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DLNB
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p.1 #1 · Canon Prime L bargains?

The Canon 70-200 f/4L and 17-40 F/4L are both L series zooms that are a great bargain. Does Canon have any prime L's that are along the same lines of great bang for your buck?

Mar 28, 2008 at 03:49 AM

ICQ

ShaneEngelking
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p.1 #2 · Canon Prime L bargains?

200 2.8L is around $550, I would say this one qualifies.

Mar 28, 2008 at 03:52 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.1 #3 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Yep, the 200/2.8 L II is the only "bargain" L prime,
unless you count the 300/4L IS and 400/5.6L,
which are twice the cost, but still worth it.

Mar 28, 2008 at 03:53 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #4 · Canon Prime L bargains?

The 200 f/2.8L is a great lens for the price and IMO the 135L is also an L prime bargain. Some might add the 300 f/4L (especially the non-IS version can be picked up used for a fairly low price) and you might even include the 400 f/5.6L which is a very high quality, fast focusing, relatively long lens for a pretty reasonable price.

Mar 28, 2008 at 03:55 AM

DLNB
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p.1 #5 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Looks like L primes are not in my immediate future. I guess the good news is that Canon has a lot of very good non L primes.

Mar 28, 2008 at 03:56 AM

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mh2000
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p.1 #6 · Canon Prime L bargains?

I would include the 135L as a "bargain" lens myself... but yes, there are nice non-L primes. My favorites: 35/2, 50/1.8, 100/2 and 135SF... all real bargains in my mind (especially the 35, 50 and 135SF).

I love small light weight primes

Mar 28, 2008 at 04:14 AM

DLNB
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p.1 #7 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Yes, the 35/2 might be my next.

Mar 28, 2008 at 04:20 AM

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Glen_C
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p.1 #8 · Canon Prime L bargains?

used the 28-70L is often a steal also (if you don't need 24mm)

Mar 28, 2008 at 04:20 AM

pipspeak
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p.1 #9 · Canon Prime L bargains?

so you'd rate the 35/2 over the 28/1.8?

Mar 28, 2008 at 05:18 AM

Sean Mullins
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p.1 #10 · Canon Prime L bargains?

I picked up a 200 2.8L MK1 for $450, the only diff with the MK2 is the built in lens hood which I dont mind.

Mar 28, 2008 at 05:20 AM

mh2000
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p.1 #11 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Yes, I much prefer the 35/2 over the 28/1.8. Much sharper, greater contrast and pop. Bokeh from both is nothing too great. "Build" and USM on the 28/1.8 is nice, of course, but not at the expense of IQ IMO. The close focusing of the 35/2 is very useful to me as well.

Oops, and forgot to mention the 28/2.8 as another great bargain lens (haven't owned one for like 10 years, but still have some photos from it that hold up very well... might get another if I stumble on a bargain used copy... especially when I get myself to sell my almost never used big honking 24-70L.

pipspeak wrote:
so you'd rate the 35/2 over the 28/1.8?

Mar 28, 2008 at 05:32 AM

pipspeak
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p.1 #12 · Canon Prime L bargains?

yes, selling the 24-70 for a 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100 macro is something I have long considered but not yet had the guts to do

Mar 28, 2008 at 05:50 AM

Frode
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p.1 #13 · Canon Prime L bargains?

pipspeak wrote:
yes, selling the 24-70 for a 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100 macro is something I have long considered but not yet had the guts to do

I sold my 24- 70 for a 28 2.8, 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8. Never looked back!

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:19 AM

chez
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p.1 #14 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Frode wrote:
pipspeak wrote:
yes, selling the 24-70 for a 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100 macro is something I have long considered but not yet had the guts to do

I sold my 24- 70 for a 28 2.8, 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8. Never looked back!

Really depends what you shoot. Try shooting a wedding with your three primes and you'll quickly appreciate the 24-70 lens.

