Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8

jundebandre · 18th January 2009

Hi All,

Just wanna ask before i buy. which lens is more sharp? i have a 40D body. Planning to buy a new lens to work on.. CHeers...

pplneedthelord · 18th January 2009

hmmm, kindly tell us what camera you use please?

Kit · 18th January 2009

Ask yourself. What is the focal length you'd like to work with? Difference between 17 and 24mm is heaven and earth.

nightwolf75 · 18th January 2009

Originally Posted by jundebandre

Hi All,

Just wanna ask before i buy. which lens is more sharp? i have a 40D body. Planning to buy a new lens to work on.. CHeers...

one is for APS-C sensor, the other is for (primarily) a FF sensor. how to compare?

MarkTan89 · 18th January 2009

There have been certain lab tests where the 17-55IS have outperformed the 24-70/2.8 and I used to have the 17-55IS and it was a sweet performer. Worth every cent if you're not intending to go FF anytime soon.

ccgq1985 · 18th January 2009

Hi,

Just a brief user review of both these lenses as I own both.

17-55mm
The IS combined with the bright focal ratio makes this a very valuable tool in low light photography on a crop frame body. I would say that this is possibly, Canon's most 'handholdable' lens. Sharpness is good when wide open and even better when stopped down a stop or two. Definitely a great lens for a crop frame body, I would event venture to say that it is the best lens available if the range suits your style of photography.

24-70mm
This lens is a totally different proposition on a crop frame. For some a 35mm eqv of 38mm on the wide end is far too tight to work with and the extra reach of 70mm vs 55mm on the long end is really negligible. The weight is going to be a consideration as this baby is almost 1kg compared to the 17-55mm which is around 600+gms. Well I can say that this lens gives better colors, contrast and sharpness than the 17-55, but not significantly. Lens hood resembles a the likes of a satellite dish but works nonetheless.

Verdict
I adore both lenses and wouldnt sell them off for anything. However, at the end of the day my vote goes to the 17-55mm for everyday use due to its more flexible wide end and IS. 24-70 would be better in a controlled environment of a studio or taking shots where you have more compositional flexibility and freedom.

Bottomline: 17-55mm on 40D would be my choice, I rather have people looking at my keeper shots than the red ring around my lens.

Cheers

david_goh · 18th January 2009

Just to share my personal experience (Images taken are mainly of weddings and events).

17-55mm worked great on my old 30D, but I bought a 16-35mm later for my 50D which I find the IQ isn't as good.

24-70mm works really good on both my 5D and 50D now.

*Just wondering, why is TS comparing 2 different range of lens? What does TS shoot?*

StrifeYun · 18th January 2009

24-70 for FF
17-55 for crop.

fireblaster_lyz · 18th January 2009

Originally Posted by MarkTan89

...I used to have the 17-55IS and it was a sweet performer.

Originally Posted by ccgq1985

Bottomline: 17-55mm on 40D would be my choice

Originally Posted by david_goh

17-55mm worked great on my old 30D

Originally Posted by StrifeYun

17-55 for crop.

Your answer would be a 17-55mm, provided you are not intending to upgrade to a FF body at this moment of time.

Anson · 19th January 2009

Is the TS using a APS-C or FF sensor?

jasonteoch · 19th January 2009

Originally Posted by Anson

Is the TS using a APS-C or FF sensor?

TS is using 40d

jundebandre · 19th January 2009

Hi,

Thanks for the inputs. it would be very helpful to me. Well, for now im planning to use the lens for some upcoming weddings of my friends. So i was thinking if the extra focal length from 24-70 lens would be good enought. i have plans of upgrading to FF but not for now as im still learning... Cheers!!!

jundebandre · 19th January 2009

thanks bro... nice comparison... I think i have the idea of which lens should i buy...

Majest1c · 19th January 2009

Originally Posted by jundebandre

Hi,

Thanks for the inputs. it would be very helpful to me. Well, for now im planning to use the lens for some upcoming weddings of my friends. So i was thinking if the extra focal length from 24-70 lens would be good enought. i have plans of upgrading to FF but not for now as im still learning... Cheers!!!

