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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Canon Rebel 300D Question about Lens
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 07/15/2004 10:22:08 AM · #1
I am looking at buying the 50mm f/1.8 lens. Where is a good place to buy one? I'm also looking for a zoom lens that will take great pictures in low light! Weddings....any suggestions. Going to be doing more weddings and would like some advice on equipment needs!
 07/15/2004 10:23:31 AM · #2
I've used B&H Photo Video in New York a couple of times; they seem good.
 07/15/2004 10:33:25 AM · #3
I second the B&H recommendation.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is one of your best bets for weddings, but it's not cheap. The Sigma version is $409. The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS could be a decent alternative at about $400.
 07/15/2004 10:33:53 AM · #4
Do you have a decent flash ? I'd consider lighting more important than lenses if you don't have much in the way of gear.
 07/15/2004 10:37:46 AM · #5
Good point Gordon. If you're going to be doing frequent low-light work, go straight for the 550ex flash and don't look back.
 07/15/2004 10:37:50 AM · #6
I used the Canon 50mm 1.8 II lens for the candid shots I did at wedding a few weeks ago. I love that lens. At f1.8 I was shooting at 1/60 what would have required 1/8 to 1/15 on my other lenses. Plus, at f1.8 it gave a beautifully shallow depth of field around the subjects that worked just perfectly. I had bought the lens only days before the wedding and I'm glad I did!

I purchased mine through www.adorama.com
 07/15/2004 10:39:35 AM · #7
Originally posted by Gordon:
Do you have a decent flash ? I'd consider lighting more important than lenses if you don't have much in the way of gear.


I would second that. As for where to buy, I have found B&H to be a really good vendor. They are courteous, get my stuff to me quick and they don't give me a hard time if I need to return something.
 07/15/2004 10:48:11 AM · #8
Originally posted by scalvert:
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is one of your best bets for weddings, but it's not cheap. The Sigma version is $409. The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS could be a decent alternative at about $400.

I have a Sigma 28-70/2.8 EX, which is quite nice. If you can afford the 24-70L I'd definitely go for that. Otherwise, either the Sigma 24-70 or 28-70 would work well I think. For indoor photography f/3.5-5.6 seems very high on the 28-135.
 07/15/2004 10:50:06 AM · #9
Originally posted by PaulMdx:
For indoor photography f/3.5-5.6 seems very high on the 28-135.


The IS enables you to shoot about 2 stops higher than normal as long as the subjects aren't moving.
 07/15/2004 11:01:43 AM · #10
Besides the 550ex, there is also the Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash to look at. It is an excellent reverse engineered Canon Speedlight 550ex. It runs less then half the price of the 550ex and offers a superb feature for feature replication of the 550ex.

Anyway, it will do the job of the 550ex, but will save you enough that you could afford to purchase a second one as back-up, in case tragedy strikes at a wedding and someone bumps you causing your flash to tumble to the ground, shattering into "a million pieces".
 07/15/2004 11:14:50 AM · #11
I am extremely happy with this lens. Would be a great fast lens for weddings and such.
 07/15/2004 11:30:23 AM · #12
B&H is an excellent business that I've used occasionally, but I like 17th Street Photo even better and most times the prices are a little better than B&H.

For instance, right now, the 550 ex flash is $329.89 at B&H and $319.89 at 17th Street. 17th Street is very fast, very professional, no pressure and has tons of testimonials.

17th Street Photo

The first time I bought from them I put in the order and hit the send button. Less than a minute later the phone rang and it was them. I had transposed a number in my address they there were confirming my real address. No trying to sell me other packages and items. I ordered Friday morning and got my package Monday afternoon, from East to West coast.

Message edited by EddyG - Updated URL - thanks jcordina.
 07/15/2004 12:13:56 PM · #13
Originally posted by fayepek:

For instance, right now, the 550 ex flash is $329.89 at B&H and $319.89 at 17th Street. 17th Street is very fast, very professional, no pressure and has tons of testimonials.

Do you mean www.17photo.com since the link you gave goes to some generic site. In fact one of the popups has got an exploit code snippet, so people be careful.

Message edited by EddyG - Removed link to bad URL.
 07/15/2004 12:37:49 PM · #14
I join the chorus on the recommendation of B&H as a good place to buy.

For low light situations I would recommend the Canon 50mm 1.8 as the best deal for fast glass there is.

The hallmark for a mid range zoom to get the kiss or the ring exchange is the Canon 70-200 2.8 L with the IS. Just a great lens, but it sells for about a thousand over the Sigma 70-200 2.8 without the IS or the cache of the big white thing.

My personal favorite walk around lens for these types of shots is the Tamron 28 - 75 2.8 XR Di scores 0.01points below the L glass at many fewer dollars. I have heard that QC isn't up to Canon standards, but if you get a good build in this lens it is an amazing lens at a good price

Of course you can use less speedy glass if you can use a flash but if you have ever sat in the pews while a photographer ran around shooting off flash after flash you know how that sort of thing tends to ruin a wedding for those who are there, and there go your recommendations and reputation. The best wedding shooters tend to be unobserved, using available light, and sneaking into the isle only for the procession or shots that you can't get from any other view, such as the kiss. If you piss off the bride's father or the priest by taking over the event, they will make sure you aren't happy. Save the flash for set shots.

07/15/2004 12:46:28 PM · #15
As a single lens, the 70-200 isn't wide enough for group shots. Hey Canon... how about a 24-200 f/2.8L IS?

The flash may not work in a church, but it'll save your bacon at the reception.

Message edited by author 2004-07-15 12:48:35.
 07/15/2004 01:22:16 PM · #16
Originally posted by scalvert:
24-200 f/2.8L IS?

Huh? I don't see that lens on Canon's site.. :-/
 07/15/2004 01:24:50 PM · #17
But you'd LIKE to wouldn't you?
 07/15/2004 01:27:25 PM · #18
Originally posted by scalvert:
But you'd LIKE to wouldn't you?

Hehe, well, that's true. :-)
 07/15/2004 01:56:35 PM · #19
Originally posted by scalvert:
As a single lens, the 70-200 isn't wide enough for group shots. Hey Canon... how about a 24-200 f/2.8L IS?

The flash may not work in a church, but it'll save your bacon at the reception.


So 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS isn't good enough ?
07/15/2004 02:10:13 PM · #20
No, because I'm GREEEEDY. Oh, and did I mention that I want it under $1000? ;-)
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