[dhazeghi]

Hello,



given that this is a lens testing site and the folks here have more than average experience comparing lenses(!), I was wondering what people think is the best (optically) of the 5x standard zoom lenses (24-120mm or thereabouts). I'm particularly interested in lenses for the smaller sensors (4/3 and APS-C) as these systems offer small prosumer bodies. From what I can see the options are:



Canon: 15-85/3.5-5.6 (EOS 600D)

Nikon: 16-85/3.5-5.6 (D5100)

Sony: 16-80/3.5-4.5 (A55)

Olympus: 12-60/2.8-4.0 (Panasonic G3)



Since all these systems offer decent prosumer 16-18MP bodies, and I'm looking for a backup walk-around kit, I figure it makes sense to consider the lenses first and foremost.



Thanks,



DH

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='dhazeghi' timestamp='1313086641' post='10638']

Since all these systems offer decent prosumer 16-18MP bodies, and I'm looking for a backup walk-around kit, I figure it makes sense to consider the lenses first and foremost.

[/quote]

A backup kit to what kit, exactly?

[popo]

I have owned the Sony/Zeiss 16-80 in the past and the Canon 15-85 currently, so I never did side by side comparisons.



Purely on optical quality, the Canon is decent all round. There isn't anything particular wrong with it, but also nothing exceptional either. The Sony/Zeiss does have a bit of a spec advantage on the long end, being 2/3 stop or so faster. It is subtle but it is there. I'd happily use either lens wide open. On the downside there is some lateral CA on the wide end but modern software correction should mitigate that easily. Also the Sony/Zeiss is on the verge of mechanical vignetting at the wide end. You have to be careful with filters on that. It is a lens I miss when I switched from Sony to Canon. Conversely it has been pointed out the Canon also has an odd corner vignetting issue strangely at some mid focal lengths and not at each end. In practice it isn't a major issue I find, and I'd tend to fix by shooting a little wider than needed and applying a slight crop after, if I need to fix it at all...



If I could fit any lens to any body, I'd get the Zeiss 16-80 for its optics, but I would prefer it has SSM/USM/etc.



I'd have to throw in, don't overlook the bodies too. The ones listed next to the lenses are very different.

[dhazeghi]

[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1313087213' post='10639']

A backup kit to what kit, exactly?

[/quote]



Nikon D700, 24-70/2.8 and 105/2.8VR. Basically, I'd like the full range, in one lens, and something that weighs about half the 2kg the D700/24-70 combo weighs. Macro isn't critical, but some close-focus ability would be nice. Thanks,



DH

[Rainer]

[quote name='dhazeghi' timestamp='1313086641' post='10638']

I was wondering what people think is the best (optically) of the 5x standard zoom lenses (24-120mm or thereabouts).

[/quote]



Wouldn't you ask for APS-C-only, I would say 5D + the EF 24-105/4L (not exactly 5x).

[dhazeghi]

[quote name='Rainer' timestamp='1313092633' post='10647']

Wouldn't you ask for APS-C-only, I would say 5D + the EF 24-105/4L (not exactly 5x).

[/quote]



Fair enough! But see my response to Brightcolors above for the underlying motivation!



Still, I'm a little surprised as the Canon 24-105/4L seems to have slightly mixed reviews in these parts, though obviously few zoom lenses will be perfect on a 21MP sensor.



DH

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='dhazeghi' timestamp='1313092331' post='10646']

Nikon D700, 24-70/2.8 and 105/2.8VR. Basically, I'd like the full range, in one lens, and something that weighs about half the 2kg the D700/24-70 combo weighs. Macro isn't critical, but some close-focus ability would be nice. Thanks,



DH

[/quote]

Well, I personally would prefer the Canon EOS 600D UI wise over the D5100 and A55v, and I dislike the EVF of the A55v and its potential to make ghost lights with night shots. But in your case, I think it makes most sense to look at the D5100, unless you have a really good arguement for another brand's body... The D5100 will have some of the UI elements the same as your D700, and the lens bayonet will not work the other way around. And you can use whatever lens you get in future for the D700 on both bodies, so that is a plus too.



For the lens... truthfully, the lenses in this standard zoom class are not all that different from each other. If you see one image, you can not tell which lens was used, usually.

One lens you omitted in your choices, but it has a very interesting characteristic that should be worthwhile to you.

The Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS HSM focusses down to 22cm, giving it 1:2.7 close up ability.



Compare that to the other lenses:

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM: 1:4.8

Nikon AF-S 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 VR: 1:4.5

Sony/Zeiss 16-80 3.5-4.5 : 1:4



I think all in all this Sigma is a very interesting lens in this group... Opens up quite nicely, has both fast and silent AF and image stabilization, and it offers a quite significant advantage in the close up ability. It is well built and affordable too. And it will fit nicely on a D5100, keeping in conveniently in the family.

[popo]

[quote name='dhazeghi' timestamp='1313092331' post='10646']

Nikon D700, 24-70/2.8 and 105/2.8VR. Basically, I'd like the full range, in one lens, and something that weighs about half the 2kg the D700/24-70 combo weighs. Macro isn't critical, but some close-focus ability would be nice. Thanks,



DH

[/quote]

Given you're in the Nikon system already, I think the question maybe should have been asked a slightly different way. Why not a Nikon DX system? It'll give you a degree of flexibility and sharing of accessories you wont have if you go with another system.

[dhazeghi]

[quote name='popo' timestamp='1313089224' post='10643']

I have owned the Sony/Zeiss 16-80 in the past and the Canon 15-85 currently, so I never did side by side comparisons.



Purely on optical quality, the Canon is decent all round. There isn't anything particular wrong with it, but also nothing exceptional either. The Sony/Zeiss does have a bit of a spec advantage on the long end, being 2/3 stop or so faster. It is subtle but it is there. I'd happily use either lens wide open. On the downside there is some lateral CA on the wide end but modern software correction should mitigate that easily. Also the Sony/Zeiss is on the verge of mechanical vignetting at the wide end. You have to be careful with filters on that. It is a lens I miss when I switched from Sony to Canon. Conversely it has been pointed out the Canon also has an odd corner vignetting issue strangely at some mid focal lengths and not at each end. In practice it isn't a major issue I find, and I'd tend to fix by shooting a little wider than needed and applying a slight crop after, if I need to fix it at all...



If I could fit any lens to any body, I'd get the Zeiss 16-80 for its optics, but I would prefer it has SSM/USM/etc.



I'd have to throw in, don't overlook the bodies too. The ones listed next to the lenses are very different.

[/quote]



Thanks for the comments. Vignetting I can more or less live with. I gather the 16-80 uses screw-driven AF? Do you think SSM would be more accurate, or just quieter and faster?



[quote name='popo' timestamp='1313094089' post='10650']

Given you're in the Nikon system already, I think the question maybe should have been asked a slightly different way. Why not a Nikon DX system? It'll give you a degree of flexibility and sharing of accessories you wont have if you go with another system.

[/quote]



I don't mind a DX system, but I don't really have any accessories that it makes sense to share. The 24-70/2.8 and 105/2.8 are the wrong focal lengths for DX. I don't use external flash. Even the batteries will be different (unfortunately). So I figure might as well consider which lens offers the most, and see where that leads!



Thanks,



DH

[popo]

Yup the Sony is screw drive. It's fast enough, but could do with being quieter and nicer to handle if you want to MF.



As for the "wrong" focal length lenses, well they would just be used a bit differently perhaps.