Lens Purchase Suggestions

Aspiring to get into portrait, wedding, event shooting.

 

Please take a look at my gears, and make a suggestion for my next

purchase on the Canon Rebate day. In addition to a body, I am

planning on getting two lenses. Which two would you suggest?

 

Thanks.

 

The following is a list of my gears:

eos 3, 20d, a2 with grip, elan 7e (for sale), elan

Tokina 20-35 ATX pro, 50/1.8II, 28-70/3.5-4.5II, 100/2.8 macro, 1.4x,

2.0 x, 200/2.8L, 70-200/4 L, 25mm ext. tube, 550ex, st-e2

10-22 EF-S and 24-105L IS.

Assuming you'll be using the 20D, choose two of the following:

 

* Canon EF 28mm f/1.8

* Canon EF 85mm f/1.8

* Canon EF 17-40L f/1.4

 

Ciao,

ALF

That's hard not knowing how much cash you have...

 

but I'd say the 17-40/4L and a decent 24/28-70 zoom.

 

The Tamron 28-75 is said to be very good - I know its not going to have a canon rebate,

but it is a very good buy all the same and way cheaper than an equivalent canon even with

a rebate.

 

The 100 macro is a stunning lense that can be used for portraits too (and you have the

50/1.8 for 'shot wide open' DLSR portraits) so I wouldn't recommend another portrait

lense.

 

Another suggestion - if you want to do events with two bodies, then get another flash and

just one lense (how about getting a 430ex/580ex and the 24-105/4L IS?)

 

good luck.

I suggest 17-40/4L and 300/4L IS.

My 2 cents, for portrait, wedding, event, you may want to consider adding a special purpose soft portrait and/or a special effect ultra wide.

Are you a collector or a photographer ?

If you are a collector - you MUST cover the 14-1200mm range ( Getting all the possible effects ).

If you are a photographer - you must know your subjects of photography, the conditions and the events you are going to shoot and then choose a lens.

 

You should first start by asking yourself some questions like - Am I happy with what I have got ?. Can I see any optical defects with pictures taken with my current gear ?. Do I constantly miss some photos? Is it because I don't have the right gear ?

 

Good luck

James the poster said he is looking for two lenses for portrait, wedding, or event shooting. The 300mm f4L IS is a fabulous lens. But it be would be useless for any of those applications.

 

For portraits an 85mm 1.2L is hard to beat. For events and weddings a 24-70mm f2.8L is an excellent choice. Someone suggested an EF-S 10-22mm. I'll second that endorsement for wide angle applications. I am very pleased with mine. But I would caution that real wide angle lenses are normally NOT very flattering to people positioned close to the edge of the frame.

I agree with Tal.

 

I see two film and one digital body in the camera lineup. Therefore, do not buy any EF-S lenses.

 

The 24-105/4L. . . has some issues at the 24 end. . .and I would therefore not recommend this lens on a full frame film body. (APS film body would be different).

 

What I see lacking is the 85/1.8 for film portraits. The 85/1.8 is also a fine lens for the 20D.

 

I am unfamiliar with the 28-70/3.5-4.5. . . .I presume this is a work horse, non-canon lens? I am sure it is fine at F5.6 or F8. For portraits. . .go with the 50/1.8 (which you have) and the 85/1.8 (which you need).

 

Someone suggested the 28/1.8 above. I suspect this lens is fine. . but I would opt for the 35/2 or the 24/2.8 over this lens.

You already have a fair amount of gear so the question is what kind of shots are you trying to get that you can't get with what you have? If you don't know the answer to that then you shouldn't be shooting weddings. You absolutely have to have an idea of the kind of shot you are trying to get to be able to pick out a lens.

Larry, Christopher said he is "Aspiring to get into" portrait, wedding, event shooting. If he adds a longer focal length, then it might widen his horizons. Also, a 300/4L IS is darn good way to get candid closeups at a large event, so I think that your comment about it being useless for any of these applications is not very helpful.

James over the last thirty years I have photographed weddings, social events, and taken more portraits than I could possibly begin to count. I think I have some idea of what focal lengths are useful in those venues. If you have an unlimited budget fine, get the 300mm. But if you are restricted to two lenses, as the poster implied, a 300mm would be a very unwise choice.

 

 

I own the 300mm f4L IS. Its my favorite and most used lens. I also own the 24-70 f2.8L. If and when I shoot weddings or social events I know which one I find more useful. Its most certainly NOT the 300mm. I seriously doubt many professional wedding photographers would make it their first choice either.

Larry, "the poster" (Christopher) is not restricted to two lenses, he already has six (plus two extenders). He is restricted to two more lenses. If the 300/4L IS is too expensive, or if he thinks that it is too long, then he won't buy one. Are you a lens-suggestion police officer ? He did not ask which is the most useful, nor did he ask which he should buy to replace focal lengths which he already owns. I suggest that you should respond to the question, not to the responses to the question. If you want to discuss it further, then maybe you should post a new theme - what would you call it ?

James I would prefer not to get into a pissing contest with you or anyone else for that matter. I have tried to be as polite as I can be in my comments. I would appreciate it if you would render me the same courtesy. I'll stand by my words and I am sure you will do likewise. So now why don't we both give it a rest.

ciao