Which lens?

[scottcharley]

I recently bought a 24-105mm F4 canon L Lens and even though it's a great lens, it doesn't suit what i'm looking to use it for. I'm looking to do some photographic street work mainly at night so which L Lens would offer a good enough focal length and a large aperture?

 

[ACW]

Canon 70-200 2.8, any version.

Or 135L f/2? Depends if you want a zoom, or would rather get some extra light in?

 

[mart77]

50mm 1.8

 

[Jimwah]

If it's just the light that's an issue (rather than the focal length) & you still want a zoom, then maybe a 24-70 2.8 could be the way to go? Or a 17-55 2.8 IS may be better if you have a cropped body. Otherwise there's loads of [relatively] cheap, fast primes to pick from.

I'm thinking about a 24-105mm F4 at the moment, looks like a fantastic lens, in what way doesn't it fulfil your requirements, just too slow for night time shooting? I'd have thought IS helps a bit with static subjects at least?

 

[M4FFU]

Why an L lens? Plenty of fast EF prime lenses that might help you out.

 

[odd jim]

Why an L lens? Plenty of fast EF prime lenses that might help you out.

Exactly. Why does it have to be an L? Why restrict yourself so badly?!

The Canon EF (not L!) 50mm f/1.8, the superb 35mm f/2 can be had used for about £200 for both together! Then there's the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 which I bought for £250 which was completely mint. Great lens for low light street work.

Then theres The excellent Sigmas - 30mm f/1.4, 70-200 f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4.

All these offer fast low light shooting with IQ as good as an L lens.

 

[pete.rush]

Yes the 24-105mm f4 isn't suited to low light situations, minimum of f2.8 or faster is required.

What camera body do you have? That could be causing some of the issues.

But the prime lenses are the way to go if you want fast optics.

 

[vmlopes]

As others have said, don't get hung up on the L red ring.............they help, but the person behind it is more important.

Any of the 50mm or maybe even a 35mm.....depends if your FF or crop