Need help with lens for the Canon 550D body

[blackwind]

Hi there, Me and my wife recently decide to upgrade, so we trade in our old 350D for 550D. Mainly use for taking photo of my little girl. Running around posing photo and its a great camera (Kit len 18-55mm).

But now its my birthday. So family want to buy something for me. SO they said better len. I am looking at afew L lens but Not sure which to get.

I mainly use for Photo (kids, family and special occassion like wedding party) and HD video is really nice). Price tag at $2000 and under.

- 50mm f1.4 (probably i will buy it myself)
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
- Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM

Cheers

 

[zero85ZEN]

Buy the 50mm f1.4 yourself.
The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is the zoom I'd get out of your list.
Also, I'd consider the 35 f1.4L which would be a nice focal length on your crop body.
The 85 f1.2L II USM would also be nice option. And the 100 f2.8L Macro as well, and the 135 f2L, and etc, etc...

I'd probably go for the 35L or the 24-70 2.8L.

 

[toxic]

none of those. Canon 17-55 IS + 85/1.8 or 15-85 IS + Sigma 30/1.4, or just one of the zooms.

 

[blackwind]

Thank guys. Great to see some info here.

Sorry i also forgot to mention the 17-55mm IS. Great lens i love the review on it.... But way too expansive in Australia $1800 and the 24-70L is $1900.

I have seen ppl complain about the 24-70L's weight (950g) where the 17-55 only 645g.

Taking picture of kid and new born are hard. specially the 2yrs old. They running around and I only take indoor and outdoor (if it a good day).

Does anyone know which would do good HD video from 550D?

Cheers

 

[Darkfox3889]

For video use, I'd recommend the tamron 17-50mm 2.8 VC lens, as a more affordable alternative to canons similar offerings.

 

[jbg232]

I know you said the 17-55 is off your list for the price but it is basically as good or BETTER than the 24-70 on the 550D because of the crop factor you will be pretty zoomed in on a 1.6 crop with a 24mm at your widest aspect compared to 17mm. Almost all reviewers say it is as good optically, only difference being the casing, but you also get IS! One review I read stated you could handhold it in a low-lit room with almost no issues - that's impressive.

If you really don't think the 17-55 is worth it then good luck choosing between the 24-70 and 24-105 (the 17-40 has no IS and is only f/4 but does have the wide angle niceties with the crop 1.6) as this is basically the hottest lens argument in existence and no one can tell you which is better. Personally I like the feel of the 24-70 more and find myself using 2.8 more than the extra 35mm of focus but that's just me. You can't go wrong with either of them though.

Lastly, although the 50 f/1.4 is nice especially for HD video, I have a friend who bought one for this specific purpose and wound up having to buy the 24-105 as well to get a lot of shots. Personally I love the 50 1.8 and don't think you'll need anything more in that range if you get one of the zooms.

 

[toxic]

Does anyone know which would do good HD video from 550D?

Cheers

any lens will do perfectly fine. HD video doesn't even scratch the surface of what modern photographic lenses are designed for.

IS is better if you have an external mic so it doesn't pick up the motor noise.

if you don't know already, DSLR video isn't really tailored to "casual" recording, like with phones or point-&-shoots.

 

[MacRodster]

I'd recommend the the - Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for crop camera as it lets you stand back a bit from the action plus it's 2.8 which works for you both indoors and outdoors.

And if you want a little wider but still L glass, then I recommend the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM which is a very nice lens on a crop.