Help me with lenses

[danwalters]

Hello 

I am looking for a great lense for my camera - Canon 5D Mark III but I am trying to find a great lense that is perfect for evertything like travel, people, street, etc. I am not sure if I should get 50mm or 85mm or something else? Hope you can help me? 

Thanks, 
Dan

[RobertTheFat]

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@danwalters wrote:

Hello 

I am looking for a great lense for my camera - Canon 5D Mark III but I am trying to find a great lense that is perfect for evertything like travel, people, street, etc. I am not sure if I should get 50mm or 85mm or something else? Hope you can help me? 

Thanks, 
Dan

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For that camera and those requirements, get the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS (or IS II). The IS II is newer, heavier, more expensive, and probably better. (I haven't used it.) The older one (which many of us have) was still available the last time I looked. No lens is perfect for everything. But if you knew enough to get a 5D3, you undoubtedly know that already. That part of your stated requirement was just hyperbole.

[Waddizzle]

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@danwalters wrote:

Hello 

I am looking for a great lense for my camera - Canon 5D Mark III but I am trying to find a great lense that is perfect for evertything like travel, people, street, etc. I am not sure if I should get 50mm or 85mm or something else? Hope you can help me? 

Thanks, 
Dan

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I agree with Bob.  The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens is the classic, walk around, starter "L" lens.  You mention "street" photography, so another good choice could be the EF 16-35mm f/2.8 II USM.  I have both, and find myself using the super wide angle far more than the 24-105 standard zoom.

Canon has released updated versions of both lenses over the past year.  I cannot say how improved they are over their predecessors, but you should look into the newer versions, too.

[John_SD]

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@danwalters wrote:

Hello 

I am looking for a great lense for my camera - Canon 5D Mark III but I am trying to find a great lense that is perfect for evertything like travel, people, street, etc. I am not sure if I should get 50mm or 85mm or something else? Hope you can help me? 

Thanks, 
Dan

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Are you asking about one single prime lens -- a 50mm or an 85mm? I don't believe a single prime lens would be "perfect for everything." But since you mentioned street photography, I have done a little of it since getting my T6 and using the 18-55MM. I really enjoy it. You could probably use your 50MM lens for that. I think it would work well, and you could probably use it for "people," another of your stated interests. Use your feet to zoom in and out.

Actually, I am more interested in your camera choice than your question about lenses. How did you come into posession of the 5D Mark III? Was it given to you as a gift? Bought it based on a recommendation from another?

[ebiggs1]

"...get the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS (or IS II)."

A year or two ago I would said this too.  It is still the best buy in a GP, "L" quality lens.  Very hard to beat for the price.  I did end up selling both of mine after I got the 24-70mm f2.8L.  It is just so good I never used the 24-105mil again.

The ef 24-70mm f2.8 L II is the best lens made, bar none.

Forget primes. They offer little and are much more limited in their use.