Jus my opinion...
for events like wedding....
24-70 is not wide enuff for wedding
17-55 if its not zooming enuff... you can walk rite up

so for weddings only i take 17-55.

if u are jumping to full frame...24-70

i use 24-70 or primes for portraits

if you are still not certain .... how bout renting instead of buying

jundebandre · 19th January 2009

Originally Posted by Majest1c

Jus my opinion...
for events like wedding....
24-70 is not wide enuff for wedding
17-55 if its not zooming enuff... you can walk rite up
so for weddings only i take 17-55.

if u are jumping to full frame...24-70
i use 24-70 or primes for portraits

if you are still not certain .... how bout renting instead of buying

Ohh i see.... Do you know where i can rent lens for the said weddings? I would be a good i think to try first then decide later..

dan_1337 · 19th January 2009

if i had my time again with 1.6x (like your body), i would have got the 17-55IS.

18th January 2009	#1
jundebandre New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: delta ave, singapore Posts: 45	Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 Hi All, Just wanna ask before i buy. which lens is more sharp? i have a 40D body. Planning to buy a new lens to work on.. CHeers...

18th January 2009	#2
pplneedthelord Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: serangoon Posts: 1,579	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 hmmm, kindly tell us what camera you use please? __________________ 40D+17-50 f/2.8+30 f/1.4+430EXII www.pplneedthelord.blogspot.com l www.flickr.com/pplneedthelord

18th January 2009	#3
Kit Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bukit Timah / Melbourne CBD Posts: 6,021	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 Ask yourself. What is the focal length you'd like to work with? Difference between 17 and 24mm is heaven and earth. __________________ arkitectural photography http://arkitecturalphoto.1x.com/

18th January 2009	#5
MarkTan89 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Boon Keng Posts: 578	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 There have been certain lab tests where the 17-55IS have outperformed the 24-70/2.8 and I used to have the 17-55IS and it was a sweet performer. Worth every cent if you're not intending to go FF anytime soon. __________________ The world is your classroom

18th January 2009	#6
ccgq1985 New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 42	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 Hi, Just a brief user review of both these lenses as I own both. 17-55mm The IS combined with the bright focal ratio makes this a very valuable tool in low light photography on a crop frame body. I would say that this is possibly, Canon's most 'handholdable' lens. Sharpness is good when wide open and even better when stopped down a stop or two. Definitely a great lens for a crop frame body, I would event venture to say that it is the best lens available if the range suits your style of photography. 24-70mm This lens is a totally different proposition on a crop frame. For some a 35mm eqv of 38mm on the wide end is far too tight to work with and the extra reach of 70mm vs 55mm on the long end is really negligible. The weight is going to be a consideration as this baby is almost 1kg compared to the 17-55mm which is around 600+gms. Well I can say that this lens gives better colors, contrast and sharpness than the 17-55, but not significantly. Lens hood resembles a the likes of a satellite dish but works nonetheless. Verdict I adore both lenses and wouldnt sell them off for anything. However, at the end of the day my vote goes to the 17-55mm for everyday use due to its more flexible wide end and IS. 24-70 would be better in a controlled environment of a studio or taking shots where you have more compositional flexibility and freedom. Bottomline: 17-55mm on 40D would be my choice, I rather have people looking at my keeper shots than the red ring around my lens. Cheers

18th January 2009	#7
david_goh Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bt Panjang Posts: 828	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 Just to share my personal experience (Images taken are mainly of weddings and events). 17-55mm worked great on my old 30D, but I bought a 16-35mm later for my 50D which I find the IQ isn't as good. 24-70mm works really good on both my 5D and 50D now. Just wondering, why is TS comparing 2 different range of lens? What does TS shoot?

18th January 2009	#8
StrifeYun Member/Tangshooter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Serangoon North Posts: 1,996	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 24-70 for FF 17-55 for crop. __________________ *Canon* EOS "Luxury" [flickr]

19th January 2009	#10
Anson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,716	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 Is the TS using a APS-C or FF sensor? __________________ Canon 450D, BG-E5, 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS, 50mm F1.8, 580EX2, Panasonic FZ50, FL36, Panasonic TZ7

19th January 2009	#16
dan_1337 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 586	Re: Which is better EFS 17-55 f2.8 or EF 24-70 f2.8 if i had my time again with 1.6x (like your body), i would have got the 17-55IS. __________________ 5D \| 24-70L \| 28mm f/1.8 \| 580EX