Getting lenses - what I have & what I am thinking of getting...

[pethidine]

Hi all,

Need some advice here.

Currently, I am having the following lenses:
- EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 (EOS 33 kit lens);
- EF 70-210mm/70-210 (USM)

I am thinking of getting any of the following:
- EF 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 (non IS);
- EF 24-80mm f/3.5-4.5
- EF 50mm f/1.8

Usually, would take some portraits and travel photo (including landscape). Also, would may take photo during indoor events (party, etc...).

Some guys here did gave me advice to forget about getting lenses like the 28-135 and 24-80. This is because my 28-90 lens is "good" enuf for me at the moment.

I am thinking of getting the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens mainly for low-light and occasional portraits.

No bugdet for Canon L lenses now!

So, can I survive with my 28-90mm kit lens???

I am open to 3rd party lenses too!

Please advice ....

[chyeo]

In my opinion, the 28-90mm is good enough but you can get the 50mm f1.8 for low light photography.

Some of my recommendations according to your needs:

Portraits:
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM
(or your 70-210mm is good enough too)

Travel:
Canon EF 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 II USM
Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM (good for low light too)
Tamron 28-200mm f3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical IF

[pethidine]

Actually how good is the 50,mm f/1.8 in low-light conditions? The absence of the distance scale should not be a problem rite??

With the 50mm f/1.8 lens - Let say a person holding a candle lit cake (ambient lights turned off). Can I take the photo of that person (the candle lit atmosphere) hand held, say maybe with either a ISO400 or ISO800 film, without flash?

Also, are there any limitations/restrictions of using a fixed focal length lens to take photo? I know it will make me work and think harder because of the fixed focal length.

Another question, let say I wanna try some basic marco shots. Can I can an extender (don't know if this is what it is called) and use it on the 50mm lens?

[meng kuang]

Originally Posted by pethidine Actually how good is the 50,mm f/1.8 in low-light conditions? The absence of the distance scale should not be a problem rite?? With the 50mm f/1.8 lens - Let say a person holding a candle lit cake (ambient lights turned off). Can I take the photo of that person (the candle lit atmosphere) hand held, say maybe with either a ISO400 or ISO800 film, without flash? Also, are there any limitations/restrictions of using a fixed focal length lens to take photo? I know it will make me work and think harder because of the fixed focal length. Another question, let say I wanna try some basic marco shots. Can I can an extender (don't know if this is what it is called) and use it on the 50mm lens?

1.no problem to take candle light photo with 400 or 800 just meter the light beside the candle should get a reading of abt F2.8/ 1/30sec
2.with a fix len you will need to move around more to take the photo you want!
3.yes!you can!

[pethidine]

Ok..Thanks for the advices.

BTW, what is that extension tube called (for Macro use?). How much is that?

Also, what is the price for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens? How about a second hand one?

Thanks.

[Jer76]

Originally Posted by pethidine Also, what is the price for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens? Thanks.

It's selling at CP around $130

The 50mm 1.8 is a definite must-have...for the price ($119 Canadian), it's super sharp and lots of fun to use. This is one prime that is a very good buy. As for the other zooms, the 28-90 is fine for now, because although the others will give a bit more range, but you're not really gaining a lot.

Save some coin, and when you have enough, buy an L series or look at some of the Sigma or Tokina 2.8 lenses, they're pretty good for the price. There is a difference using these lenses, and you WILL see it. I disciplined myself to save for a year and finally bought a used 70-200 2.8L IS, and I am a very happy fellow.

[serendipity]

U can get something which you need but was not covered in your current range.

50mm 1.8 is a good start. Becos you don't have such a fast lens yet.

Maybe you would like to consider 19-35mm to cover the wide angle side, again depends on your need.

Maybe a micro lens like 90mm, 100mm, or even 105mm, at f2.8 is good start if you like to take small things. Can be used "part-time" as a portrait lens too.

In summary, try not to duplicate coverage of lens, unless necessary.

Hope this helps. Thanks.

