Poissible change in lens Line up - opinions.

33L · 11 Jun 2010

I have had my Sigma 70-200 for a while and whilst i love the images i get from it, its almost too heavy and i am starting to refind my love for primes.

I have a 50mm 1.4 and access to a 85mm 1.8. Normally i would have the 50mm on the 5D and the 85mm on the 50D when shooting bands etc.

I had to sell my 85mm when times got hard and is next on my purchase list.

Do you think it wou be a bad thing selling the sigma and stumping up some cash for a 135 f/2 and a 1.4 TC. This would still give me a nice working range of 50mm 85mm 135mm and 189 with the TC. This later on could be if needs required be supplemented by the 200 f/2.8 and do away with the TC.

pros:
lighter kit
sharper images

cons:
expense
more lenses

Anyone care to add on anything i am missing here!?

mastertrinity · 11 Jun 2010

it really depends to be honest, with the primes you get the wide aperture and better IQ compared to the sigma however you have to carry a bundle of lenses to get the focal length of the sigma not to mention the expense and lack of flexibility.

i love primes so normally i would vote prime however with bands you need to get from one focal length to the other and its easy with the sigma.

theonemule · 12 Jun 2010

I think primes are always a good bet...but I don't know that I'd part with my zoom lenses, reason being is that I can't always carry 3 or 4 primes with me.

Jelster · 12 Jun 2010

With the sort of stuff you do, I take it you get quite close, would the 17-40 L not be a good investment ? It may not be the fastest, but the high ISO performance of a full frame body may help counter that.

If you do need the speed, there's always the Canon 24-70 f2.8.

Steve

33L · 12 Jun 2010

I have the 17-40mm L and for club photography its great. For band performance i can and always do tend to carry 2 bodies at the same time so i have 2 different focal length depending on distance from stage. Generally there is not enough light or need for a f/4. I need alot of subject isolation and light doesnt help - normally i am upwards of ISO 2000 as it is.

I only want to replace my long end zoom. my 24-70 & 17-40 are here to stay. The zooms i find more practical in this focal length.

mipevo6 · 12 Jun 2010

70-200 F4 IS USM ? light and pin sharp ?

Jelster · 12 Jun 2010

In which case I think you've answered your own question. It may be heavy, but if you need something that long and you need speed, it's going to be big. If you have the money you can always look at the 85mm f1.2 - meant to be an ace piece of kit.

Steve

33L said:
I have the 17-40mm L and for club photography its great. For band performance i can and always do tend to carry 2 bodies at the same time so i have 2 different focal length depending on distance from stage. Generally there is not enough light or need for a f/4. I need alot of subject isolation and light doesnt help - normally i am upwards of ISO 2000 as it is.

I only want to replace my long end zoom. my 24-70 & 17-40 are here to stay. The zooms i find more practical in this focal length.

trencheel303 · 12 Jun 2010

33L said:
Do you think it wou be a bad thing selling the sigma and stumping up some cash for a 135 f/2 and a 1.4 TC.

Not at all, and the IQ may well be better than the Sigma zoom despite having a TC. and it would be lighter. you're losing 11mm so what? hardly a big deal.

I say go for it. If you have the 135 and a TC no point in getting a 200mm really?

33L · 12 Jun 2010

mipevo6 said:
70-200 F4 IS USM ? light and pin sharp ?

f/4 is too slow and if push came to shove i have 2 i can have access to.

Jelster said:
In which case I think you've answered your own question. It may be heavy, but if you need something that long and you need speed, it's going to be big. If you have the money you can always look at the 85mm f1.2 - meant to be an ace piece of kit.

Steve

Cant warrant the price of the f/1.2 especially when the 1.8 seems to do fine.

trencheel303 said:
Not at all, and the IQ may well be better than the Sigma zoom despite having a TC. and it would be lighter. you're losing 11mm so what? hardly a big deal.

I say go for it. If you have the 135 and a TC no point in getting a 200mm really?

Just thinking of a the 200mm with the TC as well as an option but again the 200mm is only if the need for it came up quite often, dont want a lens sat there for a maybe situation.

i agree the 11mm i wont miss.