chuck_c_charlottenc_

Charles,

I'd take the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8. It's a wonderful portrait lens.

The only prime lens for outdoor and occasionally indoor portraits I like more is the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L. I use it on my 20D, but obviously it needs more distance from the subject than the 85/1.8.

//Chuck

Rebecca,

Depending where you're going to be taking these photos of your 11 month old daughter will determine what lens might be appropriate in your price range.

Here's a link of short reviews of lenses that are available for the Canon EOS system.

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_list.php

If you'd like to take photos of her indoors and outdoors to get portrait closeups, I'd recommend the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.

Here's a short review of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_data.php?lensID=19

If you're interested in a longer telephoto zoom for outdoor work that will provide you wonderful candid shots of her (since you can be farther away and she might not notice the camera) I'd recommend

the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_data.php?lensID=58

And, yes, the "IS" feature works great and is well worth the cost.

I own both of these lenses and use them a lot when taking photos of my grandchildren, especially at parks.

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Ian,

Here's a link to many Photo.Net discussions on your question.

The Search Facility of Photo.Net can provide you hours and hours of very useful information.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Aphoto.net+best+lens+filter+brand&btnG=Search

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Phillip,

You didn't mention the price range that you'd like to spend... but I think you'd be delighted with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens.

Here's a short review link of the lens.

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_data.php?lensID=39

As far as rentals in Georgia, just search the web for something like "camera rental in Atlanta" There must be plenty of them in Atlanta.

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

"Ben Goren", what Canon lenses are painfully slow to Auto Focus? None of my Canon lenses AF slow. Even the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, which is probably the slowest of all my lenses to AF does a fine job even in mediocre available light at 300mm and f/5.6; but occasionally it does "Hunt for the focus" when the light is inadequate.

I don't own a Sigma lens, but my understanding is that many of the Sigmas are painfully slow to Auto Focus... but I may be wrong about the Sigmas.

Let's not start rumors that are not true.

//Chuck

Get the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

It costs about $525, but is well worth the extra money over the 75-300mm.

The Image Stabilization (IS) will provide many more blurless photos when zooming out to 300mm.

I think it's worth ever penny of the $525.

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

"<anson ko, Jul 05, 2007; 02:45 p.m.>"

"< for $80, you expect a USM lens? >"

There is no way that Canon could build a lens with USM and sell it for $80... PLEASE BE SERIOUS!

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II is an excellent price/performer just as it is.

//Chuck

Robert,

I agree with James, Jon and Jim... Stop down the aperture of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm to f5.6 (if you have the available light), and you'll be taking the most versatile lens of the three that you own.

The lens has very decent optics at f/5.6, f/8, and f/11.

//Chuck

Brad,

From what you've described, I'd say that the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II would be a great lens for what you're taking photos of... skate-boarding in all types of lighting conditions.

Plus the prime lens will allow you to learn a lot about photography composition by using your feet to zoom in and out.

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II is a wonderful first lens. And, over the years, you will find yourself using this lens occasionally no matter how many other lenses you own.

And, as long as you don't use it as a basketball, the lens will hold up well, no matter what others think of it's build.

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Jay,

I love using my Canon 135mm f/2.0L for candid shots in the streets and at parks. The clarity, contrast, and bokeh is top notch.

//Chuck

Olive,

Here is a Photo.Net conversation about the 380 EX flash and it's compatibility to the new EOS Digital Cameras.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00F0O1

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Dan,

I bought the Tamrac 5768 Velocity 8x and I think it's a wonderful bag and the sling feature is very easy to use.

I own a Canon 20D and also have the Canon 70-300mm IS lens attached and it easily fits in the bag.

I also carry in the bag, occasionally, 4 to 5 other lenses (50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, 17-40mm L, 28-135mm, and a 135mm f/2.0L) and the Canon 420EX flash. With all these lenses the bag becomes a bit heavy if you intend to carry it all day. But, it does have adequate room.

It also has room for other odds and ends.

I think you'll be pleased with the bag... I am.

//Chuck

Kevin,

Don't compromise for something less than the Canon 430EX.

Here's a link to B&H Photo selling the flash for $240.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2609&A=details&Q=&sku=397664&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Bob, I know that you're saying this 'tongue in cheek'... "If Canon don't offer any rebates this spring, I guess everyone will be happy?"

