Agreed, had a Kata bag for a couple of years now and love it
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The Official Camera Equipment Megathread
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Agreed, had a Kata bag for a couple of years now and love it
phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
Looking to add to my small lens collection a wideangle zoom, a macro and a wider prime.
I'm considering these:
- Canon EF-S 10-22mm
- Canon EF-S 60mm Macro
- either the Canon EF 28mm or the Sigma 30mm (which seems to have mixed reviews)
Any thoughts/further suggestions? I'm looking for lenses that are competent but not extravagant, and aiming to spend under £1,000 total by going through a reputable secondhand dealer.
I'm considering these:
- Canon EF-S 10-22mm
- Canon EF-S 60mm Macro
- either the Canon EF 28mm or the Sigma 30mm (which seems to have mixed reviews)
Any thoughts/further suggestions? I'm looking for lenses that are competent but not extravagant, and aiming to spend under £1,000 total by going through a reputable secondhand dealer.
Before buying the 70-200 f/4 i had rented the 2.8 and 2.8 IS version. They are much heavier and not that great to lug around all day. (also I couldn't afford it, LOL) Unless you know are going to take advantage of the faster lens, you got a great deal going with f/4 IS. I would like to eventually upgrade to a 2.8, I wouldn't get rid of the f/4 due to how light it is to carry around.
How else are we going to show off in front of other camera hobbyist if they can't see that red ring.
to be honest, i never considered the canon 70-200 lenses because of the bulk and white color. i like to do spontaneous street photography and nothing scares people like a bulky, obvious, telephoto. but i would consider the older black L:
however, for my style, smaller is better so a decent prime gets the job done.
i wanna get my hands on a 135mm f/2 for family/friends portraits though...as my wife and i travel a lot, and it's just a great lens.
however, for my style, smaller is better so a decent prime gets the job done.
i wanna get my hands on a 135mm f/2 for family/friends portraits though...as my wife and i travel a lot, and it's just a great lens.
When I was on the hunt for a macro lens, I had the chance to try this lens for a couple of days. Going from what I was used to, the image quality was excellent. With the lens itself feeling light, but very solid and decent to hold.
In the end the lens is what spurred me on to buying a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM. (I only went for the 100mm to give me the extra distance between me and my subjects. Less chance to disturb them etc). I can show you some examples of both lenses if it helps at all.
As for the wideangle, I've had a Sigma 10-20mm and a Tamron 10-24mm. Both were great lenses, with very similar image quality, but overall I would give the Sigma a slight edge. I also had to get the Tamron repaired recently because the lens casing started to become loose from the part connected to the mount. (Intro2020 did a great job fixing and also cleaning the lens. It came back looking brand new).
phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
Thanks Raknar!
Hadn't considered the Sigma wideangle or the Canon 100mm. I think in the end it is going to come down to balancing the available budget and what's available at what price on the quality used market at the time. (And that's what worries me a bit about the 30mm Sigma, that the used market might be a bit of a dumping-ground for the ones with dodgy focus). I feel a spreadsheet calling me.
With the macro I'm not all that fussed about disturbing my subjects as they are mostly dead, and was thinking that the 60mm on a crop body might do double duty as a portrait lens (which the 100mm might be a bit long for). Would love to see some comparisons though.
With the wideangle I can find used Sigmas, but they're expensive enough (which I suppose is a good sign in some ways) that I might be able to afford only two of the three lenses - and which one am I going to drop? The £1000 limit is a very strict one (even though it is self-imposed for the sake of marital harmony!).
Thing is, when the money comes through it'll probably be my last chance for a few years (while we're building the bead shop business up) to really broaden my experimentation in photography, so I want to take the opportunity now to go as broad as possible while recognising that when I find whatever my favourite niche is I will probably need to lash out again, but to do all that without actually getting a lens I will positively regret to the extent of never putting it on the camera!
