Hi there, so I got a 7D recently, decided to move to HDSLR video!! WOOH!
So, I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.. which is AWESOME! But, I want something with a good/decent amount of zoom, and something that has SUPERB image quality. Oh, and something that will do really well in low light.
I was thinking a Canon 24-70mm f2.8/L.. thoughts? I also watched a video where someone said a 50mm lens. Remember that I am only using this for video.

Recommend any lens(es) for those purposes?
Oh, and I am not worried about the price to much at all.. but under $2000 would be great!
(around $1200 ish would be best)

OH! and please post a link to Amazon/BH or official website to your recommendation that would be AWESOME. Thanks.

Although the 24-70 is a great lens, for the 7D crop I think it is not wide enough. The 17-55 f/2.8 sounds like it would be a good fit for what you are looking for. It covers a good range for video, is 2.8 through the whole zoom range and has image stabilization and is right in your price range.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens 1242B002 B&H Photo


I have both the 24-70 and the 17-55 and prefer the 17-55 by far on the 7D for video work.

The 17-55 2.8 IS Canon or the 17-50 2.8 OS Sigma are excelent choises. If you want something longer, wait a little untill the new 50-150 f2.8 OS Sigma lens hits the streets.

I think a 17-50 is probably the best multi purpose zoom for the cropped sensors
17 is wide, 30 is about normal, 50 is nice for portraits.
24-70 is the call for the full sensor cams.

Okay! Thanks for the information!
I think I will cross the 24-70 off my list and write in a 17-55 :)
Any other REALLY awesome lens suggestions? I kind of want a little of everything you know? So I am prepared for anything and get that perfect shot.
So I will def. get the 17-55, then I have my Sigma 30mm 1.4...

OH, thoughts on the 16-35mm 2.8/L ?
Its a L lens which means the quality would be sick.. and it is nice and wide and has a little bit of zoom. How is it in low light? Maybe I will get the 16-35 and then get the 50-150 when it comes out for a good zoom :)

The 16-35 is also a great lens, but for video on the 7D I think the 17-55 is still an easy winner. Although the 17-55 it is not an 'L' series lens (none of the crop lenses are) the quality is very high and comparable to an 'L' series. It is $500 less expensive than the 16-35, has a greater zoom range, and has image stabilzation, which I think you will find is a big plus.

True true, thanks for the info, yeah they seem so close.. but in the end.. $500 more, I dont think is worth that much more haha, I mean does it have anything more to offer other then the prime glass.. lol..

So what other lenses can you/do you recommend for different situations?

I am thinking of passing on the 17-55, and go for the 50-150 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-150mm-f28-ex-dc-apo-hsm-ii-sigma)

What do you think? Or should I get both? haha!! I am so rattled! The thing is, I might upgrade to the 5D Mk III when it is released so the thing is I dont want something that wont work with the full frame.. once question I have is, is there even lenses that work with both crop sensor and full frame? I am sorry I am such a newb, I just got my first HDSLR last week.

Sorry, that link I posted is the old lens.. but the new 50-150 mm :P

EDIT: I just found out that if I upgrade to a full frame a EF-S lens will not work, but full frame lenses will work on my 7D..
so I think I am going to go with the 24-70, and then.. I will definitely need another lens eventually.. maybe a new 50-150? and maybe a fixed wide angle like a 12mm or 14mm or something :)

What are you shooting and is this hand-held, rig or tripod? Run & gun? You wants zooms so it sounds like you are working in non-fiction or docs right? This matters a great deal....

The canon 24-70mm is reaching the end of its life ... everyone is waiting for a replacement that has image stabilization .... very important toward the long focal length and for hand held work its a must in my opinion. Makes a terrific difference.

You should get the 17-55 IS and just sell it if you move to full frame ... this lens retains its value well on resale. I just sold one for $150 less than new! This lens is a much better choice on the 7D and can stay on for very long periods which in doc work is extremely important - try switching a lens during shooting and find out.

I am thinking of passing on the 17-55, and go for the 50-150
think again, for run&gun with 7D 17-55 is the best lens, it never comes off my 7D, although I have to admit I shoot with 3 DSLRs;
I agree that lenses choice somehow depends on what you shoot, but 17-55 is just so great, you'll use your 1.4 sigma only when you'll have to.

Hi there, I am using a Canon 7D. I am going to be doing a lot of tripod work, but I kind of do a little bit of everything. Short films, docs, YouTube vlogs, etc.

I can buy 1-3 different lenses that cost $800-$1800 ish each

Right now I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 which works great in low light and good medium lens at the 30mm focal length.

As for the 17-55.. I found a 16-35mm 2.8 which is a Canon L lens and is full frame.
I think that is a epic ultra wide, and it has some zoom to which will be nice.
So I am thinking of a 16-35 and then a bigger zoom lens.

