Lens Advice please!

James Rothwell

James Rothwell

Suspended / Banned
Messages
165
Name
James Rothwell
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi there,

I've been asked to photograph a prom for a friend of a friend which I thought was cool until I found out there will be 15 of them to photograph and I'm the only person there with a camera, better not mess it up.

I've recently upgraded from my Nikon D40 setup to a Canon 50D with only a 70-200mm f4 lens at the moment, the prom is next month so I'm going to have to get a shorter lens but don't know what to get.

I know the 85mm canon lens in an excellent portrait lens but I can use the 70-200mm for that but it's the closer shots I'm worried about. Also I'd like it to be a good size lens, I know it sounds stupid but my meat fists fumble around with smaller lens and I prefer the weight of a larger lens.

Any advice taken please. I don't want to spend fortunes but would like something of similar quality to the 70-200mm f4 lens if at all possible.

Thanks.
 
Is the f/1.4 version really £220 better than the f/1.8 version?

I would have thought the cheaper one would do the job fine. I didn't realise it would only be £99 don't know why I didn't get one with the camera.

Think I'll get the £99 model anyway and I think I'll see if I can rent/borrow a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens off someone. As it looks like a cracking lens but at £795 it's a little excessive. Maybe if I get on really well with it I'll consider buying it somehow.
 
James Rothwell said:
Is the f/1.4 version really £220 better than the f/1.8 version?

I would have thought the cheaper one would do the job fine. I didn't realise it would only be £99 don't know why I didn't get one with the camera.

Think I'll get the £99 model anyway and I think I'll see if I can rent/borrow a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens off someone. As it looks like a cracking lens but at £795 it's a little excessive. Maybe if I get on really well with it I'll consider buying it somehow.
Click to expand...


Kerso was doing new 50mm's for £70 delivered - look in the sales section here, also look at the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 the IQ is excellent on a 50D
 
What is the lighting going to be like?
Will these be individuals or group shots.

I would consider something like the 24-70 f2.8. Canon L expensive, but there are Tamron and Sigma alternatives.
 
Not sure on the lighting, it's going to be done outdoor in the garden between 5pm and 7pm I should think, it's at the end of next month of hopefully the weather will be nice and the sun will be bright!

I'll be doing group shots and individual shots of each of them.

I might be looking in the wrong place but I can't find any info on the 24-70 f2.8 lens, have you got a link?
 
Thanks for the links guys very helpful.

That 24-70 Canon L lens looks like an excellent bit of kit.
Bit pricey though but looks excellent. I want it.

Hmm.... What body parts can I live without.

Think I'll rent it for 10 days for the prom shoot and then at the end of July I think I get an bonus paid so I might buy it then but we'll see.

Thanks again for your help.
 
Lenses aside (and I think the 17-55 would be perfect) what about a flash gun? No professional would tackle this without one.

Canon 580EX with a LumiQuest Quik Bounce does it all pretty much.
 
I thought about a flashgun, I've never used one before though as all my photography has been either motorsport or whilst I have been out and about and couldn't carry the slr, lenses, and a flashgun.

But it would be wise to have one, I should probably look for a tutorial on here on how to use a flashgun properly.
 
I can't afford the 580EX, didn't realise how expensive it was!

I would probably get the 270EX, is that worth having? Or is it a case of 580EX or nothing?
 
may be some one could lend you one! aint you got no freinds:lol: sorry i cant help i got NIKON
 
dinorock said:
may be some one could lend you one! aint you got no freinds:lol: sorry i cant help i got NIKON
Click to expand...

Haven't got any photography friends which is very sad I know.

I can't find the offer on comets website now, think I missed the boat there.
 
Any flash gun is better than nothing, better than the on-board unit, and you really need one to get this job in the bag. You might not need it, but I would use it for fill-flash at least, probably most of the time. It really suits this kind of social photography. And if the worst comes to the worst, a flash pic will always deliver a banker image. You will need it if you move indoors.

