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View Full Version : Thinking outloud... ( a lens dilemma)


fetching
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 18:58
Short backgrounder:


Last summer I bought a 300D with the kit lens. I wanted a sharper, faster lens and heard great things about the 50mm 1.8 Mark 1, so I asked for one and got it for Xmas. About 2 months ago I decided to upgrade to the 350Xt and I ordered it with the lens, so those are the lenses I currently have.

Oddly enough, the day after I sold me 300D and put in the order for my 350XT, I was contacted by some people I had done some work for in the past. To make a long story short, before I even had my new camera in my hands, I had sold an image to a magazine and was hired to shoot two events.

I have never been that impressed with the kit lens, but it does make a cheap wide angle. And the 50mm 1.8 is okay for certain things but is really limited in terms of what I am doing most often. I am shooting mostly events, landscape and architecture for the paying photo jobs and long exposure night photography for my personal stuff.

I realize that i need a better walkaround lens, and have been looking at the 17-40 f 4 L. While I wish that it was a little faster, I think it would be a good lens for the things I am doing right now. The fact I am making money off my photography I think really requires that I invest in the appropriate equipment.

I'm also aware of the price that the 50mm 1.8 Mark 1 has been fetching on ebay, about $150. and up. The reason I bought the Mark I was that people said it was better than the Mark II because of the mount. I've seen images made by both lenses and they both look about the same to me.

So I am thinking this: sell the 50mm on ebay for as much as i can get and put it towards the 17-40 L. If I desperately need a fast lens for something, I can buy a 50mm Mark II in a month or so for around $70. new. If I don't miss it, then I won't buy one, and look for a better lens, like that 50mm 1.4 that i've seen some nice images from here on the board. Actually, the next lens on my list is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L .

So I guess I am looking for some opinions, if selling the Mark I is a good idea. I'm nervous about doing it for some reason, maybe because it's the fastest lens I have and you never know when you might need one. I'm also interested in hearing about a nice fast portrait lens that I can invest in once I get squared away with my higher priorities.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. :)

Sean-Mcr
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 19:26
I have the 50mm 1.4 and the 85 1.8. I like fast lenses which is why i paid the extra for a 16-35 F2.8 over the 17-40 F4

I was disspointed with how soft the images looked wide open with the 16-35. Of course the primes are going to be sharper and maybe they made me judge the 16-35 too harshly. But i just wasn't happy with it at 2.8 and that is why i paid the extra for it over the 17-40 which is too slow for me

So i returned the 16-35, i may look at another copy i'm keeping my options open


As for portrait lenses, well the 85 1.8 that i have is a beauty. I can't justify the price of the 85 1.2L (though i'd love one). But the 50 makes a fine portrait on the 350's 1.6x crop

Many people think that everybody should have a 50mm prime in their kit, and i'm one of those people. I'd keep it or upgrade to the 1.4 and just save for the 17-40

the.digital.guy
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 19:40
Take a look and test the EF-S 10-22mm.
It is (in my opion) a better lens in quality and sharpness in photos.
Just test it!!!

CyberDyneSystems
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 19:42
If you can get $140.00 for the MkI I[d sell it to finance a lens you'll use more,. or to get teh f/1.4

Belmondo
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 19:46
One of the 50mm f/1.8 Mk I lenses just sold on eBay for $157.50. I'm seriously thinking of dumping mine now. I already have the f/1.4 anyway, and hardly use it.