 1, however, I am not convinced I want to be spending £1200+ on a lens right now, so I am more swayed by Options 2 and 3... Which is where you guys come in...

I am happy, to begin with, to purchase a used lens, but would welcome thoughts, opinions and advice on what you think on these lenses... As a note, I am happy to upgrade, in 12 months etc. if things go well..

Thx in advance guys...
 
Full frame or crop sensor? What body do you have?
 
Sorry should have said... I have a Canon 6D which is full frame...

All my photography in the past as has been amateur (ish) landscape and product... I sold everything I owned about 8 years ago... The product photography was part my job...

I have a real interest in architecture and good design, hence me trying now to focus on something I love, as opposed to shooting stuff, purely for my work... Which sucked... :-)

Thx again for any advice...
 
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I was out with a mate at weekend with a samyang 14mm on full frame (nikon) but results were fantastic!
 
For really wide look at the 16-35mm f/4 , apparently it is optically better thab the f/2.8 equivalent. I love mine.
The 24-70 mk1 is OK, but not as good as the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8( buy with warranty) this is great value for money and has IS too.
 
I've heard that as well! It's supposed to be ace!
 
But for budget the samyang is brilliant!
 
Stowfords34 said:
For really wide look at the 16-35mm f/4 , apparently it is optically better thab the f/2.8 equivalent....
Click to expand...

I'd go down this route too if you're not going for a tilt-shift lens. Excellent performer and an absolute bargain for the quality you get.

Bob
 
Stowfords34 said:
For really wide look at the 16-35mm f/4 , apparently it is optically better thab the f/2.8 equivalent. I love mine.
The 24-70 mk1 is OK, but not as good as the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8( buy with warranty) this is great value for money and has IS too.
Click to expand...

Thx for this advice, will def take look into this lens... Would you recommend the Canon 16-35 over the Tamron 24-70 then?

Canon Bob said:
I'd go down this route too if you're not going for a tilt-shift lens. Excellent performer and an absolute bargain for the quality you get.

Bob
Click to expand...

If all goes well I think I'll perhaps end up moving over to a tilt shift lens in the future, but want to take smaller steps than diving in feet first... Thx :)
 
Mark twiglet said:
I was out with a mate at weekend with a samyang 14mm on full frame (nikon) but results were fantastic!
Click to expand...

I am not sure I want to go down the 'fixed' lens route just yet but again, I'll check this out... Does it come on a Canon mount?
 
I use a 17-40 an awful lot on my Canon 6D. Its main drawback is that it's not very quick, at only f/4; however, it's wonderfully sharp and very nice to use.

However, I use it for all sorts of things. For daytime outdoor walkabout stuff I set it to 40mm, f/8, ISO 400 and adjust shutter accordingly. I do like a bit of wide-angle action too, and with it having decent IQ throughout the zoom range, the dramatic angle shots are available too.

I am quite aware that the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 is better than the 17-40. However, I remain to be convinced that it's "twice as much money" better.

If I ever do a serious amount of architecture work, I would seriously consider obtaining the 24mm Canon tilt shift.
 
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The canon 16-35 I use for proper wide angle on a FF body- though it can be a sort of standard zoom on a crop body.
The 24-70 would be a standard zoom on a FF body.
24mm is good enough for general purposes , but for interior architecture I would want something much wider.
 
The Canon 17-40 is a good lens- but I found on a FF body there is too much distortion at wide angle for my liking- though this can be PP removed.
 
Alternatively, if you decide to get really serious ..... get a large format camera with lots of movements
 
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Thx guys so far for your advice... have had a look at the 16-35... How much distortion would you expect to get at 16mm on this lens? For anyone that has this...? I am battling with my thoughts on wanting the 2.8, for the speed, but not actually needing to go that low perhaps...
 
As with most wide zooms it does have some barrel distortion between 16 and 20 and then some pin cushion between 30 and 35. If you don't need f/2.8 then go for the f/4 IS....optically it's far better (I've had the f/2.8 and now have the f/4).

Bob
 
pwhysall said:
I am quite aware that the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 is better than the 17-40. However, I remain to be convinced that it's "twice as much money" better.

If I ever do a serious amount of architecture work, I would seriously consider obtaining the 24mm Canon tilt shift.
Click to expand...
Agreed, though apparently the 16-35 f4 is supposed to be sharper than both, and isn't that much more than the 17-40 and considerably less than the f2.8 version.

Incidentally, there is a live webinar this evening on using tilt/shift lenses.
 
Bythesea said:
Agreed, though apparently the 16-35 f4 is supposed to be sharper than both, and isn't that much more than the 17-40 and considerably less than the f2.8 version.

Incidentally, there is a live webinar this evening on using tilt/shift lenses.
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Where is this webinar you speak of ??? :) Would be interested in joining in...
 
It was actually last night - it is the first item mentioned here. Not sure if it will be made available or whether you have to be a subscriber (I am), but might be worth asking. I know other webinars they have done are available on YouTube.
 
smountifield said:
Arse.. thx :(

It is Private...
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It shows as private for me as well, even when I am logged in. Might just be that they haven't edited it yet for uploading.
 
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