With flash, bigger is always better but the 430EX is adequate. I can lend you a 580EX and LumiQuest Quik if you like (I have four guns ;) ). Lumquest is this one:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1031217

Bone up on fill-flash technique and practise with your on-board flash. All you have to do is put it on Av at around f/5.6 and away you go! You can then adjust the flash/ambient ratio to suit. Often turning the flash down a bit looks better and very natural. Big advantage of the 580 with fill-flash is that it has a high-speed sync mode so that you can use it at any shutter speed - vital in bright light outdoors.

I am away for a week and leaving in an hour, but if you'd like a loan for next month there's plenty of time. Drop me a PM and I'll pick it up on my return :)
 
One of the guys who used to work with me is into this kind of photography. (You can see some examples of his work here just to check we're comparing apples with apples.) His weapon of choice (on a Canon 40D) is the EF 35mm f/1.4 L.
 
StewartR said:
One of the guys who used to work with me is into this kind of photography. (You can see some examples of his work here just to check we're comparing apples with apples.) His weapon of choice (on a Canon 40D) is the EF 35mm f/1.4 L.
Click to expand...

Hey! There's internet access in this hospital :)

Very natural looking pics. Looks like bounce/fill slow sync, well balanced. Too much DoF for f/1.4.
 
28 - 135 IS Lens

Received my today and seems quite brilliant.

RRP is around 260 - 300 but got mine on here for 175

Well worth the buy.

Not a small lens but not as big as the 70 - 200

You cant really compare L Glass to any other lens because you get what you pay for.

Pay peanuts and get monkeys

Im sure you will get the right lens
 
HoppyUK said:
Any flash gun is better than nothing, better than the on-board unit, and you really need one to get this job in the bag. You might not need it, but I would use it for fill-flash at least, probably most of the time. It really suits this kind of social photography. And if the worst comes to the worst, a flash pic will always deliver a banker image. You will need it if you move indoors.

With flash, bigger is always better but the 430EX is adequate. I can lend you a 580EX and LumiQuest Quik if you like (I have four guns ;) ). Lumquest is this one:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1031217

Bone up on fill-flash technique and practise with your on-board flash. All you have to do is put it on Av at around f/5.6 and away you go! You can then adjust the flash/ambient ratio to suit. Often turning the flash down a bit looks better and very natural. Big advantage of the 580 with fill-flash is that it has a high-speed sync mode so that you can use it at any shutter speed - vital in bright light outdoors.

I am away for a week and leaving in an hour, but if you'd like a loan for next month there's plenty of time. Drop me a PM and I'll pick it up on my return :)
Click to expand...

Really? That would be really excellent if you honestly don't mind. I'm quite far from you but obviously I'll pay for RM Special Delivery both ways. I need to get a guide on flash photography (sure there will be one on here somewhere) and then get used to it before the 25th June. I'll PM you. :thumbs:


StewartR said:
One of the guys who used to work with me is into this kind of photography. (You can see some examples of his work here just to check we're comparing apples with apples.) His weapon of choice (on a Canon 40D) is the EF 35mm f/1.4 L.
Click to expand...

That's the kind of shots I was hoping to get, and f/1.4 should mean I might not need to use the flash all the time whilst indoors? Or maybe it is best to use it all the time? I'll have to find out. I'll have a look on your website and rent the lens once I know which one is best, you don't do deals if I have 2 for a week do you?

desperatedan1992 said:
28 - 135 IS Lens

Received my today and seems quite brilliant.

RRP is around 260 - 300 but got mine on here for 175

Well worth the buy.

Not a small lens but not as big as the 70 - 200

You cant really compare L Glass to any other lens because you get what you pay for.

Pay peanuts and get monkeys

Im sure you will get the right lens
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good overall lens might see if I can rent it also for the prom day.

I'm really looking forward to it now, thanks for your help guys!
 
No problem James. PM me nearer the time :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top