Lens decision

[daniel81]

I'm upgrading my 400D kit lenses and looking at buying a good zoom lens with decent width and a bit of length.

I've narrowed it down to 2 very different lenses:

The canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and canon EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM.

I know its like comparing apples and oranges, but does the L series lens justify paying double the standard series price? Are you paying for better build quality or is image quality _that_ much better on the L series?

Thanks in advance.

[Bugeyes]

The build quality and usually the optical quality are better with L lenses.

I find this site very good for there lens reviews....

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses ... /index.htm

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses ... /index.htm

[stetner]

I have the 17-85 and the build quality is very good. I am not satisfied with the image quality though. Personally I would go with the 24-105.

[daniel81]

cheers guys.

Is the 17-85 (or the 28-135 for that matter) much of a step up from the stock EF S 17-55 in terms of image quality though?

[petal666]

cheers guys.

Is the 17-85 (or the 28-135 for that matter) much of a step up from the stock EF S 17-55 in terms of image quality though?

Yes the image quality is a good step up from the 18-55. I'm actually selling both the 17-85 and 28-135 atm if you are interested.

[PiroStitch]

I had the 24-105 f4 L IS before I switched to the 24-70 f2.8. Image quality is a beaut on the 24-105 and personally I'd rather get a lens with constant aperture than varying according to the tele range you pick.

[Nathan Rodger]

The L series are worth it: to me. However that doesn't mean _you_ need them.. I have L series glass for build quality, constant aperture, speed of focus and reliability. I rely on my glass to make me money - to get the shot I need... Sounds like and ad - I know...
Could I do it with non-L glass? Well - no - a lot of my style is shooting wide open... (but F11 is Sooooooo much sharper!!! - LOL) I have a 50mm 1.4 which I'm considering upgrading to the 1.2 - cause I shoot wide open.

As with Pirostich, constant aperture through the zoom range is important to me - but it depends on what stage of photography you are at.

The one thing I learnt early - was don't count glass as something else to trade - and don't sell yourself short on glass - but the best you can afford. If you can afford the 24-105 and need that range over say the 24-70 2.8 - go for it... great glass for the price... but if you are in the budget range of the 17-85 or 28-135 pricing... both are great lenses.... However I personally wouldn't restrict myself to something I could only use on and EF-S camera - and not potential body upgrades... I've learnt this as I'm still using glass that is now turning 15.... used on about 8 different bodies.... if I buy EF-S - I can _only_ use it on an 1.6 crop camera...

my 2c

[daniel81]

I'm actually selling both the 17-85 and 28-135 atm if you are interested.

PM sent.