Would you recommend improving glass before the camera?

[ScottS]

Would you recommend improving glass before the camera? My situation is this: I own a Canon 40D, which I purchased very clean from a photographer who was upgrading to the 70D. I own only kit lenses at this point. One of them is the "Nifty Fifty" Canon 50mm 1.8. I can't afford my ultimate dream quite yet of full-frame and L series glass. I think I can begin to either upgrade my lenses or my camera.

My choice right now is between the following scenarios:

Stay with my Canon 40D ~ purchase the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS II

Stay with my Canon 40D ~ purchase the Sigma 18-35 MM 1.8 Art Lens

(possibly both of those)

OR

Purchase the Canon 7D Mark II w/ the 18-135 STM Kit Lens

Purchase the Canon 6D w/ the 24-105 f4 Lens

I am leaning toward better glass, because low light, clear, sharp photographs are my goal. Video and sports photography are not what I'm needing now.

I am very open to your thoughts and experience.

Thanks much!

Scott S

[Waddizzle]

from the original post:

Stay with my Canon 40D ~ purchase the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS II

Stay with my Canon 40D ~ purchase the Sigma 18-35 MM 1.8 Art Lens

(possibly both of those)

OR

Purchase the Canon 7D Mark II w/ the 18-135 STM Kit Lens

Purchase the Canon 6D w/ the 24-105 f4 Lens

"Just four hours ago, I purchased my very first L glass: the Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS."

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I am curious.  Did you also decide on a camera body?  Both the 7D2 and 6D are excellent bodies.  I love the IQ of the FF sensor of the 6D.  I love the AF system [FAST] of the 7D2. 

It's a hard choice to make.  I have both.  I bought the 6D first.  If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the 7D2 first.  But, if I had bought the 7D2 first, then I would have set my sights on the 5D3, instead of the 6D.

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

Scott,

Yes it is.   The (II) in the name tells which version it is, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens.

I like it almost as much as my EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens. I consider it to be the best lens made.  Now I know all the guys with their favs are going ballistic at that but when you consider the entire package it is the best lens made.  This is not a statement to take lightly as I have had the opportunity to try out and use hundreds of lenses.

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Why the defensiveness? I can't recall any of us ever disparaging your admiration for the 24-70. I don't happen to have it, because my current requirements don't justify the purchase; but for all I know, it may be the best lens made. I've never claimed otherwise.

[ebiggs1]

Bob from Boston,

"Why the defensiveness?"

Are you sure you read all the posts here? 

[ScottS]

Hey Waddizzle!

I'm going with the Canon 6D!

I don't have it yet, but that is my "final decision." I need great IQ, and low light capabilities, and high ISO capabilities. The 7D2 looks like an awesome camera as well! 

I also love the 5D III, but Jing$$$ is going to drive this choice.

Thanks for asking :)!

[ScottyP]

Congratulations!  My 6d takes incredible shots. Much better than the crop cameras for low light IQ and for nice subject isolation. 

[ScottS]

Thanks, Scotty!

Yeah, I am stoked to buy the 6D! I just received the Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS USM in the mail this past week! OMG! The glass on that L is incredible. As it's my first "L" lens, I know I'm a novice. But truly when I took my first pics of a clock in my bedroom, attached to my Canon 40D....the clarity was phenomenal. I zoomed in on my camera monitor to check out the sharpness. Fantastic! 

When that "meets" my new Canon 6D later this year, the two are going to form quite a relationship for two trips coming up this Spring and Summer: Eastern Europe & India.

Thanks for all your support, Scotty! 

Scott S

🙂