What lens for family portraits?

[dennykyser]

I have 2 lens now, the inexpensive 28-105 4.5 zoom that came with my Elan 7E and a 100mm 2.0 usm lens for portraits. I like to do portraits and family portraits what would be a good second lens. I was considering the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens but wonder with the good quality 100mm lens I have if I should get a 50mm instead.

Also will the cheap lens that came with the E7 work good for landscapes? I have heard that the lens is not good quality, if so why do they even include it???

[maderito]

I have 2 lens now, the inexpensive 28-105 4.5 zoom that came with my Elan 7E and a 100mm 2.0 usm lens for portraits. I like to do portraits and family portraits what would be a good second lens. I was considering the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens but wonder with the good quality 100mm lens I have if I should get a 50mm instead. Also will the cheap lens that came with the E7 work good for landscapes? I have heard that the lens is not good quality, if so why do they even include it???

Get the 50mm f/1.8. It's terrific for most portrait settings, and you already have the 100mm/2.0 (another great lens) if you want tighter shots.

You'll still be wanting a zoom to replace that 28-105 zoom. I'm sure of this becaue you'lll quickly notice that the difference in image quality between the two primes you'll own (you are buying that 50/1.8, right :) ) and the 28-105 is quite dramatic when captured on your new 10D.

Plenty of advice on this forum re: 28-135 IS, and of course the more expensive zooms: 17-40L, 24-70L, and 70-200L. If you're serious about outdoor shooting and landscapes, give the 17-40L/f4 a good look.

My guess is that your Elan 7e, a very nice camera, won't be seeing much light in the days ahead.

[dennykyser]

Boy did you hit the nail on the head with me.

I have went from Rebel-Elan II, Elan IIE, A2, A2E, now the Elan 7E and D10 and your right, the 7 will probably need dusting alot. Everyone on the forum sugested the D10 over the Rebel, and I am glad, i can sleep at night and not wonder,, why didnt I go for it.

I initially thought I would use my 7E for hunting etc, but can see will be hard to leave the D10 at home.

Thanks for the advice on lens, I am glad I asked, I take it that the 28-105 is not even good for landscapes??? If nothing else, that will be my beach or hunting lens.

[defordphoto]

Denny: Word to the wise: It's a 10D. On some forums, even here on rare occasions, you'll get slammed for calling it a D10. Not being hypercritical, just trying to save you some heartache should you make the same mistake over on dpreview or some other unforgiving forum. :)

[dennykyser]

Thanks, appreciate the heads up,,, wonder how many posts I have messed up :roll:

[dennykyser]

Are you talking about this 50mm lens? If so hard to believe that you can get a good lens for $70.00.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12142&is=USA

[toddb]

Are you talking about this 50mm lens? If so hard to believe that you can get a good lens for $70.00.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12142&is=USA

Hey, I got that lens! It's allot of bang for your buck. Sure, it's not real smooth and you have to turn AF off so that you can manual focus...but for the price it takes great pictures. Everyone should have one in their bag.

I got it just so I can see how much I use the f1.8 so I could tell if I'd really need that 70-200L f2.8 or if the f4 version would be enough...I'm going to have to wait for enough cash for the f2.8 with IS.

[chris.bailey]

I have 2 lens now, the inexpensive 28-105 4.5 zoom that came with my Elan 7E and a 100mm 2.0 usm lens for portraits. I like to do portraits and family portraits what would be a good second lens. I was considering the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens but wonder with the good quality 100mm lens I have if I should get a 50mm instead.

Also will the cheap lens that came with the E7 work good for landscapes? I have heard that the lens is not good quality, if so why do they even include it???

I use the 28-135 for portraits a fair bit, particulalry with kids who tend to leap around a bit requiring some zoom. You cant beat the 50mm prime though for set pieces, it crops out at 80mm which always was the classic focal length for portraits.

[Canuck]

I have used the Canon 16-35 F2.8L and it works great! Speaking of which, I need to fire off a few more to the people I did the pics for. I have put that on the back burner as I am in the middle of about 7 things at once.

[jjguest]

i use sigma 50mm ex macro2.8 and i am very happy with this lens
http://www.pbase.com/image/22179219.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/jjguest

[msvirick]

I wonder what does sigma 50mm ex macro2.8 cost?

[timmyquest]

I wonder what does sigma 50mm ex macro2.8 cost?

Bout 250
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=sigma+50mm+f%2F2.8+ex&btnG=Search+Froogl e