I don't think you can go wrong with either lens really. Like you said, maybe just spend a couple of days watching items on Ebay and see what condition of both lenses you can get for your money. They seem to retain their value quite well from what I'm seeing on a few sites at the moment. I even just saw a Canon 100mm Macro end nearing the £300 mark. So if you did decide wide-angle / macro isn't an area of photography you're interested in anymore, you should be able to sell the lenses on for a really reasonable price.
Yeah, it will make a great portrait lens as well. I find myself using mine for all sorts of stuff, with it attached to my camera body more than it probably should be! From portraits, macro wildlife to even a product shoot last week where I was very happy to have it with me.
What other lenses have you got? It's hard for me to recommend what lenses to get without knowing what you have all ready, or even what sort of photography interests you. But I would probably look at getting the wide-angle and the macro first, then seeing what money you have left over.
I have to ask though. What are these dead subjects you'll be shooting? hah
phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
At the moment I'm running with the kit EF-S 18-55, the 50mm f/1.8 (sometimes coupled with Kenko extension tubes) and the EF-S 55-250 (which I find really good for top-of-bus city stuff and wildlife).
But I find the 50mm prime a bit narrow on a crop body as a general walkabout lens (I'm accustomed to 50mm from my childhood but then had a big big old gap before taking it up again). Hence wanting something 30mm-ish.
Done enough macro with the extension tubes to want to do more (and the portrait stuff is a bonus, but a nice one).
The wide-angle is a bit of a stab in the dark. Never tried it before and looking forward to getting all excited over it!
As to my subjects, I suppose I should have said inanimate rather than dead - well, mostly. Closest I get to living things in macro is plants.
any of you have experience with crossing old lenses with new bodies? M42 to Nikon I'm trying to do. I read that some adapters do exist for this transition but ones with the infinity glass aren't great and the ones without are only good for close up.
just wanna find an adapter that lets me use this lens to it's fullest on a new body.
just wanna find an adapter that lets me use this lens to it's fullest on a new body.
wasn't sure what this means. after some googling would that require my camera have an "AF motor" or whatever? I searched around and I'm not sure my D5100 has that so I'm guessing the M42 lenses wouldn't focus accurately with this body?
you know so much about camera equipment :O
Is there no way you could borrow / test a wide angle lens before you decide what to buy? You might play around with one and feel that 20mm on the wide is enough to keep you happy without needing to buy a 30mm prime as well.
When I bought my first wide-angle years ago, I went straight up to the Lake District with it and I've been addicted to landscapes ever since. Get a wide-angle and the Canon 60mm macro and I think you will be happy for a long time to come!
Pagusas
Elden Member
is there a fast, sharp canon lens that can take full body portraits and achieve a very shallow DOF? I can achieve the effect now with my 50mm 1.8, but i have to a good 20-30ft back to get a full body shot (though i am working on a 1.6 crop factor). Is there like a 35mm or 20mm thats decently priced (under $1500)
Update on my "travel camera" purchase too. After playing around with some cameras and reading reviews and specs, I think I may just buy this bad boy:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=891105&is=REG&Q=&A=details
I'm dont like the fixed lens, but looking at its specs and what it can acheive I think I can live with it as a 100% travel camera, as honestly I wouldnt want to be carrying extra lenses with me anyway.
Update on my "travel camera" purchase too. After playing around with some cameras and reading reviews and specs, I think I may just buy this bad boy:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=891105&is=REG&Q=&A=details
I'm dont like the fixed lens, but looking at its specs and what it can acheive I think I can live with it as a 100% travel camera, as honestly I wouldnt want to be carrying extra lenses with me anyway.
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
The Canon 35L is the lens you're looking for (the thin depth of field is intensified when paired with a Full Frame camera). Goes for $1300 on Amazon.
Pagusas
Elden Member
!!! Perfect! thank you so much.
I meant a tube sorry. M42 are first generation of manual focus lens from 40-60 years ago. Obviously they don't have auto focus mechanism. You have to manually focus with your hand.
