Can one lense do the job for me?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/06/2008 08:36:41 AM · #1

I've recently had several opportunities present themselves. Several people in the "horse world" saw photos that I'd done of my horses and others and are wanting me to photograph their horses. That is the good news. The bad news is that I quickly need to upgrade my camera. I'm currently shooting with a fixed lense and minimal manual options. I've felt so limited by not having gotten an slr in the first place when I moved to digital from 35mm. I've pretty much decided on a Nikon D200 as my starter digital slr. I'm planning on buying body only and then adding Sigma lenses as I can. The problem is my budget which will only allow one lense at the moment. The other problem is the different situations I will be shooting and varying conditions and light. The first person wants me to be her barn/show photographer which means indoor shots under varying light conditions, some still portrait shots and some action shots. The other people want me to do the outdoor, in the pasture shots that I've done with my own horse. Because of that, I think a zoom lense is essential. So, the question is, is there one good lense that will serve all of my needs or am I going to have to go with two different lenses? I need your help and I also need to get this camera quickly so that I can become very familiar with it before the show and shoot season starts in the spring.
Thanks to all who respond. ~Sande E.

Delta_6

Canon EOS-7D

01/06/2008 08:45:17 AM · #2

I'd get a 28-135 f2.8 if possible. Then add to the collection.

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

01/06/2008 08:56:14 AM · #3

Thanks so much for your answer! ~Sande

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

01/06/2008 09:02:00 AM · #4

I think one lens is going to limit you and you'll want more soon (trust me!). :-)

I'd consider the 24-70 f2.8, and the 70-200 f2.8 lenses if you're going with Sigma. You'll want that longer reach for the pasture shots. If this is outside the budget you could consider going with the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG on the long end for now. Don't sacrifice the f2.8 for the indoor work.

The 24-70 still might not be wide enough for indoor work.

If that's a concern I'd consider the 18-50 f2.8 and the 50-150 f2.8 (but then you may be short on the long end). Sigh....good luck!

edit - typo.

Message edited by author 2008-01-06 09:02:39.

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

01/06/2008 09:26:42 AM · #5

28mm or even 24mm is not going to be nearly wide enough for a multipurpose lens. I know you mentioned that that you want to use Sigma lenses, but I'd consider getting the 18-70 Nikkor. It is quite a good lens for the money, and it can be found quite inexpensively used or you can get one as a kit with the D200. Yes, it is not as fast as the 2.8s, but its easier to use a little noise reduction/higher ISO with the indoor stuff, than to not be able to get some wide pasture shots. Also remember that the D200 allows you to use older manual focus glass. You could inexpensively add a older manual focus telephoto for longer reach. For example I've recently seen both the 105mm 2.5 and the 300mm 4.5 in decent condition for less than $150 each.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/06/2008 10:53:56 AM · #6

Nikon makes a very decent 18-200mm image stabilized lens for around $550 that ought to be just what you need. Talk to

Nshapiro, he switched to Nikon just so he could use that lens. It's only an f/3.5 (2/3 stop slower than an f/2.8) but the VR (vibration reduction) technology makes it hand-holdable in low light.

R.

Prof_Fate

01/06/2008 11:13:44 AM · #7

Originally posted by Delta_6:

I'd get a 28-135 f2.8 if possible. Then add to the collection.

Are you being a smartass or dumbass? that lens has never been made. there is a 28-135, for canon, but it's 3.5-5.6

Message edited by author 2008-01-06 11:14:13.

Prof_Fate

01/06/2008 11:26:38 AM · #8

Lenses come in 3 qaulity, and price, levels.
Cheap stuff ($200 or less, slow to focus, optically lacking (unsat or inacurate color, less contrast, more flare, more distortion, not as sharp), build quality (more plastic, more fragile, more likely to go out of spec).
Next step up run $350 to $700 and you'll most likey find what you want in this range. there are good lenses and real dogs, and some are good at certain things or have weak spots in some areas.
Excellent lenses- Canon L are in this category, but regardless of who makes them the price will make them out of your range for now, based on what you're saying.

In the mid range from Sigma that are generally pretty good are their EX lenses. Tamron makes SP and Tokina PRO lense -all of these are generally optically and build wise pretty good. Some are dogs - sigma has some 28-105 or so lenses that get very poor ratings. All of them will perform better stopped down a bit, so if you know you will be shooting wide open look at that spec on a lens very carefully.

The most useful range is 18-50 or perhaps 28-75. 28 will not be wide enough indoors. For portraiture you want a short tele - 80 to 120, and preferably a fast lens (large aperture) so that you can throw the background out of focus to isolate the subject.

if the horses are not moving you should be fine with mid range lenses. If you're shooting jumpers in action, barrel racing, etc, you may want to consider Nikon's better or best glass, a 70-200 2.8. F4 would work if your always outdoors. IS/VR wont' help with moving subjects. You might find a fast prime a better bargain - the 90-105 range 2.8 macro lenses are good for more than just macro. Yes, zoom is better for many things, but even if you shoot action you can position yourself to shoot with a 100 and be fine, or add a 1.4 TC and get a 140 F4 on the cheap (but a TC may hurt focus speed)

Consider used lenses as this can often save you 20 to 40% of a new one.

the nikon 18-200 VR is good. The 18-135 lens sucks - LOTS of flare, LOTS of distortion.
the sigma 70-300 APO zoom is very good for the price.
the first sigma 18-50 2.8 wasn't sharp wide open (wider than F4), but pretty good otherwise. the tamron 17-50 2.8 is good. the tamron 28-75 is good.

salmiakki

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm F2.8 ZA

01/06/2008 11:32:57 AM · #9

That's what I was going to suggest. It's one of my favourite lenses (or was before I carelessly dropped it - it's in the sick bay at the moment!). Once I got it, I didn't really use much else. It's a great walk about lens as it's not too heavy.

