Newbie - Lens Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter foz
  • Start date Start date
foz

foz

Suspended / Banned
Messages
273
Edit My Images
No
Hi All, As you can see I am new to the forums so a little background on my self.

I originally got a 350d about 14 months ago for the purpose of taking pictures of textures for 3D work I did. However I didnt do much 3D work and didnt need to use it for that purpose, so started taking some shots around and about and you could say I got the bug!!

Ive never had much faith in my overall photography but would like to get more involved in it and have some ideas for projects I want to do.

I have the Kit Lens and the 50mm 1.8 (which is amazing).

The type of photography I want to get into is Portrait/Staged shots INT and EXT along with Architecture shots.

The lens I have been recommended is the 24-70mm 2.8, but at 700-900£ its not an easy decision to come to, also want the 580ex Flash Gun.

Now to my question :D

Should I take the plunge and get the above lens, would it be suitable for the applications I am looking to get involved in?

However the above 2 would come to about 1k (Inc Filter), but looking around I could get a 5D and the same lens for 2k(ish).. which would be a better upgrade all around and give me the added benefit of having a spare body, but getting the lens now I could get the body down the line and use the 24-70mm lens. But that seems very exsessive and would push my credit card even further out :S

Sorry for such a long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
I would say go for the lens and flash at first so that you can at least use them and get used to them. There are rumours that the 5D Mk11 will be out either q4 08 or q1 09 so the prices of used ones will drop. Worth hanging out for.
 
the 24-70 is a great lens, but it's a lot of money so early in the game. As you've seen from the 50 1.8, it's possible to pick up good glass for not a lot of cash. On the 350d, something like the Tamron 17-50 is excellent value for money, leaving you plenty for the flash, and if you really need to spend the cash, another lens (70-200 f4 might fit in the budget) would still leave you with change from a grand....

I doubt you'd do the 5D justice at the moment, and as pointed out, if Canon does get round to replacing it with a newer model later in the year, picking an original up cheap should be very easy. You could always consider upgrading to a 40D, which is an excellent all round camera, offering more than your current model (and in some ways more than the 5D).
 
Why not try the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 (or even better for image quality their 24-60mm version) ? Never had any complaints over its ability on my old 30d body.

Unfortunatey i just sold my 24-70mm, but £175 for a used one in a shop is about the going rate - check www.mifsuds.co.uk as an example


There are some good deals on 5d at present - i bought one with the 24-105L IS lens a month ago for £1795 and £195 cashback, so £1600 in effect. Jacobs were doing the same kit for £1695 last weekend, £1500 in real terms !


Your 350d and kit lens is probably worth £220-250 in a private sale, or ebay.

The 5d is a huge leap in image quality, all depends whether you really need or want to manipulate 13Mp files !
 
Thanks for the fast replies chaps..

Ive been looking around at the following kit, to get an idea for price:

Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM
Super HMC PRO-1 UV 77mm
Speedlite 580EX MkII

Onestop Digital: 944 inc shipping
Jessops: 1285 (collect from store and then £80 cash back from Canon)
Jacobs: 1255 (delivered £90 cash back from Canon)
Martins Camera Shop: 1125 (delivered £90 cash back from Canon)
Misfuds: 1157 (delivered 90 cash back)

Obviously onestop digital looks like the best, but its from Hong Kong and whilst they offer a VAT refund there may be problems.

Jessops is silly expensive but do have the added advantage of collecting from the store. I havent used any of the other places. Its all so complicated :bang:
 
I've just ordered the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 from 1 Stop Digital. The Sigma gets very good reviews and although the Canon is probably better, I don't think its £400-500 better......

Imported kit is OK if you do your homework. 1 Stop is very good, but some of the Ebay shops offer good prices to, and there's a few 580EX II's about as well.