As far as your d5100, it doesn't have a in-body focus motor so it can not auto focus with older AF-D lens.Only newer AF-S will work. More expensive Nikon bodies can use both AFD and AFS lens.
ah ok
so I'm guessing this adapter ring would work?
http://compare.ebay.com/like/200833262570?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
by tube do you mean like an extension tube? what would you recommend for that?
gonna order this stuff tonight.
i posted earlier that i used a newer 70-200mm f/2.8 (non IS) from a friend and it was magnificent, a beast for sure though. And agreed that the white makes it even more "in your face". The 135mm is much smaller, but i have a hard time finding enough usage for a prime of that focal length.
With the APS-C sensor you could also use the much much cheaper sigma 30/1.4.
Pagusas
Elden Member
I like to only buy full frame compatible lenses as I know my next SLR will be full frame, but thank you for the suggestion!
DarkJediKnight
Member
Hi, the Sigma 35mm (art series) kills the canon L in terms of quality and value. End of story. Save your money!
Wide angle FF lens are easily 3x more expensive the APS lens in the same focal league. That would be an unwise upgrade strategy.
Instigator
Banned
is there a fast, sharp canon lens that can take full body portraits and achieve a very shallow DOF? I can achieve the effect now with my 50mm 1.8, but i have to a good 20-30ft back to get a full body shot (though i am working on a 1.6 crop factor). Is there like a 35mm or 20mm thats decently priced (under $1500)
Update on my "travel camera" purchase too. After playing around with some cameras and reading reviews and specs, I think I may just buy this bad boy:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=891105&is=REG&Q=&A=details
I'm dont like the fixed lens, but looking at its specs and what it can acheive I think I can live with it as a 100% travel camera, as honestly I wouldnt want to be carrying extra lenses with me anyway.
I don't like to tell people to wait for other cameras, but Sony is heavily rumored to introduce a Full Frame mirrorless camera soon, giving probably what you really want. The RX1 is just their expensive trial camera, much like the Fuji X100 lead to the Fuji mirrorless system.
Save your money.
Valkyr Junkie
Member
The latest rumor from last week is that the FF NEX won't be out until 2014 unfortunately. I think I'm more curious to see if there will be a follow up to the RX1 later this year.
Pagusas
Elden Member
I dont have to much issue waiting another year if it will open me up to better options at a more reasonable price. Thank you for the advice
Annual release cycle for a 2500 camera? That would be funnier.
You don't say what you like or not...so look for a Nikon D7000. This brings a bunch of external controls, dual dials, etc, along with a sensor upgrade. Could even get by "body only" and use your D3100 lens if $$ short.
are there any previews on this? The canon 70-200/2.8 is so damn sharp, i'd be interested in Tokina comes close, for the moment, i'm saving up and trying to decide if i really need IS
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
Totally forgot about the new Sigma and I agree. It even rivals the Zeiss.
DarkJediKnight
Member
In my opinion, it's the best L lens Canon never made!! It's as good as the 135mm L lens, which to me is the sharpest thing I've ever seen.
There is really nothing that competes with the Sigma 35mm in the wider focal range for the value/price. I was shocked by how good it was.
entremet
Member
Of the RX1?
Its not out yet. Its going to be cheaper and in black.If I have to guess, I would say it will have decent IQ but focus slower. You can buy camo skin for your lens you know.
Pagusas
Elden Member
im hearing mixed things, will that 35mm lens work with a 5D MIII without problem? I thought APS-C lenses would leave a warped black border on the picture when put on a Full Frame camera?
Oh, I don't care about the white just the price tag... get what you pay for
NEOGAF Camera dudes assemble!
Going to buy my first DSLR camera in a few months but my with a bit of a limited budget I want to know which is best
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
Canon 650D
Does the touchscreen on the 650D really make it better? How is the picture/video quality between the 3?
Going to buy my first DSLR camera in a few months but my with a bit of a limited budget I want to know which is best
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
Canon 650D
Does the touchscreen on the 650D really make it better? How is the picture/video quality between the 3?
