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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> looking for a good lens for non flash situations
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04/04/2006 06:09:12 PM · #1
I am looking to purchase a good piece of glass for weddings for situations when I can't use my flash. Suggestions/feedback please!!!
04/04/2006 06:16:30 PM · #2
Depends upon the Dosh side of things I suppose, I have recently purchased a 50mm F1.4 and it is superb under low lighting conditions and has produced some excellent portrait stuff.
I also have purchases a 70-200 f2.8 USM IS. However, I am stil getting used to this Lense as I have only used it for indoor Sporting occassions but it will be in a league of its own when it comes to shooting indoors with little or no movement of the subjects you want to shoot.
Hope this has been helpfull, but the bottom line is to have a wish list and get what you can afford.

Cheers.

Joe
04/04/2006 06:17:01 PM · #3
What's your price range, and what's the light situation? Out doors in the middle of the day or in a dim church? Dim church you'll want minimum Aperture 2.8 (my personal opinion)

The Canon 70-200 IS USM 2.8 is an excellent piece of glass, but it's very expensive. There is also the Tamron 28-75 2.8, also very good, but doesn't have nearly the length (but is a lot cheaper)

There is also the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens that is very inexpensive, sharp, and the extra f-stop will help in low light situations.

That's just a starting suggestion. I'm sure others will inundate you with suggestions :)
04/04/2006 06:17:28 PM · #4
the new Canon EF 85mm L f1.2 only $2100 :)
04/04/2006 06:29:25 PM · #5
the 70-200 could only be used on a tripod though.
The tamron works and can be hand held down to 1/30th or 1/15th if steady.
The 50 1.8 is good but i personally find a fixed focal length pretty hard for using at a wedding.
I use the tamron and the canon 17-40 F4 for weddings.
I usually use flash but do some existing light stuff as well.
04/04/2006 08:07:59 PM · #6
Originally posted by DanSig:

the new Canon EF 85mm L f1.2 only $2100 :)


If I where a serious pro in wedding photography and I shoot Canon I would certainly invest is such a unique lens.

From my experience in wedding photos:

There's 2 situations:

First one: You have good light and/or you have good conditions to use flash. I didn't shoot a wedding las year where a church fit this description. 20 meters to the ceilling doesen't make your life easy regarding the flash. If you can use it directly/reflected and /or have good lightning then the apperture doesen't matter much, besides controling dof.

Second: ungher for light sittuations: 90% of inside church shoots if you don't want or can't use flahs (some priests are a bit nitpicking in what regards the flash...). In this cases f2.8 won't do the job! I don't know about the lenses with stabiliers but the plain f2.8 will be too slow for this. Some times even the f1.8 50mm wich is a must starts to go on the dark side... :)

My suggestion: sigma 30mm f1.4 if you don't want to get very close to the subject. or a 85mm f1.4 if you can afford it and wants a bit of close up, and you will have a hell good lens for portraits.

Just my thoughts...
04/04/2006 08:11:47 PM · #7
An f2.8 zoom is on the slow end of the fast scale.

I'd get a fast short tele. Probably the 85mm f1.8 or the 85mm f1.2 if it will fit in the budget.

bazz.
04/04/2006 08:16:58 PM · #8
The "bread and butter wedding lens"
04/04/2006 08:17:51 PM · #9
Originally posted by sir_bazz:

An f2.8 zoom is on the slow end of the fast scale.

I'd get a fast short tele. Probably the 85mm f1.8 or the 85mm f1.2 if it will fit in the budget.

bazz.


The 50 1.4 or 35 1.4 would work nicely.
04/04/2006 08:19:03 PM · #10
50mm 1.8 i think would be a great start, i desnt have much range but its great for low light,
04/05/2006 06:02:29 AM · #11
thanks for the feedback! I do have the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 but can't stand not being able to zoom in and out. Hopefully a Canon is in the budget!
04/05/2006 08:19:18 AM · #12
Get the Tamron 28-75 f2.8, you won't spend a fortune and you'll love it's sharpness.
04/05/2006 08:24:31 AM · #13
Originally posted by macpapas:

The "bread and butter wedding lens"


I completely agree. Been using the 24-70 mainly with the 70-200 for certain shots. No problems whatsoever.

