Lens Suggestion for 5D Mark III

[AlexL94]

Hi all,

Looking for some lens suggestions for my 5D Mark III, I mainly use it for video work such as music videos and car shoots. Although I do the odd photoshoot here and there.
I currently have a 24-105mm F4.0L and a 50mm f1.8. I have a maximum of budget of £400 not fussed whether it's second hand or brand new!

Cheers

[Gemm]

What kind of shots do you think you are not getting with your current lenses? Then you can narrow it down?

[AlexL94]

Gemm said:

What kind of shots do you think you are not getting with your current lenses? Then you can narrow it down?

To be honest I think im leaning towards needing a larger zoom lens. I've only ever needed a wider lens than my 24-105mm on only 1 shoot and even then it wasn't essential it would of just made it easier. Whereas I quite often find myself while shooting events or even some music videos struggling to zoom in enough for my shot. So maybe a Canon 70-200mm F4.0L?

[Gemm]

I'd say that's a good choice (although I have no idea how much they are these days.....). Can you get the IS version with your budget?

[thebraketester]

If you don't know what lens you need then the chances are you don't need it.

[AlexL94]

thebraketester said:

If you don't know what lens you need then the chances are you don't need it.

A rather pointless comment. I've established the lens I need is a 70-200mm. But there is a huge range of choices for this such as whether to get the F4.0L, F2.8L whether I need one with IS. Or even if the Tamron or Sigma alternatives are equal or better. So can you provide an insight into these lenses, or do you prefer to continue with pointless remarks?

[thebraketester]

It's not a pointless remark. It's 100% accurate.

If you are going down the 70-200 route then I'd go 2.8. But 400 is a tight budget so you'd be looking at sigma I would have thought. You've still been a but vague to its actual use.

But like I say, if you are doing "photoshoots" so presumably paid and you don't know what lens you need????? :-/

[Gemm]

Ok, Canon f2.8L is totally out of the price range. If you NEED f2.8, then Sigma may be the answer. I've owned both Canon (f2.8L IS) and Sigma, and in my experience, Canon is definitely faster to auto-focus. I also wouldn't (and don't) hesitate to use the Canon at f2.8, but I found myself using f4 for Sigma as it was noticeably softer wide open. But obviously there's a huge price difference. I'm sorry I have no experience with the f4L versions but I haven't really heard anything negative about these lenses.

[ExPat2B]

Your going to need more than 400, 650 is more like it.

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-70-200...

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/sigma-apo-70-200...

Tamron has better autofocus and VR, but the Sigma is a little optically sharper.


This is worth a read :

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/03/just-the-l...

Throws up the Canon 200 2.8 prime as being still relevant at its price point.

[LC2]

You'll pick up a 70-200L f/4 NON IS for under 400 notes second hand, but the IS version will be half a bag or more.
The IS version has better optics and IMO worth saving for.

There are plenty of other options if you are happy with Sigma or Tamron.
For instance there is a Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM on MPB for £429.
Be warned, it's a heavy old lump, mine sits in the cupboard most of the time and is about to be replaced most of the time) by a much lighter Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM (but even second hand, that's outside your budget).

If you're happy to forego the L range, then perhaps the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO IS USM might be right for you, well within your budget even brand new.

[Fordo]

LC2 said:

You'll pick up a 70-200L f/4 NON IS for under 400 notes second hand, but the IS version will be half a bag or more.
The IS version has better optics and IMO worth saving for.

I'd echo this.

I work for a production company, we have a raft of L series glass we use for video.

The f4 70-200 IS is a great piece of glass. I think IS is really essential on a long lens for video, unless you're using a heavy camera and some big tripods, like ronford baker stuff.

The f4 is also a lot lighter and a little smaller than the F2.8, which can be nicer in the kit bag. We do also have the f2.8, but I just don't see the merit in it. - there aren't many situations where I want to be at f2.8 on a long lens, when shooting video. Keeping sharps would be tricky.

Another lens worth a shout - the Canon 100-400L - it also has IS, and the range is great. Whenever we cover sports events, we always have a few of these. The lens does ramp a little, but having that zoom range is great - you can get the closeup of of a key moment, and quickly pop out for the wide. The older one is a push / pull, so you focus and zoom with the same ring, which i quite like. The Mk2 of the 100-400 is a lot more expensive, and has separate rings.

Just checked, a 2nd hand Canon 100-400 is around 500 notes on eBay- wirth stretching your budget for? (don't forget, L glass tends to hold its value well, compared to EF glass, so if you don't like it.... sell it to me!)


hope thats of some help

Edited by Fordo on Monday 24th August 15:28