lens for low light candids - DPChallenge Forums

05/19/2011 11:56:17 AM · #1

i am looking for a new (or used) lens. I have the nifty fifty but on my crop body i find that i am usually too tight indoors and i have a hard time composing a frame with the limited space, im looking for something a little wider. maybe a prime (35mm?) or a wide zoom (24-70mm?) i know i'll get good results with a prime but will a zooming f2.8 be enough for flashless indoors? i usually open the 50mm up to 2.2.

i guess im not sure what i should get, i also don't have a ton of money i can spend since its hobby only for me. something with good results but they don't have to be stellar, i imagine whatever i get will produce quality equal to or greater than 50mm f1.8.

recommendations are welcome.

fotomann_forever

05/19/2011 12:11:27 PM · #2

Sigma and Canon both have a 28mm 1.8 lens. They are going to run you between $450 and $550. Personally, I'd go with the Canon.

05/19/2011 01:30:00 PM · #3

the tamron 28-75 f2.8 got great reviews for my price range.

//www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-75mm-Aspherical-Canon-Digital/dp/B0000A1G05/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

but my concern is i would need to stop down a f2.8 lens to get really sharp images and then i lose my low light capability.

Message edited by author 2011-05-19 13:30:19.

bassbone

Nikon Df

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

05/19/2011 01:37:28 PM · #4

There are some nice options around 17-50mm with f2.8 that might work for a bit wider by Canon, Sigma and Tamron, but to be honest, you will want the even bigger aperture for shooting in low light. I always go back to the 1.8 and shoot around f2 or f2.2....

I think Leroy's recommendation for the 28mm 1.8 is the best (and go with the Canon for faster focus).

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/19/2011 01:44:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by bassbone:

maybe i'll see if my local shop has one to rent and i can test it out.

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

05/19/2011 01:51:44 PM · #6

Just get a new body! :)

GinaRothfels

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

05/19/2011 02:04:55 PM · #7

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Sigma and Canon both have a 28mm 1.8 lens. They are going to run you between $450 and $550. Personally, I'd go with the Canon.

I've been considering one of those as well. I've been leaning towards the Sigma because of its "macro" capabilities, but I'm still undecided. Sigma also has a 24mm 1.8 which sounds interesting but is quite a bit more expensive.

fotomann_forever

05/19/2011 02:38:23 PM · #8

Sigma also has a 20mm f/1.8 lens. It'll run ya about $630.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

05/19/2011 03:34:43 PM · #9

For candids, you probably want something that is equivalent to about 50mm on FF. So between 30-35mm would be ideal. For Canon the best cost-be-damned choice is the 35/1.4. Outside of that, you're looking at:
- The 35/2 (not a bad choice but buzzy focus and just OK build)
- The 28/1.8 (again, not a bad choice. Worst areas are the corners, but you aren't seeing these on an APS-C Camera.

I don't think you want to be as wide as even 24mm, certainly not 20mm. Not flattering for portraiture, and fast lenses in that focal length range are either very expensive or poor optical compromises.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/19/2011 04:22:37 PM · #10

I have that 28-75 tammy and while it's a great lens for a lot of things... focusing in low light is not it's strong point (far better on the 7D but the old 20D it was pretty bad). I don't find it bad wide open but it does sharpen up stopped down a bit. Also I was shocked to see how expensive those things are now... $500 - really??

I know most disagree but I find the 2.8 zooms in the middle.... Heavy to carry when good light and not fast enough when it's dark... so tend to pick primes for low light and f4 zooms (that tammy is my only f2.8 zoom)... Just a preference so I would look at that Canon 28f1.8 as that sounds like a great lens... have not looked at that sigma.

Message edited by author 2011-05-19 16:23:40.

LoveSpuds

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/19/2011 05:00:24 PM · #11

Unless you are looking to do full length portraiture I would think carefully about going any wider than your 50mm.

With this in mind I think a zoom might be the way to go so you will at least have some flexibility, I have a really nice Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 and find that this gives me a perfect range because you will get more and more distortion as you head towards the 30mm range.

Derf

Canon EOS-7D

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

05/19/2011 06:47:17 PM · #12

Originally posted by mike_311:

I do not need to stop down my 28-75... It is very sharp at 2.8 thru the entire zoom unlike most len's. My Tammy is gold and it is unreal how good this lens is. Everyone I know with this lens can not stop talking about it.

fotomann_forever

05/19/2011 06:47:22 PM · #13

Originally posted by LoveSpuds:

Unless you are looking to do full length portraiture I would think carefully about going any wider than your 50mm.

Just for the sake of argument, most candids aren't head and shoulders shots. Either 28 or 35mm will be close to a "normal" lens on a 60D. He's already said that the 50mm is too tight for him most of the time, so 28 or 35 should do the trick.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

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

05/19/2011 09:30:46 PM · #14

Originally posted by mike_311:

I would never trust the AF on that lens in low light for candids. Sharp, beautiful pictures, but they dont' come in a hurry.
The Sigma 30 1.4 would be a good fit. I'm quite fond of mine.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

05/20/2011 04:01:11 AM · #15

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by mike_311:
the tamron 28-75 f2.8 got great reviews for my price range.

//www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-75mm-Aspherical-Canon-Digital/dp/B0000A1G05/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

but my concern is i would need to stop down a f2.8 lens to get really sharp images and then i lose my low light capability.

I would never trust the AF on that lens in low light for candids. Sharp, beautiful pictures, but they dont' come in a hurry.
The Sigma 30 1.4 would be a good fit. I'm quite fond of mine.

I have been looking at that lens, it's a pretty sweet temptation!

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

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

05/20/2011 07:20:45 AM · #16

Some people have complained in reviews about the AF accuracy, but I think that's just due to being 1.4. Mine is reasonably fast and accurate, build seems pretty good (though it seemed to get a scuff easier than my other Sigma EX's...), and it's pretty sharp. Most importantly, I find the focal distance to be useful, which I don't think is the case with the 50 (on a crop sensor, anyway).