"Help!" or "Caution: photography speak ahead"
Posted Monday, September 18, 2006 @ 03:56 PM
It's that time again—time to choose new camera equipment! Much to the disappointment of my family (or perhaps boredom is a better term—Erin especially loves to give exciting gifts—no gift certificates, no money, and frequently no specific requests), another birthday means another piece of equipment. Last year I got the f/1.8 50mm and my wireless remote, and for Christmas I got my big, hunky tripod. This year, in light of a wedding I'll be shooting in December, I need (err...want) a flash and a new lens. I may put off the flash to buy later on my own, but the lens is what I'd like to request from my parents, who have already begun to ask what plans I'd like to make and what sort of gifts they can shop for.
Here's what I'm looking for, and what I need your help with. I want a lens with a little more range than the kit lens which came with the camera (which I love for convenience, but the more I shoot with it the more I realize it's not that great). The kit lens is the EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6. Have you worked with or know of any lenses which meet some or most of these requirements?
- Good range, but not huge and bulky. This will hopefully be my primary lens for all-purpose jobs like weddings, events, etc. I don't want to have to carry around an extra bag for it, and I don't want it to feel cumbersome. Something similar or slightly larger than the kit lens in size is preferable.
- Great for available light photography. This is incredibly important considering how pretty much all of my photography is done with available light. Good color/saturation, etc. Optimization for low light is a bonus.- By the same token, great autofocusing. I don't want to have to spend a lot of time tuning the camera to focus each time I start shooting. Low aperture would be great—you know I'm a sucker for it.
- Obviously, needs to be a step up from the kit lens. Why spend the money on it if there's no big difference?
Here's some of what I've found:
- Take a look at the additional notes at the bottom of this page. Rion recently decided on a new lens and had many of the same requirements. She bought the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC.
- The EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM has a good range, but I can't tell how bulky or enourmous it is. Any ideas?
Any leads, advice, "hated it," "I use this," sort of stuff you can give me would be much appreciated. I feel kind if in the dark here, since when I was shopping for a camera it was easy to see what people were using, but when shopping for lenses people aren't as careful to document what types they use for which photos. I guess I should just head for a camera shop and test some out for myself? At any rate, the clock is ticking—we'll be celebrating my birthday the weekend of October 7th, when everyone will be in Birmingham.
And lastly (for now), I've finally submitted something to JPG magazine, which I adore. I own the first four issues and have been waiting for a theme which I could do something about. Now's my chance! Issue 7 has a self-portrait theme (among others)—something which I have a lot of. JPG has instated a new voting system to help select which photos will be published, and I'd encourage you to join, submit photos of your own, and of course VOTE FOR ME. Help make all my photography dreams come true.
Let me know if you submit something and I'll send some votes your way.
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Hello, Glynnis.
Here's my audio version of this message (with bonus-insight!) if you would prefer to listen...
Perhaps I can help. I am a full time photojournalist and photographer and, having filled a small cupboard with various glass, I now use a Canon 24-70L as my primary zoom on a Canon 5D. I realize this is likely out of your price range, and I write it to point out the length of the lens is even less than the kit lens. Don't be too discouraged by the shortness of a lens; get closer!
Sometimes you just need that extra reach (and a slimmer price) so my recommendation to you is a perhaps-unlikely combination that I used for years:
The 17-85 EF-L plus the software, NeatImage.
The 17-85 has a great and usable range (28-135 35mm equivalent) and works well for exactly what you've described, wedding/event situations. The aperture opens from f4 at 17mm to f5.6 at 85. Although that isn't as wide-eyed as some lenses, the 17-85 EF-L has image stabilization that works well enough to compinsate two full stops, in my experience, so it works well for available light work. And at 85mm there is enough bokeh to knock out a background to blurry beauty.
The reason for NeatImage is this: Iso 3200 looks like ISO 800 without any loss in detail... for real.
If it adds any credibilty to my opinion as a photographer, you can view my work at either site:
www.theopenlife.com
www.michaelspotts.com
One thoughtographer to another,
-Michael Spotts:.
18 Sep 2006, 7:56 PM.
here's an image of the EF 28-135. Seems to have a pretty awesome range for a regular-sized lens.
