Lenses... and your opinions

[Euro-Man]

So I'm thinking I'm going to give myself a christmas present if all goes well.

I currently own

the cheap 50mm 1.8F

the cheap 35-80mm 3.5F-6F

I'm not a lens whore myself, and that's why I never bought anything else. I still believe it's more skill and timing than equipment.

That aside, I'm looking to add a third lens.

Obviously I've got the midrange covered, but I'm lacking the wide and the telephoto. I'm leaning towards a good wide angle because they are fun indoors... but I'd also love a good portrait lens - like a 100mm. :yum:

What do you folks have?

[Euro-Man]

Another question - an alternate purchase might be a simple lighting setup. I would love to buy a nice diffuser or stand / umbrella. I've never even looked into that, any suggestions?


edit: this is what I had in mind -

http://www.photoflex.com/First_Studio_Products/First_Studio_Portrait_Kit/index.html

[Brian]

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000FBNKBU.01-AO13YSIM7IARS._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V54797688_.gifhttp ://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000FOIINW.01-A1RVGQT9T7RRK5._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V51829107_.jpg

[Captain Subtext]

you need a telephoto if you want to fill your range out a bit more.

i'm going with a 15mm fisheye next and probably a 28mm 1.8

edit. or go very wide. like a sigma 10-20mm.

[Sarlacc]

So I'm thinking I'm going to give myself a christmas present if all goes well.

I currently own

the cheap 50mm 1.8F

the cheap 35-80mm 3.5F-6F

I'm not a lens whore myself, and that's why I never bought anything else. I still believe it's more skill and timing than equipment.

That aside, I'm looking to add a third lens.

Obviously I've got the midrange covered, but I'm lacking the wide and the telephoto. I'm leaning towards a good wide angle because they are fun indoors... but I'd also love a good portrait lens - like a 100mm. :yum:

What do you folks have?


Yes, knowledge of photography and composition is a big part of the game, of course.

But nowadays with everything digital its very easy for a total newb to take a nice image. Hell, even in the film world. The newer stocks with more latitude and less grain make it easier for people to shoot movies on film with less talent.

With that said....glass is a HUGE part of photography. It can make or break you image. It can add nuance, it can add texture. It definitely has an effect towards the color of your picture (cool or warm shifts, etc)

There was a time when all glass was definable Nikkor, Canon, Tamarac, Zeiss, etc.

It still is...but digital cameras, lens shading, etc has made glass a little more neutral with clarity being one the first noticable things you might pick out.

I used to be huge on prime lenses. I have a 24 2.8, 50 1.4, and 85 1.8...but they have become more a pain unless you are in more controlled studio environment.

So, I also have a 70-200 VR 2.8....and my next lens will be a 12-24.

At this point. I believe for location work you can get away with 2 lenses...a wide zoom and a long zoom. You have an OK wide zoom (at some maybe you'd want even wider?) So, I would look into a long zoom.

As far as lighting. Some people love flashs and photofloods. I do not. If I get to light I like old fashioned set lights, but I come from the movie world and that is what I know.

[spyder57]

What're you looking to spend?

I'm not sure how good the 35-80 is...but that's not very wide at all, especially on digital. With Canon's 1.6 crop factor, that's like 56mm. I'd get something like the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 to fill the gap and give you a more flexible, faster zoom.

You said you wanted a lighting set-up. Do you have a flash right now? I'm not too familiar with Canon flashes, but with Nikon you have built in wireless, so you can rig up a very nice set-up with just 2 or three flashes.

[Jeff]

Another question - an alternate purchase might be a simple lighting setup. I would love to buy a nice diffuser or stand / umbrella. I've never even looked into that, any suggestions?


edit: this is what I had in mind -

http://www.photoflex.com/First_Studio_Products/First_Studio_Portrait_Kit/index.html

What do you plan on shooting that you would need those? I thought you were more of a "off the cuff" photographer.

Are you getting more serious and shooting portraits or still life?

[Euro-Man]

I doubt I'll buy the lighting setup... I would love to and would love to do some portrait work - but the problem is space. I have absolutely nowhere to set it all up. So that falls off the list for now.

[Jeff]

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00009R6X9.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1082410202_.jpg

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
List Price: $11,999.99
Price: $7,014.95 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $4,985.04 (42%)


It's almost $5k off AND free shipping - how can you go wrong? :dunno:

Plus it's :cool: to have a white lense. :mhihi:

[Euro-Man]

:mhihi: Yeah, those things are sick. Imagine the jeefing one could do? :wired: :eek:

[Captain Subtext]

one of my flickr contacts just bought one of those to go on his 1Ds Mark II (which runs the same price for the body only - 16.7 MP full frame CMOS) attached to a 2x converter (1200mm!!!) and he picked up the new Leica M8!

[Euro-Man]

high rollers :mhihi:

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/ko/kodak-funflash-single-use-camera.jpg

[Jeff]

one of my flickr contacts just bought one of those to go on his 1Ds Mark II (which runs the same price for the body only - 16.7 MP full frame CMOS) attached to a 2x converter (1200mm!!!) and he picked up the new Leica M8!

At least somebody is still in contact with D

[Euro-Man]

:mhihi:

[Throtex]

I doubt I'll buy the lighting setup... I would love to and would love to do some portrait work - but the problem is space. I have absolutely nowhere to set it all up. So that falls off the list for now.

http://www.carforummisfits.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4018&stc=1&d=1164898605

[Wraab Wall]

:lol:

[Euro-Man]

:spit:

[Xenogen, M.D.]

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00009R6X9.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1082410202_.jpg

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
List Price: $11,999.99
Price: $7,014.95 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $4,985.04 (42%)


It's almost $5k off AND free shipping - how can you go wrong? :dunno:

Plus it's :cool: to have a white lense. :mhihi:

:0hnoes:
http://www.pathguy.com/bruce279.jpg

[Jeff]

Another question - an alternate purchase might be a simple lighting setup. I would love to buy a nice diffuser or stand / umbrella. I've never even looked into that, any suggestions?


How about something like this... :dunno:

http://www.lowelego.com/images/home.img.jpg


www.lowel.com

[Euro-Man]

How about something like this... :dunno:

http://www.lowelego.com/images/home.img.jpg


www.lowel.com

How about you send that to me because you love giving people christmas presents and you obviously care enough, you jackass! :rant:


:mhihi: :hug:

[Jeff]

How about you send that to me because you love giving people christmas presents and you obviously care enough, you jackass! :rant:


:mhihi: :hug:


they're on my desk, I'll send them out first thing tomorrow.

[Always Dirty]

Got this for xmas from JimmyCarter - great lens for short money.

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/productimages/WE12BAGs.jpg

Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Autofocus Lens - Black

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/207359.jpg

[Thunder Dump]

Got this for xmas from JimmyCarter - great lens for short money.

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/productimages/WE12BAGs.jpg

Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Autofocus Lens - Black

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/207359.jpg

I think it's a subtle hint he wants you to :babu: and take pictures of him :jerkoff: to the Macy's Sunday circular on the coffee table.