Sorry not posted for a while. Thinking of investing in some new lens for portrait work.
My question is are L series lens worth the extra cost, is there a great deal of improvement in image quality and sharpness to justify the additional cost. I was thinking of getting a canon 70-200mm F2.8L and a 85mm 1.2L. I will be using a Canon 50D

Do Sigma or Tamron do anything that is of a similar quality Lens, equivalent to the L Series?.

Phil

philelkin , Photographer  posted on 19/08/2010 10:27:27   Posted 12 times

Located:Stoke on Trent,Staffordshire, UK
Member Since: 16/02/2009

Well, as a Conon Professional Services Member I might suggest the following: the 50D has a decent sensor in it, but you are talking the best part of £3,500 to £4,000 for the lenses. The 85mm 1.2L mark 2 is a stunning peice of glass, but do the results justify the costs? There are other lenses at a fraction of the cost which would let you get a new body which might make more difference.

For example: The 85mm 1.2 is around £1800, and the 70 - 200 2.8 is £2,000. Total cost £3,800. Assuming you get the 70 - 200 2.8 at £2,000. Why not sell your 50D for say £500 and get a 7D at £1199 - Net cost £699. Higher resolution, better sensor, better processing, better build, more versatile etc. You could then buy the fantastic 135 f2 L at £929 and still be cheaper than the 85mm. Or you could get the 24-70 2.8L and the 7d within the same budget.

If you could squeeze the extra cash, for an additional £500 you could put a 5D mark 2 in instead of the 7D.

Hope that offers some thoughts?

Mike

Quoting post from Perfectpink
Well, as a Conon Professional Services Member I might suggest the following: the 50D has a decent sensor in it, but you are talking the best part of £3,500 to £4,000 for the lenses. The 85mm 1.2L mark 2 is a stunning peice of glass, but do the results justify the costs? There are other lenses at a fraction of the cost which would let you get a new body which might make more difference.

For example: The 85mm 1.2 is around £1800, and the 70 - 200 2.8 is £2,000. Total cost £3,800. Assuming you get the 70 - 200 2.8 at £2,000. Why not sell your 50D for say £500 and get a 7D at £1199 - Net cost £699. Higher resolution, better sensor, better processing, better build, more versatile etc. You could then buy the fantastic 135 f2 L at £929 and still be cheaper than the 85mm. Or you could get the 24-70 2.8L and the 7d within the same budget.

If you could squeeze the extra cash, for an additional £500 you could put a 5D mark 2 in instead of the 7D.

Hope that offers some thoughts?

Mike

some really really good advice there from Mike (the double really was not a typo, I just felt his advice was that good)

As a 1ds MKIII user and now have a 5dMKII as my "back up" I have to say, I tend to use the 5DMKII as my main body because of things like the size for transportation, the amazing screen on the back and the incredible quality.
I have the 70-200 IS 2.8 L and it is worth every penny. The 24-105 is good and I like it. I would love the 85 1.2 but would not part with that money for now. I would much rather the 135 2.0 as this is amazing. (I'm talking cost over choice here)
I cant comment on the 7d as I have not used it but I here good reports.
I would most certainly look at a 7d and a 135 rather than go for the 85 1.2

(I might be selling my 24-70 2.8 L if you are interested. (I'm still undecided as I love it but would like to get a prime 135 for myself) and the 24-70 stays in the bag a lot as I use the 70-200 all the time in the studio and the 24-105 for weddings to give me the extra length and lightweight.

Hope this helps a little as well.

Oh also in reference to your sigma tamron question, its like ford and ferrari haha.
The L lenses have so much more depth and colour to them, the images jump off the screen but you pay the price for them (the difference is noticable) but what I would always say is.... buy as fast a lens as possible, this makes the most difference. Nothing worse than a 3.5 - 5.6 in low light. Just horrible.

I always take advantage of the buy now pay later deals around, it allows you to get bodies and glass with little outlay and you can pay them off over the year from the money you earn from them (just make sure you DO pay it off though)

Regards,

Jase



www.jl-media.co.uk

JLMedia , Photographer  posted on 20/08/2010 19:15:18   Posted 90 times

Located:Chelmsford,Essex, UK
Member Since: 07/10/2008