Lens for New York....

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messinghamp

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Hi all

Kind of new here, but I'm in need of some advice.

I am a teacher, and will be running my annual school trip to New York on the 15th Feb for a week. I say this because is has some bearing on what I can and cant shoot whilst away. Yes we will be going specific place and yes we will have free time so I can nip off to do certain things, but its not like i have all day everyday to go and shoot.

I currently have a Canon 5D MKIII and teh 24-105 f4 L IS lens, and a Sigme 50mm f1.4.

Now, I love the big aperture, and when ever I can i try to use the 50mm wide open for that lovely DOF and bokah you can get. But recently I have been finding teh 50mm too close and not wide enough. There are some situations where you cant walk backwards to get everthing in the shot you want. I am after a new lens, or 2 or what ever I can get really, cash depending.

Now I have also been given $1000 to spend on what ever i want, for me, whilst over there. This isnt living money, this is camera money.

The choices I have are as follows:

  1. Buy a new Canon 17-40mm f4 - $840
  2. Buy a used 17-40mm f4 - $620
  3. Buy a used 35mm f1.4 - $1000 (but what a lens)
  4. Buy Lee Filters Big Stopper (really want one for day time blurred images)
  5. Buy anything else..... 35mm f2 IS ?????? But would I always regret not getting the f1.4???? Fuji x100s used - $1000
Or, if you lot have any suggestions please throw them in. I have 3 weeks until I go. Im checking Craigslist daily for gear.

I shoot lansdaceps and some portraits (family motsly) and cityscapes.

I have been to NYC before and teh 24-105 did me fine. Yes a little wider would have been nice, but I couldnt really use the 50mm on the streets as I felt it was too restrictive (this is where the35mm would be better).


Please, give me your thoughts and ideas, I really am stuck on what to get. Bringing the $ back and changing them to GBP isnt an option here.



Many thanks
Philip
 
I found 28mm on full frame pretty much perfect on my last trip in November (maybe could have done with being a tiny bit longer) so personally I think the 35mm 1.4 would be spot on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/sets/72157636719315174/

The Fuji X100S is also a great shout, silent and very, very subtle, would be great for walking around NYC.
 
A teacher with a 5d mkiii, L glass and $1000 to spend! Where do you teach man?
Seriously though, I would have thought the 24-105 would have been a perfect walk around for NYC, what are you wanting to achieve with a wide angle and shallow DOF?

J
 
Have been really careful with money and hence managed to get some nice gear, like a retina MBP and 128GB iPad air as well as the camera gear. I'm of the opinion, that you buy the best for what you need, quality lasts. And I would rather wait longer and get something better than buy something just for the sake of it, if that makes sense.

Wide angle, maily cityscapes and wide landscapes. I have read good things about the 17-40mm and I really cant justify the extra expence for the 16-35mm f2.8.

As for shallow DOF with the 35mm, everything, form portraits with creamy backgrounds to railings outside buildings, to, well, everything.

I just cant decide if its better for me to get teh 35mm and use that focal length more and get teh shots i want, that are wide enough (where the 50mm cant) or go for a differetn focal length, that I dont have in the 17-40mm (and possible get something like the Lee Filters Big Stopper as well).
 
Hi, When I'm in downtown NY I just use a 24-85mm on FF and have always found it to be just about right. I can see no reason why your 24-105 would not suffice. If you get the chance try and high tail it to B&H Photo store, it's probably the best photo store you'll ever visit, and please say Hi to Derek for me. "ENJOY" (y)
 
messinghamp said:
Have been really careful with money and hence managed to get some nice gear, like a retina MBP and 128GB iPad air as well as the camera gear. I'm of the opinion, that you buy the best for what you need, quality lasts. And I would rather wait longer and get something better than buy something just for the sake of it, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Well done you!
I can't help much with the choice of glass as I have a crop sensor camera but I do have an ND400 and think a Big Stopper or similar would be a lot of fun over there.

