Need advice on buying new lens

[reistarz]

Hi guys! i own a canon 400d with lens 18-55mm IS. I can't decide which lens to buy next. I want a lens for normal outdoor walk & shoot. And also for macro shots. Oh ya, and also one that is good at taking pictures under low light. Seems alot! haha..

I'm tinking of the below options:
EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM OR EF 50mm f/1.8 II ??
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Can EF 50mm f/1.4 USM take macro shots? or have to buy macro lens EF 100mm f/2.8?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[entropy_h]

Hi guys! i own a canon 400d with lens 18-55mm IS. I can't decide which lens to buy next. I want a lens for normal outdoor walk & shoot. And also for macro shots. Oh ya, and also one that is good at taking pictures under low light. Seems alot! haha..

I'm tinking of the below options:
EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM OR EF 50mm f/1.8 II ??
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Can EF 50mm f/1.4 USM take macro shots? or have to buy macro lens EF 100mm f/2.8?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Keep your kit lens. It's good for "normal outdoor walk & shoot".

Then just buy a dedicated macro lens and the 50mm f1.8 for low light.

But of course, depends on your budget. Better state that first. Don't buy for the sake of buying. Your kit lens is a very capable lens.

 

[giantcanopy]

Hi guys! i own a canon 400d with lens 18-55mm IS. I can't decide which lens to buy next. I want a lens for normal outdoor walk & shoot. And also for macro shots. Oh ya, and also one that is good at taking pictures under low light. Seems alot! haha..

I'm tinking of the below options:
EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM OR EF 50mm f/1.8 II ??
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Can EF 50mm f/1.4 USM take macro shots? or have to buy macro lens EF 100mm f/2.8?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

The 50mm cannot be used to take macros by itself. The 100mm has a much shorter
working distance for macro work.

From what you described it seemed you wanted a walkabout lens, something for macro, and something for low light ? ? You decide what you want, u have to narrow down to what u like to have first.

( Doesn the 17-85mm overlap much with your existing 18-55mm ? )

Ryan

 

[giantcanopy]

haha entropy_h haven heard ur old catch phrase for a long time, you have mellowed much :bsmilie:

 

[Flashbulb]

18-55mm IS can do macro somewhat just that will look odd to others using reverse lens technique. can also use extension tubes or magnification filters.

 

[LifeInMacro]

Hi guys! i own a canon 400d with lens 18-55mm IS. I can't decide which lens to buy next. I want a lens for normal outdoor walk & shoot. And also for macro shots. Oh ya, and also one that is good at taking pictures under low light. Seems alot! haha..

I'm tinking of the below options:
EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM OR EF 50mm f/1.8 II ??
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Can EF 50mm f/1.4 USM take macro shots? or have to buy macro lens EF 100mm f/2.8?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

From your comments above, you mentioned "options", so I'd assume that you'd probably not get all at one go. I can definitely relate to your situation, as I started out exactly in the same way 2 years ago.

Let's keep it simple...

Your criteria: 1. Walkabout, 2. Macro, 3. Lowlight.

You need: 1 & 2. Zoom with Macro. 3. IS

Without going into the L series, I'd recommend the EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 USM IS with Macro function. Street price probably less than $700. It's not the latest lens in Canon range, but does the job pretty well. Weight wise on the 400D is OK, but because 400D has a small body, some people prefer to have a battery grip with it.

When you are ready to go into serious work on portraits and macro, then these are really good buys:
EF 50mm f1.4 USM
EF 100mm f2.8 USM.

PM me if you need any specific info.

 

[reistarz]

thanks for the replies!

entropy_h ---> yeah. will definitely keep my 18-55mm lens. it's good!

giantcanopy --> tinking of it, yup. 17-85mm does overlap much with my existing 18-55mm. have to reconsider other options.

LifeInMacro ---> will look into the EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 USM IS which you recommend. thanks! i've PMed you also.

 

[Entertainer]

I have tried doing some Macro work on the 18-55 IS before. Shortest distance is around 25cm and thats quite good already, depending on what you want to shoot (It works for flowers and busy bees). I see no point in getting the 17-85 and if you are budget constrained, just get the cheapest but most value for money 50mm f/1.8 - it is four times cheaper than the f/1.4, but the f/1.4 doesnt give you IQ which is 4 times better. Do note that there are professional photographers who use only L lens and the only non L lens they use is the 50mm 1.8 - for lightweight, and decent IQ in low light. the 1.8 is a very fun lens to use.

As for serious macro it depends on what you want to shoot. 100mm is good for flowers and some insects. But if you are going to shoot really timid creatures, 100mm is not long enough. You'll need a 180mm... which is going to burn a hole in your pocket.

Get your lenses slowly. dont go on to the next one unless you are very sure of what you need, and you have played around your existing lens sufficiently and is convinced that you need a additional glass.

 

[sherchoo]

I wouldn't go for zoom lens macro. Tried to save money on this method ended with very unsatisfactory shots. For macro, you'll need to go for lenses with magnification of 1:1 i.e. 100mm f2.8. Cheaper alternatives are Tamron 90mm f2.8. As menioned, for serious macro, then Tamron 180mm 1:1 which is excellent for insects photography.

Do be patient getting lenses. Decide what kind of pictures you want to take. Trying to get an all-in-one lens is not recommeded.

 

[entropy_h]

haha entropy_h haven heard ur old catch phrase for a long time, you have mellowed much :bsmilie:

Not mellowed. Must wait for the opportune time that's all. :bsmilie:

 

[reistarz]

thanks for the suggestions. I decided to buy EF 50mm f/1.8 II first as i'm kinda tight on budget
is this lens good for night photography? or any other good lens to recommend for night scenery? ex. shooting the christmas decorations in orchard road at night.

 

[Flashbulb]

thanks for the suggestions. I decided to buy EF 50mm f/1.8 II first as i'm kinda tight on budget
is this lens good for night photography? or any other good lens to recommend for night scenery? ex. shooting the christmas decorations in orchard road at night.

depends on the shutter speed and exposure for the effect you want. tripod recommended though.

I heard TP now will not allow people take photo in the middle of the road at traffic crossings for safety reason which was what a lot of people do to photograph christmas decorations last year.

 

[gymak90]

thanks for the suggestions. I decided to buy EF 50mm f/1.8 II first as i'm kinda tight on budget
is this lens good for night photography? or any other good lens to recommend for night scenery? ex. shooting the christmas decorations in orchard road at night.

A 50 f1.8 can't do wonders. In fact it is not a wonderful lens. But surely the large aperture can help you raise the shutter speed. So a tripod must be brought along.

50mm on APS-C makes it a telephoto lens. So it may not be wide enough for your 'night scenery' shots. But then again, it is how you use your lens..