New lens and studio lighting - DPChallenge Forums

06/03/2010 09:44:49 PM · #1

So today I'm reading fashion books and drinking some rum heavily. Not drinking because I'm an alcoholic (okay well maybe I am) but drinking because I need to convince myself to get a new lens and studio lighting. Most of you are probably saying that you shouldn't get drunk and buy stuff....I'm not getting drunk to buy stuff. I know I want to buy it, I'm just drinking to convince myself to go through with it...

But here is what I'm looking at. I need a new lens for fashion, portraits, glamour shots. Basically people pictures. The kit lens (18-55) is obviously not a great lens, especially for the 50D. The 75-300 leaves a wide range missing. So I'm considering an in between lens. The obvious choice right now is the kit lens but don't know how good it is. So here are the lenses I'm looking at now.

Canon 28-135 f/3.5 - 5.6
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 AF DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR's
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC AF OS (Optical Stabilizer) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
**this one is very cheap, so I'm nervous about how good it is.
Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

wow..that's a lot of lenses. I don't want anything fixed. I don't have alot of money to spend on it. I want to spend $500 or less...I'm drunk not crazy. I would like to keep within the 250-350 range if i can. And no I can't afford or wait for an L glass. I'm using it for people photos. At least help me narrow it down. I kinda of have them listed by focal lengths I would prefer.

As for studio lighting, I have a very solid idea of what i want, but ideas of what type of equipment i should get could help. I would be shooting mostly in my basement and not some fancy studio. Preferable to keep it simple and understand that there will be a bedroom converted to a studio.

Thanks.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/03/2010 10:06:54 PM · #2

If you are looking for one mainly for portraits why not check out the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/03/2010 10:11:41 PM · #3

I also want a lens that if i go out shooting around town I don't have to constantly switch lenses to get some closer shots.

I don't want a fixed lens because then you get stuck in moving back and forth. If you have limited amount of room the lens is no good. There are times I plan shoots in locations I haven't even visited yet (i know bad idea but i travel alot) and I don't want to be carrying several fixed lenses.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/03/2010 10:16:54 PM · #4

Your kit lens is very capable of producing nice portraits

And your 70-300 would be a decent walk around lens. With your budget you are going to get the best bang for your buck and best portrait lens going prime.

kleski

Canon EOS-7D

06/03/2010 10:19:34 PM · #5

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5=5.6 IS USM

It's a good "everywhere" lens and evidently takes good portraits too...priced around $300-400.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/03/2010 10:25:38 PM · #6

dunno your budget, but I would consider the 85mm 1.4 (or is it 1.2 in canon land?) and the 24-70 2.8. The 85 will give you GREAT headshots/portraits. If the 24-70 is too much too soon $-wise, a 50mm 1.4 and a fast 35mm prime can cover the full length stuff. It seems you have good "walk around" lenses already (but a 24-70 2.8 is a pretty nice walk around lens, too)

As for lighting, I have used Alien Bees extensively and like them. However, I am in the pre-order queue for the new Einsteins. These will cover a wider range, so no need to mix in a purchase of Alien Bees 400, 800, and 1600 series, and the price is pretty good. Reviews by those who were higher up the queue than I are very good.

You can also go the strobist route, with speedlights and such, too. I have speedlights and use them sometimes, but the studio strobes are often easier to use in terms of getting the light I want (and they don't EAT batteries).

If you do get a zoom with a speed that varies with focal length (or want to get started with your current zooms), use it as a set of primes: that is, pick your focal length for the set up, dial in your lights, and keep the aperture set. If you try to zoom from 18 to 125, and your aperture changes out from under you along the way (3.8 to 5.6) your exposures will be off, or you have to tweek the light as you zoom. No dang fun. You won't regret getting the 24-70 2.8 or the 85 1.2 (your wallet will, but You Wont) If you buy cheaper glass, you'll end up replacing it later.

Also, the higher end glass will support a full frame camera, so later on down the road you can upgrade bodies without having to buy all new glass. If you are going to buy one lens, I would find a 24-70mm 2.8. Don't bother with a variable speed zoom. You can shoot the 24-70 2.8 wide open and get beautiful images, and if you need to zoom from 70 back to 24 while shooting in the small studio, your light settings will still be right. On a crop factor body, you are using the sweet spot of the full frame lens, even wide open.

