70D is in the mail. What lens to get?

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Just bought my first good camera.  What lenses for the canon, for filming longer distance should I get?  any good all around lenses anyone can recommend?  I have a 70-300 sigma will that fit on this canon?  Anyone done any filming with this camera?  that's what I bought it for.  cant wait...

[CAMPMEAT]

I bought a 70D in a package deal with 2 lenses and a lot of junk I didn't want. Maybe google the package you could of ordered and take a look at what would of come with it. 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah I got the body only for way less.  Just wondered what lenses would be better than those for film.  How'd you like the video on it?

[dreamunelk]

Depends on what you want to do with it.  That will be the key.  Hopefully some of the real photographers one here will chime in.   I started with a telephoto and now mostly use a sigma 17-70 something.  Takes great pictures only limitation is the person pushing the buttons.  I am mostly in the forest so distance really is issue and I like to snap close ups of silly things like plants and slugs and get a few great pictures of four legged critters.

[huntnphool]

This is about as good a thread on Canon lenses as you will find. http://www.huntfishnw.com/index.php?topic=908.msg8690#msg8690

[CAMPMEAT]

Yeah I got the body only for way less.  Just wondered what lenses would be better than those for film.  How'd you like the video on it?

I haven't used the video because I keep forgetting it's on it.. Pictures are fabulous..

[grandpawrichard]

Congrats on the new camera! You are really going to love it! Your Sigma 70-300 should work wonderfully for you as long as it has a Canon Mounting ring on it.

Dick

[Bean Counter]

I don't really "do" video myself. Just me though. I've photographed quite a few weddings this year as a second shooter and only done one as a videographer. Love shooting photos, don't care for vids  My callow understanding of video is that more than the image quality, its all about the sound, and a stable platform. So invest in a good mic and either a monopod or a tripod, or at least an IS lens with STM. I was about to video my second wedding and did some research into sound and looked in to the Rode shotgun mics before the wedding was called off. Thank goodness. Costco.com carries Rode 

I am nervous about the long term longevity of Sigma lenses, especially in the telephoto range. Their new Art lenses such as the 85mm & 50mm f/1.4 are said to be real home runs, but I haven't sampled any. Sigma seems to be better than Tamron, which is known for quality control issues and cheaper internal parts. If you really get into it and start beating your lens around like a pro, a "cheap" lens will be no bargain. Consider also your resale value down the line. I'm guessing Canon's hold their value better than the off brands. Just look around on Craigslist and compare what a used Tammy or Siggy is going for compared to its retail price.

If your primary "focus" (pardon the pun) will be video, then you should consider Canon's lenses with the STM (Stepping motor) as opposed to the USM (ultrasonic motor). The stepping motor is built for rolling video focus, whereas the USM is better at still photos. For giggles I recorded a few seconds of video on my 6d with my EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM and the image stabilization was so noisy that the video was junk from the start.  I don't own a single STM lens and have no interest in them so I can't help ya on which to get.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Thanks guys!     I'll be able to edit out any unwanted noise and I will defiantly be getting a mic.  I'll check out that kind of lens bean.  Can't wait for it to get here.

[huntnphool]

 I'd stick with quality Canon brand lenses and look for deals on Craigslist. If you purchase their better lenses pre owned, you can generally use them for a couple years while saving for additional play money, sell the lens for the same amount you bought it for, and upgrade without losing money. Not too many things in life you can do that with except maybe precious metal coins, and they are not as fun to play with.

[bearpaw]

This is about as good a thread on Canon lenses as you will find. http://www.huntfishnw.com/index.php?topic=908.msg8690#msg8690

That is some great info! 

[Bean Counter]

This is about as good a thread on Canon lenses as you will find. http://www.huntfishnw.com/index.php?topic=908.msg8690#msg8690

That is some great info! 

Nice and comprehensive list indeed.

But, at 5 years old, we need to lobby the good Pope to update that list. While Nikon's camera  sensors continue to best Canon in dynamic range, Canon has handily kicked Nikon's butt in the lens department in the past few years. Namely the holy trinity of wedding photography lenses, which I believe are all newer than Pope's list.

• the 24-70mm f/2.8L Mark II
• the 70-200mm f/2.8L Mark II
• the 16-35mm f/4L IS

I've tried out the 70-200 II and own the 16-35, but haven't tried the 24-70II. They're so sharp they sleep on a cutting board. 

Canon also just released the rectilinear (non-fish eye) 11-24mm lens, which is so wide with straight lines it borders on obscene. This lens has now dethroned Nikon's 14-24mm ultra wide, which previously ruled the world of ultra wide amongst the big players. No offense to the wildlife shooters but IMHO these ultrawides are the hardest lenses to use artistically without being goofy.

[Alchase]

I love the 24-105 IS as a carry around lens.
70-200 IS 2.8, is a fantastic lens, if that is out of your price rang the 70-300 f4 is a good lens for the price.

[boneaddict]

24-70 MarkII  is on my wish list. 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

24-70 MarkII  is on my wish list.

 

That's price is crazy!