Startup Lenses - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/08/2008 10:09:44 AM · #1

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to get some opinions from people on what lenses I should be buying and in what order.
I am an amateur photographer and currently have the following equipment:

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II/III USM
Tripod

I would like to start with doing portraits so that I can build a portfolio and make a little money to buy additional equipment. Then I would like to progress to some wedding photography so that I can make some extra money to buy some more equipment and make some extra cash.

So the question is, with my current equipment, little cash right now and my plan of progression, what equipment do you think I should get and in what order?

Many thanks!

-Brian

Message edited by author 2008-12-08 10:09:59.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

12/08/2008 10:14:37 AM · #2

50mm F1.8 MKII - It's my bread and butter and have made more money off that lens than any other combined and is less than $100.
Plug for the lens I'm selling for a good deal
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 for around $300

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

12/08/2008 10:41:50 AM · #3

Agree on the 50mm 1.8 for portraits. Watch the use of that wide open aperture, though. At portrait distance F1.8 has almost no depth of field!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/08/2008 10:49:40 AM · #4

IF you can afford it, the 50mm f1.4 would be better than the 1.8. It focuses faster and has smoother bokeh.

Another good portrait lens would be the 85mm f1.8.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/08/2008 12:17:11 PM · #5

Because the same holds true for Nikon I agree on the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 I have all three nikon versions of these lenses and love them all, however I have not been able to get the 50mm 1.8 away from my wife for a long while now.

Another good point to be made about the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 50mm is build quality, The 1.4 is a bit more solid.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

12/08/2008 12:43:53 PM · #6

Thanks for the recommendations.

Does my plan for breaking into the photography world make sense? Is this how most people do it?

-Brian

spiritualspatula

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

12/08/2008 01:00:26 PM · #7

I think if you're planning on doing some portrait work, you should definitely look into your lighting options as well. An awesome 85 1.8 will still make crappy lighting look crappy. On a low budget I think you could learn some good things from strobist to apply.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/08/2008 01:07:12 PM · #8

Originally posted by bfurner:

Thanks for the recommendations.

Does my plan for breaking into the photography world make sense? Is this how most people do it?

-Brian

That's how I'm doing it.

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

12/08/2008 01:07:25 PM · #9

i love my 85 1.8. definitely recommended. 200mm 2.8L (prime) is a comparitevely cheap buy to cover the long range and has better sharpness than any of the 70-200's. It also focuses very fast. I have the 50mm 1.8, but if i could do it over id have gotten the 50 1.4. I'm at Rochester institute of technology for photography and always just rent out a 50 1.4 when i want to use 50mm because its so much nicer than my 50 1.8

12/08/2008 03:38:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Thanks for the link!
So far, the best shots i have been able to get are when I use windows for natural lighting. I know that lighting is going to be pivotal. I keep hearing about Alien Bees. So I think that needs to be on my list.

So far here is what I gather:
1. 50mm 1.4
2. Lighting. Alien Bees beginner kit? Or self made?
3. 85mm 1.8 or 200mm 2.8

This has definitely helped. Thanks all.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/26/2008 08:02:35 PM · #11

Again, thanks for the help everyone.

So far here is what I gather:
~~1. 50mm 1.4~~
~~2. Lighting. Alien Bees beginner kit~~
3. 85mm 1.8 or 200mm 2.8

1 and 2 on order and I am very excited!!

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/27/2008 12:11:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by bfurner:

Does my plan for breaking into the photography world make sense? Is this how most people do it?

I'd suggest finding a good job to support your hobby and keep it a hobby. (There's a reason it's called work.)

If you are really interested at turning your hobby in to a job, find a mentor in your area.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/30/2008 12:32:46 PM · #13

I'm not looking to switch professions, but I wouldn't mind getting to the point where I can do Portrait work by word of mouth and make a little extra $ on the side. The extra $ can support the hobby, but its not so busy that it becomes tedious.

Thx for the 2 cents though.

Bugzeye

12/30/2008 02:29:36 PM · #14

Thats what I do, a network of friends can net a little pocket change. Ive done a few Family Portraits and some Kid Portraits, also a couple of Pet pics. All by word of mouth, I am not planning on doing Photography professionally because it would take some of the fun out of it. (I might change my mind if the right oppertunity to do product shots would come along). I made this mistake with Video, which I still love to do but it is far more stressful when it is for someone else.

Originally posted by bfurner:

Message edited by author 2008-12-30 14:32:05.

Prof_Fate

12/30/2008 03:08:36 PM · #15

What kind of portraits? Individual, couple, group or animal? Indoors or out, flash (as in studio) or natural light?

Doing a family in a living room require a pretty wide lens. Shooting a head shot outdoors will look best with maybe a longish, fast tele.
Natural light ports work best with fast lenses (2.8 or better), where studio flash work is often shot at F8-11 so a fast lens isn't a requirement.

I generally use a 70-200 2.8 or 50 1.2, and when wider is needed a 24-70 2.8.

Why do fast lenses make a difference? Simple really - what is the subject of a portrait? The person, right? Getting the BG OOF is one way to emphasize the person. Very shallow DOF can be used to direct the viewers attention to the eyes or away from something distracting. A port shot at F11 can be good, but usually will have everything in focus from here to mississippi and just won't look as good.

Generally faster lenses are better lenses - better focus, sharper, less distortion/vignetting, etc.