what lens do i really need? help please.

[upitreks]

Hi people.

Im really clueless on what lens i should really get.
1st of all. My needs.

1) I need to shoot product images for my company's products.
Should i get the 17-40L? or 24-70 L? or a prime lens?

2) I also need to shoot events once in awhile. Usually in ballrooms.
use the 17-40L? or 24-70 L? i do have a sigma 10-20mm though.

3) Somtimes, i have to shoot cars on track. but still practicing panning. hehe.
Use the 70-200 L?

Thank you so much in advance, guys.

[night86mare]

why would shooting products require 17-40? 24-70? what sort of products?

[Headshotzx]

What kind of products? If you're talking about small stuff like toys, drinks food etc, EF-S 60mm Macro will do, plus good lighting. If you're going for stuff like jewelery and tiny stuff, 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

For events, usually people pick lenses from one of the f/2.8L zoom trinities: 16-35L (17-40mm f/4L's the younger brother), 24-70L (24-105mm f/4L's the younger bro) and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (f/4L, f/4L IS, f/2.8L are younger bros). Even then, the light won't be enough, so a flash like the 430EX (if ceiling is still low enough) or 580EXII (if ceiling is way high) to light them up.

Primes like the 135mm f/2L, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 (or 1.8) and 35mm f/2 might be used if you want to go flash-less.

For big time events, many people choose to put on a telephoto zoom (70-200 f/2.8IS) on 1 body, and a wide angle zoom on another body. Both might have flash, both might not have flash, or one of them might have etc. The most important

"Sometimes" for car shooting probably means you don't "need" lenses made for that very often. Usually a 300mm would be good, but 200mm can do too (with some cropping, or be dangerously near).

What lenses d'you have now? We can advice you to get the f/2.8L trinity, that would be pretty expensive.

[upitreks]

Originally Posted by night86mare why would shooting products require 17-40? 24-70? what sort of products?

im not sure. I thought of having the 24-70 so that i can cover both product photoshoots and also events. products like engine oils packaging, spark plugs.
thanks, bro.

[upitreks]

yeap, i would like to get the 580EXII. i have the 430ex..

lens that i have now are 24-105 USM, 50mm, sigma 70-300 HSM, sigma 10-20.

thanks, bro.

Originally Posted by Headshotzx What kind of products? If you're talking about small stuff like toys, drinks food etc, EF-S 60mm Macro will do, plus good lighting. If you're going for stuff like jewelery and tiny stuff, 100mm f/2.8 Macro. For events, usually people pick lenses from one of the f/2.8L zoom trinities: 16-35L (17-40mm f/4L's the younger brother), 24-70L (24-105mm f/4L's the younger bro) and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (f/4L, f/4L IS, f/2.8L are younger bros). Even then, the light won't be enough, so a flash like the 430EX (if ceiling is still low enough) or 580EXII (if ceiling is way high) to light them up. Primes like the 135mm f/2L, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 (or 1.8) and 35mm f/2 might be used if you want to go flash-less. For big time events, many people choose to put on a telephoto zoom (70-200 f/2.8IS) on 1 body, and a wide angle zoom on another body. Both might have flash, both might not have flash, or one of them might have etc. The most important "Sometimes" for car shooting probably means you don't "need" lenses made for that very often. Usually a 300mm would be good, but 200mm can do too (with some cropping, or be dangerously near). What lenses d'you have now? We can advice you to get the f/2.8L trinity, that would be pretty expensive.

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by upitreks yeap, i would like to get the 580EXII. i have the 430ex.. lens that i have now are 24-105 USM, 50mm, sigma 70-300 HSM, sigma 10-20. thanks, bro.

Then why are you thinking of getting the 24-70 if you've a 24-105 already?

Any lens can shoot anything, it's just a matter of how-well or badly. You won't be shooting birds in flight with a wide-angle from afar, or a portrait studio shot with a 500mm etc.

[khtee]

any constraint on the budget? if using flash in the event is not forbidden then no point getting the 24-70mm since you already have 24-105mm. What you need now is a macro lens for the close up pic for your company products and a telezoom for racing car, most probably 70-200mm with TC 1.4. BTW, is your camera FF?

[upitreks]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx Then why are you thinking of getting the 24-70 if you've a 24-105 already? Any lens can shoot anything, it's just a matter of how-well or badly. You won't be shooting birds in flight with a wide-angle from afar, or a portrait studio shot with a 500mm etc.

yup. I want to have a L lens but don't know which one to get that is best for my needs.

[upitreks]

Originally Posted by khtee any constraint on the budget? if using flash in the event is not forbidden then no point getting the 24-70mm since you already have 24-105mm. What you need now is a macro lens for the close up pic for your company products and a telezoom for racing car, most probably 70-200mm with TC 1.4. BTW, is your camera FF?

some contraint since i also need to get a 40d. Im using the 300d since my school days.
I want a dual purpose L lens that can take product n events. since it will also be my 1st L lens. thanks!

[chalib]

Originally Posted by upitreks some contraint since i also need to get a 40d. Im using the 300d since my school days. I want a dual purpose L lens that can take product n events. since it will also be my 1st L lens. thanks!

What is your budget then?

Dun understand what are you trying to say.... first L lens? You have 24-105 oredi, 24-105 is L lens!

[StrifeYun]

Originally Posted by upitreks yeap, i would like to get the 580EXII. i have the 430ex.. lens that i have now are 24-105 USM, 50mm, sigma 70-300 HSM, sigma 10-20. thanks, bro.

hmm you seem well covered already, maybe just get a dedicated macro lens and your all set

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by StrifeYun hmm you seem well covered already, maybe just get a dedicated macro lens and your all set

Very true. If you have a big budget, a 40D + 100mm f/2.8 will be awesome. The live-view would be a saver for any macro work.

Btw, if you're really into macros outdoors (like insects/ flowers) I'd also recommend the stofen omnibounce if you don't have it already for your 430EX.

[kino2]

For product shots, I think you would be better off with a macro lens unless its full bodied shots of big products like machinery, cars or furniture/fittings.

[calebk]

You seem more caught up with "acquiring your first L" rather than getting the right lens for the job. If the suited lens is not an L, but it gets the job done, why go for an L that does not? Case in point, the 17-40, 24-70 or 24-105 all can do relatively near close-up work, but magnification will never hit 1:1, like a dedicated macro lens, such as the relatively affordable, but top-notch 100mm f/2.8 Macro; it's not an L but it serves its purpose for close-up product shots.

[adamadam]

Originally Posted by calebk You seem more caught up with "acquiring your first L" rather than getting the right lens for the job. If the suited lens is not an L, but it gets the job done, why go for an L that does not? Case in point, the 17-40, 24-70 or 24-105 all can do relatively near close-up work, but magnification will never hit 1:1, like a dedicated macro lens, such as the relatively affordable, but top-notch 100mm f/2.8 Macro; it's not an L but it serves its purpose for close-up product shots.

Then I think this is the more appropriate thread
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337164

[k3nshinx]

just put red rubber band and shoot to feel the red rubber band's power.