Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

So in my quest for a speedy "workhorse" zoom lens, I wonder what lenses are out there that have f/2 or less and approximately a 35-100 zoom. I'm tired of lugging around both my 16-35 and 70-200 L that have "only" f/2.8. Again, any suggestion would be appreciated.

-- peer

Re: Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

If you got a 7D with a PL mount, you could use a Panavision SLZ or PMZ. The SLZ is 17.5-75mm with a T-Stop of T/2.3. The PMZ is 14.5-50 at T/2.2.

T-Stop is like f-stop, but it also includes the light loss through the optics. These are probably f/2 lenses or so. They weigh over ten pounds each. The SLZ is about a foot long.

PRIMO ZOOMS | Panavision

My understanding is that these lenses are available for rent, but not for sale.

Re: Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

I don't know of any EOS mount zooms faster than f/2.8. I think there is one Olympus zoom lens that is f/2 but it is designed for the much smaller 4/3rds system. The cost of engineering such a lens for a full frame camera makes it impractical.

Even putting an f/2.8 constant aperture into a zoom lens has engineering limitations - this is the reason most f/2.8 zooms are limited to about a 3x zoom range (eg 17-55 IS, 24-70, 70-200, even the monsterous $35,000 Sigma 300-800).

Cine lenses are available which might have managed to overcome these engineering challenges, but as Jon points out, you're not exactly going to be able to pick them up on sale from Best-buy. The physics of designing such a lens requires a massive increase in size, weight, and cost.

Re: Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

There's also the Zeiss Master Zoom. It's also a PL mount lens for Super 35, not full frame.

Focal Length Range 16.5 - 110 mm
Aperture T2.6 - T22
Length (front to PL mount flange) 442 mm / 17.4"
Front Diameter 165 mm / 6.5"
Weight 12.6 kg / 27.8 lbs

At T2.6, it would be an f/2.4 or so. On a 7D, it would be a 25.6mm - 176mm equivalent. But it's nearly a foot and a half long and weighs nearly 30 lbs!

It only costs about $80 per ounce. ;)

Re: Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

the panavision glass sounds like reworked canon glass of the same range... if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

there is a OM 35-105 F2.8 or about that range. rare lens, and if you find one, expect to pay $1200-$1600. only one I've seen available was in hong kong dealer.

Re: Fastest midrange zoom..?
 

The only f/2.8 OM lens I see listed is a 35-80:
Olympus OM lenses - Camerapedia

-- peer