Hey guys, I need help. Is the 24-70 a good walkabout lens and is it also good for night photography?
24-70 vs 17-55 on 60D
- Thread starter Khairi Noorazha
- Start date
Haiya. I'm a Nikon user but I had this dilemma too. From experience I find that the 24-70 being a ff lens gives me an awkward range. As in it is not wide enough yet usually not long enough as a walkabout lens. It starts in the middle of the mid range focal length for crop sensors so I don't find it useful. But it may be different for you 
I'd recommend the 17-55 for a 60D, but it's personal preference really. Both are f2.8 so both will be pretty decent for night photography. Also, night photography is very vague, it can consist of street shoot, night landscape, etc. If you are going for night landscape then obviously the max aperture doesn't matter that much since you're going to stop down anyway.
Also, focal range for walkabout lenses depends a lot on your style. Most people would be more comfortable with the 17-55 range on crop, but there are some who would prefer the 24-70/24-105. Do you prefer wide or tele? If you prefer wide, then 17-55 is the way to go. Ultra wide? Then the Canon 10-22 or its third party alternatives would suit you better. If you prefer tele, none of these lenses would really suit you; you'd probably want a 24-105 or even a 70-200. If you like to have wide and tele in the same lens, then the 18-200 or its third party alternatives would be the best for you
Also, focal range for walkabout lenses depends a lot on your style. Most people would be more comfortable with the 17-55 range on crop, but there are some who would prefer the 24-70/24-105. Do you prefer wide or tele? If you prefer wide, then 17-55 is the way to go. Ultra wide? Then the Canon 10-22 or its third party alternatives would suit you better. If you prefer tele, none of these lenses would really suit you; you'd probably want a 24-105 or even a 70-200. If you like to have wide and tele in the same lens, then the 18-200 or its third party alternatives would be the best for you
Well... only you could answer that question and not any of us. Because different people might have different liking. I, for one, uses the 70-200mm 70% of the time even fo my streets photography... and 30% I used my 12-24mm lens.
so you got to ask yourself, which range of focal length is more comfortable to you then get that focal length and thats it.
agree. i will recommend the 17-55 over the 24-70L for a crop body.
however a lot of times, f2.8 isn't really that fast for night photography too.
Thanks guys for the great help. But im also quite worried to use the 24-70 as it doesnt have IS , which means low shutter speed without IS will be blur? Is it true?
Generally yes, but it depends on your hand-holding and breathing techniques. IS will definitely help, but if your hands are shaky there is only so much it can do.
Hi bro. I myself used to had the same delimma as well so what i do was i rent 24-70mm at camera rental. The lend was not to my liking. Then i rent 24-105mm. The lens is good but i do not wish to lose out my wide therefore i rent myself 17-55mm and fall in love with it.
I just brought it as recenty my wife had gine crazy, told me that i was allow to buy one lens of my choice and waste no time i brought the 17-55mm.
I think it would be better for you to rent and test it yourself.
I just brought it as recenty my wife had gine crazy, told me that i was allow to buy one lens of my choice and waste no time i brought the 17-55mm.
I think it would be better for you to rent and test it yourself.
Ha ha :bsmilie:. Hope your wife is not on Clubsnap. Anyway 17-55 is great choice.
Ouh ok! Thanks! But how does the 17-55 perform? Like color fringing and Flare? Then what are the people talking about dust in the lens? Sorry for the loads of questions.
Should have just whacked a used 400/2.8... after a few days, sell it, and use the money to get all the other toys you wanted...
Dust is everywhere. It will get into every lens. Like it or not.. 24-70 or 17-55 or 400/2.8.
And more about 17-55...
Nikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX - Review / Test Report
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TS, if you dont mind my noobish user review:
Tech Toys For Big Boys!: User Review: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Tech Toys For Big Boys!: User Review: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
So 17-55 wins over the 24-70? Its just sad that the 24-70 doesnt have IS. If it does i would not have to compare...
For your use, 17-55 make more sense..... give better range.... ya IS is useful, but till they launch a 17-55IS...... share my experience.... when I use my D700 + 700-200 push pull version... its hell of heavy..... I zoom to 200mm and can see the focusing fly all over.... my technique is lousy... so what I did was to sling the camera over the shoulder, after that, get a Hand Strap.... it help a bit to stablise the camera.... I see less shake.... since I cannot afford the VR version, this is my poor man method.... till one day I afford then maybe will change.... but at the meantime, can train my muscle.... haaaa
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