liquidtek

70-200 2.8 IS II is the money maker

dwight

It all depends on what you do. A lot of wedding photographers will say it's the 24-70/2.8 and a lot of sports photographers will say it's the 400/2.8.

The original 70-200/2.8 IS is still a great lens (I haven't upgraded), and if you're shooting outdoor sports shutter speed isn't an issue so you don't even need IS.

maranelloboy05

You can get some killer deals on older non-IS 70-200s. I picked one up for $850 a few months ago, it didn't have pretty paint and nice new grips, but the photos look the same as a new one.

sheel

Canon 35mm F/1.4L

01Nautique

I would agree with dwight, the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a great general purpose lens.

Everyone who has shot for a while will have their favorite lens but their favorite might not suit your style of shooting. The 24-105mm will give you a great lens to learn what style you like.

My personal favs are; Canon EF 24mm f/1.4, Zeiss ZE 35mm f/2, Canon EF 85 f/1.8, Canon EF 135mm f/2. I like fast primes but there are many great zooms as well.

sheel

While the 24-105 will give you versatility in range, it is certainly limited in DOF and lighting conditions with a slow f/4. Definitely good choice as a general purpose lens.

If you're not sure of what lenses to buy, and don't want to invest significant cash up front, you could always try rentals at a fraction of the cost. At $800 for the 24-105, it's certainly not a cheap lens. The other option is to pick up cheap zooms and start defining your style, or exploring your tastes in subject. While you won't get tack sharp photos, you'll have time to learn how to shoot, and what you like to shoot (I don't necessarily recommend this approach, because you can use that money towards investing in good, quality glass).

What style and subject you shoot with greatly decide what lenses you will buy... for instance, shooting outdoor sports in daylight or even extending into landscape, you're probably fine with 70-200 f/4, but in door, fast moving sports (e.g. basketball), you're better off with the f/2.8 version. In fact, since you're shooting with a full-frame, you may even require greater range due to the full frame sensor. Portraits and landscape may lead you down another path for lens choices... You have time to switch between shots, and might want to get a set of primes, and/or including a wide angle zoom.

I have the following lenses:
* 35mm L F/1.4
* 85mm F/1.8
* 70-200mm F/4

I also just picked up a Sony NEX, and have the 16mm F/2, which has an interesting profile.

AZ-S2000

I ended up getting a free EF 16-35mm lens. And its damn good, but looking at comparisons of the 17-40mm, its pretty close between them.

dwight

That's a very nice lens, let alone free.

endokid99

For a Canon Mark II - anything L-series .... meaning Glass internal, not plastic - widebody - 16-35mm