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Canon Shooters: APS-C - what standard zoom?


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I am toying with replacing my Canon 1Ds3 (and some other bits) with the 7D2 if it comes up to scratch when I have tried a loan copy; it will be the last step before moving away from dslr technology completely. It is to buy me time for those situations where I need fast AF or long lenses until the Fuji X range catches up. From the DPR tests I have seen the 7D2 will not match the Fuji X for high ISO performance and it will also be rather too noisy to use in poetry readings and other live writer events - I freely used my Fujis barely 10 feet from poets and authors reading their work or in conversation with an interviewer with absolutely no problems, as they confirmed afterwards.

 

The big problem I see is that Canon do not really have any pro standard zoom lenses for the APS-C format. I would want something to replace my 24-70 f2.8L or 24-105 f4L, preferably the latter. That would be something to cover the range 15-70mm or thereabouts with decent AF speed. From reviews the EF-S lenses in that sort of range (there does not seem to be any others) seem to be very much consumer/ kit standard lenses. I am used to professional glass even if it not the latest. I have a Canon 17-35mm f 2.8L but that is neither wide enough or long enough and rather bulky to boot; its disposal would probably help fund a new standard lens.

 

I use the 18-135 and 18-55 (bit limiting) on the Fuji, 28-200 or 28-83mm equivalent.

 

Any thoughts please? Bear in mind I cannot swap systems - the point is to get an extra year or two out of my Canon kit before hopefully going Fuji completely when the technology catches up.

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The 17-55 f2.8 is probably the best. I've used this and it's certainly better than a kit lens. The most expensive EF-S lens appears to be the 15-85 so I would imagine that is rather better than a kit lens too.

 

Alan

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Thanks. I was guessing the 15-85 might be the best choice has it has the range and is newer I believe. The 17-55 is just a bit limited in range especially at the long end, and the cut across is where I often shoot so I am likely to get caught between lenses too often.

 

Anyway it all depends on how the 7D2 performs when I get my hands on one, hopefully this month.

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Don't laugh but I find the latest 18-55 kit lens with the STM focusing motor to be one of the best options. It's sharp across the frame even wide open. It's better built than its predecessors and has internal focusing, so the front element no longer rotates. Of course, it's slow and it may look a little silly on a pro level body like a 7DII. I also have tried the 18-135 STM and it's pretty good, but softer in the corners than the 18-55 and more prone to lateral CA in the corners. I just sold mine as I'm planning to get an RX10 or something similar sometime in the future and I also have the 55-250 STM if I need a longer lens for my 70D.

 

I tried the 15-85 IS several years ago and mine was hopelessly decentered around 30mm or so. I sent it to Canon and it came back the same. I tried another copy in the store and it was worse, so if you buy one, check it thoroughly for one side or a corner being really soft compared to the rest of the frame.

 

I've tried the Canon 17-55 f2.8 and it's great, but too heavy in my opinion. I suppose if you're using a heavy body in the first place, it might not matter. The Sigma 17-50 f2.8 is just as sharp, lighter and way less expensive. In fact, if you don't mind buying direct from Japan, you can get them on eBay for about $330.

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Don't laugh but I find the latest 18-55 kit lens with the STM focusing motor to be one of the best options. It's sharp across the frame even wide open. It's better built than it's predecessors and has internal focusing, 

 +1

 

I am not laughing,  i use the 18-55 as a easy light walk round with the 55-250 on my 7D,  and i have to say that the IQ is accepted by Alamy, at times i wonder how Canon can produce such a cheap lens that produces high quality images.

 

Had it out today, shot 138 images giving 3 bad IQ ones, a very good hit ratio,  to be honest i have had a worse ratio with my L lenses.

 

Paul.

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I am toying with replacing my Canon 1Ds3 (and some other bits) with the 7D2 if it comes up to scratch when I have tried a loan copy

 

Martin, i will be very interested in your findings, i have found the 7D is a great camera despite what many have said, the only downfall is the noisy sensor above 800,  if the 7D2 has a much less noisy sensor i for one would be happy, and of course the smart buyer will wait 6 months, read reviews and wait for any faults that it may have.

 

I remember the old 1D3,  marketing people gave it the thumbs up rave reviews,  real world users soon found out that the AF was not so great,  so now i believe it pays to wait and see what users are saying.

 

As a footnote:  i had the earlier 7D,  it was good,  18 months  later i purchased the version 2 and found it a much better camera than the earlier batch, maybe the same will happen with 7D2.

 

Paul.

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I am toying with replacing my Canon 1Ds3 (and some other bits) with the 7D2 if it comes up to scratch when I have tried a loan copy

 

Martin, i will be very interested in your findings, i have found the 7D is a great camera despite what many have said, the only downfall is the noisy sensor above 800,  if the 7D2 has a much less noisy sensor i for one would be happy, and of course the smart buyer will wait 6 months, read reviews and wait for any faults that it may have.

