Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Lens Advice Needed!

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    382

    Lens Advice Needed!

    Guys,
    I recently sold my 400mm prime and would like to reinvest the money into something I will get a lot of use out of. I shot a few weddings and other catered affairs recently and I depend almost entirely on my 17-55 2.8. (I also have the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4)

    Popular opinion is of course the 70-200 2.8. I was just wondering if the 24-70 2.8 might be a better fit for me. Most would say you need the 70-200 for churches and similar low light venues. but is that all i get for the money?? It seems to me the 24-70 would be more useful overall. I have never shot with either and i know it will be suggested to try both. But that's not easily done. Any feedback would be welcome.

    I shoot with a Canon 7D and no plans to go full frame anytime soon. thanks in advance!

    (recent work here…95% of these shots are with the 17-55 2.8, 580EXii)

    http://www.jerrymelillophoto.com/Chrissy-Michael/

    http://www.jerrymelillophoto.com/Mauro/

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, ON
    Posts
    1,443
    As you seem to shoot weddings and groups, you don't need a long telephoto (what did you shoot with the 400, and do you miss it at all?)

    Some ideas:
    Ultrawide (10-18, 10-22
    100mm macro (useful for ring shots, details, and when 70mm isn't quite enough)
    or a wide-aperture prime like one of the Sigma f/1.4 arts (24, 35, 50), or maybe a 50mm f/1.2, or 85mm f/1.2.

    Your existing lenses should give you a good idea which focal length prime you'd find most useful, if you did go that route.
    On Flickr - Namethatnobodyelsetook on Flickr
    R8 | R7 | 7DII | 10-18mm STM | 24-70mm f/4L | Sigma 35mm f/1.4 | 50mm f/1.8 | 85mm f/1.8 | 70-300mm f/4-5.6L | RF 100-500mm f/4-5-7.1L

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    382
    I shot birds…almost exclusively with the 400…I'll miss it but Im changing to a business like approach, at least for the time being. Thanks for the feedback.
    I currently own the 10-22 and 60mm macro as well.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    205
    What is it you don't like about the 17-55 for weddings etc? Is it just the reach or the quality of the shots? I honestly think (keep in mind i'm no pro) the 17-55 plus the 85 are great for weddings. The 70-200 would complement the 17-55 but by the wording it sounds like you're looking for a replacement? You won't often find much use for telephoto at a wedding though, especially if you're inside in a church and are the main photographer (right in the action).

    I've got the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 non IS and I've done a few events and honestly I kept the 24-70 on my camera the vast majority of the time, the 70-200 was only for portraits at the end of the day etc and even then was used very sparingly

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    382
    I am definitely keeping my 17-55. I am looking for another go to lens.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,565
    Glancing through the shots, I think what is missing are the personalized close-ups or ultra-wide angle captures that show the entire event. So, if you have the 10-18, I would consider occasionally using it. For the personalized close ups, on FF the classic is the 70-200 f/2.8 II. But since you plan to stay with a crop lens, you might want to consider the Sigma 50-100 f/1.8. I think a 70-200 II would work. For personalized close ups I tend to like (on FF) the 135-200 mm range. So on crop that would be ~85-125 mm.

    I would also think about a prime lens. The 100 f/2.8 L macro that was already mentioned. 100 f/2? 135 f/2?

    For some reference, Lensrentals has a crop wedding photographer package. Also a prime kit.

    Good luck...

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    1,156
    Personally, I find the 24-x lenses to be too long on crop to be "right". You're probably fine with the 17-55 for that range, plus you get the IS+f/2.8 combo that's still elusive for FF (perhaps there are third-party lenses that offer this...I only look at Canon and Zeiss at this point). 70-200 is a great combo, but perhaps it's worth looking at the 85/1.8, 135/2, and/or perhaps a 35/2IS or 35/1.4II.
    We're a Canon/Profoto family: five cameras, sixteen lenses, fifteen Profoto lights, too many modifiers.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Big Mouse Florida
    Posts
    1,168
    My 2 cents.

    you have 10 to 65 in three lenses and sounds like nothing longer nor anything truly low light.

    I would be real tempted to the sigma 85 1.4. Gets you something 2 stops better, etc. I know everyone is concerned about focus consistency, and if you have the extra sheckles then go to the Canon 85 1.2.

    The other way to go but seems doubling up on the wide end and just for low light is the sigma 20 1.4.

    Do you find yourself running out of room for the shot vs. the tight portrait type shots.

    If you are doing this for the $$ which way do your clients want to go? No/fewer flash or tighter portraits??
    If you see me with a wrench, call 911

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    382
    I have the 85 1.8

  10. #10
    Administrator Sean Setters's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    3,360
    You might consider selling the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and investing in the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DS HSM Art. That would give you a very nice range of focal lengths with a prime-like aperture. You could use the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM for the normal range work and then switch to the Sigma to cover your longer needs.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •