Nick De Marco
Well-known
I am a lucky happy owner of the new 5D Mk II.
In the past I have been a user of the 5D and Leica M8. I still use Leica film bodies and love the lenses.
I have a number of Canon EOS lenses, including various L lenses, and have picked up quite a few bargain used third party lenses with adapters to use on the 5D/5D2 (Leica R 21mm f4, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2 and 35mm f2.8, 50mm f2, 90mm f2; Contax 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 21mm f2 and 28mm f2).
Having so many lenses I love gives me a headache when planning a far off trip for some photography (later this week, first time in Myanmar). On the one hand you want the best, and a choice, on the other to take too much is not just not practical, but means I fear I will take too long worrying about what lens to use instead of taking photos. Whilst many people prefer zooms, I prefer prime lenses not only for their superior quality (generally) but also because they can be less big and obtrusive. I also have a preference for wide angle photographer and - often - wide apertures.
I am narrowing down my choices. Along with the 5D Mk II I will take one old Leica film body (the M6) with just one lens (the 35mm Summicron f2) and only black and white 400 ISO film,
With the 5D Mk II I intend to use as my main 'walkabout' lens the 35mm f1.4L. I recently got this second hand and think it is one of the best Canon lenses own. It is excellent in low light and has a very nice bokeh. 35mm is also my favourite focal length. Instead of zooming in or out I think it would be better to just use this for most situations.
I think I need one telephoto, and although I have recently fallen in love with the Contax 85mm, I think I should take the Canon 135mm f2. Its my other favourite Canon lens, with great bokeh, has AF (of course) and is more telephoto.
Instead of the 24-105mm f4L zoom, which I have and think is a good practical lens, but not a beautiful lens, I think I want just one small fast 50mm prime, and I am plumping for the Leica R Summicron f2 as I think it is so much more beautiful wide open than the Canon 1.4.
My real headache comes with extra wide. I have the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L MkII. In the past this would have been the first lens in my bag for such a trip. I love the range and the lens is very good. But I rarely us it at 16mm, at 35 my 35 prime is far better, and I am not convinced it is as good or better than the small primes I have in the 21-28 range. I am leaning towards the Olympus Zuiko 21mm and 28mm lenses. They are both very light and small, and unobtrusive (making the 5D Mk II look almost like a normal camera). They both seem very sharp stopped down. They both can go up to f2 (although the bokeh is rather rough, especially on the 21mm in my opinion), and they are nice and easy to use. I am not sure if the Leica 21mm Super-Angulon f4 is much better than the Olly 21, although I expect if I could focus it more accurately, and had it on a tripod, it would slightly out perform it. It is heavier and I find slightly more difficult to use.
So I am narrowing it down to the Zuiko 21 and 28, the canon 35, the Leica 50 and the Canon 135. I realise this is all a matter of personal taste and preference. Many would prefer to take just one lens or all the best zooms etc. So although I don't espect anyone can tell me what lenses are best for me, the whole point of these forums for me is to discuss and get other people's ideas. So if anyone has thoughts or advice about this choice, or good/bad experiences with any of these lenses, I would be grateful.
In my first few days of experimenting with the 5D mk II this week (whilst at work) I have made a couple of galleries using some of the lenses I am uncertain of. They are here
http://www.pbase.com/nickdemarco/canon_5d_mark_ii
Thanks
Nick
In the past I have been a user of the 5D and Leica M8. I still use Leica film bodies and love the lenses.
I have a number of Canon EOS lenses, including various L lenses, and have picked up quite a few bargain used third party lenses with adapters to use on the 5D/5D2 (Leica R 21mm f4, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2 and 35mm f2.8, 50mm f2, 90mm f2; Contax 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 21mm f2 and 28mm f2).
Having so many lenses I love gives me a headache when planning a far off trip for some photography (later this week, first time in Myanmar). On the one hand you want the best, and a choice, on the other to take too much is not just not practical, but means I fear I will take too long worrying about what lens to use instead of taking photos. Whilst many people prefer zooms, I prefer prime lenses not only for their superior quality (generally) but also because they can be less big and obtrusive. I also have a preference for wide angle photographer and - often - wide apertures.
I am narrowing down my choices. Along with the 5D Mk II I will take one old Leica film body (the M6) with just one lens (the 35mm Summicron f2) and only black and white 400 ISO film,
With the 5D Mk II I intend to use as my main 'walkabout' lens the 35mm f1.4L. I recently got this second hand and think it is one of the best Canon lenses own. It is excellent in low light and has a very nice bokeh. 35mm is also my favourite focal length. Instead of zooming in or out I think it would be better to just use this for most situations.
I think I need one telephoto, and although I have recently fallen in love with the Contax 85mm, I think I should take the Canon 135mm f2. Its my other favourite Canon lens, with great bokeh, has AF (of course) and is more telephoto.
Instead of the 24-105mm f4L zoom, which I have and think is a good practical lens, but not a beautiful lens, I think I want just one small fast 50mm prime, and I am plumping for the Leica R Summicron f2 as I think it is so much more beautiful wide open than the Canon 1.4.