 

I remember the old 1D3,  marketing people gave it the thumbs up rave reviews,  real world users soon found out that the AF was not so great,  so now i believe it pays to wait and see what users are saying.

 

As a footnote:  i had the earlier 7D,  it was good,  18 months  later i purchased the version 2 and found it a much better camera than the earlier batch, maybe the same will happen with 7D2.

 

Paul.

 

 

That would be my approach - I do not see the sense in paying a premium to debug a new camera. I won't really need it before the spring, if at all. By waiting I got a Fuji X-T1 with the more positive buttons and no light leak.  Price usually drops as well once the initial orders have been fulfilled and everybody has it in stock so that is another benefit of not being impatient. By then of course Fuji may have a camera and lenses with much faster AF and I will be able to get rid of my Canon kit entirely.

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Although the Canon 28-135mm is not part of their professional lens range, I have had some very good results (optically) from it. Its a bit on the slow side, f3.5 to f5.6, but does have an image stabiliser, and is a good 'walkabout' lens. Worth considering in my opinion.

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Although the Canon 28-135mm is not part of their professional lens range, I have had some very good results (optically) from it. Its a bit on the slow side, f3.5 to f5.6, but does have an image stabiliser, and is a good 'walkabout' lens. Worth considering in my opinion.

 

I have a 28-135mm which I used as my walkaround lens for a long time on my (full frame film)  EOS-3s, and occasionalyy on digital but it it is not wide enough for my purposes on the smaller APS-C format. I agree it was always an underrated lens.

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I had the Canon 10-22 for a long time, sold it when I sold my 7D to fund other gear, but it was just about the sharpest lens I had up to that date.  I didn't have much use for the very wide angle or I would have kept it.  It is not inexpensive, but used copies are readily available.

 

Louise

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I have the Tamron 28-70..or is it 28-75 2.8....2.8 all the way.It's quite sharp. I like it better than the Canon 24-105mm L

 

I only shoot full frame for Canon. From what I read about the new Sony A7000 for next year and then in 2016 I don't want to invest any more money in DSLRs.

 

L

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The 17-55 f2.8 is probably the best. I've used this and it's certainly better than a kit lens. The most expensive EF-S lens appears to be the 15-85 so I would imagine that is rather better than a kit lens too.

 

Alan

 

I can vouch for the Canon EF-S 15-85mm lens. Most of my first 1,500 shots on Alamy were taken with it on a Canon 550D body. However a few cautionary notes,

 

1) It can show some CA (caused me 2 QC fails), but once I started using LR4 I found I could remove it automatically and had no further problems

2) It's quite big and heavy and takes large diameter filters.

3) If you're using filters make sure you choose the slim ones to reduce risk of corner shading at wide end

4) Beware of S/H copies on eBay. This lens is known for de-centering problems. I got mine on eBay and found that at 15mm focal length the plane of focus was not parallel to the sensor resulting in two of the corners being decidedly soft. However, once this was sorted out, it was a lovely lens. I have heard it described as the only EF-S wide angle zoom lens with L series image quality.

 

I also had the original version of the Canon EF-S 10-22mm. Useful focal length range, but it wasn't as sharp as the 15-85mm. Maybe the new version is better.

 

Mark

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. From the DPR tests I have seen the 7D2 will not match the Fuji X for high ISO performance and it will also be rather too noisy to use in poetry readings and other live writer events - I freely used my Fujis barely 10 feet from poets and authors reading their work or in conversation with an interviewer with absolutely no problems, as they confirmed afterwards.

 

 

Not sure why you don't simply get a blimp to cover those 'quiet' situations.

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Bulk, cost and incovenience

 

 

. From the DPR tests I have seen the 7D2 will not match the Fuji X for high ISO performance and it will also be rather too noisy to use in poetry readings and other live writer events - I freely used my Fujis barely 10 feet from poets and authors reading their work or in conversation with an interviewer with absolutely no problems, as they confirmed afterwards.

 

 

Not sure why you don't simply get a blimp to cover those 'quiet' situations.

 

 

Bulk, cost and inconvenience. Why use a fudge when the Fuji does it without, performs better at high ISO and is lighter as well? I need to go lighter anyway and want to lose bulk as well.

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Bulk, cost and incovenience

 

 

. From the DPR tests I have seen the 7D2 will not match the Fuji X for high ISO performance and it will also be rather too noisy to use in poetry readings and other live writer events - I freely used my Fujis barely 10 feet from poets and authors reading their work or in conversation with an interviewer with absolutely no problems, as they confirmed afterwards.

 

 

Not sure why you don't simply get a blimp to cover those 'quiet' situations.

 

 

Bulk, cost and inconvenience. Why use a fudge when the Fuji does it without, performs better at high ISO and is lighter as well? I need to go lighter anyway and want to lose bulk as well.

 

Sorry, you confused me.......... you made a comment on the 7D2 about it being too loud in a sitaution where you never intended to use it in the first place.......hmmm.

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