Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

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Archive 2012 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of C...

alitech
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p.1 #1 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

I am just about to buy the 5d Mark 2 body. Have one reserved at Jessops in the UK. They will hold it until Friday for me. These puppies are out of stock everywhere it seems, i thought it would slow down with the upcoming announcement of the mark 3.

Anyhoo. I would like some advice on a single lens that would serve as an all purpose walk around lens. I dont plan to spend a lot of money on this I just want to have an option of a quick AF lens in the range of 18mm to 70mm f3.5 should do it.

I already have invested on contax zeiss lenses. Here are the lenses I currently own and plan to use on the 5D2 with a Kindai adapter.

Contax Zeiss 28mm 2.8 C/Y MMJ
Contax Zeiss 50mm 1.7 C/Y MMJ
Contax Zeiss 35-70mm 3.4 C/Y MMJ

Should be ordering the Kindai/Rayqual adapter from ebay shortly. Wish I could afford the Leitax adapters but they are working out to be a lot and I dont want to fix adapters on the lenses as I plan to use them on my Sony NEX 5N too.

So what sort of used canon cheapo lens would you guys recommend just for shooting indoors and for the occasional family event and toddlers etc when I don't want to use MF CZ lenses and won't have the luxury of taking my time on tripods etc etc.

Jan 25, 2012 at 04:43 PM

alitech
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p.1 #2 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

What do you guys think of the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Zoom

Reviewed here:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-105mm-f-3-5-4-5-USM-Zoom-Lens-Buying-Guide_W0QQugidZ10000000000771280

Jan 25, 2012 at 04:49 PM

mco_970
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p.1 #3 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

I have the 24-105 alongside of my CY 35-70. I know it's more than you want to spend, but a good copy of it is fantastic on 5D2 and well worth it.

Jan 25, 2012 at 04:58 PM

surf monkey
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p.1 #4 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

The typical, value normal zoom is the Tamron 28-75f2.8.
Excellent IQ, AF is accurate, but it is a bit slower and hunts more than Canon equivalents.
Also, not quite as sharp on the edges as the Canons.

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:03 PM

parsons
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p.1 #5 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

i think you wil find the mk2 will exaberate that lenses failures very quickly.
i would spend a bit more and get the 24-105. love mine, but also have the same contaxes you got except the 35-70 as i couldnt find one

the adapters i got where http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Contax-Canon-Adapter-Hi-Precision-AF-Confirm-OPTIX-V5-/380356877168?pt=UK_Photography_Adapter_Rings&hash=item588f095b70
excellent build QC
have a look here, whilst i wont ever sell them kit for the price you get back, but i am happy occasionaly to purchase from them.
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

simon

Edited on Jan 25, 2012 at 05:13 PM · View previous versions

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:04 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #6 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

alitech -- The 28-105 isn't a very good lens. The 24-105L is much better, and reflected in the price. Used, you might get a 28-105 USM II for around $150. OTOH, a used 24-105L will be over $800.

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:09 PM

mspencer1
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p.1 #7 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

The 24-105 is a great all purpose lens for the 5D

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:18 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #8 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Another

for the 24-105mmL lens. The IS of the lens works great and really a big plus to minimize camera/lens movement under low light conditions.

I know a lot of folks would say that the IS won't stop movement in action shots but it sure will minimize the movement of your camera. Sometimes you want to convey some kind of movement of your target but freeze the surroundings. Again, the 24-105mm lens will be a good addition to your lens lineup.

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:18 PM

Glenn NK
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p.1 #9 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

"used Canon cheapo lens" on a 5DII" ? ?

Buy less body, and get better glass. Cheap glass is a waste of money.

What's wrong with the lenses you already have?

I use the 24-105 on my 5DII.

Jan 25, 2012 at 05:59 PM

Rune
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p.1 #10 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Glenn NK wrote:
"used Canon cheapo lens" on a 5DII" ? ?

Buy less body, and get better glass. Cheap glass is a waste of money.

