Prime or Zoom best for low light?

[crc_408]

Would appreciate any suggestions on which type and lens works best for low-light indoor situations. Already have a 50mm/1.8, but I'm looking for something a bit wider, but can't decided between a prime or zoom.

Here's a couple of lens I"m looking at in each catagory:

Prime
24mm 1.4L
35mm 1.4L

Zoom
16-35mm 2.8L
28-70mm 2.8L

Is there a faster zoom in these ranges?

Thanks.

[tim]

There's a 16-25L? Never heard of that before.

Primes are generally accepted to have better image quality than zooms, at the expense of flexability. I don't know how big the difference is myself. If you're asking this question you probably want a zoom.

[Andy_T]

There are no faster zooms than f/2.8 in any range.

So if low light is your requirement, it's primes for you.
Also consider that there are 3 kinds of primes with significantly different prices ... 'L' primes, 'Standard-primes' (e.g. 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 28/1.8 ) and 'cheap primes' like the 50/1.8 or 28/2.8 )

The difference in performance might not always be similar to the difference in price, as the 'Standard primes' are pretty good performers that definitely give the L zooms a run for their money.

If your only point of reference is the 50/1.8, you should maybe take a look at some of those 'standard primes' as well.

Best regards,
Andy

[I Simonius]

Would appreciate any suggestions on which type and lens works best for low-light indoor situations. Already have a 50mm/1.8, but I'm looking for something a bit wider, but can't decided between a prime or zoom.

Here's a couple of lens I"m looking at in each catagory:

Prime
24mm 1.4L
35mm 1.4L

Zoom
16-25mm 2.8L
28-70mm 2.8L

Is there a faster zoom in these ranges?

Thanks.

Looked at the 24L and at the reviews - not impressed
35L - all reviews very positive

As to the zooms? No one can tell whether you'd be better of with a zoom or a prime, personally I prefer primes but if you don't need the extra+ stop of the 35f1.4 and if 2.8 will be fast enough then both those zooms have very good reputations.

If you'lll be indoor shooting why not get a flash?

Then the choice is easier - a zoom - with a flash you could even make your life harder and consider the 17-40f4 as well!!
:D :D

[pcasciola]

I find my zooms to be fairly useless in low light, with the exception of the 70-200/2.8L IS because the IS will give me the handholdability of an f/1.4. It does not give the shutter speed of an f/1.4, though, so it won't stop movement like an f/1.4 can in those situations.

I frequently use my 85/1.8 now indoors when there's not enough light to use the Tamron 28-75/2.8 Xr Di.

The 35/1.4 is excellent based on the samples and reviews I've seen. Sigma is also coming out with a 30mm f/1.4 soon that will be a "digital only" lens to give a normal view on a smaller sensor camera like the 10D/20D/300D/350D.

[ssim]

I assume that you are referring to the 16-35 f2.8 L. I have this lens and have found it to be very good in low light. The question is how low of light are you shooting. I have not had any experience with the two prime you've listed so I will not comment on them. I can, however, recommend the 16-35 based on my own experiences.

[Andy_T]

A cheap alternative might also be the 35/2.0.

Best regards,
Andy

[mdr]

The fastest Canon prime is the 50mm f1.0 USM. It's not a typo, it's a super fast f1.0 lens. You'll need to hunt one down second hand though, as Canon no longer makes these.

[crc_408]

There's a 16-25L?

Sorry...meant to type 16-35...:o

Thanks for all your comments!! One of my main attemtps is to increase shutter speed and minimizing a high ISO. I know there's always a balance to be met.

I have the 85/1.8 but it's too close. The 50/1.8 is fine, but I'm still looking for a slightly wider lens. The 28mm/1.8 may be an option. Any comments on this lens?

[pcasciola]

The 28mm/1.8 may be an option. Any comments on this lens?Drisley is selling one in the marketplace.

[Andy_T]

Look here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=73782
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=73782
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68366
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67846

Best regards,
Andy

[lostdoggy]

The fastest Canon prime is the 50mm f1.0 USM. It's not a typo, it's a super fast f1.0 lens. You'll need to hunt one down second hand though, as Canon no longer makes these.
Just for argument sake the fastest canon prime is 50MM f/0.95 introduced in 1961!!!

[I Simonius]

Sorry...meant to type 16-35...:o

Thanks for all your comments!! One of my main attemtps is to increase shutter speed and minimizing a high ISO. I know there's always a balance to be met.

I have the 85/1.8 but it's too close. The 50/1.8 is fine, but I'm still looking for a slightly wider lens. The 28mm/1.8 may be an option. Any comments on this lens?

I'm looking at the 24mm f2.8 at the moment
Photodo gives it an MTF os 3.9, the same as the 35mm f2 but it peaks earlier at arounf f4 - 5.6, whereas the 35 only hits the highs at f8. I am more likely to shoot at 5.6 than 8 in this cloudy ol neck of the flats. The 24L doesn't get very good ratings ,yes it's faster but at a cost in terms of quality as well as dosh

I have decided to get this until I can affford to splash out on the 35mm f1.4, silly money but maybe for Christmas :eek:

[Sean-Mcr]

I've been thinking about buying the 35mm 1.4L myself. I wanted a fast zoom so i bought a 16-35, but once i got my primes a week later i found t that for me the zoom was not fast enough and too and soft wide open. Primes simply gave me more so i took the 16-35 back, i might buy a 17-40 for strictly for outdoors/good indoor light and the 35mm 1.4L. 35's hardly wide , but i love what it can produce.

So anyway, i've been down the road your going and i'm thinking like me you won't find the 16-35 fast enough for a lot of available light. So i'd say primes