Well, I would NOT be happy! The savings through a rebate program is usually much, much more than any immediate discount program.

As Bob mentioned, if I fill out the paper work properly and make copies of all that I send, then I've found that I can always get my rebate, eventually.

I've seen an actual improvement with rebate programs over the last two to three years. I'd estimate that I get a 10% reject rate... and I can deal with that, but, I always, eventually, get my rebate.

//Chuck

And Justin,

B&H Photo is advertising their used 20D as a Condition = 10 !

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=800509226&is=USE

//Chuck

Justin,

It looks like B&H Photo still has access to new and used Canon 20d's.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6222&A=details&Q=&sku=348317&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

The 70-300 DO probably feels lighter because it's physical length is shorter and balances on the camera body better. But yes, the non-DO version is actually lighter.

//Chuck

I bought and use the Canon 135mm f/2.0L for indoor stage performances.

But, you must have a reasonably lighted stage to use it without a flash.

I also jack up the ISO to 800 or 1600, and use a monopod.

The Canon 135mm f2.0L is one of Canon's best lenses and is priced at about $900.

Here is link to Bob Atkins condensed review of the lens.

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_data.php?lensID=23

And here's a number of reviews from the Fred Miranda site on the lens.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=34&sort=7&cat=2&page=1

This is most probably the lens you need for Theater indoor photography. And it's great for indoor sports and outdoor portraits.

I don't think there's a better prime lens.

I hope this helps.

//Chuck

Yes, the Canon 135mm f/2.0L is too long for most indoor photography. But, it's a WONDERFUL lens for outdoor candid portrait photography.

You're far enough away that the subject doesn't notice or forgets that you're taking photos of them.

//Chuck

Brian, Bad mouthing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II to the degree that you maligned it is not warranted.

In my opinion, the clarity of the f/1.8 lens is the same or better, wide open at f/1.8, than the f/1.4 lens is, wide open at f/1.4. So because of that, many people use the f/1.4 lens at an f/1.8 aperture to get better performance. Why pay the extra price for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 when you're probably going to use it at f/1.8?

And, I don't think the bokeh of the f/1.4 is any better... but maybe marginally.

The f/1.4 lens does have slightly better color and contrast (and I mean, slightly)... but it's not worth an extra $240.

And, in my opinion, the USM motor in the f/1.4 is only marginally better than the micro motor in the f/1.8 II... they both focus plenty fast enough.

The f/1.4 does have a much better build. But I don't abuse my lenses, so I expect the f/1.8 to last a long time. If you drop either lens, they're probably both "toast".

So, it is my definite opinion, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens wins the price/performance battle, hands down.

The Canon 50mm f/1.4 costs $320... and the Canon 50mm f1.8 II costs $80.

4X the cost is not justified, since you can get nearly the same performance for 1/4 the cost.

I don't want to mis-represent myself... I love wonderful lenses and I own a few. But, I know that I can't justify owning the Canon 50mm f/1.4 over the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II for the price difference.

Those are my thoughts.

//Chuck

Korie,

Get the Canon 85mm f/1.8, if you have the indoor room.

Or, get the Canon 50mm f/1.8, also... it's only $80.

I use my 50mm f/1.8 for indoor restaurant scene work.

//Chuck

And Mindy,

I think a fast 35mm lens would be a fine lens for indoor candid kid's photos. "It's not too wide." And, in fact, with the XTi's 10MPs, you could easily crop the photo to obtain a better composed shot without worrying about resolution loss, even for larger prints.

//Chuck

Mindy,

Either of Canon's 35mm lenses would most likely suit you for indoor kid's photos. Although, when you mention "often in LOW LIGHT", even a fast lens like a f/1.4 or f/2.0 need an adequate amount of light to capture "moving kids". You may have to jack the ISO up to maybe 800 to get an adequate shutter speed, though. I'm just warning you that you will need reasonable light. That's why high tech flashes were created.

Here is a link to LensPlay, by Bob Atkins, and he provides condensed Canon EOS compatible lens specifications and reviews of each lens. Find within the list the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L and the Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 lenses. Check out Bob's brief review of each lens and I think you'll get a better feel about which lens might meet your needs.

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_list.php

I hope this helps.

//Chuck