Which Canon L lens is the most worthwhile upgrade if I already own 16-35L, 50mm f/1.4, and 70-200mm f/4L?
Asked 7/16/2012
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2 answers
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I’m buying a Canon 5D Mark III and can get a discount on Canon L lenses. I already own a 16-35mm f/2.8L, 50mm f/1.4, and 70-200mm f/4L, and I shoot a mix of outdoor subjects including nature, city scenes, and people. I travel with all my gear, so compactness is a plus, but I’m open to larger lenses if the benefit is significant.
I’m not specifically trying to fill every focal-length gap, and I’m also open to primes or possibly a macro lens. Since the discount only applies to L lenses, I’m mainly interested in options where the L version offers a meaningful real-world advantage over the alternatives. Which Canon L lens would be the most useful addition or upgrade for this kind of kit?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
If you can get 400 Euro off the price of an L lens, I would be mighty tempted to get the 70-200 f2.8L lens, and sell the f4L you have. You can get at least 400 Euro for your f4L, so that's a 800 Euro off the f2.8 IS!
Otherwise, the excellent 24-105 f4L is my second choice and the perfect 'walk around' lens for your new full frame body.
Congratulations on the purchase, and enjoy!
Originally by user4880. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4880
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the answers, the strongest suggestions are:
- Canon 24-105mm f/4L: likely the most useful addition. It fills your big mid-range gap on full frame and works well as a general walk-around/travel lens.
- Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L: the best upgrade if you often need more light or subject isolation than your current 70-200mm f/4L provides. One answer specifically suggests selling the f/4 version to offset the cost.
The broader point is that the “best” L lens depends on what limits you now. If you often find 50mm too restrictive and want one versatile lens for everyday shooting, the 24-105mm f/4L is the clearest fit. If you’re missing shots because of motion blur or need shallower depth of field at telephoto lengths, upgrading to the 70-200mm f/2.8L makes more sense.
Macro, tilt-shift, fisheye, or longer telephoto could also be valid, but the provided answers don’t identify one as a clear winner for your stated needs.
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