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:30 AM

mh2000
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p.1 #15 · Canon Prime L bargains?

yeah, that's why I won't shoot another wedding.

>>Really depends what you shoot. Try shooting a wedding with your three primes and you'll quickly appreciate the 24-70 lens.

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:34 AM

mh2000
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p.1 #16 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Frode wrote:
pipspeak wrote:
yes, selling the 24-70 for a 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100 macro is something I have long considered but not yet had the guts to do

I sold my 24- 70 for a 28 2.8, 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8. Never looked back!

Really, I seem to be shifting to Leica-R film and will end up with a 50/2, 90/2 and 135/2.8 (haven't found the great deal on a mint non-apo Summicron-R 90 yet).

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:37 AM

Andrew J
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p.1 #17 · Canon Prime L bargains?

I got a user condition 200mm 2.8L for $360 in the buy and sell. It really shocks how good it is even with a 2x TC. This is with a 1.4x.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Mar 28, 2008 at 12:14 PM

DLNB
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p.1 #18 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Wow, $360? that is a bargain.

Mar 28, 2008 at 02:02 PM

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frank kayser
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p.1 #19 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Bargain "L"?
You'll not find any at the dollar store.

But if you mean a better price-performance ratio than one would expect -

The 200mm f2.8 - half a buck - damn fine lens. Very good at twice the price. Or with a 2x.
The 135mm f2.0 - just because it is SOOOOooo good. (although the 200 f2.8...)
The 400mm 5.6 - Tack sharp, amazingly fast and sure AF, and a super tele for around a buck.

These are bargain "L"s, for sure!

Not "L"s but...
85mm f1.8 - OMG!
100 f2.8 macro - WOW!

Oh, yeah. These are real bargains.

Edited on Mar 28, 2008 at 04:39 PM

Mar 28, 2008 at 04:34 PM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #20 · Canon Prime L bargains?

...not to mention the 135mm 2.8 EF Soft Focus lens! I have one, and it is RAZOR sharp wide open. Simply unbelievable piece, don't hear of alot of people using them though...

Mar 28, 2008 at 05:36 PM

jxsq
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p.1 #21 · Canon Prime L bargains?

I'd say 135L and 300/2.8LIS. I know it is hard to believe that 300/2.8 belong to this category, but consider how much it can do, and how good it can do, it is a real bargain!

For non-L primes, i have 28/2.8 and 135SF, i think both are very good bargains.

Mar 28, 2008 at 06:32 PM

jxsq
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p.1 #22 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Andrew J wrote:
I got a user condition 200mm 2.8L for $360 in the buy and sell. It really shocks how good it is even with a 2x TC. This is with a 1.4x.

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Wow, impressive.

How would you compare 200+1.4x to 70-300IS at 300mm end?

Mar 28, 2008 at 06:33 PM

Andrew J
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p.1 #23 · Canon Prime L bargains?

Thanks, I don't know about that lens. This is a falcon with a 2x on the 200 wide open. The two pros I was up against had 400 5.6Ls. They both said they missed the shots. The shot was severely back lit.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Camera: Canon EOS-1D
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 400

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:25 PM

timnosenzo
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p.1 #24 · Canon Prime L bargains?

mh2000 wrote:
Yes, I much prefer the 35/2 over the 28/1.8. Much sharper, greater contrast and pop. Bokeh from both is nothing too great. "Build" and USM on the 28/1.8 is nice, of course, but not at the expense of IQ IMO. The close focusing of the 35/2 is very useful to me as well.

No idea why the 28 f/1.8 get such a bad rap on forums, I get great results with mine, and I mostly use it at f/1.8 or f/2. I had a 35 f/2 years ago, it was OK but I don't remember it having any wow factor over my 28.

Mar 28, 2008 at 08:28 PM

sdgphoto
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p.1 #25 · Canon Prime L bargains?

"Prime L Bargain?"

None more than the 200 F2.8 L (I or II) USM

Mar 28, 2008 at 08:44 PM


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