Lens Recommendation needed

[f16sunshine]

I give in I need a f2.8ish 24-70ish or 28-80ish fast AF zoom for my 5Dii.

After years of primes only I'm just terribly over carrying 2 bodies.
Last night I did an event with My 5D with 85mm and x100.
The combo is great for some things but, I want more flexibility from one body.
Please recommend a fast mid wide to mid tele AF zoom.
Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, Canon.. The reviews are all over the place.
Hearing some experience and maybe a sample or two would be great.
I plan to buy new. Prefer small size and cheap over perfect IQ (think grab shots at events not Wedding/Portraits).
Appreciate all responses.

Cheers!

 

[segedi]

I have the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and recommend it. If I had to sell all of my Canon lenses except for one, it would be the one I kept. I'm sure that for your usage a cheaper model might suffice, but when you compare the Sigma, which seems to have some weird ergonomic issues and a huge 82mm filter size, the Canon still looks better. The Canon is a 1/4 pound heavier and an inch longer, but I still recommend it. And makes a better pair for the 5D II.

 

[River Dog]

+1 for the Canon 24-70mm. Great lens.

 

[gdmcclintock]

Canon 24-105 L is the most versatile lens I have. On the 5D it is not light, however.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Not familiar with the Canon lens line-up, though I do know about their 24-70. However, there's also a Tokina 28-75 or 24-75 in the f2.8 spot that may satisfy your needs for less cash. And, IIRC, another lens, the Tamron 28-135 (much slower than f2.8) is also there for cases like this one.

Take care and have fun shopping! 🙂

 

[gavinlg]

24-70mm f2.8L is a seriously good lens, but expensive. Best quality 24-70 zoom overall though.

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 and sigma 24-70 HSM are the next options - tamron is smaller physically and lighter, sigma is heavier but better built and with HSM/USM focussing. Both look pretty similar in IQ. Take your pick!

 

[Nikon Bob]

Heard good things about the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens. Personally I skipped the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 in favour of the 24-120 f4 VR for added versatility.

Bob

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks for all the responses guys.
George I bought the first 5D with the 24-105 and found it simply to large. Now I wish I kept it.
The Tamron sure is cheap. Anyone have anything to say about it. It's 1/3 the price of the Canon and half the Sigma.
For the 20 times or so I use it this year the Canon is likely worth it if it's a lot faster AF and better IQ especially at f2.8. It's just so damn big!

 

[Nikon Bob]

Andy

If the 24-105 was too large, the 24-70 has slightly bigger declensions and is 10 oz heavier. Hard call.

Bob

 

[gavinlg]

The tamron is quite small and light - much smaller than the L lens, but a bit plasticky. It's similar to the canon in IQ at f2.8, albeit maybe a little softer in the corners.

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

Another vote for the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM. Have quite a few friends with one, and also, for what it's worth, Canon rebates are still going on until January 7, 2012, and the US$1,199 price tag is the lowest I've seen in the past 3 years or so, new.