What's wrong with the lenses you already have?

I use the 24-105 on my 5DII.

I second that... i have been using my 24-105 since it arrived at the shop... to me it has served me so well that I even sold my 35 f1.4...

On the other hand... I later have added the 28-300L to avoid too many lens changes in the mountain in bad weather... now this lens sees more use than my 24-105 and 70-200L together...

Jan 25, 2012 at 06:15 PM

DLP
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p.1 #11 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

If you can get the 5DMKII with the 24-105 it's an exceptional value in kit form here.

Dave

Jan 25, 2012 at 06:43 PM

Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #12 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Another vote for the 24-105.

alitech wrote:
What do you guys think of the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Zoom

I tried two copies of this lens and found both quite soft at infinity focus. Too bad 'cause its much lighter and smaller than the 24-105. But optically, no comparison. Get the better lens.

Jan 25, 2012 at 07:12 PM

mco_970
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p.1 #13 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

alitech wrote:
Should be ordering the Kindai/Rayqual adapter from ebay shortly. Wish I could afford the Leitax adapters but they are working out to be a lot and I dont want to fix adapters on the lenses as I plan to use them on my Sony NEX 5N too.

PS. you can Leitax them and then use a Canon EF > NEX converter.

Leitax adapters are really nice.

Jan 25, 2012 at 08:07 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #14 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

+1 for the 24-105 .
But I will say that the 28-105 USM I had was a very good little lens.
I only sold it when I got the 24-105 but it could easily keep up with the L . It's bokeh was not as good but it was a sharp little thing and it's AF was faster . I sort of regret letting it go as it went for peanuts money and sometimes I find I don't want the extra size of the L

Jan 25, 2012 at 08:17 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #15 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Another vote for the 24-105L IS. Boring...

Jan 25, 2012 at 09:30 PM

Betacamman
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p.1 #16 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Or if the 28-105mm is still more than you want to spend, see if you can find the first 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 USM (the metal one). Can often be had for less than $100.

But yeah, 24-105. If you're really cheap, look for one that's lost its red ring. Got mine for $650 because of that.

Jan 25, 2012 at 09:35 PM

M Lucca
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p.1 #17 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

There are many flavours of the EF 28-105 lens. The one mentioned by OP if is it the Macro II version it is a good lens optically especially for the price. You want to avoid the f4.5.6 version.

The Tamron 28-75 f2.8 will be a great partner to the 5d2. It is a fast lens too.

Jan 25, 2012 at 11:58 PM

Snopchenko
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p.1 #18 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Betacamman wrote:
Or if the 28-105mm is still more than you want to spend, see if you can find the first 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 USM (the metal one). Can often be had for less than $100.

Not sure it mates well with a camera of 5D Mark II magnitude. Kinda like buying a BMW and then putting a Lada motor in it to save a few bucks.

Jan 26, 2012 at 03:08 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #19 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

alitech wrote:
What do you guys think of the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Zoom

Reviewed here:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-105mm-f-3-5-4-5-USM-Zoom-Lens-Buying-Guide_W0QQugidZ10000000000771280

If that lens sounds interesting, why not the fine and easily available and more modern EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS?

Dan

Jan 26, 2012 at 03:12 PM

GC5
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p.1 #20 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

I'd get the 28-135 IS before the 28-105. The IS lens seems to be available from $200-$250 used and is a pretty decent lens. It doesn't have quite the contrast as the L, has some zoom creep, and lacks a fixed aperature, but it is otherwise pretty good.

If you want to spend a little more, I'd echo the 28-75 suggestion. (The 24-105 and 24-70Ls are the best, but most expensive options).

Unless you want to start spending a lot more money, those are your best bets in my opinion. Since you are wanting a walk-around and an alternative to your nice primes, I'd suggesting going with the cheaper lens with IS.

Also, if you really want something as wide as 18mm there are no options that will give you the zoom range you want in a single lens.

Jan 26, 2012 at 04:04 PM

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