 Susan Schwarzell |
Lens Speed I have been reading about lenses and would like to understand more about "faster lenses". I currently use a Sigma 28-80mm lens the f-stop is 3.5-5.6. My goal is to find a lens that will be more adaptable to natural low light situations. Can any one help me with this?
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Tom Kwan |
I don't know what brand of camera you are using. Nikon, Canon, Carl Zeiss, etc., have very good (expensive as well) fast lenses. Since you are using Sigma lenses, you might consider the following two: Sigma 24-70 F/2.8 EX DG DF, 28-70 F/2.8 EX DF.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
As far as the understanding part, if you haven't already, lenses are called faster simply because their bigger maximum aperture (as well as having a constant aperture) allows you to use a faster shutter speed.
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Bob Cammarata |
A "fast lens", by definition, is a lens with a large maximum aperture. 50mm prime lenses are the fastest around at 1.4 ... and some even to 1.2 ... (Canon used to make a 1.0, but I don't know if it's still around). For medium-telephotos, a 2.8 is considered fast. As the lens sizes get bigger, the maximum aperture size decreases progressively. At 400mm and beyond, anything faster than f-4 is ridiculously priced. Also, as a rule, zooms are slower (smaller maximum aperture) than prime lenses. Your best bet, given the current lens you have, is to get a standard (50mm) prime lens and simply move forward or backward to compose your shots rather than zooming. They are relatively cheap, extremely sharp, and great in low light. (As long as you stick with the name brands.)
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Susan Schwarzell |
Thank you all for your responses. They have helped me a lot.
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Dennis Creaghan |
Susan, I'm using a Tamron 28-75 lens which has an aperture of 2.8 throughout it's range from 28 to 75. It has received great reviews and functions well as a walking around lens. Tamron makes them to fit most well known slrs.
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Bosko Milovanovic |
I have for sale Sigma 28-70 1:2.8 EX DX and 70-200 1:2.8 EX DX. Five months old. kiseli@rogers.com
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Doug Elliott |
Which low light situations are you involved in that you want a fast lens? When you are shooting wide open, you have a very limited depth of field.
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Susan Schwarzell |
I find myself wanting to do on the spot portraits indoors with limited light from lamps and some minimal natural lighting from the window. This impacts my photo quality. Since I am using the Digital Rebel, I can only use film speeds of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600. I usually use the 400 speed as the 800 and the 1600 tend to be more grainy.
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Doug Elliott |
Susan Buy a Bogen or Gitzo Reporter Series 2 tripod and get a 20" or 40" T handle plastic covered locking shutter release. Some of the most beautiful portraits are taken with window light. You should be able to use a ISO of 200 and a shutter speed of 1/15 to one second. I use a Bogen 3021 with a 3047 head and a 20" shutter release.
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