Eqiupment needed for corporate/club photography?

08/02/2007 10:51:27 AM · #26

there is nothing wrong with the lens, I just don't like the results. Its soft at f2.8 not because its a malfunctioning lens, but because its a poor build. You can write off all the L lenses you would like, that doesen't really change my opinion of Sigma. I use L lenses now and there is absolutely no comparison, the L will destroy any 3rd party lens. They may cost a bit more, but so what when I know that I am getting the results that wedding clients want. With my L lenses I also don't need ot take so many photos because the DOF range is sharp all the way down to 2.8 which is definately not the case with Sigma.

08/02/2007 11:24:26 AM · #27

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

So, because you dislike Sigma, based on a small sample, you carry that over to Tamron and all 3rd party lens manufacturers?

That's like saying, "I bought a couple of Ford vehicles and I didn't like them so Ford and GM wehicles are all worthless."

You can spew all you want about "L" glass this and "L" glass that, but at the end of the day, the "best" tool for the job is what gets that job done. If that means "L" lenses to you, that's great. Don't make the assumption that it means the same for all.

Message edited by author 2007-08-02 11:41:44.

08/02/2007 11:53:07 AM · #28

L glass will always be the best tool to get the job done. Others can get the job done, but the Ls are definately w/o a doubt the best tool for the job. The second best tool for the job would be the canon primes and then maybe a Sigma.

Sigma and tamron and any others can be grouped together because by design they are attempting the same thing. they are trying to produce a similar lens to the top of the line models for a fraction of the price. With this business model, they will be and are inferior to Canon L lenses.

There is no argument between which is the right tool for the job, its L series. Does everyone have the desire/ability to afford L lenses? No. Thats where the 3rd party lenses come into play, they are the less expensive alternative.

Check this photo out and count the number of 3rd party lenses vs the L lenses.
//www.pbase.com/vthian/image/33031030

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2007 11:57:29 AM · #29

Jmnuggy, just curious, what's your favorite L lens you own? I don't see any listed in your profile.

08/02/2007 12:02:13 PM · #30

I don't have any listed in my profile, my favorite for weddings is the 24-70, my favorite most other times is the 70-200 2.8 IS USM.

08/02/2007 12:03:12 PM · #31

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

When you say that "L" lenses are the "right" tool or the "best" tool, that's your opinion. Don't be so arrogant as to assume that your opinion is universal. It's not.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/02/2007 12:09:33 PM · #32

So if you are standing in front of a table with every Sigma and every L lens on it, there would be times when you grab a Sigma over the L?

I doubt it.

Its not my opinion that Ls are the best, its Canon's top of the line professional lenses, there is no disputing that. Sure you can use a Sigma and get the job done, I could also shoot an entire wedding w/ the kit lens. It will work, but its not the best tool for the job.

6 of the 7 Canon photos on the front page od DPC are shot with L lenses, the only one that is not was a macro lens, and the other 2 photos were Nikon shooters.

Ls are used by any Canon professional for a reason.

justamistere

Nikon D3s

08/02/2007 12:27:32 PM · #33

A fast lens is important for outdoor natural light.
Indoors, use a flash, or increase the ISO a bit and buy Noise-Ninja.

My suggestion is to go and shoot some people, friends or otherwise. If possible in the same or similar lighting situaions. Do it quick before the real shooting starts. Practice and rehersals will show you what you need to practice/improve/emphasize on and the equipment you may need. Do some practice shots first, as many varieties as you can. Then go for it.

Ask the person paying for the types of shots they would like. Specific list of who and what to emphasize. The atmosphere to portray, etc. Then go for it.

Skip, practice has to start somewhere, sometimes in the "School of hard knocks", you learn quickly or get knocked out for a while. Skip is right, I've been mostly talking about a Plan.

Message edited by author 2007-08-02 12:28:59.

08/02/2007 01:09:20 PM · #34

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

You're presuming to know my needs better than I do. I can assure you that's not the case.

You're also assuming (again) that cost is not a factor. Maybe it's not for you. Consider yourself fortunate.

Also, L lenses are, almost without exception, bigger and heavier than their 3rd party counterparts. That added weight and bulk, due to their more rugged construction is not always a good thing. It may not matter to you, but to others it is significant.

Your opinion that "L" lenses are the "best" may be a popular opinion that you share, but it's not universal.

08/02/2007 02:14:39 PM · #35

I would say that my opinion of L being the best is pretty much universal. You cannot deny they are better lenses.

To correct you, this is what I said earlier about cost...

Does everyone have the desire/ability to afford L lenses? No. Thats where the 3rd party lenses come into play, they are the less expensive alternative.

Cost is a factor to me. I am 25 and I work hard to make sure my gear pays for itself. I take almost any gig I can get and I pay my gear off. At my dirt cheap wedding rate I charge now, about 2 weddings = 1 L lens paid for free and clear.

this is a pointless argument, L series are the best lenses you cna put on a Canon, otherwise 3rd party people would charge close to the same price. Also, if 3rd party was even close in quality, you would see pros use them, but they don't, did you look at the picture I mentioned earlier.

they are the best tool to get the job done regardless of what you are doing, they are not the only tool, just the best tool.

wanna buy my 24-70 f2.8 sigma?

08/02/2007 02:53:16 PM · #36

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

OK, I'll say it. L lenses are NOT the "best".

"Best" is a matter of opinion.

Just because pros use something does not make it the best for everyone.

NASCAR drivers are pros, but I'm not about to drive a stock car on my daily commute to work.

To follow that logic, why do you use a 350XT and not a 1D series body? I would think that you would want to get the most from your lenses, attaching them to the 350XT camera body definitely compromises their performance.

Message edited by author 2007-08-02 14:55:44.

08/02/2007 03:09:26 PM · #37

Use whatever lens you want, it really makes no difference to me. I like L and think Sigma is junk. I get it, you don't agree.

I use an XT because I upgraded my glass before I upgraded my camera body. I am waiting for 1 more generation of Canon bodies to come out. I think that full frame is going to become more standard and this would save me some money. I had a 5D in my shopping cart at BH, but decided to hold off.

ganders

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/03/2007 06:07:26 AM · #38

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

Use whatever lens you want, it really makes no difference to me. I like L and think Sigma is junk. I get it, you don't agree.

It's not so much that we don't agree; it's more that you are agressively pushing the "fact" that all Sigma and Tamron lenses are junk based, it seems, on one sample of a soft Sigma lens.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion - but a single lens sample makes a relatively poor argument.