 Roberta Davis |
Three Key Lenses: Which Ones? I recently purchased a Canon 50D (kit) - and am thinking about doing photography full time. I am looking at three recommended lenses to purchase to get started. Looking to do portrait and events primarily, with some sports. Any advice would be appreciated!
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Karim Abiali |
Hi Roberta I do recommend a 24-70mm f2.8, 18-200mm f3.5-5.6, and a macro lens either a 50mm or a 105mm. Depending on your budget, you can go for Sigma lenses or any third party as they are cheaper than Canon lenses and provide a high quality. What kit lens did you buy? With my 50D, I got the 18-200mm, but was not impressed with it. Good luck. ka.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Roberta, I agree with Karim about the 24-70mm f/2.8L and would add the 70-200mm L (Canon makes four different versions of this lens and they are all good), and then for the 3rd lens, I would get specific about what you want to shoot. If you need low light capability, consider the 50mm f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.8 prime lenses. For macro work, the Canon 100mm is a great lens, and for wildlife/birds, you may consider the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5L IS. If you are wanting to shoot landscapes, the 16-35mm or the 17-40mm are great lenses, or you may consider the 10-22mm (this is an EF-S lens) that will ONLY work on APS-C sensors (1.6 crop) like the 50D, but will not work on full-frame cameras like the 5D or 1DS series. If you consider going full frame, this is something to keep in mind. Hope this helps, Carlton
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Bunny Snow |
Hi Roberta, If you are considering weight, the 24-70mm f2.8L lens weighs 2.2 pounds, which is quite heavy for hand-held images and this lens does not always focus accurately. Sometimes it focuses before and sometimes after the intended subject. This is not just me saying this, instructor Paul Gero agreed. He does wedding photography. Paul now uses the 16-35mm f2.8L and love it. I accidentally bought the 24-70mm f2.8L and rarely use it. But, I do use and recommend for 24-105mm f4L. And, again, if weight is a problem meaning if you hand hold all the time or have to carry lenses with you, you might consider the 70-200mm f4L (non)IS f4L lens, which weighs less (1.56 lbs. vs than the 70-200 f2.8L lens [3.2 lb without tripod collar; 3.5 lb with tripod collar]). Remember, carrying twice as much weight is the consequence of the faster lens. The 70-200mm lens is an excellent portrait lens, which offer versatility for studio and outdoor portraits. And, if you need better Bokeh, you can purchase the AlienSkin Bokeh plug-in to use after Photoshop. I also have the beautiful 100mm f2.8L macro/prime lens, which weighs 1.32 lb. It depends upon the subject matter you choose. Many people who start with the lighter cameras, often upgrade to the full frame 5D or 1 D series. If you make this consideration up front when purchasing, more money will be saved in the long haul. Two more things: Remember lighting equipment will also be in your hotshoe or off camera (which also adds weight) and a tripod and head which puts the lens weight squarely over the center of the tripod will give you sharper images (which the better camera and lenses achieve) without vibration. All this adds up in the money department. By choosing wisely --a better and more secure tripod not only reduces vibration, but also protects your investment.
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Bunny Snow |
Misspoke. The 100mm f2.8 macro is not a low dispersion lens, but is still a great macro. As a prime, this lens could be used as a short portrait lens. ~Bunny
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Roberta Davis |
Thank you ALL for your responses... I appreciate you all taking the time to offer me your advise and suggestions. It's truely appreciated.
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
It all depends on what kind of photography you plan on doing full time. If your opening a portrait studio, you don't need a macro lens. Nor do you need a long focal length.
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Bunny Snow |
On the other hand, if you are available to do commercial products, such as jewelry, you may find the macro useful. Or, with your wedding photography, the macro allows you to move in close to the wedding rings. And, as stated previously, it makes a fine 100mm short portrait lens. Regardless, for most other lenses, there is a world of difference between the low dispersion (L) glass, and the less expensive lenses. I didn't understand when I first switched from Nikon to Canon, but after taking Paul Gero's class, I soon realized what I wanted and made the purchases accordingly. But, unless you have very steady hands, your images may not be as sharp hand-holding, especially in low light, as they would be if you are on a good tripod. Plus, your arms will tire with hand-holding heavier lenses. Voice of experience from my younger years.