[mpenza]

what do you guys think of the Canon 75-300 USM or Sigma 70-300 APO? Do these perform ok on DSLR?

[jasonpgc]

I think you need a EF 24-105 f4 L USM lens

Just kidding, Canon sucks because they never upgrade their 24-85 to match the standard of the 70-200 f4 L USM.

If you are looking at quality, try a 50mm f1.8 and 28mm f/2.8 combo. Else if you're looking at only one prime lens, try the 35mm f2.

If you're only interested in getting the zoom, beware the 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 is having 67mm filters. Buying glass filters can break your heart

I don't think there is a EF 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 (non IS);

However, If you can afford the 28-135mm IS can also consider third party 28-80mm f2.8 Class Zoom Lens. Remember IS only give extra stability but not extra speed.

Else if you are refering to the 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM. The biggest advantage it have over your 28-90 is that the front Barrel DO NOT ROTATE During focus. Other than built quality, I don't think you can tell a difference in picture quality between the two. This lens still suck at the long and short ends.

[chyeo]

Originally Posted by mpenza what do you guys think of the Canon 75-300 USM or Sigma 70-300 APO? Do these perform ok on DSLR?

Yes they do perform ok on DSLR but somewhat slow and sometimes off in focusing... (or izit juz my D30?)

[pethidine]

Wow..Thanks for all the replies. They surely helps!

I am thinking of getting the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens first.. then maybe get a wide angle zoom lens (erm.. not sure of the range. Maybe those 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ones?) later.

How the question. Should I get a 2nd hand or a new 50mm lens? Saw in a forum elsewhere a guy saying that this lens is selling cheaper in Malaysia (i really don't know... anyone can advice)??

Of course I want to get a L lens, but I think I should polish up my photography skills (rather then polishing the L lens lens front element) before going for it. Too early for me to get one L lens. Think I would spend money on photo development .... Economy is bad. CPF cuts.

Anyway, to side track, does the L lens makes a GREAT differnce?

Hmm.. I feel that I should have posted this over at the Canon forum....

Regards

[jasonpgc]

EF 50mm f1.8 II is very cheap, go for the 1st hand lah

[pethidine]

Originally Posted by jasonpgc I think you need a EF 24-105 f4 L USM lens If you are looking at quality, try a 50mm f1.8 and 28mm f/2.8 combo. Else if you're looking at only one prime lens, try the 35mm f2. .

Erm.. y u recommand a 35mm f/2 prime lens if I am getting only one?

Also, any reasons for the 50mm and 28mm prime combo?

Please advice.

[jasonpgc]

Originally Posted by pethidine Erm.. y u recommand a 35mm f/2 prime lens if I am getting only one? Also, any reasons for the 50mm and 28mm prime combo? Please advice.

For a typical Landscape Scene, most people, if not, ME, would like to include a subject in the foreground and the Sky or hills or buildings in the background.

For such a setting, 35mm can still be used. However, a 28mm will be my choice because the background scene will appear relatively smaller than the foreground subject. And most of the time, the 35mm is still too narrow to squeeze in taller building in the background if you're too near.

For a typical Landscape Scene, most people, if not, ME, would like to exclude uninteresting foreground while Still Maintaining my Horizontal/Vertical Level. However, I find the 35mm too wide for this. Many a time the 50mm will give a very realistic perpective ( The relationship of foreground and background objects Looks exactly like you view it with one eye covered up. ) I like it.

However, if you have only one lens. When you walk around, you'll have find the 28mm too wide for some subjects and 50mm too narrow. So this is where the 35mm came in. If you're doing streetshooting, most subjects are not too far away. You can actually move nearer or further away from the subject to achieve similar coverage of a 28mm or 50mm. Futhermore, this lens is very fast and short, you can HANDHELD without flash at very safe shutter in lowlight , Usually I only need go as low as 1/60s f2 ISO 800 at night.

Me, I only walk around with my slik sprint pro, two Rebels mounted with both the 28mm and 50mm. Best Bargain, Light, cheap, quality and disposable

[Avatar]

Moving your thread to the Canon subforum.