NEXT LENS...

[Steve Parr]

I hope to draw upon the experience here...

I'm contemplating the purchase of a fourth lens. Right now, I've got the 300D with the kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6), a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 (hey, on SALE at Ritz!), and a Nifty 50.

This evening, I made the mistake of perusing the B&H website...

I found five lenses that are in my budget. They are: 85mm f/1.8, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/1.8, 17-40mm f/4L, and a 70-200mm f/4L.

Initially, I was leaning towards the 85mm because of the f/1.8. But, I see a lot of people here saying how "L glass" is the way to go. My main gig will be taking pictures of bands in clubs, although that won't be all I do. I figure the Nifty 50 will be good for that but, like I said, the 85mm is tempting.

I guess I'm looking, primarily, at the 85mm, the 17-40mm, and the 70-200mm.

If you were to suggest one of those lenses, given what I already have, which would it be, and why?

Many thanks...

Steve

[poke]

I assume you don't use a flash for the club gigs... so I would be leaning towards faster lenses. I doubt you would use the 70 - 200 f4 in that environment. I have the 70 - 200mm f2.8L IS which is fantastic for inside shots, but it sounds like you can't extend the budget that far.

Based on the three you said you are looking at primarily, I would suggest the 17 - 40 if you can't get away with f4. The 85 if you can't.

[tim]

For club photos you probably do want one of the F1.8 lenses, but since you have the 50mm maybe the 85mm isn't the bset choice. What else do you use the camera to take photos of?

[Volatile]

don't forget about the 50mm 1.4. A bit faster, and better quality all around.

[griff2]

The 85mm 1.8 is a good choice, but being a prime will reduce your latitude for composition, especially as the crop factor on the 300D will give you an effective 128mm. The 17-40L might be a bit short, and at f/4 you may find it too slow. The 70-200L f/4 will give you good reach, but, as with the 17-40L may be too slow. That would leave the 70-200 f/2.8 which is much more expensive.


The problem is you need a good fast zoom, and these are not cheap. My own preference would be for the 70-200L f/4 and the use of ISO 800 and 1600. You can get some very good noise reduction software, such as Noise Ninja and Noiseware (which is shareware, but, in some respects, better than Noise Ninja) to clean up the high ISO noise.

[jyrgen]

Bands in clubs. I'd start with 85/1.8 definitely. It's more than two stops faster than those f/4 zooms. It's more than the difference between ISO400 vs ISO1600. And you still have freedom to use ISO1600, say if they shut off all lights in the club but few candles. It's not an "L" only because there is another "L" at 85mm.

As the next steps, I suggest buying 28/1.8 and replacing the 50/1.8 with a 50/1.4. This way you will have three well spaced (in terms of focal lenght), similarly built and looking, high quality, fast primes (sharing even the same filter thread, maybe useful outdoors). That's more or less for what I have been thinking for myself for such occasions, only I am waiting for Sigma's 30/1.4 to hit the shelves and then trying to compare this to Canon's 28/1.8 and 35/2.

If your focus would not be on dark situations, but outdoors, I'd vote for 70-200/4 any day.

[mr.photoguy]

Bands in clubs. I'd start with 85/1.8 definitely. It's more than two stops faster than those f/4 zooms. It's more than the difference between ISO400 vs ISO1600. And you still have freedom to use ISO1600, say if they shut off all lights in the club but few candles. It's not an "L" only because there is another "L" at 85mm.

As the next steps, I suggest buying 28/1.8 and replacing the 50/1.8 with a 50/1.4. This way you will have three well spaced (in terms of focal lenght), similarly built and looking, high quality, fast primes (sharing even the same filter thread, maybe useful outdoors). That's more or less for what I have been thinking for myself for such occasions, only I am waiting for Sigma's 30/1.4 to hit the shelves and then trying to compare this to Canon's 28/1.8 and 35/2.

If your focus would not be on dark situations, but outdoors, I'd vote for 70-200/4 any day.

I agree with jyrgen...
fast primes in a club are a good way to go.
Even a 24-70 (range) f2.8 will be good to.

[snibbetsj]

I've got both the 85 f1.8 and the 24 f2.8 as well as the 70-200 f4L, all excellent lens. I use the the 24, nifty 50 and the 85 in low light shots in clubs, particularly if I can's use a flash. BTW, you might as well sell your kit lens and the 70-300 because no matter which of the lens listed you buy, those two will never make you happy again. :)

[Steve Parr]

I've got both the 85 f1.8 and the 24 f2.8 as well as the 70-200 f4L, all excellent lens. I use the the 24, nifty 50 and the 85 in low light shots in clubs, particularly if I can's use a flash. BTW, you might as well sell your kit lens and the 70-300 because no matter which of the lens listed you buy, those two will never make you happy again. :)

I've thought about selling the kit lens, but I'd probably keep the 70-300mm. I also thought about buying another body (stepping up, not another 300D), so I'd have two cameras ready to go at any one time.

Then again, if I can sell this one guitar amp I've got, I just might go crazy and get two of the lenses on my list... :D

Steve

[CyberDyneSystems]

don't forget about the 50mm 1.4. A bit faster, and better quality all around.

Better than the 85mm?? Naaahh..
As to 85mm vs. L .. the 85mm is better than most "L" Zooms.. in many ways,. AF speed,. aperture speed, and sharpness leave most zooms in the dust.

Given what you allready have.. I'd recomend the 70-200mm f/4L

[Steve Parr]

Better than the 85mm?? Naaahh..
As to 85mm vs. L .. the 85mm is better than most "L" Zooms.. in many ways,. AF speed,. aperture speed, and sharpness leave most zooms in the dust.

Given what you allready have.. I'd recomend the 70-200mm f/4L

I think I've got it narrowed down to the 85mm f/1.8 (thatf/1.8 is hard to ignore), and the 70-200mm f/4L. The pictures I've seen that were taken with the L-glass are amazing.

I do think I'm leaning towards the 85mm. L-glass will always be there, right?

Steve

[Vita Rara]

I do think I'm leaning towards the 85mm. L-glass will always be there, right?

Yes, the L glass will always be there. Anyway, I think you're making the best decision for your type of shooting. The 85 f/1.8 will likely produce as good a picture as the 70-200 f/4, and it is two stops faster. That's a lot of lattitude for shooting in the conditions you describe. The lens focuses like lightening, and is sharp as a tack. You're going to enjoy it.

Mark

[CoolToolGuy]

Either the 85mm or the 28mm are good choices for low light. A consideration may be what distance you will be at in the club/band situation, and whether you want something wider than the Nifty Fifty or more telephoto. The 85 is probably the better glass, but the 28 serves as a normal lens on a 1.6 camera, so it will give you a perspective similar to what you see with the naked eye.

There is no doubt the 70-200 f4L is an outstanding lens, and if it were me (and it was, a year or so ago) I would shuck the 75-300 for it - but not for indoor work.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,