EOS 5D Mark III lens recommendations for gig photography and astrophotography

[johninblack]

Hi all, I've just got myself a 5d mk3. It came with a 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS ultrasonic lens and I already have a 75-300mm f4-5.6 III lens.

Is there one lens that you would recommend that I get in addition to what I have?

My main areas of photography are gig photography and astrophotography.

[Tronhard]

Hi John and welcome to the forum!
Congratulations on getting a great camera - I had one for about a decade and parted with it reluctantly.  Both lenses you have are rather mediocre, especially the 75-300, which is slow and has no image stabilization.  However for concert work, which is likely going to be in rather dim light, it is especially unsuitable.

The big question before we explore your options is: WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET $ value?

[johninblack]

Thanks for the answer and confirms pretty much what I thought. I've never used the 75-300 for gigs as you said, totally unsuitable. The 28-135 came with the camera so not yet had a chance to use it properly. 

As for budget - that will be whatever I can afford at the time but will definitely be buying used lenses probably from eBay.

So please a budget option that will do the job plus a recommendation for "this is the lens you want and if you can't afford it.......tough" would give me the choice of settling for what will just do the job or scheming how to fund the better option.

So please express you opinions!

John.

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hmmm.. I shall try to do my best with this rather nebulous information!   Instead of taking the very risky path of going to eBay or Amazon, I suggest going to KEH.COM where lenses are rated and come with a warranty.  They have a solid reputation for trust.

For Astro you want a wide, fast lens: and this one would be useful for gig work in wide angle mode. There are some astro specialists in this forum who may be able to come up with lenses more specific to that genre, but this lens has the flexibility to work for both types of photography.
My initial thoughts would be to consider the EF 17-40L f/4 mm lens.  It is a professional-grade unit, with a reasonably wide aperture and solid build.  I actually have one and it is one of the few lenses I have kept after mostly switching to mirrorless.
Canon 17-40mm f/4 L USM EF Mount Lens {77} at KEH Camera get the best you can afford and for $264, this is a bargain.

For gigs, there are a couple of options:

A standard 24-105mm f/4 lens Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Macro EF-Mount Lens {77} at KEH Camera: again I retain one and they are the standard kit lens for the reason of their excellent flexibility.   If you could afford only one lens to start with, then this would be it.

For gigs, depending on your location relative to the band, you may want a telephoto lens, and for low light situations a version of the venerable EF 70-200L is the way to go.  You have two choices there: f/4 and f/2.8.  The former it a great optic but one stop slower, however it is lighter and cheaper.
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L USM EF-Mount Lens, White {67} at KEH Camera

[normadel]

For used lenses, KEH is one of three big dealers I have used. 

My preferences are MPB.com and UsedPhotoPro.   Warranties are excellent, and they both have good condition descriptions and show photos of the actual item , which KEH does not..  Check them out.

[johninblack]

Great information thanks. The 24-105mm f/4 lens looks like being the direction I'm interested in going (more into the gig photography. Astrophotography is something I love to do as it appeals to my fondness of experimentation and trying to make the most from the equipment I'm using).

When I said eBay I normally use one of a couple of eBay shops from reputable dealers that give warranties and support.

Again thanks for the help and anyone else who has advice please feel free!

[March411]

Another vote for MPB.com when it comes to used equipment. I like the fact that the pictures used are actual and the equipment I received has been as expected or better.

Depending on where you set up on stage a  24-70mm f/2.8 L USM would be a nice addition.

[ebiggs1]

"My initial thoughts would be to consider the EF 17-40L f/4 mm lens."

I would pooh-pooh that recommendation and really any zoom lens but especially this one. The edge distortion makes it almost useless for astro work. It is not considered a top choice for astrophotography because of its soft edges on images. So astro guys won't recommend the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens.  Only folks that have never used it would recommend it. Buy the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens instead.

[Waddizzle]

“ Buy the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens instead. “ 

I concur. I am no astrophotographer. But when I do, I prefer a manual focus lens and the distance scale. 

The Rokinon has a history of owners reporting quality control issues. I cannot say what percentage of users have experienced these issues. I have never bought or used one.  

But I have bought the cinema version of the same lens, the 14mm T3.1.  In fact, I have bought three over the years, two for my sons. They are razor sharp. I have never heard of any QC issues, either.