Which lens is best for me?

[shawna_robinson]

<p>Right now, I own a Canon 40D. I shoot portraits in very low lighting most of the time, and concerts in stage lighting.<br>

I've been looking for a fast lens with a nice zoom preferably but I'm a noob when it comes to these things and I don't quite know which one to get. </p>

 

[hjoseph7]

Canon 50mm f1.2 if you can afford it !

[dogbert]

<p>what is your budget? The 50 f1.2 L, the 85 f1.2L and the 135 f2L , 24-70 f2.8L and the 70-200 f2.8 L IS are alll very good and might suit you but are very expensive.<br>

The 50 f1.4, 85 f1.8, 100 f2 might also be suitable at a much lower cost. Tamron also makes an affordable 28-75 f2.8 zoom which is supposed to be ok.<br>

I would not recommend f4 zooms like the 70-200 f4L for low light shooting.</p>

[anders_carlsson]

<p>Expensive: Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 with IS (Image Stabilization). Less expensive: Tamron 28-75/2.8 or 17-50/2.8, depending on whether or not you need the wide-angle. Budget: Canon EF 50/1.8.</p>

[shawna_robinson]

<p>Well my mom is getting me a new lens for xmas so there really isn't any budget..</p>

[shawna_robinson]

<p>Also, as long as I can get good close shots of people from a short distance (Like in front of a stage) then wide angle isn't really needed.</p>

[markonestudios]

"...very low lighting most of the time, and concerts in stage lighting."

<p>"Well my mom is getting me a new lens for xmas so there really isn't any budget.."

<p>"Also, as long as I can get good close shots of people from a short distance (Like in front of a stage) then wide angle isn't really needed."

<p>Hi Shawna, I have some questions that fundamentally need an answer if you are to get any useful advice, else everyone here is basically groping in the proverbial dark :)

<p>1. Are you sure you only want close-ups? No need for wider shots say of the stage setup?

<p>2. How close to the stage do you usually get?

<p>3. I reiterate, what is your budget? Without a budget or at least a ballpark figure of what your mum is willing to spend, you will (and have already) receive(d) recommendations of every lens ranging from 100 dollars to 1900 dollars. It may be wiser to talk to her and ask her the question directly because many people do not know that camera gear is often pretty pricey and especially in the realm of fast glass that you wish to delve.

[catchlight]

<p>Shawna, this recent discussion might have some useful info for you:</p>

<p><a href="../beginner-photography-questions-forum/00V3ni">http://www.photo.net/beginner-photography-questions-forum/00V3ni</a></p>

[yakim_peled1]

<blockquote>

<p>Well my mom is getting me a new lens for xmas so there really isn't any budget.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Ask her to buy the Canon 17-55/2.8 IS. That and nothing else.</p>

<p>Happy shooting,<br>

Yakim.</p>

[brett_w.]

<p>"<em>Ask her to buy the Canon 17-55/2.8 IS. That and nothing else."</em><br>

what if she says no ?<br>

I think I would first ask how much she is willing to spend!</p>

<p> </p>

[yakim_peled1]

<blockquote>

<p>what if she says no ?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>She won't. The OP is her son. No mom can resist making her son happy. </p>

<p>:-)</p>

<p>Happy shooting,<br>

Yakim.</p>

[JDMvW]

<blockquote>

<p>Well my mom is getting me a new lens for xmas <em><strong>so there really isn't any budget</strong> </em> ..[emphasis added]</p>

</blockquote>

<p>LOL. RITA.</p>

[pto189]

<p>As Yakim said, if you can buy only one lens, then it would be the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS.</p>

[manuel barrera houston,]

<p>I would suggest the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 with vibration compensation ($650) (IS) it will be coming out shortly, if money is no issue then the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS ($950)</p>

[markonestudios]

"She won't. The OP is her son." - Yakim

<p>I could be wrong, but I think the OP (Shawna) is female... :)

[yakim_peled1]

<p>

<p dir="ltr">OMDG! I didn't know that. Shawna, please forgive me. English is not my native language and while I am familiar with common names I never met yours. I sincerely apologize.</p>

<p dir="ltr"> </p>

<p dir="ltr"> </p>

<p dir="ltr">Happy shooting,</p>

<p dir="ltr">Yakim.</p>

 

<p dir="ltr"> </p>

</p>