Considering F4...

[Sogog]

Hey guys,

Saved up a little money over the summer and was thinking about purchasing some new lenses. I mainly shoot for the Greek Orthodox community where flash (in church) is generously used.

I was looking at the canon 17-40 F4 and 70-200 F4.

My current gear is as follows...

5D mark II
40D

17-55
28-135
50 1.8

580EX II
430EX
YN565

Later on, I could pick up a used prime or to for low light if needed.

What do you think? Let me know.

Thanks guys!!!

[snakeman55]

It should be fine if you can use flash. I'd also consider 16-35 mki, you can get for under 1k. And a 135L or even just a 85 1.8 on your 40D.

[Red Tie Photography]

I guess only you know how well it will work. To me, using a 70-200 f4 would certainly not work. However, I have the 24-105 f4 that works perfectly well for what I need it for (outdoor ceremonies and formals).

[Sogog]

Here's an idea...

How about just getting a 24mm I.4 lens. On crop it will give me 38mm and my 50mm 1.8 (or get a 1.4) will give me 85mm on crop.

4 lenses for the price of 2. Then, Adam, I could probably get the 135L.

[Sogog]

Any thoughts, ideas, and/or experiences regarding this issue?

Anyone?

[Motor On]

I have and use to death the 70-200 f4L non-IS, as long as your flashes are working you'll be good to go and still get some pretty decent bokeh with shallow DoF, it's an excellent portrait choice at the 200mm end. My basic cover all lens selection for the last few years has been the 18-55 f3.5-5.6 kit lens and the 70-200 f4, I'll be upgrading the kit lens next, hopefully this fall, to what will most likely be a 17-40 f4, unless I can find a deal on the 16-35 as mentioned earlier in the thread, as when it can be afforded if it's already L glass then I'm always for wider aperture being an option.

[Red Tie Photography]

Originally Posted by Sogog

Here's an idea...

How about just getting a 24mm I.4 lens. On crop it will give me 38mm and my 50mm 1.8 (or get a 1.4) will give me 85mm on crop.

4 lenses for the price of 2. Then, Adam, I could probably get the 135L.

To put it this way - if I had to use only 2 lenses, it would be my 35 and my 70-200. If you have a 24, 50 f1.4 (much better than the 1.8 in terms of reliability), 85 f1.8 and 135 I think you can do a solid job.

[umphotography]

I would strongly suggest F/2.8 glass for weddings even when flash is generously used as you suggest. For me its a no brainer. My flash is turned off during the ceremony.

I dont want to be a distraction to those that are there to witness the ceremony. Plus, even with the great high iso capabilities that i have with my cameras, its still a stop of light. Ive been in too many venues where ambient is F/2.8 @ 1/30 at 3200 iso. So with F/4(is) glass im up to 8000 or more to get a shutter speed to be able to hand hold so the F/2.8(is) glass is a must have for us.

If your talking a 1Dx in your bag where usable iso is 12800 and its realistic to be able to use it...different story. On my 5D3's, im good to 10,000 iso. We are often using fast primes and many times we are at F/2.5 at 1/125 at 3200 ISO with the 135 and 85.....they need shutter speed. Its almost impossible to Hand hold a 135L below 1/125 and not get motion blur.

So with your current gear, you need F/2.8 glass.

[Red Tie Photography]

Dont forget, f2.8 helps you focus faster as well. F4 will hunt a bit more.

[Sogog]

Really Brian? I didn't know. Is that only at f2.8 that it focuses faster on that lens?

Thx

[Red Tie Photography]

Originally Posted by Sogog

Really Brian? I didn't know. Is that only at f2.8 that it focuses faster on that lens?

Thx

The wider the max f stop is on a lens, the more light it enables the lens to focus with. All lenses focus at their max aperture at the focal length you are (meaning if it is a variable aperture lens, it the max f stop is different at different focal lengths).

So, if you were using a f2.8 lens (even if you were shooting at f11), it is my understanding that the lens will focus with the aperture blades wide open (f2.8) and then close down when you take the photo. Therefore, a f2.8 lens will have 1 stop more light to help focus than a f4 lens will have.

[dmward]

Originally Posted by Red Tie Photography

The wider the max f stop is on a lens, the more light it enables the lens to focus with. All lenses focus at their max aperture at the focal length you are (meaning if it is a variable aperture lens, it the max f stop is different at different focal lengths).

So, if you were using a f2.8 lens (even if you were shooting at f11), it is my understanding that the lens will focus with the aperture blades wide open (f2.8) and then close down when you take the photo. Therefore, a f2.8 lens will have 1 stop more light to help focus than a f4 lens will have.

Not only focus, but ETTL metering is more reliable with the faster lenses.

[joshhuntnm]

I use the 24 - 105 and love it.

[smorter]

Hate f/4

The difference between f/4 and f/2.8 will seldom cause you to get or miss a shot. You'll just end up with more noise = worse IQ

[davisphotos]

I sold my 24-70 and bought a 17-40 a couple months ago, it was a great decision. I use the 17-40 mostly for formal portraits and at the reception, where I have off camera flashes, and I usually shoot at f4 or higher for some DOF in dancing shots. On the 5D Mark3, it focuses very quickly, and I rarely miss the extra stop.