Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? at DVinfo.net

Michael Nickolai · September 6th, 2011, 08:55 PM

At the moment I own a Sigma 50mm 1.4f which I use mostly for amateur fashion photography and as a general purpose lens.

I'm considering investing in a Canon 24-70 L 2.8f but debating whether I will still need the prime 50mm if I do get the 24-70. I love the fact that you can get an amazing d.o.f. from the 50mm but I found that when shooting a model, I rarely go under 2.5f as its too hard to keep the subject in focus on 2.0f or lower....

So my question would be, would there still be a point of keeping the Sigma lens or would the 24-70L be more then enough for low lighting photography and produce better images too?

Thanks in advance!

Shaun Roemich · September 8th, 2011, 05:03 PM

f1.4 is 2 stops faster than 2.8... I'd hold onto it...

Les Wilson · September 9th, 2011, 04:57 AM

I have both of these lenses on a 5DM2. Are you talking photography or video?

I only use the L lens when I MUST have something wider or a little longer. I prefer the bokeh of a 50mm 2.0 or f2.5 than the L at 50mm/f2.8. Also, there are times when size matters that I appreciate the slightly smaller footprint of the 50mm...especially considering the lens shade.

Evan Bourcier · June 21st, 2012, 01:14 PM

Just gonna throw out there that Tamron has a stabilized 24-70mm 2.8 now as well, which might be a consideration if you do video as well. I'm renting it for a wedding next weekend, we'll see how it goes haha.

Trevor Dennis · October 24th, 2012, 01:54 AM

I wonder if you saw the small article by Martin Evening (he who writes the 'Photoshop for Photographers' books) on fashion photography on DPReview a few days ago?

Fashion Shoot: Tips from a Pro: Digital Photography Review

Several of the images show Martin using a 70-200mm f2.8L lens on what I think is a 1DsMK3, but he is using a small prime in the image at the bottom of page two.

I had to laugh at the second picture on page two where he talks about his assistant adding model details to image metadata, because that is clearly Jeff Schewe in the background. I know Jeff co-writes some of the Photoshop books with Martin, but I am not sure if he would appreciate being referred to as a 'photographer's assistant' :-)

BTW The Canon 24-70mm f2.8 is one of my two favourite lenses, and has become part of my standard kit working events. The 24-70mm f2.8L on a 1DsMK3 body, and a 70-200mm f2.8L IS on a 1DMK4 body. Both with 580EX2s mounted. Nothing else seems to come out of the bag nowadays - for events anyway. I use my Canon 100mm f2.8 for most of my product shots (and for macro) and a 17-40mm f4 on the full frame body when needing to shoot wide, but my 135mm f2 is my least used lens. It's a cracker of a lens, but it just isn't the right tool for the job most of the time.

Robert Turchick · October 24th, 2012, 07:23 PM

I have the 24-70 2.8L and the Canon 50mm 1.4
Gotta say they are different animals. Even though there's overlap with the focal length, they have completely different looks. I'm sure the Sigma 50 1.4 would have a vastly different character from the 24-70 as well.
The 50 is one of those special lenses that works well in a lot of situations but not all. I generally leave it on one 5D mk3. The 24-70 is my most commonly used lens and stays on my other 5D mk3.
I do both video and photo work. Keep the 50!

September 6th, 2011, 08:55 PM	#1
Michael Nickolai New Boot Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 17	Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? At the moment I own a Sigma 50mm 1.4f which I use mostly for amateur fashion photography and as a general purpose lens. I'm considering investing in a Canon 24-70 L 2.8f but debating whether I will still need the prime 50mm if I do get the 24-70. I love the fact that you can get an amazing d.o.f. from the 50mm but I found that when shooting a model, I rarely go under 2.5f as its too hard to keep the subject in focus on 2.0f or lower.... So my question would be, would there still be a point of keeping the Sigma lens or would the 24-70L be more then enough for low lighting photography and produce better images too? Thanks in advance! __________________ HPX170 + Redrock M2 Encore, 550D, GoPro HD Hero, Indislider Pro and a KMart plastic bag

September 8th, 2011, 05:03 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	re: Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? f1.4 is 2 stops faster than 2.8... I'd hold onto it... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 9th, 2011, 04:57 AM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? I have both of these lenses on a 5DM2. Are you talking photography or video? I only use the L lens when I MUST have something wider or a little longer. I prefer the bokeh of a 50mm 2.0 or f2.5 than the L at 50mm/f2.8. Also, there are times when size matters that I appreciate the slightly smaller footprint of the 50mm...especially considering the lens shade.

June 21st, 2012, 01:14 PM	#4
Evan Bourcier Major Player Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mashpee, MA Posts: 251	Re: Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? Just gonna throw out there that Tamron has a stabilized 24-70mm 2.8 now as well, which might be a consideration if you do video as well. I'm renting it for a wedding next weekend, we'll see how it goes haha. __________________ DSLR Photographer/Videographer from Massachusetts Portfolio at http://ebourcier.com

October 24th, 2012, 01:54 AM	#5
Trevor Dennis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Zealand, Rapaura (near Blenheim) Posts: 434	Re: Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? I wonder if you saw the small article by Martin Evening (he who writes the 'Photoshop for Photographers' books) on fashion photography on DPReview a few days ago? Fashion Shoot: Tips from a Pro: Digital Photography Review Several of the images show Martin using a 70-200mm f2.8L lens on what I think is a 1DsMK3, but he is using a small prime in the image at the bottom of page two. I had to laugh at the second picture on page two where he talks about his assistant adding model details to image metadata, because that is clearly Jeff Schewe in the background. I know Jeff co-writes some of the Photoshop books with Martin, but I am not sure if he would appreciate being referred to as a 'photographer's assistant' :-) BTW The Canon 24-70mm f2.8 is one of my two favourite lenses, and has become part of my standard kit working events. The 24-70mm f2.8L on a 1DsMK3 body, and a 70-200mm f2.8L IS on a 1DMK4 body. Both with 580EX2s mounted. Nothing else seems to come out of the bag nowadays - for events anyway. I use my Canon 100mm f2.8 for most of my product shots (and for macro) and a 17-40mm f4 on the full frame body when needing to shoot wide, but my 135mm f2 is my least used lens. It's a cracker of a lens, but it just isn't the right tool for the job most of the time. __________________ Stills at: www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-dennis/ Last edited by Trevor Dennis; October 24th, 2012 at 02:01 AM. Reason: Everything after the 'BTW' added

October 24th, 2012, 07:23 PM	#6
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Canon 24-70mm L with Sigma 50mm 1.4f ? I have the 24-70 2.8L and the Canon 50mm 1.4 Gotta say they are different animals. Even though there's overlap with the focal length, they have completely different looks. I'm sure the Sigma 50 1.4 would have a vastly different character from the 24-70 as well. The 50 is one of those special lenses that works well in a lot of situations but not all. I generally leave it on one 5D mk3. The 24-70 is my most commonly used lens and stays on my other 5D mk3. I do both video and photo work. Keep the 50! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!