J
 
Ditch the big SLR and spend the 1000 on a new Fuji X pro 1. You get a free 18mm lens with it and if you get in quick you can claim the free 35mm f1.4 lens. Job done. ......sell the Canon gear because you won't want it any more and you will come away with a tidy profit.
 
I would go with the 35mm 1.4.

I own the 50mm 1.4 and it's great but not wide enough at times.

I also own the 17-40mm but it's a little soft for everyday point and shoot and isn't great in low light. Awesome for landscapes when you have time to give them a little thought.

Have you thought about hiring a lens?
 
Thanks for the advice Jetpack, it really is looking like the 35mm is the best bet - now to find a second hand one that will be there in 3 weeks time....
 
I had to wait 5 months last year from order to delivery of a Lee Big Stopper. And that was through one of their authorised dealers.......
 
If you want 35mm...Just a thought but what's the price of a new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 round your way?

I use one myself and it's terrific IMO..

Or a used X100..?
 
Have tried the Sigma 35mm, it's ok but the actual feel of the lens I didn't like. I had read all of the reviews and on paper it looks great. But I just couldn't get on with it.
 
I was asking myself the same questions as I'm heading there next week

I'm taking a 16-35 , 35 1.4 and a 70-200....I think lol
 
5D MKIII, 24-105 f4 and then the 35mm, the 70-200, I'm not too sure on, short of people watching from a distance, Manhattan is very built up, I'm not sure you will get the use as much. But then it depends what you like shooting.
 
I have looked at the 35mm f2 IS, but would I always wish I had gone for the L lens??

From the SLRlounge review, there is a difference but, the extra stops of the 1.4 is soo nice.
 
I live in the town where Lee Filters makes the filters, and have a friend who works there. Im hoping she can get me a good deal on one.

As for the f2 version, might have to have a play with one in B&H when over there if i cant secure a good price on a f1.4 version.

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions people, really appreciated
 
Wasn't there an extensive thread about this very subject maybe 6+ months ago? I'm sure there was some good info in it.
 
What exact subjects do you want to shoot?

messinghamp said:
Have been really careful with money and hence managed to get some nice gear, like a retina MBP and 128GB iPad air as well as the camera gear. I'm of the opinion, that you buy the best for what you need, quality lasts. And I would rather wait longer and get something better than buy something just for the sake of it, if that makes sense.

Wide angle, maily cityscapes and wide landscapes. I have read good things about the 17-40mm and I really cant justify the extra expence for the 16-35mm f2.8.

As for shallow DOF with the 35mm, everything, form portraits with creamy backgrounds to railings outside buildings, to, well, everything.

I just cant decide if its better for me to get teh 35mm and use that focal length more and get teh shots i want, that are wide enough (where the 50mm cant) or go for a differetn focal length, that I dont have in the 17-40mm (and possible get something like the Lee Filters Big Stopper as well).
Click to expand...

Then 17-40mm is not for you, and neither is 16-35mm. Both are dismal in their corner performance, so much so they could be branded as f/14L.

Perhaps look at 17 or 24mm TSE, Zeiss 21mm or Sigma 35mm f/1.4.
 
I stuck a 10 to 20mm sigma on my old dynax 5 film slr, and really enjoyed it.
most pics looked normal, but the look through the viewfinder was a fun trip :-)

so I'd recommend wide, cos its fun
 
17-40 sounds ideal for NYC. When I was there I mostly used the 24-70, and wished I had wider.
 
I was there for NYE, took the 8-15, 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200.
The 24-70 spent 6 days in the hotel safe, got used at the airport on the way home to take photos of an A380 getting de-iced
The 8-18 was used at the top of the rock, it fit through to gaps in the glass
the 70-200 was used on boat rides statue of liberty, for close shots of the ball and a bit of street photography.
my main lens was the 16-35 love the lens its awesome it was perfect in NYC

I was shooting with a 1.3 crop 1DIV

Bought a canon 600EXRT from b and h photo video worked out excellent value
 
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