Just got a new 5D and considering my lens options for family pics, occasional weddings, and portraits. I have several flashes, so that is covered. I still have a 40D and EFS glass for backup/second shooter. I'm also debating whether I should sell my 17-55 f2.8 IS and Tokina 11-16 f2.8 and replace them both with a 17-40 or 16-35.
My FF lenses currently-
24-105 L IS
70-200 f2.8 IS
85mm f1.8 IS
Does this setup seem better. I'm not sure I need the 85 or should I keep it?
24-105 f4
70-200 f2.8 IS
50 f1.4 and 100mm f2.8 macro
Keep the 85 f1.8 - it's the ideal portrait lens on full-frame. If you don't shoot mainly portraits most of the time, IMO it is not necessary to get the 85L. For macro work the 100 f2.8 macro lens is great on full-frame, too. So I would keep what you have of FF lenses and maybe add the 100 macro. I can also recommend the 50 f1.4 for creative DoF works or low-light situations.
Add the 17-40 for landscapes as stated above!
I don't see the point to go from 17-55/40d to 5D/std zooms except for 1,600 Iso usage but generally, the zoom will lost 1 EV so...
Main advantage of 5D over 40D/17-55 is the bokey so keep only large apertures primes if you absolutely want to keep/use the 17-55 when you need more DOF.
For UWA, APS is an advantage with large DOF. I don't have any 17-40 but i think you'll hardly see any difference vs 11-16 except maybe a smaller DOF, so not an advantage.
Keep the glass you have. The 85 gives the FOV of the 50 on FF, and the tokina 11-16 can be used at 15/16 on the FF as well. For now, I'd keep the 17-55 until you see how your kit shakes out, but I would replace it with the 24-70 instead of the 17-40, but that's just me
With using my 5D for a variety of landscape, general portraits and macro work all revolving around the nature photography theme, I have the following setup:
17-40 f/4L
24-70 f/2.8L
70-200 f/4L IS
100mm Macro
If I had to add anything, I'd get a 85 1.8 as recommended by others, or buy back my 70-200 2.8L IS.
I think with a couple additions, you'll have a great kit.
Keep what you have now and add the 100mm Macro and when you can add the 17-40 d4L. Of course the macro isn't a priority get the 17-40mm first.
Both of these are superb lenses.
Thanks all. I tried the Tokina on the 5D, but it does have some vignetting even at 15-16mm at f2.8, but I did have a filter on. Might try it again.
Comparing 40D and 5D, the 24-105 will be a good full frame replacement for the 17-55 IS. The FOV on the 24-105 is wider and longer than the crop lens and the 1 stop is easily made up with the better ISO performance of the 5D. Tried the 70-200 f2.8 IS, and it really comes to life on the 5D!
Sure, the range of 24-105 is better than 17-55's one. Good choice if you really need zooms. But is it really worth to keep the 40D ? This kind of body (xxDs) looses a lot of money by time.. Maybe you'll have to consider to sale it after a couple of months.
I opted to keep the 40D so that I have a backup body and for my wife to shoot along with me. I also think the 40D will still be useful when I need something for sports, faster fps, or more reach.
Maybe long term the 40D can be sold when/if I can afford a 1D series body.
Right now, I'm thinking of this setup-
Canon 5D and 40D bodies
17-40 f4 L
24-105 f4 L
70-200 f2.8 L IS
60 f2.8 macro (I already have this lens and it is excellent on the 40D)
85mm f1.8 (portrait on 5D and indoor sports on 40D).
I keep telling myself as long as I shoot crop, I should keep the 17-55 f2.8 IS. If I go this route, I will probably just skip the 17-40 until I commit to all FF bodies.
Here is another possibility and hold off on the UWA since I don't shoot many landscapes-
40D and 17-55 f2.8 IS
5D with 24-105 f4 L IS
70-200 f2.8 IS
85 f1.8
100 f2.8 macro
2 X 580EX flashes
I can solve the wide angle zoom issue by swapping the 17-55 f2.8 IS for a 17-40. If I do this, I might keep the 60 macro for the 40D as I really like that lens. This option is also less expensive.
So another scenario which would give me the following lens listed below. This gives me 3 L series zooms. If I find I need anything faster in the 35-50 range, I will add prime(s). In this case, I could add the 35 f1.4 L to the wish list.
17-40
24-105
70-200 f2.8 IS
EF-S 60mm macro
85mm f1.8
May be you can consider to keep the UWA work for the 40D (DOF advantage on APS) and then keep the Excellent Tok. Actually, use the 40D for sport/macro and all that needs D.O.F.
Reserve 5D for bokey working with long focals/apertures/primes on portraiture, art photography.