Personally I think zoom ability is essential for wedding photography (reportage)

alex

Message edited by author 2006-04-05 08:24:40.
04/05/2006 08:30:54 AM · #14
50mm 1.8 ... no flash ... loud as a buzz saw :) but worth twice as much as it costs (at least)

04/05/2006 08:42:12 AM · #15
Originally posted by hopper:

50mm 1.8 ... no flash ... loud as a buzz saw :) but worth twice as much as it costs (at least)



dont you find this lens slow to focus though?

Message edited by author 2006-04-05 08:42:58.
04/05/2006 08:58:17 AM · #16
Originally posted by hopper:

50mm 1.8 ... no flash ... loud as a buzz saw :) but worth twice as much as it costs (at least)


Is it possible to see the EXIF file?

Can you remember the ISO? Mustve been 1600 or close to?
04/05/2006 09:01:07 AM · #17
no more than any other lens i have in low situations (and i have the 85mm 1.8 which is supposed to be excellent). speed of focus is a function of the camera as well as the lens, so the 5D is going to focus quicker with a given lens than my elderly 300D. i haven't really noticed a problem, though. perhaps if you're planning a huge amount of low light work, the 1.4 would be a better choice.

Originally posted by alexsaberi:


dont you find this lens slow to focus though?
04/05/2006 09:02:47 AM · #18
i'm at work ... but i'm almost positive it's ISO 800 which is no big deal as long as you convert to B&W and boost the contrast a bit ... the noise will often add to the shot :)

Originally posted by Guyver:

Is it possible to see the EXIF file?

Can you remember the ISO? Mustve been 1600 or close to?
04/05/2006 09:04:58 AM · #19
Originally posted by hopper:

i'm at work ... but i'm almost positive it's ISO 800 which is no big deal as long as you convert to B&W and boost the contrast a bit ... the noise will often add to the shot :)

Originally posted by Guyver:

Is it possible to see the EXIF file?

Can you remember the ISO? Mustve been 1600 or close to?


THanks for the tip :)

*Edit* Stunning pics BTW!

Message edited by author 2006-04-05 09:05:35.
04/05/2006 09:05:51 AM · #20
here's the whole set from that wedding :)
04/05/2006 09:08:53 AM · #21
It doesnt look like you were the official photog?

Am I right?

Still, you're pics came out fantastic.
04/05/2006 09:15:58 AM · #22
Look at the size of that video camera!!!!!

Either he's from the news or he's like my Dad.
My Dad has got the biggest video camera in the world.
He's got the money to buy a nice new digital small compact piece, but I think the one he chooses to use actually takes betamax tapes!!
It's huge!!!
04/05/2006 09:18:33 AM · #23
Originally posted by hopper:

here's the whole set from that wedding :)


Hopper, those are excellent shots. Love the b/w. What was your conversion method?
04/05/2006 09:33:59 AM · #24
That's right, i was just there as a guest. I gave them a disk with high res. images on it. They made prints and added them to their album with the pro shots. They say mine always pull the ooh's and ahhh's.

:)

Originally posted by Guyver:

It doesnt look like you were the official photog?

Am I right?

Still, you're pics came out fantastic.
04/05/2006 09:35:59 AM · #25
i'm sorry, i don't exactly remember. i do different things depending on how much time i feel like spending in photoshop :) most likely these are just a greyscale conversion, followed by -5, +10 on the brightness/contrast adjustment.

Originally posted by twm122:

Originally posted by hopper:

here's the whole set from that wedding :)


Hopper, those are excellent shots. Love the b/w. What was your conversion method?
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