My dream would actually just be like a 16-80mm or something similar to that, that performs good in low light..

Recommendations on the 2 /3 lenses I get, or the one dream lens?

think again, for run&gun with 7D 17-55 is the best lens, it never comes off my 7D, although I have to admit I shoot with 3 DSLRs;
I agree that lenses choice somehow depends on what you shoot, but 17-55 is just so great, you'll use your 1.4 sigma only when you'll have to.

Yes, I think my 1.4 sigma will be one of those lenses that are AMAZING in low light, so if I ever have a hardcore lowlight shot I need, I can pull out my Sigma.. My dream would be like a 17-80 or something.. cause then I have a good zoom capability, and wide angle. Also having a full frame would be superrr nice, and I really want something with superb quality.

UPDATE:
I am going to get the 17-55mm because I saw some videos and stuff and its AMAZING, haha.
Now I just need to pick out a zoom lens such as a 50-150, or 70-200... hmmm...

If you're just shooting video, don't forget to look at vintage MF glass. There's some great buys out there on old Nikon, Contax, Pentax, and M42 mounts (ironically, NOT Canon FD mounts). A friend gave me his Pentax 50/2, and it does very well wide-open. I'm now looking for a 50/1.4 to get an extra stop.

MF lenses give a lovely focus throw (around 180 degrees or more) compared to modern AF lenses, and most are built like tanks.

Although not a vintage lens, a great piece of glass for medium telephoto work is the Canon EF 85/1.8. Super low-light performance, great contrast and sharp as a tack. On the plus side, it also takes great stills. ;-)

My three go-to lenses that cover 95% of my productions now are the EF 85/1.8, the Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC, and the old Pentax 50/2. I'll be shopping for the Tonkina 11-16/2.8 very, very soon to give me a super-wide.

The Tamron is a great "walkaround" lens when I'm just out shooting various b-roll for my productions. It's nowhere near as sharp (or as fast) as a fast prime in any of its covered focal range, but more than good enough. I've shot a few productions with only that lens.

I think what I should do is get the 16-35 (It is prime, it is super wide, and good in low light)...

Harrison, it sounds like you're confused on what a prime lens is. A prime is a fixed (single) focal-length lens. I suspect you might have thought a fixed- aperture lens was a "prime", but that's not the correct terminology.

So, you either have a zoom or a prime. Zooms are almost always slower, more expensive, and not as sharp as primes in the same lens families, due to the inherent compromises to get a multi-focal-length product. BUT, it's sure nice not to have to swap out lenses on some productions.

HTH...

The classic lens you are missing is also the Canon 70-200 F2.8L or F.4L .... incredible lens - both of them.

I actually went with the F4 after using the 2.8 because of the weight issue - I shoot in very remote locations abroad. On the 7D this will give you top end focal length and great DOF. Every pro I know with Canon will have either of these lenses!

Update: I have been looking and just cant find my dream lens lol..

My choice is now between the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
and the Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L II USM AutoFocus Lens.

Both have great reviews on BH Photo. One is $500 more. One will not work if I do upgrade to the 5D Mk III when it comes out. One has a little more zoom. One is a prime lens.
WHAT TO DO?!! I hate decisions..

well, my friend, you have to make one :) shooting and especially editing is all about making decisions;
16-35 is an amazing lens, BUT it's full frame so on 7D it'll be like 24-55, I own one and to my eye it is a better lens than 17-55, BUT there is no IS, and IS is very helpful for many different situations, BUT if you planning to upgrade to MKIII it will not fit it, BUT i hear the roomers about MKIII for the last three years :)
if you know you will be upgrading to FF camera, and unless you're planning to keep your 7D do not buy EF-S lenses, but if you not sure when, or if not sure if you will, 17-55 mm IS f2.8 wil cover 90% of your shooting ,
best,

Update: I have been looking and just cant find my dream lens lol..

My choice is now between the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
and the Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L II USM AutoFocus Lens.

Both have great reviews on BH Photo. One is $500 more. One will not work if I do upgrade to the 5D Mk III when it comes out. One has a little more zoom. One is a prime lens.
WHAT TO DO?!! I hate decisions..

I think what I should do is get the 16-35 (It is prime, it is super wide, and good in low light) then I have my Sigma 30mm 1.4 which is a good medium thats crazy good in low light, and then I will get a 50-100 or 50-150 zoom. Thoughts? I am going to look for a 17-55 prime (full-frame) or something.. and then I probably dont have to take it off to much but I will still be getting a 50-150 or 70-200 or something.


wait a second there, the 16-35 is a crazy wide lens for the 5d, although the field of view will be narrower for your cropped sensor, you will still have the same characteristics of a wide angle lens within that field of view.