hi :) advice would be apriciated

[IceDropsFromMars]

hi all... just got a new 7D and im going to get a good quality lens to make the package complete so to speak lol ,, nwys ive narrowed it kinda down to 2 as i like doing landscape flowers close ups and i like real close up lol also like doing night sky pics aswell.... so im kinda tryiing to make a choice between Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM or EF-S 17-55 IS Hmmm or should i try another 1 instead of those 2 or would either be good,,,i just wont have the length of the 105 as in only 55 at other 1 so i gues the choice is getting the 17-55 and be happy and save for a longer length down the track :)

[ameerat42]

According to the specs of each, and for what you want to do, neither.
Neither is that good - nor even specified - for "macro", and for the night sky, you do not have enough glass. Well, maybe with the 24-105, but then you lose CU functionality.
Am.

[IceDropsFromMars]

CU ?

[ameerat42]

Sorry!

CU ?
Close-Up.

[IceDropsFromMars]

ahh lol silly me,,,,,,,,,, ive seen numerous youtube videos from pros etc .... and they all seem to say either of those lenses are exlnt !!

[ameerat42]

Excellent, perhaps, but suitable for your purposes?

[ricktas]

If you want to get a lens that will last your lifetime, then you need to look at lenses specific for the purpose of macro photography, and another one for landscape photography. Yes you can get one that will do both, but with some limitations. I would suggest looking for 2 separate lenses, maybe invest in one now and then save for the other. For macro. look for a dedicated fixed length macro lens (not a zoom) and for landscapes look for a good wide angle lens (which can be a zoom if you want).

I use a Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro and for landscapes either my Sigma 12-24 f4.5-4.6 or my Nikon 17-35 f2.8

[Cozza123]

Also remember the 24-105 won't be 24mm on a crop body

[IceDropsFromMars]

:) thx for the tip ....

[shmick]

as ricktas mentioned, best to go seperate. i started off with that lens, convenient cos no changing but not ideal. id hate to state the obvious but the primes will generally pee all over that zoom lens. i hated hearing that as i had no interest in having primes, but once i compared what i could do with a nifty 50 compared to the f4 of the zoom, well, i was converted. lately i walk around with a d800 with the 85 1.8 or the 50 1.8 attached. soo much better. gets ur creativity going.
anyway, get a macro lens (i have a tokina 2.8 - wow IQ but a little slow with AF, but affordable) and a maybe a wide(ish) prime 24-35 range, quite versatile, can landscape or do pano, can use for people and street and wont distort as much as an ultra wide which most people think they need for landscapes. it will give u a nice field of view, not too wide. you'll become a better photographer when ur limited in the FOV rather than having a zoom n just snapping. prime lens+legs=excellent zoom.