Lens buying advice for a novice at DVinfo.net

Ben Winter · December 30th, 2005, 01:03 PM

'Ello all,

I have a Canon FD mount Letus and I have very few lenses. As my budget is very tight (I mow lawns for $30 each, nice to meet you!) I just need to know what kinds of lenses will get me by. This is what I have:

50mm f1.4
55mm f1.2 (don't ask how I got it)
something like a 50-200mm zoom f3.5

I just know I'll need at least one more lens than that. Can anyone recommend some, in order of importance, to round out my arsenal?

Quinn OConnell · December 30th, 2005, 01:37 PM

Ben, faster the better i say.

I have the 50mm 1.4 and,

28mm f2
85mm 1.8
135mm f2.5

which completes the range + a zoom to frame with ( still to get)
I really like the 135mm not alot of breathing compared to the others.
the set wasnt expensive - 100£ for the lot posted :
Keep searching ebay and youll get some good buys.

Ben Winter · December 30th, 2005, 04:22 PM

Darn you! I can't find any of them for under $100. Oh well, I'll just keep my eyes peeled...

Andrew Todd · January 6th, 2006, 06:35 PM

i just got :

canon 28mm f2.8
canon 50mm f1.8

paid about $25 for the 28mm and $60 for the 50mm. Were these allright deals or do i have to turn around and sell them back on ebay?

Ben Winter · January 6th, 2006, 07:30 PM

$60 seems a little high for the 50mm 1.8 but you wrote 50mm for both so I don't know which one you're really talking about.

Andrew Todd · January 6th, 2006, 08:27 PM

sorry 60 for the 28mm.. canadian prices too..

(that reminds me : 50cent just came to my city... but here in canada we call him 63cents)

Cody Dulock · January 7th, 2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Todd

sorry 60 for the 28mm.. canadian prices too..

(that reminds me : 50cent just came to my city... but here in canada we call him 63cents)

ahahaha

try and get a wide lens like a 24mm or wider (if you can find it in your price range). if not try for a zoom like 24-70 or something like that. always remember the faster the lens the better.

Andrew Todd · January 7th, 2006, 07:47 AM

cant find any on ebay at this moment in my price range. i've been tyring all the pawn shops in town.. maybe ill get one that doesnt know what they have..

Brian Valente · January 7th, 2006, 10:21 AM

Ben

I think the hole in your lens selection is a reasonable wide angle. Given your budget I'd recommend going off-brand. I picked up a Vivitar (for Canon FD mount) 28mm f2 for $35 from the local Sammy's. A fast wide angle is going to be painful to find for cheap, but its possible. Alternatively you could consider a 35mm f2-f2.8. I picked up a nikkor 35mm f2 for $55

You just have to be patient and look. A LOT!

Andrew Todd · January 7th, 2006, 10:44 AM

I think the hole in your lens selection is a reasonable wide angle. Given your budget I'd recommend going off-brand. I picked up a Vivitar (for Canon FD mount) 28mm f2 for $35 from the local Sammy's. A fast wide angle is going to be painful to find for cheap, but its possible. Alternatively you could consider a 35mm f2-f2.8. I picked up a nikkor 35mm f2 for $55

in reply:
whats wrong with the 28mm i have now? is it not fast enough? im really a novice with these still lenses..

someone correct me if im wrong cuz im trying to learn all i can abou these:
my 50mm : a standard lens (comparable to what the human eye sees). - f/1.8 (not bad for lighting...but 1.4 would be better)

my 28mm: a wider angle lens - f/2.8 ( is this not good for this lens??)

what lenses should i buy (and which ones of these should i get rid of) to have a set good enough to cover every shot i would need? And when you guys refer to these lenses as "faster" is that referring to the f#?

Brian Valente · January 7th, 2006, 12:13 PM

Andrew - my response was to Ben. Those lenses you have sound fine.

Andrew Todd · January 7th, 2006, 12:32 PM

sorry misread that brian.. but what other lenses could i use? I've been used to using the gl1.. moving up to the xl1s.. so ive always only had the choice of either the wd58 wide angle, a fisheye or the regular lens. so im trying to learn the uses of these lenses and which ones i should have and what i would use them for.

Brian Valente · January 7th, 2006, 12:48 PM

Lenses are like crack - they are highly addictive. Always looking for one *slightly* different look :)

For you I'd say you could use a good 85mm f1.8, perhaps a 105mm f2.5

I'd also highly recommend a good macro extension tube for closeup work. Remarkably useful and only 30-60 USD

Ben Winter · January 7th, 2006, 01:54 PM

I just got a 35mm f2 in the mail, and I bought it on your suggestion Brian. From what little I've used of it it produces a really decent frame.

And, of course, I'm always on the lookout for a fast 28mm at a cheap price (who isn't?) but I think I have a decent selection now to get done what I need to get done. Thanks!

Ben Winter · January 7th, 2006, 07:51 PM

Just shot some stuff with my 55mm f1.2, here:

http://media.frozenphoenixproductions.com/thejob.mov

I'm sorry it's not streaming, it was but I had to resave it in quicktime and forgot to enable it. It's only about 7 megs though so save it to your desktop.

I know my condenser distance is way off, the image was dark and there's barrel distortion--I've since fixed that. Enjoy.

