Not happy with my 17-40L

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Archive 2012 · Not happy with my 17-40L

mxquattro
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p.1 #1 · Not happy with my 17-40L

I just got back from a couple weeks in Iceland and I brought 2 lenses, my 17-40L and the 28-300L. Weather wasnt great for a few of the days but not enough to slow me down, and since its Iceland in January, it was dark much of the time. Even during the day it wasnt that bright. The combination of the weather and daylight meant I was shooting in pretty dark conditions most of the time. My 17-40 didnt perform as well as I had expected. I had ISO cranked all the way up to H (on my 1Dm2) and aperture wide open most of the time and generally it still wasnt good enough.
In the bright daylight of car shows etc its great. Yes, I had a tripod with me but couldnt really use it in all the places.
There something a little quicker I can replace it with that you guys would recommend? Id really love a 17-300 F/2.8 L if they ever decide to make one

bob

Jan 18, 2012 at 09:41 PM

faremax
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p.1 #2 · Not happy with my 17-40L

You can't really expect so much from an f/4 lens in a dark. If you want something wide then get 24mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2 or 28mm f/1.8. I doubt you will find f/2.8 lens (which will offer just 1 stop of improvement comparing to f/4) sufficient enough for your 1Dm2

Jan 18, 2012 at 09:54 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #3 · Not happy with my 17-40L

I don't know what your problem could be but I had no problems with mine in low light. This was shot with only a full moon at ISO 400 at f4 and 30 seconds. You can upgrade to the more expensive 16-35L II but that gives you only 1 extra stop.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 17 mm f/4.0 30 sec 400 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 18, 2012 at 10:01 PM

GC5
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p.1 #4 · Not happy with my 17-40L

bobby, it sounds like his issue was with f4. You can't handhold for 30 second exposures like yours.

@OP - Sounds like might need a 24L if you want wide and fast.

Jan 18, 2012 at 10:35 PM

bpark42
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p.1 #5 · Not happy with my 17-40L

The 24L would certainly be suitable if you need fast and wide. The 24-105 might be an alternative if you are primarily shooting static subjects. The IS will get you at least a couple extra stops of handholdability without having to resort to ultrafast apertures and (potentially) too narrow DoF.

Jan 18, 2012 at 10:45 PM

mxquattro
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p.1 #6 · Not happy with my 17-40L

Ill check into the 24-105, thank you for the tip. Bobby, tripod shots are no problem, its fine for that, I was referring to handheld shots. 16-35 sounds good too but the 24-105 would mean traveling with just one lens.
bob

Jan 18, 2012 at 11:33 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #7 · Not happy with my 17-40L

The 24-105L should give you at least 3 stops I would think, with a nice/decent range, so it's great lens for travel/hiking.

Jan 18, 2012 at 11:49 PM

Trevor Sowers
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p.1 #8 · Not happy with my 17-40L

For my wide angle needs I carry a 17-40 and a 28 f/1.8 for low light and more DOF control. A good pair and makes a light bag.

Jan 19, 2012 at 03:00 AM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #9 · Not happy with my 17-40L

I use the 24-105 4L on my 5D2 for travel and, if I'm careful, can easily squeeze 3 stops of extra hand holdability out of the rig. Good enough for clean shots at twilight, city streets at night and casino and church interiors.

Jan 19, 2012 at 04:00 AM

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