Yet another lens question; I'm mostly looking for alternative ideas to what I am using. When I hike or travel, I like to go pretty light. I use a sling and can fit a cam and two lenses, with one always mounted to the cam. I have both FF and crop bodies, and like both for different reasons or occasions. I would usually carry a 70-200 and something else. Presently, the other options that I have include a 16-35, a 24-105, and a 24mmL. Each has merits and drawbacks. The 16x35 leaves a pretty big hole between 35 and 70, but is what I usually do. The 24-105 is slow, but does have IS. The 24 is fast and sharp, but is very limiting since it is a prime.
Questions:
- is the 70-200 an f4?
- what current lens do you use the most and at what FL?
- what bodies do you use?
For me, on my 5D2, the 24-105 is a good compromise for hiking and travel. The only one lens solution that works for me. For additional lenses the 17-40 meets my ultra wide needs and the 100-400 covers the tele range. I used to use my 70-200f4is for the tele range, but I've found I prefer the long reach of the 100-400 for wildlife and close-ups at a distance.
When I restrict myself to two lenses for hiking (in decent lighting conditions), I'll carry a 70-200 2.8 II, and a 24-105 F/4. I don't find the IS to be much help at shorter focal lengths, but I hardly ever need to go wider than 24mm. There is some focal length overlap, but that just means I don't have to swap lenses so often. I'll usually carry the 5DII, but if I anticipate a lot of wildlife encounters, I'll carry a 1DIV and 100-400 instead of the 70-200 and 5DII.
Like surf monkey says above, so much can depend on what you expect to shoot and what you shoot with...
Good Luck,
Jerry
I usually carry FF. I enjoy having the 16mm wide available, but it does leave the 35-70mm hole. More often, I carry the 24-105 since it covers so many tasks, and of course if carrying only one lens, it is the go to.
I was really looking for alternative suggestions to what I have. Are there quality alternatives (non-Canon) which I might consider?
I shoot FF mostly as well, and often will have my 100 400 on my camera for wildlife and take along the 50 1.4 just in case. Sometimes I will also include the Sigma 15mm fisheye and 1.4 teleconverter. All of which are pretty small and will fit into the front flap of my bag. Makes me somewhat covered from 15 to 560.
I agree on the 24 105, for a day trip in town it is my go to as well.
I'll usually carry the 5DII, but if I anticipate a lot of wildlife encounters, I'll carry a 1DIV and 100-400 instead of the 70-200 and 5DII.