Quick Canon SLR questions

candid family shooting is a tough category...you want a fast lens...but also need something more flexible (zoom)...

"IS" does help with that...



I like fixed lenses, personally...have a 30mm f/1.4 on my 20D for knife photography right now...but am strongly considering the 28mm f/1.8


I know I'm not being helpful....:foot:
 
SharpByCoop said:
But, I found the lens very poor in clarity at the outer perimeters. In fact unacceptable enough for me to have almost lost a client because of the fuzziness. He called me on it. This was indoors with a strobe.
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This will highly depend on which aperture you were using. I'm surprised you were getting low clarity on the outer edges, as that would be the middle of the focal plane, given that you were using it on a cropped sensor. The 28-135 has a center sweet spot, but I've never noticed a drop off on the edges until I started shooting in the wider f/stops. And that can be explained by the DOF fall off.
spyderknut said:
My main issues with the lenses I have are performance in lower light situations. I am certain a faster lens would help there with or without Image Stabilization.

Any specific recommendations for a lens or set of lenses? I do mostly family photography but I shoot knives and do-dads (usually with natural light as I have not yet rigged a box) and occasionally get creative.
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For the specification mentioned, the EF-S 17-85 would be a good fit, as you already have the 75-300IS for the long range. However, if your concern is low light, a better investment would be an external flash. The built in flash of the Digi Rebel is very limited.
 
I have the 430 EX and I am very happy with it. Sometimes I like to shoot without flash.

I think I will pick up the 50mm 1.8 also. Noisy, plastic body but F1.8 for $70 is universally reviewed as the bargain of the century from Canon.

Reviewers of the 17-85 also complain of various distortions especially at the wide end. I may need a dedicated wide lens eventually too.:)
 
spyderknut said:
I think I will pick up the 50mm 1.8 also. Noisy, plastic body but F1.8 for $70 is universally reviewed as the bargain of the century from Canon.
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Can't argue there. I have several. I just throw one into each of my camera bags. This way I always have a 50mm just in case. Image quality is very good or the money.
spyderknut said:
I may need a dedicated wide lens eventually too.:)
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Just to warn you, this is a slippery road, once you start. But like they say, you can't go wrong with investing in good glass. At least until Canon decides to change the mount again. You could wind up with a lens group like mine.

imagew2.aspx


Left to right, front row: EF 50 f/1.2L, EF 85 f/1.2L
Left to right, back row: EF 17-35 F/2.8L, EF 24-105 f/4L, EF 135 f/2.0L, EF 28-70 F/2.8L
 
tonyccw said:
Can't argue there. I have several. I just throw one into each of my camera bags. This way I always have a 50mm just in case. Image quality is very good or the money.
Just to warn you, this is a slippery road, once you start. But like they say, you can't go wrong with investing in good glass. At least until Canon decides to change the mount again. You could wind up with a lens group like mine.

imagew2.aspx


Left to right, front row: EF 50 f/1.2L, EF 85 f/1.2L
Left to right, back row: EF 17-35 F/2.8L, EF 24-105 f/4L, EF 135 f/2.0L, EF 28-70 F/2.8L
Click to expand...

I too have the EF 24-105 mm F4 and it is fantastic but kind of pricy ~$1200
 
Just to update:

Liking the 17- 85mm USM IS so far. Took a bunch of Christmas shots. Still have more experimenting to do.

The lens does change length (barrel extends) with zooming contrary to bammann45's report. It's focusing is however internal.
 
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