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01/08/2006 12:28:38 AM · #1 |
I'm new to the site and am building up a lens system for my new 10D. I would be interested in hearing anyone's suggestions for a good lens for food photography. I understand the most important factors are good ability to control depth of field, hence a fast lens, and ability to focus fairly close.
So far i have been considering the 100mm f/2.8 macro or the 50mm f/1.4. I am looking to spend no more than around £400. So, any recommendations? |
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01/08/2006 12:39:26 AM · #2 |
Suggest going to you favorite bookseller and looking at the food photos in high-end picture-intensive cookbooks. Then deduce from the photos you like, the camera settings you'd use, and from there the lens requirements.
I've seen many beautiful macro food photos, most recently in the Barefoot in Paris Cookbook. And I've seen many beautiful food photos set in kitchens where you see much more of the kitchen and the preparation of great food. The first would argue for a nice fast macro lens, the second for a quick wide angle lens. So depending on the photos you want to take, you can work backwards to the lens that would work best. Maybe you're thinking of photos which emphasize the chef and the action of cooking as much of the food. You'll get different requirements.
I'd also encourage you to think about how you will light the food. If you're bringing your own lights and you have a lot of control, the speed of the lens may not matter that much. If you're shooting in natural light, a faster lens might make a lot of difference.
Unless of course you're photographing Cherries Jubilee which is self illuminating, but I digress. |
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01/08/2006 12:44:32 AM · #3 |
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, look into the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 — this lens focuses down to 1:2, which is more than close enough for food, it's exaceptionally sharp and optically clean, and the zoom is very useful for precisely framing closeup shots.
Robt. |
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01/08/2006 12:46:38 AM · #4 |
Lens baby 2.0with or without Lensbaby Macro Kit.
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01/08/2006 12:53:33 AM · #5 |
Actually, one of the more popular lenses with food photographers that I know of are the tilt-shift lenses. Actually, they would be extremely useful for any studio still life photography.
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01/08/2006 01:19:15 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Actually, one of the more popular lenses with food photographers that I know of are the tilt-shift lenses. Actually, they would be extremely useful for any studio still life photography. |
We can all dream. They are extremely expensive and very specialized lenses. Certainly, if you can afford one, get one. I wish I could...
Robt. |
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01/08/2006 02:42:13 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Actually, one of the more popular lenses with food photographers that I know of are the tilt-shift lenses. Actually, they would be extremely useful for any studio still life photography. |
We can all dream. They are extremely expensive and very specialized lenses. Certainly, if you can afford one, get one. I wish I could...
Robt. |
Get the 90mm TS. You'll love it. Or get teh nikon 85mm TS and use an adapter on your canon. Actually the 45mm on your 10D is like a 72mm which might be more useful.
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01/08/2006 02:57:59 AM · #8 |
The 45 is the one I'd go for, yup. But it's not gonna happen. I got a LOT of things I need more in the 1000 dollar range :-)
R. |
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01/08/2006 03:01:23 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
The 45 is the one I'd go for, yup. But it's not gonna happen. I got a LOT of things I need more in the 1000 dollar range :-)
R. |
I would like all 3 TS lenses. They are on my list. So is the olympus 21mm w/ adapter.
Of coarse I'm still seriously kicking around the 8x10 view camera + 2 lenses idea. ;o)
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01/08/2006 03:06:36 AM · #10 |
| absolute 50mm f/1.4 I have it and I like it |
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01/08/2006 05:27:05 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Actually, one of the more popular lenses with food photographers that I know of are the tilt-shift lenses. Actually, they would be extremely useful for any studio still life photography. |
We can all dream. They are extremely expensive and very specialized lenses. Certainly, if you can afford one, get one. I wish I could...
Robt. |
They are no more expensive than the 24-70L, 16-35L or 70-200 f2.8 L IS and plenty of folks on here have those. If I were seriously shooting food or similar subjects I'd rather have a T/S lens than a zoom any day. I would consider it an essential tool. For an amateur or a non-specialist, it's probably not so essential and would be on the "rent it when I need it" list. Right now it's on my "Yeah, that'd be nice, I'll get one when I win the Lotto" list as are all the above listed zooms.
It depends on how serious the OP is about doing food photography.
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01/08/2006 10:30:24 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
They are no more expensive than the 24-70L, 16-35L or 70-200 f2.8 L IS and plenty of folks on here have those.
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It depends on how serious the OP is about doing food photography. |
Well, the OP did state her budget was no more than £400, which is about $700? Somewhat below the price of either a 70-200 or any TS-E. Also, she stated she is building up her lens collection, and so would probably prefer a more general lens to a very specialised lens... |
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01/08/2006 12:43:38 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by riot:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
They are no more expensive than the 24-70L, 16-35L or 70-200 f2.8 L IS and plenty of folks on here have those.
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It depends on how serious the OP is about doing food photography. |
Well, the OP did state her budget was no more than £400, which is about $700? Somewhat below the price of either a 70-200 or any TS-E. Also, she stated she is building up her lens collection, and so would probably prefer a more general lens to a very specialised lens... |
I guess I'm not sure about the exchange rate, for some reason I thought it was more like $1500. In which case, depending on the seriousness of her food photography, would allow for a TS-E lens and a reasonably priced wide-tele zoom. There are, I have found, lower priced alternatives from Kiev Camera. Though not of the same standard as Canon glass, they should be quite servicable for those os us (myself included) with limited budgets for such things.
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01/08/2006 12:45:33 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
for some reason I thought [£400] was more like $1500. |
I wish. ;-) |
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01/08/2006 12:48:43 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Lens baby 2.0with or without Lensbaby Macro Kit. |
yep, this was a suggestion i got from a professional on this exact matter.
edit: any of the Tilt and shift lenses are great too but look out, you might have to sell your soul.
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 12:49:37. |
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01/08/2006 01:35:49 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by kyebosh:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Lens baby 2.0with or without Lensbaby Macro Kit. |
yep, this was a suggestion i got from a professional on this exact matter.
edit: any of the Tilt and shift lenses are great too but look out, you might have to sell your soul. |
TS lens $339
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01/08/2006 01:46:39 PM · #17 |
| yes i know of that one, but that's not a canon :-P |
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01/08/2006 11:40:31 PM · #18 |
I'd say you need a fast macro lens such as a 50mm 60mm or a 100mm macros from Canon. Others such as Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron also make macro lenses, they are all f2.8 and I believe that all can have ring light placed on the front to illuminate your tasty subject.
Good luck
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