What are my options for a studio lens ?

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

Majority of my work is now in the studio. I've been using the Canon 28-135IS for this, too good effect for quite a while.

However, I could do with something a little sharper and maybe something that'll go a little wider aperture wise.

I've been thinking primes for a while but love the flexability of a zoom in the studio, e.g. while up a step ladder etc.

So what options are there ? Basically would like something with a constant f2.8 (willing to compromise on this), and a zoom in the 50-200mm range. The Canon 70-200 L (2.8 or 4) would suit but wondered if there is something that goes a little shorter as well. I am not limiting myself to just Canon lenses though, quite happy to use Sigma, etc.

Any ideas ?

Cheers

Ian

[snibbetsj]

The 85 f1.8 coupled with the 35 f2 makes a good combination for studio lenses. I also use the 50 f1.8. These lens are not terribly expensive but perform extremely well. :)

[Tom W]

Depends on the size of the studio, of course, but you might prefer a couple of primes instead of a zoom for that purpose. Much less expensive, and you'll enjoy some very large apertures if you need them.

[SkipD]

Ian, if you stay with professional-grade zooms with no more than a 3-to-1 zoom ratio, you should have the quality you need along with the flexibility. Image quality usually suffers in one way or another when the zoom ratio is extended significantly past 3:1 because the lens designers need to use compromise solutions.

Primes (in the same quality range as the zooms) will usually give you a little better image quality and are a lot less expensive - unless you need every focal length in a zoom's range.

[jfrancho]

I definitely prefer the zoom for still lifes in a studio setting, but for people, it seems easier to get the effect I want with a fast prime (I use a 50mm). If you are steadfast about zooms, how about a Tamron 28-75/Canon 70-200 combo. I don't have the Tamron, myself, but it is on the short list for my next purchase, along with the Sigma 20 and Canon 85.

[condyk]

If I was into people photography in studio then I would absolutely prefer a full set of primes and then take time to compose for them. We are so familiar with the faces, bodies and general colour and textures of human beings that anything not quite there will be noticed easier than with wildlife, etc. However, if I was zooming ... I would be very happy to master the Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG Macro and Sigma 70-200 2.8 DG in studio. I think they would be a superb combo together and a nicer price than the competing Canon. Using a good flash set up and tripod would be fascinating with these two. I think they'd blow off socks in quality terms quite readily. Maybe I should forget wildlife and focus more on snapping people ... Hmmm

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Ef 135 f/2, sharpest canon lens ;)

[Headcase650]

My girlfriend is the manager of one of the national portrait studios (Sears). They just went digital but didnt choose Canon, they went with olimpus. The lens they are currently using is the sigma 18-125 dc. I guess the staff loves it. Ive seen a lot of very sharp images from it. Their lights are set up so that their aperature is at f11.

[jfrancho]

Are the people using the cameras trained photographers, or trained employees? It seems like a one size fits all operation. I doubt that Ian is going to just set it and forget it.

[grego]

You can't go wrong with the 50mm f/1.4 for a lesser focal lenght. Very affordable too. For the price of the 70-200, you can get the 50 f/1.4 and the 85 f/1.8.

[Headcase650]

Well my girlfriend is a photographer. We have a small studio in our home. Shes been into photography sense her grand father gave her, her first SLR, an old minolta SRT-101 at the age of 12. Most of the staff arnt photographers. The are told not to touch the setting and are only tought composition. You gotta understand the turnover for part timers is pretty high so realy no point in investing the time in them unles they show some sign of passion for the trade.

[jfrancho]

Like you said, she is the manager. She must have a lot of patiance. I used to find a bit frustrating sharing my knowledge with my younger employees.