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Biffbarf
February, 2025

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Lens suggestion

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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Hey guys, I could use a little help picking a lens. This will be used on a 1d mark ii n (occasionally a 6d, maybe on my gh2 down the road). Right now, I have a helios 44-2, and a pentax 200mm f3.5, but my mom has the 16-35 f2.8L II and the 70-200f2.8L which I can use (with the 6d) when I am home. This is why I am not considering a 70-200, as much as I love the range, with my current setup, I feel like the money could be spent better in other places. Anyways, my budget is roughly $500, maybe a little more (absolutely not over $700). I am fine buying used. It will be used mostly for taking pictures skiing (racing and freestyle), and then possibly some paid things on the side (I really like doing panoramas, and I may have some potential work doing portraits or action sports photography). Currently, i am looking at the canon 200mm f2.8 (I or II), the 85mm f1.8, maybe the 24-105 f4L or 300mm f4L if I can get a deal (I think the 300mm may be a little long and out of budget). Open to any reasonable suggestions.

Just the facts
APS-H (1.3x crop)
have 2 manual vintage lenses, access to 70-200 f2.8 and 16-35 f2.8
want it for ski photos, maybe some portraits, and I really like to do panoramas
$500-$600 budget, used is fine
11 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31073 - Karma: 29,599
Ski photography? have 2 MF lenses? definitely get something that Autofocuses. I would suggest the 200 2.8 out of the lenses you listed, maybe the 85 1.8
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
ya, thought the 200mm seemed like first choice, I was just wondering if there was anything else I should consider first, or if anyone can say how they like/dislike the others. The 85 f1.8 will probably happen later if I get the 200mm now. The 24-105 seems like it is just a nice kit lens. It isn't quite ultra wide on a 1d, but it isn't that long either, and most of the reviews say that it is good, but not great.
11 years ago
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,798
Why are you after a 200 if you already have the 70-200?
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
the 70-200 is my moms, I can use it when I am home from school, but not all the time. I also thought it may overlap, but I did like shooting at the end of the range on the 70-200 over the summer the last time I used
11 years ago
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,798
Ah gotcha, certainly is a lot lighter, 16-35, 85, 200 would be good imo if that's what you're planning on doing
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Just ordered the 200, hoping to be able to use the 16-35 a couple times, and hopefully picking up the 85 and maybe a fisheye later
11 years ago
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