What lens should someone on a relatively smaller budget invest in? at DVinfo.net

Arif Syed · February 15th, 2010, 01:10 PM

Which lens would give me the most action? I often just rent out lenses depending on what I will be doing, but I need something other than the stock that I can go to whenever I need to.

Paul Cuoco · February 15th, 2010, 02:08 PM

A great walk around lens that will cover most common focal lengths on a budget is the Tamron 17-50mm. It can be had brand new for about $450, or you can spend more for the "VC" version which has Image Stabilization. It's a very popular lens for this camera.

Please bear in mind however, while this lens is excellent optically, it's not as quiet as a Canon USM lens during autofocus, and mechanically it focuses backwards from Canon lenses. Lastly it has a short focus ring rotation, making manual fine focus adjustments a bit more difficult.

Nothing you can't adjust to, but things to consider. Good luck.

Bill Pryor · February 15th, 2010, 05:05 PM

Depends on what you're doing. If you need wide angle, that Tamron is excellent. I have a Tokina 16-50 that I like, but it's not quite long enough for tight closeups when shooting interviews, so I also have a Tamron 28-75, which is perfect for that. Both are 2.8 lenses. Both have a short focus throw, with the Tokina being a bit better.

Brian Luce · February 15th, 2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Cuoco

Lastly it has a short focus ring rotation, making manual fine focus adjustments a bit more difficult.

This can be a real issue with video work since AF is useless.

Jared Costa · February 17th, 2010, 05:38 AM

Was also wondering if anyone had any ideas on lenses for the 7D? So far I've found these two:

Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens with Opteka 58mm UV Filter for Canon EOS SLR Cameras Including the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, & T1i: 47th Street Photo

Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC AF Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, & 50D Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

I'm willing to spend a couple hundred more if need be...

Cheers

Kin Lau · February 17th, 2010, 09:18 AM

The kit Canon EFS-18-55 with IS would be better, and still very cheap.

Arif Syed · February 17th, 2010, 03:58 PM

I think the Tamron 28-75 would be the best for me. I know the other __-55 lenses are far superior to the stock 28-55 lens, but I feel the close up potential of the Tamron is worth it.

Brian Luce · February 17th, 2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif Syed

I think the Tamron 28-75 would be the best for me. I know the other __-55 lenses are far superior to the stock 28-55 lens, but I feel the close up potential of the Tamron is worth it.

I own this lens and use it as my walkaround lens. I like it. but it also suffers from short focus ring travel. I think with a follow focus you might get adequate ring travel though. I'm thinking you might get about 180 degrees of travel with a FF.

Daniel Browning · February 17th, 2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Costa

Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom

I'm willing to spend a couple hundred more if need be...

Stay away. The manual focus on that lens is sloppier than a dog's lunch. I had the "APO" version ($50 more) for a while, and the contrast/resolution was fantastic at 70mm, but other than that, you get what you pay for.

For The Canon EF-S 55-250 for only $90 more ($250) has is a much better image quality and I.S. on top of that, but the focus ring is still pretty poor.

At that price range, I can't think of any telephoto zoom lenses that have nice focus rings. You might consider looking for older used lenses -- hopefully you can find one with a focus ring that's smooth, well-damped, with long rotation. Unless you also want to use it for still photography, in which case the 55-250 is the best value around.

Arif Syed · February 17th, 2010, 08:38 PM

what do you guys think of the Canon 50mm 1.8? Very good price point and as a noob, seeing the 1.8 got me excited.

Brian Luce · February 17th, 2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif Syed

what do you guys think of the Canon 50mm 1.8? Very good price point and as a noob, seeing the 1.8 got me excited.

Okay for stills but nearly impossible to get manual focus. Lousy for video.

Arif Syed · February 17th, 2010, 10:08 PM

One of my personal interview spaces is in my editing studio (how original, eh?) and t is very dark. Since this is an interview spot and the subject would be sitting, would the 50mm be suitable then? Obviously, this is straying from my "versatile lens" topic, but the test videos im watching are jaw dropping.