I have the D5100 which I believe is the slightly older model of the 5200. It's a great camera and I like how it easily mount all the old Nikon lenses without adapters.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
What's more important to you? Spending as little money as possible, but still getting gear that can take a decent shot, or features?
If you're worried about your budget, get a cheaper canon with a cheap 50mm prime lens
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00007E7JU/?tag=neogaf0e-20
If you have a lot of friends with Nikon gear who don't mind sharing with you, get Nikon instead.
If video is more important to you, Canons usually do it better, but that may have changed with the newer Nikons, I'm not sure.
I have no idea about the touchscreens, never used a DSLR that had one. Don't really see why I'd need to, either.
Guys, how come DSLRs are so expensive in the US compared to other electronics? I have a fried who is in Boston at the moment and he asked me if I wanted him to buy anything for me so I started looking at a couple of things I "need". Laptops etc. are really cheap compared to what they cost here but DSLRs cost about the same for some reason?
Honestly I think camera gear just tends to be expensive world wide, the only place I have been to that was cheaper was Japan and even then it was pretty marginal in difference.
Fuji X20 pre-order placed. My local camera shop said they expect delivery before the end of the month.
I ma very interested in your thoughts after you get it!
Update on my "travel camera" purchase too. After playing around with some cameras and reading reviews and specs, I think I may just buy this bad boy:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=891105&is=REG&Q=&A=details
I'm dont like the fixed lens, but looking at its specs and what it can acheive I think I can live with it as a 100% travel camera, as honestly I wouldnt want to be carrying extra lenses with me anyway.
I would suggest you at least look into the Fujifilm X100s. It will be significantly cheaper and has a viewfinder.
The Rock has some interesting comments on the exposure compensation here: http://kenrockwell.com/sony/rx1.htm
Sounds very unappealing.
Pagusas
Elden Member
Why do you think they are expensive? I find them to have the same range any other electronic will have.
You have your super cheap DSLR's starting at under $500, just like a laptop or TV. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004J3Y9U6/?tag=neogaf0e-20
You have your mid tier going between 700 - 1500 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00894YWD0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
You have your mid/high tier going between 1500 - 2200 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B0MZ8U/?tag=neogaf0e-20
You have your high end tier at 2200 - 3500. - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FGYZFI/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Then you have your insane/Pro/Business tier going for what ever the market will support - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Y3T1AI/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Nothing seems out of place to me? Are you just thinking you need an insane high end camera?
Hm, you are right. Those cameras do look significantly cheaper there than they are over here. I must misread prices or something.
Pagusas
Elden Member
seriously, wow at this:
"There is no way to vary these settings. Auto ISO always uses 1/80 as its minimum shutter speed, so it can't be set to a higher 1/125 as I prefer for family shots, and can't be set down to 1/15 or 1/8 as I'd prefer for other shots. Auto ISO queerly uses f/4 as its maximum aperture before it starts ramping-up ISO.
In other words, as the light gets dimmer than f/4 at 1/80 at ISO 100, ISO starts climbing in Auto ISO until it hits the maximum ISO value you've preset, and only then starts using slower shutter speeds or larger apertures."
The hell? I'd end up spendning all my time micromanaging the camera in Manual mode just to get her to behave. Sad as I do not like the design of the Fugi
I'll just wait.zephervack
Member
seriously, wow at this:
"There is no way to vary these settings. Auto ISO always uses 1/80 as its minimum shutter speed, so it can't be set to a higher 1/125 as I prefer for family shots, and can't be set down to 1/15 or 1/8 as I'd prefer for other shots. Auto ISO queerly uses f/4 as its maximum aperture before it starts ramping-up ISO.
In other words, as the light gets dimmer than f/4 at 1/80 at ISO 100, ISO starts climbing in Auto ISO until it hits the maximum ISO value you've preset, and only then starts using slower shutter speeds or larger apertures."
The hell? I'd end up spendning all my time micromanaging the camera in Manual mode just to get her to behave. Sad as I do not like the design of the Fugi
WhatsWrongWithYou.jpg
Opinions I know, but what dont you like about the Fuji?
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