My real headache comes with extra wide. I have the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L MkII. In the past this would have been the first lens in my bag for such a trip. I love the range and the lens is very good. But I rarely us it at 16mm, at 35 my 35 prime is far better, and I am not convinced it is as good or better than the small primes I have in the 21-28 range. I am leaning towards the Olympus Zuiko 21mm and 28mm lenses. They are both very light and small, and unobtrusive (making the 5D Mk II look almost like a normal camera). They both seem very sharp stopped down. They both can go up to f2 (although the bokeh is rather rough, especially on the 21mm in my opinion), and they are nice and easy to use. I am not sure if the Leica 21mm Super-Angulon f4 is much better than the Olly 21, although I expect if I could focus it more accurately, and had it on a tripod, it would slightly out perform it. It is heavier and I find slightly more difficult to use.
So I am narrowing it down to the Zuiko 21 and 28, the canon 35, the Leica 50 and the Canon 135. I realise this is all a matter of personal taste and preference. Many would prefer to take just one lens or all the best zooms etc. So although I don't espect anyone can tell me what lenses are best for me, the whole point of these forums for me is to discuss and get other people's ideas. So if anyone has thoughts or advice about this choice, or good/bad experiences with any of these lenses, I would be grateful.
In my first few days of experimenting with the 5D mk II this week (whilst at work) I have made a couple of galleries using some of the lenses I am uncertain of. They are here
http://www.pbase.com/nickdemarco/canon_5d_mark_ii
Thanks
Nick
Debusti Paolo
Well-known
Nik,use a 17-40 and 70 200 f4 is combo! it'd work fine on your 5d
cmedin
Well-known
I have a 1Ds II and if I were to pick something for all-around travel it'd be either the 24-105 or the 35-350. Though I'll most likely just use the 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 since I own neither of the two...
edit: don't forget to update your firmware since Canon released a 'black dot' fix.
Though I'll most likely just use the 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 since I own neither of the two...edit: don't forget to update your firmware since Canon released a 'black dot' fix.
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
On a travel, you will be able to do almost everything with a 24-105 IS and a 70-200 IS (or 100-400 IS). Maybe you could add a 1.4 extender, that's what I did. On some trips I also take a 1.4/50 with me. That is more than enough for almost all kinds of photography, no matter whether your EOS uses a film or a sensor.
jbf
||||||
Honestly, I use my 5D like I use my rangefinders.
One or two lenses tops, primes of course.
Right now my main lens of choice is a the canon 35/2. I also have the canon ef 24/2.8.
If I had the extra cash, i'd probably own the 35L and the zeiss 50/1.4, but I dont so oh well.
I really cannot stand zoom lenses. I'm miffed enough that the 5D is so much more bulky/heavy, let alone that it doesnt have the nice hyperfocal distances that my rangefinder lenses have.
I'd own some leica lenses and other manual lenses, but i dont care to have my viewfinder black out when i stop down during the dya.
What I really want is a full frame leica rangefinder with better high iso.
If it had those two things and all of the current m8.2 abilities, i'd be buying two.
Honestly, If I cant take a great photo with a prime lens it wont happen with a zoom. That's my thought at least.
One or two lenses tops, primes of course.
Right now my main lens of choice is a the canon 35/2. I also have the canon ef 24/2.8.
If I had the extra cash, i'd probably own the 35L and the zeiss 50/1.4, but I dont so oh well.
I really cannot stand zoom lenses. I'm miffed enough that the 5D is so much more bulky/heavy, let alone that it doesnt have the nice hyperfocal distances that my rangefinder lenses have.
I'd own some leica lenses and other manual lenses, but i dont care to have my viewfinder black out when i stop down during the dya.
What I really want is a full frame leica rangefinder with better high iso.
If it had those two things and all of the current m8.2 abilities, i'd be buying two.
Honestly, If I cant take a great photo with a prime lens it wont happen with a zoom. That's my thought at least.
shimokita
白黒
I have done a lot of travel with my old 30D and the EF 35mm f/1.4L, but with the 5D MII I will travel with the EF 85mm f/1.2L II. It's big and heavy, but I like that combination. One digital body and one lens, multiple lenses get too heavy and I just like the primes better than the zooms.
If I am going to carry all that weight, I would like to have a good body lens combination.
For film, I like the 28mm f/2.8 using b&w fujifilm ISO100 (prefered) or ISO400. So far I travel with either film or digital, but recently I shot both (at ISO 100) and looking forward to see the results after development. The digital turned out rather nice ;-)
So far I am not so happy with the 35mm f/1.4L and full frame, but I don't have enough experience.
Casey
If I am going to carry all that weight, I would like to have a good body lens combination.
For film, I like the 28mm f/2.8 using b&w fujifilm ISO100 (prefered) or ISO400. So far I travel with either film or digital, but recently I shot both (at ISO 100) and looking forward to see the results after development. The digital turned out rather nice ;-)
So far I am not so happy with the 35mm f/1.4L and full frame, but I don't have enough experience.
