17-55mm f/2.8 IS for 5D Mark II

[Oliver Darden]

I'm thinking about selling my 7D and 17-55mm lens and switching to a 5D Mark II. I was wondering what the equivalent lens to the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is? I LOVE this lens but it only works with the smaller image sensor on the 7D's so I cant use it on the 5D Mark II. Can anyone recommend one similar for the Mark II? I am open to other brands like Tamron etc...

Thanks

[Ben Fullerton]

24-70/2.8 L is pretty much what you're looking for. Which is the lens the the 17-55 was trying to replicate for the crop sensor folks.

[Jon Fairhurst]

The other option is the 24-105/4L IS.

The problem with the 5D Mark II is that there is no middle-range zoom with f/2.8 speed and IS. A 24-70/2.8L with IS has been in the rumor mill for years, but has yet to appear. So, you can get f/2.8 or IS, but not both.

On the other hand, the 5D2 is ideal for primes. You can get a fast wide, such as the EF 24/1.4L, EF 28/1.8, or the ZE 28/2 and get a matched set of fast prime lenses up to 85 or 100mm. There are no fast wide primes for the 7D. (The 24/1.4 becomes a 38.4mm equivalent.)

[Oliver Darden]

Thanks Ben, that's the one!

Hey Jon, you actually helped me out a ton on my last purchase when I was looking for a lens for my 7D. You told me about the 17-55 and I ended up loving it. I'll be using the 5D2 in the same way I am using the 7D, video 100% of the time, and most of that time will be spent on a Redrock DSLR Rig with a follow focus (indie short film stuff). The EF 28/1.8 looks like a really nice lens at an awesome price, do you think that would work well for the application I described (handheld, etc)? Is there like a set of like must have primes for cinematic looking application?

Also, what do you mean when you say get a "matched set"? I've never shot with primes before.

[John Wiley]

The 24-70 f/2.8 is certainly a good choice. Sigma make a great version of it as well, but not at the same level as the Canon L.

A matched set of primes in cinema work means a set of lenses all designed to compliment each other across a range of focal lengths with the same coatings, colour cast, dimensions (to fit on a rig without readjusting the matte box/follow focus), bokeh, build quality, etc. Basically a set of lenses that will look and feel the same and can be used interchangeably with perfect continuity both on set and in the images.

For DSLR's, where continuity is less of an issue, a 'matched set' doesn't truly exist, except when using lenses specifically designed for HDSLR film-making such as the Ziess CP2's. A matched set of still lenses is a much looser term simply meaning lenses from the same manufacturer, in the same generation and the same line. For example, most current L-series Canon's would match fairly well because they would use the same glass coatings and would likely have similar colour casts. However they might have notable differences in the image from, say, a set of E-series Nikon primes, FD mount L-series lenses, current Sigma primes, or Canon's cheaper non-L series lines.

[Bill Pryor]

That 28 would be pretty good for hand held. I never like to go any longer than a 35mm for hand held work with my 5DII. I have three primes I use all the time--a 24mm, 35mm and 50mm. I also have a 105 but don't use it as much as the other 3. For shooting interviews and testimonials I mostly use the 70-200 f4 L. I like it because it's wide enough for a medium shot and I can quickly zoom in between comments to get that tight forehead to chin shot for emphasis when needed.

[Nigel Barker]

There is no exact full frame equivalent of the EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS. The 24-70mm F/2.8L not only doesn't have IS but has a rather soft image. The 24-105mm F/4L is a lovely sharp lens & has IS but has one stop less of aperture.

[Bill Pryor]

I agree on both of those lenses. The 24-105 is the one I'd get for an all-around zoom. Some think that at f4 it's too slow, but generally with a 5DII you want to shoot at at least an f4 to make following focus a little easier.

[Daniel Weber]

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

I agree on both of those lenses. The 24-105 is the one I'd get for an all-around zoom. Some think that at f4 it's too slow, but generally with a 5DII you want to shoot at at least an f4 to make following focus a little easier.

Exactly!! The 24-105 lens is perfect for the 5DmII. I also use it on the 7D and like it much better on the 5DMII. I agree about shooting at F4 because the sensor on the 5DMII is so huge. The 5DMII is also usable at a higher ISO, which will give you your 1 stop difference between the lenses back.

The IS on the 24-105 is very useful as well. I can handhold it pretty good most of the time, even without a shoulder rig. A Zacuto Z Finder is a must though.

Daniel Weber

[Jon Fairhurst]

Having a similar aperture is also important for matched lenses. You can then always change glass without relighting. Also, the 28 is great handheld. I really like it for video.

[Oliver Darden]

Great info everyone, thanks a ton! The 28 looks looks like a perfect lens for the handheld work that I want to do. It's seems for me that a nice set of primes would be ideal for the 5dmk2.

If I end up getting a zoom I think the 24-105 IS is the way to go, and fortunately I have a Zacuto Z Finder already. =)

I found this blog pretty useful as well:
http://philipbloom.net/2010/08/20/which-lenses-to-buy/