Message edited by author 2010-06-03 22:30:10.

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

06/04/2010 12:01:55 AM · #7

I'd seriously look at the Tamron 28-75 f2/8

Some Pics on DPC

These can be had for a good price secondhand.

06/04/2010 12:12:39 AM · #8

Originally posted by RamblinR:

I'd seriously look at the Tamron 28-75 f2/8

Some Pics on DPC

These can be had for a good price secondhand.

Until I got this post, I was considering just waiting on a lens. Looks like everyone is suggesting a prime or an expensive one.

I actually like the idea of the Tamron..

I'm actually starting to sober up and chicken out! so i may need to do something soon.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/04/2010 12:26:29 AM · #9

ugh....strobes or continuous lighting. Which is better?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

06/04/2010 12:28:04 AM · #10

Originally posted by albc28:

Originally posted by RamblinR:
I'd seriously look at the Tamron 28-75 f2/8

Some Pics on DPC

These can be had for a good price secondhand.

Until I got this post, I was considering just waiting on a lens. Looks like everyone is suggesting a prime or an expensive one.

I actually like the idea of the Tamron..

I'm actually starting to sober up and chicken out! so i may need to do something soon.

Yep--this looks like a good choice for what you intend to do, fixed 2.8 through the range, and price seems decent, too. You hadn't indicated any budget in your OP. This lens will support full-length work without backing up to the parking lot, and will do great for head shots and portraits. Pull the trigger on this before the buzz is gone :-)

As for lighting, you can do a LOT with a single light and reflectors. So choose a lighting/modifier system you can grow into, and start with an umbrella, and a softbox, perhaps. They make some "umbrella softboxes" now so you don't have to commit to a light/speedring system if you don't want to right away.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/04/2010 12:38:36 AM · #11

Originally posted by albc28:

ugh....strobes or continuous lighting. Which is better?

Not sure if "better" can be answered without some specific criteria. Speedlights are portable. Studio strobes are not "walk around" but an alien bee 800 goes for about the same as a median speedlight, and the Einstein goes for about the same as a Nikon SB900.... Smith Victor continuous lights are really an inexpensive way to start--but they are called Hot Lights for a reason: can really get uncomfortable for the model, harder to work "in close" with the lights, and they will really warm up your studio space. Daylight balanced fluorescents are much cooler, so they can be an option as well. I used a Smith Victor with a 500W daylight bulb back in the film day, since I wanted to see the light exactly before I shot a roll of film. There is a look/feel to them that is interesting in an image, but I think they are also a bit limiting.

If you can find a good price on a used alien bee, for example, you can get an umbrella, reflectors, and have a lot of options. A convertible umbrella will be a bit more bang for the buck. And white foam core boards make great reflectors, Black art boards/foam cores work well for subtractive effects, etc.

michaelmonn

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/04/2010 12:43:47 AM · #12

heres my $.02

STROBE LIGHTING, not continuous. i fussed with continuous lighting for a short time but once i went flash (which i was VERY hesitant about at first) i LOVED it. the sharpness due to short bursts of light is fantastic.

although you dont think you'd like/want a prime, dont rule it out. unless youre spending big bucks (which you arent) you will not get prime quality in a zoom lens. i have the 28-135 and the 50 1.4 prime. if i had to choose 1 lens to take with me it would be the 50 hands down. yes i have to move to frame but its MUCH sharper, much faster, and focuses much faster. also dont forget your camera will be able to take advantage of the focusing benefits that come with using a 2.8 or less lens. i will admit that after a few years with the 50 i find myself longing for a 24-70 or 28-70 for the versatility but after having prime quality i will only consider the canon L versions of those lenses. in my case i can say that without a doubt i feel lacking when im forced to use my 28-135 because with the increase in versatility comes losses where i do not want them especially for portraiture.

if you are determined on having a zoom i third the motion on the Tamron. i have used it and it is a good lens. would i choose it over my 50? no way. but thats just me.