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Nikon makes a very decent 18-200mm image stabilized lens for around $550 that ought to be just what you need. Talk to Nshapiro, he switched to Nikon just so he could use that lens. It's only an f/3.5 (2/3 stop slower than an f/2.8) but the VR (vibration reduction) technology makes it hand-holdable in low light.

R.

Delta_6

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/06/2008 06:25:38 PM · #10

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by Delta_6:
I'd get a 28-135 f2.8 if possible. Then add to the collection.

Are you being a smartass or dumbass? that lens has never been made. there is a 28-135, for canon, but it's 3.5-5.6

Dumbass here, I don't know what is available for nikon, that is why I said if possible. But that is what sort of range I'd go for if I had to get one lens to start with.

fotomann_forever

01/06/2008 06:36:51 PM · #11

I'm going to throw out one word: RENT!

Buy lenses as you can. Buy the ones that work for you. I'd probably start with buying a 24(or 28)-70 f/2.8 lens. And then build my collection based on which rented lenses worked best for me.

Message edited by author 2008-01-06 18:38:29.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

01/06/2008 06:39:12 PM · #12

another option might also be to keep your S2 at hand for when you do need the longer zoom, and then get an additional lens as soon as you can. At least that'll get you rolling.

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

01/06/2008 07:01:36 PM · #13

Since I shoot horse and horse events sometimes, hopefully this helps.
Generally I just use my 3 primes of 20mm, 35mm, and 105mm, though actually I don't own any other lens.
If I know I will be shooting a dressage or jumping event I might rent out the Nikon 70-200 2.8. However, I have been known to use my 105mm in a pinch if the rental falls through.

My main point though, is you can use almost any lens you want. It really comes down to two factors: what you are trying to shoot and how comfortable you are with a given lens. If you want to limit the DoF then a longer lens is nice, but if you take landscapes with horses wider is fine too. Looking at your portfolio you seem to do a mix, so you might want to get two lenses or a zoom.

My advice on specific lenses: If you know you are going to be shooting strictly outdoors you might be fine with a cheeper zoom such as the 18-135mm or even the 18-200mm. If you are going to be doing any work in an indoor arena, you might either need to buy a high end zoom or buy a couple of fast prime lenses. It can get dark very quickly in an indoor arena.

One final note, I know whatever you choose your clients will be happy as you do take some wonderful photos of horses.

Cheers and good shooting.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

01/06/2008 07:10:57 PM · #14

I'll muddy the waters still more I have a 28/75 2.8 Minolta its a great lens but more and more I'm using the Carl Zeiss 16/80 its slower but the image quality is fantastic

I also use a 100mmm 2.8 macro a lot for portraits. its an atx Tokina

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

01/06/2008 08:08:30 PM · #15

Wow! Thanks to everyone! That is a lot of information to take in and process but also a lot of good advice and many things to think about. I really appreciate all of the input. And thanks Jaysonmc for the compliment. I really appreciate the encouragement. I'm thrilled to be getting the chance to combine two things I love, horses and photography, but I'm scared of falling on my face, too:-)

Prof_Fate

01/06/2008 09:03:41 PM · #16

Originally posted by Delta_6:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by Delta_6:
I'd get a 28-135 f2.8 if possible. Then add to the collection.

Are you being a smartass or dumbass? that lens has never been made. there is a 28-135, for canon, but it's 3.5-5.6

Dumbass here, I don't know what is available for nikon, that is why I said if possible. But that is what sort of range I'd go for if I had to get one lens to start with.

Me too!
A 20-120 2.8 would sell millions of copies...but that's probably why they don't make one. They ca sell millions of copies of 2 or 3 lenses to do the same thing!

Sigma or somebody made a 28-105 (more or less) 2.8 to 4 but every review I've ever seen only says bad things about it.

I've been thinking of the canon 24-105 F4, but at times i need 2.8 and I really use the 100-135 part of my 28-135 a good bit. Arrrgh!

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

01/06/2008 11:29:38 PM · #17

my friend is an equine photographer I phoned her she uses a 70/210L 2.8 canon lens most of the time both for jumping and portrair work

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/07/2008 02:47:04 AM · #18

Again, thank you all so much especially kiwinick for making that call. Thank you!
After talking to a friend of mine(from high school that I haven't talked to in years-so that was fun, too!:-) who is a pro photog. last night, I've found that he not only is saying much of the same about the lense size and speed but he has told me to go with Tamron lenses and also told me that I didn't need as much in my camera as I do in my lenses which should be as good as I can possibly afford. So, again, thank you to everyone because I've learned a tremendous lot even if I am now undecided on the camera, too. Someone else told me to go with a camera with good resale value because if I do well at this, I should want to upgrade in a year and I was thinking, if I don't do well....well, we will see....fingers are crossed and now, I've just got to stop worrying so, relax and enjoy the process.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

01/07/2008 03:03:30 AM · #19

Once the price comes down on 2nd hand D200's, the price will probably be fairly stable for about a year or so.

I'd recommend the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. I'm very happy with it so far. It constantly surprises me how good the results are.

Incidentally, don't forget to upgrade your S2 IS via the CHDK firmware 'hack'. I guarantee you'll love it. (ps, guarantee void if anything goes wrong, but it won't)

fotomann_forever

01/07/2008 03:16:54 AM · #20

If you want to go Nikon the D80 is one hell of a camera for it's price.

taterbug