Best EF L lense as workhorse for 80d

Jonatanlofberg
Contributor
Hi,

I'm a filmmaker wanting to do this full-time, weddings, commercial, travel films, content creation etc.
I currently own a 80d, and will most probably upgrade to full frame in a year or two. But before that I want to invest in a dynamic high end lense that I can use for most jobs. I'm looking at either Canon ef 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM or Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
So basically a need a EF L lense that is good for thr both cropped sensor cam I use now, and the full fram i will upgrade to later.
25 REPLIES 25

Jonatanlofberg
Contributor
I hear you guys, but I'm not at that level yet, not professionally nor financially. Those lenses and cameras cost an arm and a leg. So looking for eq that can work with my budget now, and then as I progress financially, I upgrade my gear.

OK, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is what you want.  It may be all you ever need as it is a keeper.  Don't buy twice if money is tight.

EB
EOS 1D, EOS 1D MK IIn, EOS 1D MK III, EOS 1Ds MK III, EOS 1D MK IV and EOS 1DX and many lenses.

Jonatanlofberg
Contributor
Thanks. The money I save from not getting one of the L series allows me to get the 55-250 too


@Jonatanlofberg wrote:
Thanks. The money I save from not getting one of the L series allows me to get the 55-250 too

“Buy it right the first time, and you only buy it once.”

One really good lens is a better purchase than two pretty decent lenses.  The best focal length, or focal range, to buy depends upon how you would want to use it.  

 

The 80D comes with a pretty good 18-55mm lens.  If that lens is in working order, It might be better to expand your range of focal lengths, instead of duplicating it with the17-55mm f/2.8 lens.  

 

What is your budget for a lens?  How do you plan to use it?

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"Fooling computers since 1972."

Jonatanlofberg
Contributor
Hi,
I actually bought it body only, and then got a Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Lenses.


@Jonatanlofberg wrote:
Hi,
I actually bought it body only, and then got a Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Lenses.

Okay.  Those are good lenses.  I think a 24mm or 35mm prime could fill that gap nicely between those two lenses.  So, which EF “L” lenses would make a good workhorse for the 80D?  I will assume you mean a good walk around “standard zoom” lens.  

 

Seeing EF lenses are designed for full frame sensor bodies, not APS-C bodies like the 80D, I suppose the most correct answer would be none of them, except for primes.  The focal lengths of the zooms are good fits for a full frame sensor.

 

Your EF-S 10-18mm has an equivalent focal range that is close to EF 16-35mm family of lenses.  The EF-S 10-22mm is nearly an exact match when it comes to field of view.

 

The popular standard “L” zoom lenses for a full frame are 24-70mm and 24-105mm.  The EF 17-40mm f/4L USM will get you close to the range of a 24-70mm.  It will also fit nicely with your existing lenses.  I cannot think of anything that would be a close equivalent to a 24-105mm.

 

One of my favorite walk around lenses is the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.  A similar focal range on an APS-C body would come from a zoom lens that with approximately a 50-150mm range, and there is currently not a Canon lens close to that range.  But, the lens is VERY good, so I would recommend it just the same.  If there was ever a thing such as an general, all purpose lens for sports photography, then a 70-200mm zoom would be it.

For the most part, just about any of the “L” lenses would serve as “workhorse” lens.  Which one to get FIRST depends upon your needs.  I think select a medium telephoto zoom is easier to select than choosing a lens to use as a “standard zoom”.

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"Fooling computers since 1972."
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