 Martin Cregg |
Canon L series vs non-L series lenses I'm currently deciding between the 7D and 5D/ii. I know both are great cameras and will be a massive step up from my XSi/450D. The question that I struggle with at the minute is with the lens. I have a decent Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC that I've used for everything over the last two years and got some really great shots psuedo-macro, portrait, landscape, etc. However, I want to take the best family portrait shots I can because I'm now charging for these. I understand that the L series lenses are very good, but given that I'll be using mainly indoors with studio lighting is there really a noticable difference in image quality when compared to non-L lenses?
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Lynn R. Powers |
For studio portrait work the answer is NO you will not notice the difference. Your bigger decision is which camera the lens is going to be used The 5D Mark II is definitely the better camera or even the original 5D for the purposes you mentioned. The regular Canon EF lenses will work perfectly and are preferable to the Tammy. EF 50mm f1.8 for groups of people. The lens is very cheap in all regards except in photo quality. It may break after you have made a couple thousand dollars with it. EF 85mm f1.8 to be used for two people side by side or maybe three if they have their heads scrunched close together when shooting in the horizontal orientation. For full length photos or waist up shots in the vertical orientation. This is an excellent lens for indoor or outdoor shooting. EF 135mm f2 for head shots or head and shoulders photos. I have even taken photos of snow geese in flight with this lens. It is superb. If you do not want to purchase all three lenses then I suggest the EF 24-105mm f4L IS. It will handle all of the desired focal lengths needed for indoor photos with proper lighting as well as become a great walk around lens for the 5D camera. It will also beat the socks off the Tammy. But it won't have the reach especially on a cropped camera. Remember that in addition to a good lighting setup that you need a good tripod and head as well as a cable or other remote release in the studio. Always use a lens hood to prevent stray light from entering the camera and for less glare. With the full frame images you will spend less time at the computer processing your photos and they will give you a much better DOF than the 7D will. I wish you much luck.
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Martin Cregg |
Thanks, Lynn. Appreciate the info. When would an L lens make a difference?
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Lynn R. Powers |
When you are outdoors in varying weather conditions, when great detail is needed, a lens that will last you ten years or more, they are a bit sharper than the non L's. Even the cheapest 70-200mm f4L will be better than any non L that covers the same range. They are built stronger and with greater precision. They are better corrected for color flaws. If you are going to be a technical photographer I would recommend nothing but L lenses. For telephotos I would only purchase L lenses except for the 135mm f2.(they don't make an L in that FL) And preferably with IS because I am old and shaky. That is unless you are a pixel peeper in which case there isn't a lens that will satisfy you so you must purchase the one with the least problems that you can find in a laboratory. The only thing lacking in the 135mm f2 and the 85mm f1.8 is weather sealing and otherwise are of L quality. The 85mm f1.2L allows more light in to focus but also has an extremely shallow DOF wide open and has to be closed down anyway for portraits. But you can get REALLY creative with it wide open.LOL Being that you asked specifically for indoor portrait shooting the extreme detail that is available with L lenses in the preferred focal lengths is not needed.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Actually, if you compare pictures of same subjects, similar focal lengths, you probably will notice the difference. Especially the longer the focal length gets. It's a question of it being worth it to you. And for what you get in image quality, that very well may be total non-factor to current or future customers. Even if they are shown the difference.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
There is a reason why many portrait photographers shoot with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens, its amazing and you will definitely see a difference. The 135mm f/2L and the 24-105 f/4L Lynn mentioned are also L lenses and the 135mm is also a great portrait lens. There is a compression factor to using longer lenses like the 135mm or the 70-200mm lens that make for very flattering photos. I dont have the 24-105 but I do have & use the 24-70mm f/2.8L lens when my 70-200mm is a bit too long for the space I have to shoot in. I still prefer the 70-200 and at f/2.8 its fast & looks great even wide open. I will include an image I recently took with my 24-70mm f/2.8L lens and a link to a bunch of photos I took at a festival last summer that I used my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens for the vast majority of the gallery and all taken with the Canon 5D Mk II :) my .02,
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