I need advice on some lenses please!! I need to buy some for work i'm doing!

[FlikChick]

Ok. So i'm new to this site. But i like all the different topics in all the categories. I cant check them all yet to find wut i need.

I'm doing shots for some bands,I have an old film camera I've been using. But i been using the Canon 40D and its a 17-85 mm. It's an awesome camera and I've done great things with it. But I've been researching some lenses for specific things.

I'm doing portraits,bands live, cars racing, and kinda glamour/fashion.
Which lenses do u recommend for these things? I have some money to play with and stretch,I've been saving and I can get 3 lenses for sure.

Also. For studio lighting, I'm confused a lil. I wanted to get the 3 light kit or maybe a handheld flash,but wuts the difference. Any techniques or tricks I can do?

Lenses I'm looking at: 50mm/1.4 , 50mm/1.8 , 85mm/1.8 , 90mm/2.8, Ef-s 60mm Macro

Now,for macros i'm lost. I want a good one,but thats least the most afforable,lol...i know dp equipment is anything but....but still :o. I was thinking maybe extension tubes?

Sigma 28-70mm/ 2.8 - 4.0 High speed zoom, 28-70mm/2.8-4.0 DG Asperical large ap......(wuts the difference? thats how they were labeled)

[Tee Why]

I'm doing portraits,bands live, cars racing, and kinda glamour/fashion.

Lenses I'm looking at: 50mm/1.4 , 50mm/1.8 , 85mm/1.8 , 90mm/2.8, Ef-s 60mm Macro


For portraits, a 50mm f1.4 or a 85mm f1.8 would be nice. 50mm if you want half body to head shots and 85mm if you mainly want headshots.
Bands? Maybe Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS or a Sigma 30mm f1.4.

A Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L in IS or non IS version may serve well for Sports/Portraits/Glamour as well.

Good luck.

[winkles]

if your getting a 50mm 1.4 you wont want the 50mm 1.8 - the build is mince.

If your looking at macro the EF-s 60 will not work on full frame cameras if you ever change your body.
If you consider the 100 f2.8 it can be used for head shot portraits rather than the 85 1.8 and that might save you some money.

Extension tubes for macro may help but it depends what you want to shoot.

For motorsports I think you are going to want somethin longer than the the lenses you were considering.

[number six]

The 60 mm EF-S macro is a great lens for macros and portraits (60 mm on a 40D will give you a good, flattering perspective for head shots). I have one - it's extremely sharp. Compact, too.

The 100 f/2.8 macro is also an excellent lens, but bigger and more expensive.

-js

[ChrisRabior]

+1 to all the advice on the 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8L

If the budget allows for it, you'll probably be quite happy with a 300mm f/4 for sports and auto races. That paired with the 70-200 would make an excellent combo for what you're looking to do, and would complement your 17-85 quite nicely.

I think you'd be best to ask what you need. If you're looking for faster shutter in the range you're already using, the 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 are obviously the way to go. If you need more reach, then the 70-200mm f/2.8 or a telephoto prime.

As far as the designations on the lenses, check out the sigma web page for the Sigma Lens Overview (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses.asp)

[RyanQ]

Sigma 50mm F/1.4

[FlikChick]

For portraits, a 50mm f1.4 or a 85mm f1.8 would be nice. 50mm if you want half body to head shots and 85mm if you mainly want headshots.
Bands? Maybe Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS or a Sigma 30mm f1.4.

A Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L in IS or non IS version may serve well for Sports/Portraits/Glamour as well.

Good luck.


Thank you very much! I already bought 2 of those lenses,I got the 50 mm 1.8 and I'm going to see if i can get the 70-200mm 2.8. lol. I'm going to school for this,but I'm working with different clients already. It's lil confusing seeing i just started,and switching from Film to Digital is crazy for me, = )

[FlikChick]

wow. god this makes things alot easier,lol. this semester i took off for work to get more money,hence the photo gigs.
I have the 50mm 1.8, but a family member gave me a 1.4 because they heard me rambling on about it and i didnt get anythign for xmas because me family isn't that close. So i felt so special when she did that, but now i have both,lol,I guess i can use the both. But i understand theres just a slight difference. I worked my tush off to save for equipment so i appreciate all ur advice. I might need help for more things later....so stick around please! = )

[purd002]

for almost any sort of racing you're gonna need more length than 85. 200 minimum.