Daniel Browning · February 17th, 2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif Syed

Since this is an interview spot and the subject would be sitting, would the 50mm be suitable then?

Yes, as long as the subject sits perfectly still and you don't need to follow focus, it should be fine. The 50mm f/1.8 focus ring moves with even the slightest vibration -- such as when the mirror slaps up at the start/stop of liveview/video. After you dial it in with manual focus, switch it to autofocus to lock it in position.

Contrast, flare, vignetting, and resolution all really improve if you stop down to f/2.8, but the downside is that bokeh changes from ugly harsh circles to even uglier harsh pentagons. Out of all Canon lenses, it's still the best value by far.

Jared Costa · February 18th, 2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kin Lau

The kit Canon EFS-18-55 with IS would be better, and still very cheap.

Did you know if this would be better? Canon EF-S 17-85 mm F4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review. Article says it seems to be quite a good lens, just not sure about low light performance?

Thanks again

Pedanes Bol · February 18th, 2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif Syed

what do you guys think of the Canon 50mm 1.8? Very good price point and as a noob, seeing the 1.8 got me excited.

You may also consider Canon 35mm f2. Brand new, it retails about $300. I purchased a used one and I actually like it more than the expensive L lens (24-105mm f4) I have.

P.

February 15th, 2010, 01:10 PM	#1
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	What lens should someone on a relatively smaller budget invest in? Which lens would give me the most action? I often just rent out lenses depending on what I will be doing, but I need something other than the stock that I can go to whenever I need to.

February 15th, 2010, 02:08 PM	#2
Paul Cuoco Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 93	A great walk around lens that will cover most common focal lengths on a budget is the Tamron 17-50mm. It can be had brand new for about $450, or you can spend more for the "VC" version which has Image Stabilization. It's a very popular lens for this camera. Please bear in mind however, while this lens is excellent optically, it's not as quiet as a Canon USM lens during autofocus, and mechanically it focuses backwards from Canon lenses. Lastly it has a short focus ring rotation, making manual fine focus adjustments a bit more difficult. Nothing you can't adjust to, but things to consider. Good luck. __________________ To live a creative life, we must first lose our fear of being wrong. - Joseph Chilton Pearce

February 15th, 2010, 05:05 PM	#3
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Depends on what you're doing. If you need wide angle, that Tamron is excellent. I have a Tokina 16-50 that I like, but it's not quite long enough for tight closeups when shooting interviews, so I also have a Tamron 28-75, which is perfect for that. Both are 2.8 lenses. Both have a short focus throw, with the Tokina being a bit better.

February 17th, 2010, 05:38 AM	#5
Jared Costa Tourist Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 3	Was also wondering if anyone had any ideas on lenses for the 7D? So far I've found these two: Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens with Opteka 58mm UV Filter for Canon EOS SLR Cameras Including the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, & T1i: 47th Street Photo Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC AF Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, & 50D Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo I'm willing to spend a couple hundred more if need be... Cheers

February 17th, 2010, 09:18 AM	#6
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	The kit Canon EFS-18-55 with IS would be better, and still very cheap.

February 17th, 2010, 03:58 PM	#7
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	I think the Tamron 28-75 would be the best for me. I know the other __-55 lenses are far superior to the stock 28-55 lens, but I feel the close up potential of the Tamron is worth it.

February 17th, 2010, 08:38 PM	#10
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	what do you guys think of the Canon 50mm 1.8? Very good price point and as a noob, seeing the 1.8 got me excited.

February 17th, 2010, 10:08 PM	#12
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	One of my personal interview spaces is in my editing studio (how original, eh?) and t is very dark. Since this is an interview spot and the subject would be sitting, would the 50mm be suitable then? Obviously, this is straying from my "versatile lens" topic, but the test videos im watching are jaw dropping.