General use lens for Canon 7D?!

AshD_UK · Mar 29, 2011

I am buying my new camera body today, the Canon 7D and need a general use lens that will give good quality for both video and photos.

I have checked several forums and the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS EF-S seems to be a popular choice for use on good quality video and photos.

Can anyone recommend I go with this as it is a lot of money and I would like some reassurance! To reiterate, it will be general use lens, I will get more at a later date but need a primary lens to begin with.. the only thing that slightly worries me is the zoom length as I use to have 17-135 and did like the amount of zoom in this.. is this enough do you think? If there is a better one out there for a similar price of around £800 I would like to hear your thoughts.

Robin Usagani · Mar 29, 2011

24-105mm F/4L

reedshots · Mar 29, 2011

the kit lens 28-135mm that comes with some 7D models is a nice lens (not L quality) but still not bad. if you want L glass the 24-105 F4 or 24 -70 F2.8 are even better.

cfusionpm · Mar 30, 2011

Can't go wrong with the fantastic 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. Fixed 2.8 aperture, Image Stablization, crop-friendly focal range, and excellent image quality. I use this lens more than any other.

tyler_h · Mar 30, 2011

Ignore anyone listing 24/28-X should be ignored if you want anything with a little bit of wide considering you want it as a general lens.
17-55 is the best you'll probably do for a normal zoom on crop; just don't forget to consider if you want to upgrade to FF in the near future.

Crystal · Mar 30, 2011

Schwettylens said:
24-105mm F/4L

+1

imstuner · Mar 30, 2011

reedshots said:
24 -70 F2.8 are even better.

+1

cabrosh · Mar 30, 2011

The 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is the one that's on my camera most of the time. It's got enough zoom for many shots (even tamer wildlife) and goes wide enough for scenery. Best of all, it's lighter than the big zoom lenses, so I can carry it a lot longer. The two negatives are it won't work on a full frame camera, and it doesn't come with a lens hood.

CxThree · Mar 31, 2011

I use my 24 - 105L most of the time on my 7d. The 17-55 is great and I do use it in lower light situations like wedding receptions. However, I like the larger focal range of the 24-105 and find that the difference between 17 and 24 is usually something I can manage easier than the loss of reach between 55 and 105. Not always, but as a general rule.

They are both wonderful lenses.