Casey
dfoo
Well-known
With my 5D I generally bring 16-35/2.8, 50/1.4, 70-200/4. That covers everything I want to do
user237428934
User deletion pending
0
You don't like zoom lenses but use that 35/2? That lens is absolutely crap on Fullframe, but acceptable on Crop-Sensor. But if you prefer weight over quality it's probably ok.
Honestly, I use my 5D like I use my rangefinders.
One or two lenses tops, primes of course.
Right now my main lens of choice is a the canon 35/2. I also have the canon ef 24/2.8.
If I had the extra cash, i'd probably own the 35L and the zeiss 50/1.4, but I dont so oh well.
I really cannot stand zoom lenses. I'm miffed enough that the 5D is so much more bulky/heavy, let alone that it doesnt have the nice hyperfocal distances that my rangefinder lenses have.
I'd own some leica lenses and other manual lenses, but i dont care to have my viewfinder black out when i stop down during the dya.
What I really want is a full frame leica rangefinder with better high iso.
If it had those two things and all of the current m8.2 abilities, i'd be buying two.
Honestly, If I cant take a great photo with a prime lens it wont happen with a zoom. That's my thought at least.
You don't like zoom lenses but use that 35/2? That lens is absolutely crap on Fullframe, but acceptable on Crop-Sensor. But if you prefer weight over quality it's probably ok.
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user237428934
User deletion pending
--- forget it. Didn't read opening thread completely --
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vol72
Established
I shoot only film in my Leica rangefinders. On a recent cross-country cycle trip I took 21, 28, 50, and 90 lenses; using the 28 and 21 for most of the shots. The Leica 21 R lens, a 28 prime and probably the 85 Zeiss lens is what I would recommend. You may love the 35 focal length, but imo wider is better for travel, so the 28 is superior.
JohnL
Very confused
With my 5D1 I usually take 24-105, 70-300DO and maybe something fast, often the 35/1.4. I'll be looking for a 5D2 in a few months when the price settles a bit.
user237428934
User deletion pending
One word: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM.
I use this lens more than any other with the 1D2N, though I prefer primes, it's not always possible, feasible or suitable.
No doubt about the quality. But this lens is a monster. It weights nearly 1 kg and don't even has IS
jplomley
Established
The new 24/1.4 II is getting some good reviews. A bit pricey, but what a sweet combo: 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.2.
SR1
Established
Nick,
Did you sell the M8. If so I'm interested as to why.
I also have a 5D and find I'm using it more than the M8 again. As I recall you wanted to reduce the weight of kit you carried.
Regards
SR1
Did you sell the M8. If so I'm interested as to why.
I also have a 5D and find I'm using it more than the M8 again. As I recall you wanted to reduce the weight of kit you carried.
Regards
SR1
sockeyed
Well-known
I'm not a fan of adapted lenses on EOS bodies - I feel that there are too many compromises, like shooting stopped-down. Also, you're thinking of mixing Canon, Leica and Olympus lenses in one kit - I would find that very challenging as there would be limited continuity between the handling of different lenses.
I usually travel with the 5D + 17-40/4 + 24-105/4 + 50/1.8. I'm not a telephoto kind of guy, so this covers the range that I'm looking for, plus I've got the 50 for low light. Recently I've picked up the EF 24/2.8, 35/2 and 85/1.8, which is the kit I used to use very happily on my Canon F-1. I'm going to play with this setup again and see if it will meet all of my needs. It will definitely be lighter and faster and less intrusive than my zoom setup.
I'm looking forward to the release of the full set of Zeiss primes in ZE (EOS) mount!
I usually travel with the 5D + 17-40/4 + 24-105/4 + 50/1.8. I'm not a telephoto kind of guy, so this covers the range that I'm looking for, plus I've got the 50 for low light. Recently I've picked up the EF 24/2.8, 35/2 and 85/1.8, which is the kit I used to use very happily on my Canon F-1. I'm going to play with this setup again and see if it will meet all of my needs. It will definitely be lighter and faster and less intrusive than my zoom setup.
I'm looking forward to the release of the full set of Zeiss primes in ZE (EOS) mount!
sirius
Well-known
Well, since you have an M8 I wouldn't replicate the strengths of it in your SLR system. Use the SLR for tele, zoom, and perhaps really wide angle. Use the M8 for fixed focal lengths or even just for 35 and 50 equivalent. Why break you back? Personally, I'd just take the M8 because I like quality that's light and small, but I recognize the Canon is an amazing tool for taking certain kinds of pictures.
sirius
Well-known
Hey, I have a 20D and the Zuiko 28mm f2. Could you recommend a place to get an adapter? Cameraquest? Thanks.
JeffGreene
(@)^(@)
With my 5D 1 i use 24-70L, 70-200L, 50 1.4, and a 1.4 extender. That seems cover all the bases for my kind of photography.
dfoo
Well-known
I really dislike the 24-105L. I dislike F4 lenses for starters, and then the bokeh of that lens is terrible...
sockeyed
Well-known
Interesting. I am not a huge fan of this lens due to its slow f/4 max aperture and relative bulk, but I've never found the bokeh offensive. It's not gorgeous, but it's not terrible either, IMO.
