Lens options for 5D Mark II

[RIGAFARI]

Thinking about buying this camera and was wondering what lens to buy with it. Mainly shooting backcountry riding. Any info would help...thanks.

[Aenigma]

The 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 are both good options for zooms, depending on what focal lengths you want. I haven't taken the 24-70 off my 5D in a year...although I have been using other cameras a lot more, admittedly.

[wendigo]

For serious? You are looking at picking up a $2,000+ body and you don't know what glass to get.

[supermodel159]

For serious? You are looking at picking up a $2,000+ body and you don't know what glass to get.

I would use a canon lens

[RIGAFARI]

I know its kind of a vague question at its best...I guess I was more curious as to the use of the camera and peoples experience with it. To be more specific about lens use...I was wondering about shooting video. I am not also sold on this camera...I can just get it for a fair price right now.

[jm2e]

I would seriously consider the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. An extremely versatile, do everything, piece of glass. You might get a discount if bought together.

[Tippster]

Buy it with the 24-105 IS f4 L. Great lens, often bundled with the camera.

[Atrain505]

Video.
IS zoom lens if you can only get one piece of glass. Preferably L. If you ever want to zoom an L piece of glass will keep the same f stop. Non L's will change f stop while you zoom. Which means the 18-55 suggested can never be zoomed in a shot. I would avoid zooms in shots anyways, but every once in a while you want to.

f2.8 will be more versatile than f4, but heavier. 7d is another option if you want slow-mo.

[wren]

The 18-55 won't fit on a 5D2, he was just being sarcastic. Atrain knows what he's talking about though, constant aperture IS zoom lenses. I've been lugging around the non-IS f/2.8 version of the 70-200 for a year or so and just switched to the f/4 version and it's a big difference in your pack. For video you probably couldn't go wrong starting with the IS version of the f/4 and pairing it with the 24-105 f/4 IS.

[coolcheech]

I could be wrong, but isn't the point of getting a 5D to get the full frame sensor? If you're mostly going to be shooting people skiing, and using telephoto zoom lenses, you'll get more reach from the lenses and save some cash if you just step down and get a body with a crop factor.

[Lonnie]

I could be wrong, but isn't the point of getting a 5D to get the full frame sensor? If you're mostly going to be shooting people skiing, and using telephoto zoom lenses, you'll get more reach from the lenses and save some cash if you just step down and get a body with a crop factor.

^^^ This.

[jm2e]

Not if you've got MONEY to spend!

[kidwoo]

After borowing and shooting with a bunch of different lenses I can say this......I'll never get anything other than L series glass from here on out.

[coolcheech]

After borowing and shooting with a bunch of different lenses I can say this......I'll never get anything other than L series glass from here on out.

EF 50mm f/1.8 <- Nifty Fifty, Fantastic Plastic; call it what you will, this $80 plastic piece of shit takes some of the sharpest photos I've ever seen, wide open at ISO 1600.

(That lens is definitely the exception to the rule though.)

[kidwoo]

ORLY?

Might look into that one for night timelapses.

[Tippster]

I could be wrong, but isn't the point of getting a 5D to get the full frame sensor? If you're mostly going to be shooting people skiing, and using telephoto zoom lenses, you'll get more reach from the lenses and save some cash if you just step down and get a body with a crop factor.

Yep. If sports, especially skiing, is what you want to shoot you should get the 7D.

[RIGAFARI]

Thanks for the responses. I was mostly on the fence about the L series and the 7D as well. I am not made of money by any means.

[DeutschBag]

Buy it with the 24-105 IS f4 L. Great lens, often bundled with the camera.

This is the lens that I mainly use when tromping around since my Lowe Pro AW200 Sling (or whatever it is) won't hold the 70-200. The 24-105 is a great lens for everyday use. Had mine for over 2 years now and it's always produced great results. Get the 70-200 2.8 for taking skiing or for outdoors shots (along with other lenses).

Or you could just buy an HD video camera?

[4-TEEF'S Ghost]

After borrowing and shooting with a bunch of different lenses I can say this......I'll never get anything other than L series glass from here on out.

Don't be a dumb shit.

All the manufactures have great/shitty lenses throughout their product range. It's all about what you need for your shooting. For instance... many photographers complain about the "lack" of sharpness of the 100-400L but in video all lenses are limited to 1080 vertical lines of resolution, No resolution complaints from the video guys.

In general, it pays to avoid Canon non-L zooms but many of their non-L primes are legit. There are a TON of Canon lens reviews on the web.

[4-TEEF'S Ghost]

Thanks for the responses. I was mostly on the fence about the L series and the 7D as well. I am not made of money by any means.

What's your photo/video background? Any?

[JoeStrummer]

35L. Easily the best lens I have ever used with my Mk II. Destroys the images from my 24-105.

[saaka!]

Here is my take..

i would get a 70-200L. That for me has always been the most used lens in the mountains. You could get the more affordable F4 because as mentioned the weight and size is enough to make a difference. I sometimes trade friends my 2.8 for there F4 if I think I could use some weight saving... usually that happens biking. also you can get it dirt cheap used.

As for the 7D being the better camera for skiing... that could be true but for every distance you gain you also loose. I have a 5d and 40d which would be the same comparison in crop. When I bring out a 40d many times it will be too tight of an image.

but then you loose that sweet frame rate... if i was buying new I think I'd go 7D. Photo wise you'll bring home more quality 'timed' images... I'd think.

Also consider, if video is what you after, going with a tele will likely require a tripod. I have not done video with a 5d and tele but I would guess it would be rather shaky with out one.

bottom line is 70-200 is the bread and butter of ski photography. Then a fish, then a wide zoom... from my experience.

If your looking at buying new, buy used and get 2 lens for the price of one new.

[ex-powderbroker]

All the used lenses I find are pretty expensive compared to comparably used stuff in any other market. Usually new is only like 10-15percent more if you look carefully, at least in NYC.

If anyone has a line to cheap used glass, I could really use the non L 85.

[saaka!]

I can't comment on NYC but when I lived in Vancouver also Toronto and even here in Japan finding used glass for a good price wasn't very difficult. Not sure where you looked but my advice is to find your local photography message board, that seems to be where the deals are. If you look at a shop selling used gear you will pay much more. i would not do that...

[ex-powderbroker]

Basically Craigslist seems to set the market here and this is how bad it is:

Canon 430 EX 2 CL

($260)
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/pho/1727954222.html

B and H ($250)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...dlite_TTL.html