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Roberta Davis |
I purchased the 50D kit with the 28-135 IS lens, and then promptly got the 50mm. I have a few other lenses, nice, but all inexpensive/kit lenses either given to me or purchased with the 20-30D I had before. I do a lot of portraits, family, friends of family, etc. I also do several bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings a year. Spare time, I enjoy traveling and doing some landscape photogrpahy.
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Bunny Snow |
Both my former teacher and I bought the light weight 28-135 IS when we first purchased our Canons. But, I had also bought the 70-200mm f4L and the 100mm macro at the same time, which gave me more flexibility and versatility. Over the past 3 years, I bought the 24-70mm f2.8L (rarely use); the 24-105mm f4L my walk around lens; and the 300mm f4L with a 1:4 TC for capturing backyard wildlife. Your work can really benefit from the low dispersion glass. It is so much sharper! Mine did. But, I also noticed that my work improved when I purchased a really great tripod, rather than most of the "cheap" ones I carried in the past, or the heavy (16 pounder) which I used as a studio pod, but was far too heavy to carry in the field. I did see a major difference in my work when I purchased a carbon fiber Manfrotto and a RRS ballhead with L-bracket, plus putting a ballast between the tripod legs. The ballast was recommended to me by Jim Zuckerman. That is, filling a milk jug with water or sand on location. That made a world of difference with the sharpness I was able to achieve. I checked out your gallery and saw the images you like to shoot. Keep in mind the weight, especially with traveling. A friend took her brand new Canon 1D-MarkII and a couple wide angle low dispersion glass lenses with her to China in 2005. But, the camera was heavy, and before the end of the trip, it was locked in the safety deposit box. She used her mother's light weight point and shoot. Paul Gero had recommended the 16-35mm L lens to me for weddings and landscapes. If you do a lot of weddings in his photojournalistic style, you may like that lens. It would also be lighter in weight for traveling as compared with the 24-70, and you could always take the inexpensive 28-135 as a spare. Although, you'll be spoiled once you see the difference in low dispersion glass. Go slow. You may not need a lot of lenses at the same time. As your work changes, you'll be better able to judge just what lenses you cannot live without.
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Roberta Davis |
Thanks! No worries about going slow... I'm going to be saving up for my next lens, which will give me plenty of time to decide what I really want/need. I appreciate your imput!
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Jeffrey Bergman |
I too have a 50d. My favorite lens for Portrait work is the Canon 100mm f/2.0 (prime). This lens is as sharp as any lens I've used including L lenses. It is very fast, gives great background blur, small and lightweight and far cheaper then an L lens (~$400). Just keep in mind with the APS-C sensor in the 50d, the focal length is ~160mm requiring setting up a little furthar back for portraits (but this helps with background blur as well as providing facial features in a pleasing way. Other lens I use include the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom which is a great match with the 50d when shooting action shots. In low light settings like a hockey game, the high iso's of the 50d and the ability to shoot at f/2.8 at any focal length allows me to freeze action in almost any situation. I have 2 other lens I use from time to time when conditions are warrented. Send me an email if you want to know more about them. I hope this is helpful.
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James Kirk |
Hey Roberta, First, all the previous responses are right on. That said... I bought the 40d a little over a year ago. With it I bought the 24-70 2.8 L and the 70-200 2.8 IS L. I love both lenses and do huff it around on day hikes. 24mm is limiting for the wide-angle work I do so I bought the 16-35 Mark II 2.8. Great lens, do not use the on camera flash at 16mm (lens shadow). I do intend to get 5D Mark II in the next year or so. That is why I do not buy EF-S lenses. Most portrait work I have done requires a tripod. I use the 70-200 for portraits. Most event work I have done is hand-held with both the 16-35 and the 24-70. For sports (auto racing) I mostly use the 70-200, sometimes with a 1.4x extender, mostly on a monopod. I do take the 24-70 with me. YMMV. These lenses do weigh a considerable amount and cost much. The faster lens is worth it IMHO (brighter view finder and more usable auto-focus). My camera bag is about 30 to 35 pounds, with additional accessories. However, use two bags. Take all your gear to an event (if you can secure it) and make up a shoot kit in a smaller bag. You may miss some shots but know your limitations, don't fret and be ready.
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