What compact/light lens?

Home · Register · Search · Software · Hosting · Software · Join Upload & Sell

FM Forum Rules
Canon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell
end

taylorman22
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · What compact/light lens?

I'm really liking my 50D/24-105 combination, but have been finding that there are times when I wish I had a smaller/lighter lens for occasions where IQ isn't as important. There are times when I'd like a little better quality than a P&S, but don't necessarily want to use the 24-105. It's bigger, somewhat heavy, and makes you look like you really know what you're doing....lol

Anyway, in times where I just want to be snapping a few decent pics, is there a lens that you recommend for that? Is that a good time to use the 18-55 kit lens? It's still good quality, small and light, and more inconspicuous. Or, maybe get a 28mm or 30mm prime? It would be small and light and serve me well indoors. I don't have my kit lens anymore, but they can be found for cheap.

Jan 29, 2013 at 06:58 PM

Gunzorro
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · What compact/light lens?

I think your idea of the 18-55 (with IS) is a great way to go. It's light and cheap, and actually pretty decent IQ.

Otherwise, the 28/2.8 and 40/2.8 lead the choices for cheap primes for crop for all-around shooting.

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:17 PM

Ian.Dobinson
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · What compact/light lens?

the little 18-55 as long as its the IS version is not too bad.

or the old 28-105 USM (3.5-4.5) or its little brother the 24-85 USM are small light and have very good IQ . also have very good fast AF .
I had a 28-105 USM and kept it when i bought a 28-70L (which i didnt get on with) i let it go for very little money when I got my 24-105L . and I will say the little USM could more than hold its own in IQ terms to the L's

I now use a 17-55 on my 7D. I find it a much better lens than the L . and while its not a small lens its not huge and heavy either

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:20 PM

abqnmusa
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · What compact/light lens?

The new Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art lens

Canon 17-55 F2.8
-- if F2.8 is fast enough

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:33 PM

BrianO
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · What compact/light lens?

taylorman22 wrote: I'm really liking my 50D/24-105 combination, but have been finding that there are times when I wish I had a smaller/lighter lens.

abqnmusa wrote: ...Canon 17-55 F2.8 -- if F2.8 is fast enough

Much as I love my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS, it is NOT a "smaller" lens than the EF 24-105 f/4L IS.

It's actually slightly longer (4.4 inches versus 4.2 inches), and only slightly lighter (22.8 ounces versus 23.6 ounces). It also costs as much if not more; that extra stop of light-gathering ability doesn't come cheap.

I second the suggestion for the EF-S 18-55 IS. I gave away my non-IS 18-55 (it didn't meet my IQ standards), but I'd get the newer one if I didn't already have the 17-55.

Edited on Jan 29, 2013 at 07:48 PM · View previous versions

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:46 PM

taylorman22
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · What compact/light lens?

BrianO wrote:
taylorman22 wrote: I'm really liking my 50D/24-105 combination, but have been finding that there are times when I wish I had a smaller/lighter lens.

abqnmusa wrote: ...Canon 17-55 F2.8 -- if F2.8 is fast enough

Much as I love my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS, it is NOT a "smaller" lens than the EF 24-105 f/4L IS.

It's actually slightly longer (4.4 inches versus 4.2 inches), and only slightly lighter (22.8 ounces versus 23.6 ounces). It also costs more; that extra stop of light-gathering ability doesn't come cheap.

I second the suggestion for the EF-S 18-55 IS. I gave away my non-IS 18-55 (it didn't meet my IQ standards), but I'd get the newer one if I didn't already have the 17-55.

I sold my 18-55 IS II to help fund the 24-105. I'm kinda wishing I would've just kept it for times like I described in my original post. I got $90 for it. For $100'ish though, the 40mm pancake is kinda tempting

For what it is, it'd be nice. It's small, light, and just point and shoot...no zooming.

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:48 PM

BrianO
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · What compact/light lens?

taylorman22 wrote: ...For $100'ish though, the 40mm pancake is kinda tempting

For what it is, it'd be nice. It's small, light, and just point and shoot...no zooming.

I haven't had a chance to try that one yet, but it sure looks interesting. I use primes only rarely these days (I like the framing flexibility of zooms), but for a small and lightweight walk-around lens, that 40mm pancake looks like a winner. (My current smallest lens is an EF 50mm f/1.4.)

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:54 PM

sfcyclist
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · What compact/light lens?

abqnmusa wrote:
The new Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art lens

Canon 17-55 F2.8
-- if F2.8 is fast enough

40mm F2.8 is not shabby at all.. ridiculous price but I thought OP wanted a zoom.

Jan 29, 2013 at 07:54 PM

Wahoowa
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · What compact/light lens?

Can you tell us your situations that you feel 18-55 is a good replacement for 24-105L?

+1 on the Pancake.

Personally, if I can carry an SLR, 18-55 vs 24-105L doesn't really matter much to me in terms of weight and size. But I do have some situations locally that they don't allow a 'big' camera with some specific length in. So, my idea of going light and small is my 6D with 40mm Pancake. The combination makes the camera appear a bit like a mirrorless.

If I need something much lighter, I'd either use a point-n-shoot or pick up my wife's EM-5.

Jan 29, 2013 at 08:02 PM

StillFingerz
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · What compact/light lens?

The latest 18-55 IS is a good choice, the new 40mm pancake looks great as well and it's only a few hundred.

As Ian mentioned the 24-85 is a sweet little gem, no IS but size wise it is in between the 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.8, it's half the weight of your 24-105, has a 3.5-4.5 variable aperture which isn't much different then the 24-105's fixed f4 is.

I bought mine for 300 quite a while back, in 98, with one of my EOS-3 film bodies and it pretty much doesn't leave that body. I've a 40 and 50D that it works great on, when shooting with it I usually remove the grip and the combo is much lighter, fun to carry about.

If you don't need IS the 24-85 is a super 'beater' lens, one that has good IQ, but also I don't worry about too much given it's price point. Check out the reviews here on FM, it has it's issues, some distortion; at both ends, some softness, but it's fun to use. And with the 50D you've MA to fix any back focus issues...I highly recommend one.

Jerry

Jan 29, 2013 at 08:06 PM

end
FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell end