Hey folks.. So.. I am looking at possibly getting a new lens.. I am currently shooting with a canon 40d (xti).. I would love to upgrade my camera as well but can't really afford to do that at the moment. So.. I am looking at new lenses. I do run a photo business.. shooting clients (families, maternity, weddings etc) so.. I want something practical that I can use for my shoots as well as something that will enrich my personal projects. Right not I am shooting with a lens I had for my film Canon slr.. nothing fancy but I really need something new.. I have heard that I should get a wide angle.. any recommendations for Canon Lenses? I was thinking about getting something fun like a fish eye.. but that isn't exactly the most practical for my line of work.. though I wouldn't mind getting some recommendations for those too.. thanks folks!
i can't afford any of the lenses that were listed above..lol
but...i just got a sigma 18-50mm and a Tamron 70-300mm off amazon.
i also had an old lens from my film SLR when i first got my camera (canon xsi) and instead of the kit lens i bought a canon 1.8 50mm lens (i highly recommend a 50mm if you don't have one).
when i made this purchase i also thought about getting a fish eye..but like the previous poster said..once the novelty wears off there isn't much function with the lens...so i chose not to order it.
I really want a fish eye too! :) but as far as a lens to use daily, I agree with Shantelle - the Canon 50mm is great (and the 1.8 can be found for under $100)!
I would say go with a prime lens since you don't have one. A 50mm 1.8 would be a great addition, its great for portraits, great for Bokeh, great for low light shots, overall a lens most people should have in their bag.
The what lens should I get question always has so many variables, and can burn up some serious money quickly.
Looking at the type of things you shoot, and wanting to have something to add an element of creativity to your photography I think there is a very logical and economical suggestion I can make.
The Canon 50mm 1.8 is a lens I believe has a home in every Canon shooters bag.
First of all I'll start by telling you its $100.00.
Other upsides include the ability to shoot in limited light situations.
Really great control over depth of field.
That prime lens image quality that we all love.
You can use it for creative photography, and for portraits, for group shots you need a little working room, but for 1 / 2 person shots its amazing.
The biggest downfall of the lens is build quality, as its named the plastic fantastic for a reason. Its not going to break, but like most things that attach to a camera it doesn't like falling to hard surfaces.
I have the 50mm 1.4 and it's awesome and inexpensive... More than the 1.8 lens, but still not too bad. I LOVE my canon 100mm f2.8 macro. It takes super crisp macro shots and it's good for portraits. My dad "lent" me his Tamron 28-75mm and it's awesome too... I hope my dad never wants it back. If he does, I will buy my own.
They're all affordable.
Thanks to all of you for the great recommendations.. I will def be looking into the 50 mm 1.4 as suggested by all of you. I will also take a look at all the other suggestions that you have and see what else I might be in the market for a little later down the road.. while we are on the subject.. has anyone tried a lensbaby?
Don't waste your money on a fish eye - you can get an adaptor for about 40 quid.
I agree with a good prime. The 50mm 1.8 will do you fine for a little while but you'll want to upgrade at some point. I recently found a Sigma 28mm 1.8 for £150 on ebay and I'm really happy with it.
Wide angles are expensive but worth it, I'd say I use my Sigma 15-30mm the most out of all my lenses (I picked it up good as new second hand for £200).
It really depends what your preference of pictures is really, if you like shots with shallow depth of field then go for a prime, if you prefer landscapes and taking sky shots then a wide angle (in my opinion) is the way to go.
I'd recommend going to a specialist photography warehouse with your camera and just trying a couple out and seeing how they feel. Personally, I always buy second hand lenses as they're often hundreds of pounds cheaper and you will be able to sell on for the same price if you don't get on with it.
The other reason the 50mm works so well for portraits is that it is the closest to human field of view so it looks more natural. Otherwise, I recommend something with a bit of zoom and anti-shake for the weddings to get in close in sub-optimal light without interfering with the ceremony (also good for portraits where you want to narrow the field of view or for subjects that don't feel comfortable with a big camera in their face)...it may be a tiny bit waaay over budget though :) but you could claim it as a business expense!
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
If you find lots of money burning a hole in your pocket go with the Canon 16-35
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NP46K2/ref=asc_df_B000NP46K21023286?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000NP46K2
or the 10-22 is a great portrait lens also, and much more reasonable.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-10-22mm-3-5-4-5-Digital/dp/B0002Y5WXE
but...i just got a sigma 18-50mm and a Tamron 70-300mm off amazon.
i also had an old lens from my film SLR when i first got my camera (canon xsi) and instead of the kit lens i bought a canon 1.8 50mm lens (i highly recommend a 50mm if you don't have one).
when i made this purchase i also thought about getting a fish eye..but like the previous poster said..once the novelty wears off there isn't much function with the lens...so i chose not to order it.
The what lens should I get question always has so many variables, and can burn up some serious money quickly.
Looking at the type of things you shoot, and wanting to have something to add an element of creativity to your photography I think there is a very logical and economical suggestion I can make.
The Canon 50mm 1.8 is a lens I believe has a home in every Canon shooters bag.
First of all I'll start by telling you its $100.00.
Other upsides include the ability to shoot in limited light situations.
Really great control over depth of field.
That prime lens image quality that we all love.
You can use it for creative photography, and for portraits, for group shots you need a little working room, but for 1 / 2 person shots its amazing.
The biggest downfall of the lens is build quality, as its named the plastic fantastic for a reason. Its not going to break, but like most things that attach to a camera it doesn't like falling to hard surfaces.
Here is the link to B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html
Hope that helps.
They're all affordable.
or any of these guys: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=274&N=4293919666+4291570227+4294949229
I agree with a good prime. The 50mm 1.8 will do you fine for a little while but you'll want to upgrade at some point. I recently found a Sigma 28mm 1.8 for £150 on ebay and I'm really happy with it.
Wide angles are expensive but worth it, I'd say I use my Sigma 15-30mm the most out of all my lenses (I picked it up good as new second hand for £200).
It really depends what your preference of pictures is really, if you like shots with shallow depth of field then go for a prime, if you prefer landscapes and taking sky shots then a wide angle (in my opinion) is the way to go.
I'd recommend going to a specialist photography warehouse with your camera and just trying a couple out and seeing how they feel. Personally, I always buy second hand lenses as they're often hundreds of pounds cheaper and you will be able to sell on for the same price if you don't get on with it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephencotterellphotography/sets/72157623363121166/
I really want one!