18 Sep 2006, 9:03 PM.
G.
Since you don't want big and bulky, that leaves out L series lenses.
So, I think if you are planning on keeping the Rebel for a while, or at least staying with a camera with an APS-C sized sensor you should get a lens designed for it. Here one lens to consider.
Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Autofocus Lens for Select Digital Cameras
The focal length is equivalent to approx. 27-88mm in 35mm format
It does not have the range of the 135 but it makes up for it in F Stop and glass quality. BUT! you can only use it on the Rebel and the 20D
Hope this helps.
18 Sep 2006, 10:23 PM.
I've gone and done it... I put my own photo into JPG, though I fancy yours considerably more interesting...
If that vote-offer is still holding up, I put the link to it on my openening page at www.theopenlife.com
Thanks, Glynnis.
-Mike:.
19 Sep 2006, 11:33 AM.
Hi Glynnis,
Just stumbled across your site (from jpgmag) and figured I might as well chime in with my thoughts.
This is by no stretch of the imagination a testimate from a professional, I'm just slightly on my way out the gate as well. I own a EF 28-135 IS and just picked up a 70-200 L f4 to compliment it.
The 28-135 is slightly larger than the kit, enough so that I had to buy a new camera bag (original was a cheap top-loading bag) but it is by no means a tremendous lense, and seems to work reasonably well for hand-holding in many lower light situations. Now, it's not nearly as good as some of the f2.8 due to the speed, but I believe it will serve you pretty well.
Just my $0.02...best of luck in the hunt.
-Sam
19 Sep 2006, 12:04 PM.
I love the self-portrait you put up for JPG Mag, it inspired me to put my own one up there too!
http://jpgmag.com/photos/1289
As for lenses, I've got the 28-135 IS (which was my first) and the 50mm/1.8 (my second).
The 28-135 is good and the IS very handy. There's been a few times when I wish I could get just a bit more in the frame but the lens wouldn't allow it.
I use the 50mm more often these days because it's fast and incredibly light and small, not to mention I've dropped it a few times and it hasn't died... yet.
20 Sep 2006, 1:21 AM.
I'm a camera dork. that much should be obvious, unfortunately I am not familiar with the cannon line.
I am always looking for the perfect solution to my needs. I started with shooting with my kit (18-70mm) and then I bought a zoom (70-200) then the 50mm for portraits. I lived with those for a while... then I got spoiled.
I sold my kit lens for a 17-55 / 2.8. it is a little bulky and a little heavy - but it is what I use for everyday shots. I don't mind the weight for the f stop - you get used to it. I don't really miss having the long lens when I only have one lens - you can always walk closer or crop.
then I went wacky and got my fisheye and 10-20mm... now those are my favs. and finally I got my stalker lens, which is amazing.
Then, the best thing ever, I got another camera body - that way I could have a wide and a zoom on me at the same time with fast, specific lenses.
so, my suggestion, go for the wider, faster, bulkier lens, it will be more useful in the long run. OR... I don't know if canon makes a 18-200mm 3.4-5.2 with stabilization (which is fantastic), but that is the only lens I lust for and it would cover everything.
oh, and get a new strap if you can, it really helps - lowe pro makes a great one.
but, they are all just tools, fun tools, the skill and creativity is in the eye and sometimes my best shots are when I have restrictions.
good luck, enjoy.
21 Sep 2006, 2:23 PM.
I don't know much about f/1.8 50mm or beyond or where to go from there, but my, you certainly are beautiful.
21 Sep 2006, 11:40 PM.
I don't know much about the different lenses, but it might be an idea heading into photography (or actual Canon) forums to get some handy tips from people in there (if you haven't already thought about that...)
22 Sep 2006, 3:11 PM.
I don't know that much about lenses, especially 3rd-party ones, but I think your first two requirements are going to be tough to satisfy. The 1st rules out L lenses (and I personally swear by the 24-70f2.8L, which is huge and heavy). The 2nd is hard to get in a zoom unless you go L.
Anyway, not much to say other than to decide which is more important (although presumably you already did and listed them in order).
Oh, and I've found this to be a useful resource.
29 Sep 2006, 10:49 PM.
Err, that was a link to here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php?cat=45
29 Sep 2006, 10:49 PM.