Lens requirements

[stephen_townsend]

<p>When purchasing a lens, do you guys require that it be at least as fast as f/2.8? I help a wedding photographer and have a growing interest in the field and was wondering if it's a waste to spend money on something that is say f/3.5-4.5 through the focal range. I'm specifically speaking of the Canon 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5 (I'm aware this lens is for a smaller sensor camera).<br>

<br /> Thanks for any suggestions.</p>

[edrodgers]

<p>I like a lens to be fast, but I don't "require" it. I've used the 24-105 f/4L in the past and was able to manage.</p>

<p>My requirement is as fast as I can afford.</p>

[michael j hoffman]

<p>A waste? No. It seems to be a fine lens. But, I like my Tokina 11-16/2.8 AT-X Pro much better.</p>

<p>Michael J Hoffman</p>

[think27]

<p>Always been a requirement for me. 2.8 or less.. Pro lens - always. I personally have often spent more for my lenses than for my cameras.</p>

[picturesque]

<p>Sure, fast lenses are better, in general. I don't have any lenses that I use professionally, that are slower than f2.8, unless you count when I use a 1.4x extender, but I'll be fixing that soon.</p>

[frolickingbits]

<p>f2.8 is not necessarily required, although the slowest glass i own is 2.8, and I don't know that I would get a slower lens. I can't say it is a requirement, though-there are photographers out there doing great work with lenses that aren't f2.8. I think more important than that is a constant aperture through the zoom range-the 24-105 f4 is a great lens, as is the 70-200 f4. Having to adjust your exposure when you zoom in or out is not a good thing if you're shooting a wedding. At the super wide angle, you don't need the fast aperture as much to avoid camera shake, but it is still very helpful for freezing motion.<br>

You might want to consider the Tokina 11-16 f2.8. Or, you could get the Tokina 12-24 f4, or 11-18 f3.5-f4.5. Canon doesn't offer an ultra-wide constant aperture lens.</p>

 

[cathy_and_david_bock]

<p>YES 100% YES. Don't waste your money on anything slower. Wedding photographers NEED that fast glass for low light situations. Don't bother with it. Just save until you can get the good stuff.</p>

[mike_bisom]

<p>I agree with A. Davis, all else being equal, a constant aperture marks high quality glass. For professional use I would always want a constant aperture alternative (but since I can't afford a Nikon 200-400 f/4 I am toying around with the idea of the 80-400 f/4.5-5.6!). And after having owned a Canon 10-22 and a Tokina 11-16- I can say the Tokina is a superior lens. This shot was taken last night with the 11-16. Marvelous lens to have.</p><div></div>

[kiva]

<p>yes, 2.8 or faster.</p>

[peter_mclaughlin1]

<p>Agree! Faster is better. Save your cash until you can buy the lens you want. This is the one day in the couples life that will live forever. Don't blow it on a cheap lens.</p>

[William Michael]

<p>Yes, for my Wedding kit, all my DSLR lenses are F2.8 or faster, and only the zooms are F2.8 - (occassional use the 100F/2.8Macro) <br>

WW</p>