December 30th, 2005, 01:03 PM	#1
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Lens buying advice for a novice 'Ello all, I have a Canon FD mount Letus and I have very few lenses. As my budget is very tight (I mow lawns for $30 each, nice to meet you!) I just need to know what kinds of lenses will get me by. This is what I have: 50mm f1.4 55mm f1.2 (don't ask how I got it) something like a 50-200mm zoom f3.5 I just know I'll need at least one more lens than that. Can anyone recommend some, in order of importance, to round out my arsenal? __________________ BenWinter.com

December 30th, 2005, 04:22 PM	#3
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Darn you! I can't find any of them for under $100. Oh well, I'll just keep my eyes peeled... __________________ BenWinter.com

January 6th, 2006, 06:35 PM	#4
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	i just got : canon 28mm f2.8 canon 50mm f1.8 paid about $25 for the 28mm and $60 for the 50mm. Were these allright deals or do i have to turn around and sell them back on ebay? __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi Last edited by Andrew Todd; January 6th, 2006 at 08:26 PM.

January 6th, 2006, 07:30 PM	#5
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	$60 seems a little high for the 50mm 1.8 but you wrote 50mm for both so I don't know which one you're really talking about. __________________ BenWinter.com

January 6th, 2006, 08:27 PM	#6
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	sorry 60 for the 28mm.. canadian prices too.. (that reminds me : 50cent just came to my city... but here in canada we call him 63cents) __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

December 30th, 2005, 01:37 PM	#2
Quinn OConnell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 94	Ben, faster the better i say. I have the 50mm 1.4 and, 28mm f2 85mm 1.8 135mm f2.5 which completes the range + a zoom to frame with ( still to get) I really like the 135mm not alot of breathing compared to the others. the set wasnt expensive - 100£ for the lot posted : Keep searching ebay and youll get some good buys.

January 7th, 2006, 07:47 AM	#8
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	cant find any on ebay at this moment in my price range. i've been tyring all the pawn shops in town.. maybe ill get one that doesnt know what they have.. __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

January 7th, 2006, 10:21 AM	#9
Brian Valente Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 293	Ben I think the hole in your lens selection is a reasonable wide angle. Given your budget I'd recommend going off-brand. I picked up a Vivitar (for Canon FD mount) 28mm f2 for $35 from the local Sammy's. A fast wide angle is going to be painful to find for cheap, but its possible. Alternatively you could consider a 35mm f2-f2.8. I picked up a nikkor 35mm f2 for $55 You just have to be patient and look. A LOT! __________________ ========================== Brian Valente Redrock Microsystems

January 7th, 2006, 10:44 AM	#10
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	I think the hole in your lens selection is a reasonable wide angle. Given your budget I'd recommend going off-brand. I picked up a Vivitar (for Canon FD mount) 28mm f2 for $35 from the local Sammy's. A fast wide angle is going to be painful to find for cheap, but its possible. Alternatively you could consider a 35mm f2-f2.8. I picked up a nikkor 35mm f2 for $55 in reply: whats wrong with the 28mm i have now? is it not fast enough? im really a novice with these still lenses.. someone correct me if im wrong cuz im trying to learn all i can abou these: my 50mm : a standard lens (comparable to what the human eye sees). - f/1.8 (not bad for lighting...but 1.4 would be better) my 28mm: a wider angle lens - f/2.8 ( is this not good for this lens??) what lenses should i buy (and which ones of these should i get rid of) to have a set good enough to cover every shot i would need? And when you guys refer to these lenses as "faster" is that referring to the f#? __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

January 7th, 2006, 12:13 PM	#11
Brian Valente Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 293	Andrew - my response was to Ben. Those lenses you have sound fine. __________________ ========================== Brian Valente Redrock Microsystems

January 7th, 2006, 12:32 PM	#12
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	sorry misread that brian.. but what other lenses could i use? I've been used to using the gl1.. moving up to the xl1s.. so ive always only had the choice of either the wd58 wide angle, a fisheye or the regular lens. so im trying to learn the uses of these lenses and which ones i should have and what i would use them for. __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

January 7th, 2006, 12:48 PM	#13
Brian Valente Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 293	Lenses are like crack - they are highly addictive. Always looking for one slightly different look :) For you I'd say you could use a good 85mm f1.8, perhaps a 105mm f2.5 I'd also highly recommend a good macro extension tube for closeup work. Remarkably useful and only 30-60 USD __________________ ========================== Brian Valente Redrock Microsystems

January 7th, 2006, 01:54 PM	#14
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I just got a 35mm f2 in the mail, and I bought it on your suggestion Brian. From what little I've used of it it produces a really decent frame. And, of course, I'm always on the lookout for a fast 28mm at a cheap price (who isn't?) but I think I have a decent selection now to get done what I need to get done. Thanks! __________________ BenWinter.com

January 7th, 2006, 07:51 PM	#15
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Just shot some stuff with my 55mm f1.2, here: http://media.frozenphoenixproductions.com/thejob.mov I'm sorry it's not streaming, it was but I had to resave it in quicktime and forgot to enable it. It's only about 7 megs though so save it to your desktop. I know my condenser distance is way off, the image was dark and there's barrel distortion--I've since fixed that. Enjoy. __________________ BenWinter.com