Steve
 
try kerso, he tends to be bout the same as the imports and it is in the country,so no tax or custom problems. you can also claim cashback from his stuff(athough it is imported)

he is a member here, give him a pm and check his thread out in the for sale section.:thumbs:
 
as an example kerso quoted me £229+postage for the 580EX flashgun - well below HK sellers by the time you get the £40 cashback from Canon !
 
see what you mean about the sigma 24-70mm and then being able to get another lens..

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens (non-IS)
Canon 580EX II Speedlite TTL Shoe-Mount Flash
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens

No Filters added but comes in at 838 (the same cost as the 24-70mm Canon lens from Jessops :eek:)...

The dilemma I have is that I want the nice lens, but I dont have the body to really use it to its fullest, but when I can upgrade the body down the line and reuse the lens. But if I go for cheaper now and then get a much better body I fear I might need to replace the lenses....

The review over at http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-24-70mm-F-2.8-EX-DG-Lens-Review.aspx highlights some possible problems down the line.

Edit: Ive PMed Kerso for a quote, ive seen his name appear a few times on other forums to, thanks for the recommendation.
 
If you want a good 70-200, Jessops are doing the 70-200mm Sigma F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM (!) for £399 plus 10% of by using the code (SIGMA10 i think) making it £360 for a 2.8 70-200mm. Some people, myself included rate this as good as / better than the canon 2.8 non is version.

I will dig out a link shortly.


Chris
 
the code was LENS10
 
foz said:
The dilemma I have is that I want the nice lens, but I dont have the body to really use it to its fullest, but when I can upgrade the body down the line and reuse the lens.
Click to expand...

It's better to put good glass on an "average" body, rather than have average glass on a "good" body.

In fact a good body will "show up" a poor lens, but a good lens will enhance an "average" body. Invest in glass early on' you'll be able to use it through a range of lenses.

Steve
 
Thats what I thought Jester, I will have a look at getting the Canon 24-70mm first, then if I cant get that I will go for the Sigma one :)

Thanks for the advice everyone. Who would have thought photography could be so complicated and expensive hehe...
 
Contacted Kerso for a quote and he is very reasonable so going on peoples recommendations and will use him :)
 
The Sigma 24-70 in my opinion is better, image quality wise, than the Canon 24-70.
The Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, again, in my opinion, is better than the Canon 70-200 f/4 when the Sigma is stopped down to f/4.

Both of those statements are providing you have a good copy of the lens.
But for the price, the Sigma equivalents blow the Canon L lenses out of the water as far as image quality goes.
 
Chillimonster said:
If you want a good 70-200, Jessops are doing the 70-200mm Sigma F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM (!) for £399 plus 10% of by using the code (SIGMA10 i think) making it £360 for a 2.8 70-200mm. Some people, myself included rate this as good as / better than the canon 2.8 non is version.

I will dig out a link shortly.


Chris
Click to expand...

hi
I could not find this on the jessops site or through the link, have i missed it or is this still avaliable?
thanks
 
So today was nice and sunny, but a little too hot.

Here are some shots I got with the lens:

flower1.jpg

flower2.jpg

flower3.jpg

flower4.jpg
 
As an aside, since the 5D is full-frame, if this is a real consideration for you, it's essential that you invest only in lenses suitable for use on FF bodies.

Have you considered another prime or two for now?
 
Thanks for the heads up pearce, I know the 24-70mm is compatible with FF. But I will make sure that any more lenses I get will be, as I think I will outgrow my 350d by the end of the year and want to get a serious upgrade.

I like prime lenses more than zoom lenses as they make you work for your shot more and will def be getting some more in the future, probably a wide angle one.
 
Your 50mm will do you to start out, I'd spend the money on flashguns if you are intent on doing portraits. In fact if you go down the Strobist route you could get a couple of Vivitar 285HVs, Cactus triggers, a couple of light stands, a couple of umbrellas and a bag to carry it all in for less than the cost of one 580EX :thinking:

Bodywise, if you wait for the next Canon cashback you could pick up a 40D or perhaps even a 5D (as they are due for replacement) for a decent price.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top