Lenses-What's the difference?

Andel · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

i found a 50 mm 1.8 for sale for about $70. i also found a 17-85, f4-5.6 for $500. in my last posting, there was a reply from two members to get the 50 mm for my first wedding i'm doing in two weekends.

i already have an 18-55 lense and a 580ex flash. i have the money to buy the bigger lens, but is it worth it or will the 50mm and my current lens do for the wedding gig?

is my flash a help or a hindrance with the lenses of choice? does it even matter.

i'm a bit anxious about this first job and i just want to do it right with the right equipment at a reasonable price (meaning i don't want to go broke buying stuff that i won't really need).

i'm new to all this so i do appreciate your help and input.
thanks!

CyberPet · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

get the 50 mm lens for sure, but I wouldn't buy a lens with f/4 as the largest aperture. Rather pay the money for a Tamron or a Sigma at f/2.8 throughout wide-to-zoom.

ricohcam01 · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andel

i found a 50 mm 1.8 for sale for about $70. i also found a 17-85, f4-5.6 for $500. in my last posting, there was a reply from two members to get the 50 mm for my first wedding i'm doing in two weekends.

i already have an 18-55 lense and a 580ex flash. i have the money to buy the bigger lens, but is it worth it or will the 50mm and my current lens do for the wedding gig?

is my flash a help or a hindrance with the lenses of choice? does it even matter.

i'm a bit anxious about this first job and i just want to do it right with the right equipment at a reasonable price (meaning i don't want to go broke buying stuff that i won't really need).

i'm new to all this so i do appreciate your help and input.
thanks!

Unfortunetly we never know what kind of lighting conditions we are going to be running into so by having the lowest f/stop on a lens is the best no matter how high of an angle you have.

ricohcam01 · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohcam01

Unfortunetly we never know what kind of lighting conditions we are going to be running into so by having the lowest f/stop on a lens is the best no matter how high of an angle you have.

Have a look at my post called DOF Overkill? I did that shot with a 5D at ISO 1600 with the f/stop of 1.8 and I think I was at 1/35 for shutter speed. Ok so its not the best shot but it give you an idea of what you could do in bad light with a 1.8 50mm lens.

cyber_m0nkey · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Get the 50 - great lens and will be perfect for low light, flashless shots. Your kit lens stopped down to about 5.6 (at the wide end and f8 at the narrow) will do fine with the flash. The 17-85 is certainly a better lens then the 18-55 but not an absolute necessity, unless you need the extra reach - which you probably will at a wedding...

tim · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

I made a comment on which lens I recommend in your other thread... no point repeating it but i'll point it out.

kawter2 · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

the diference is that it is like crack.. you start with the cheap $70 stuff and soon enough you are dropping $$$k

ae1969 · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawter2

the diference is that it is like crack.. you start with the cheap $70 stuff and soon enough you are dropping $$$k

No kidding............. the extra 0's just don't matter after a certain point.

rlhphotos · 3rd of March 2006 (Fri)

^^ So sad isnt it....If you dont own a 50mm 1.8 you should....really...its a great lens for almost nothing in cost...

CyberPet · 3rd of March 2006 (Fri)

I actually dreamt about my 50/1.8 last night and that my friend/mentor had his 50/1.4 and wanted me to have it, since he didn't like the weight of it (the f/1.8 is very plastic compared to the f/1.4). I so wish that dream was true! *LOL*

bpuppy · 3rd of March 2006 (Fri)

Get the 50 ... it's bright and sharp and will blur out the backgrounds. I would say do not even consider the 17-85 ... it's not sharp, and not bright.

Consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 ... bright, sharp, well-built and cheap.

And I would also say, ditch that kit lens as quick as possible. You can get nice results, but it takes work and luck ... both of which you do not have time for during a wedding.

One thing I see most often in amateur work is too much depth of field. A portrait NEEDS to have the background blurred out unless the background is part of the composition. Thus the need for fast lenses and their associated pricing hike. But the only way to give professional results is with pro gear ...

And Petra ... the 50 f/1.4 IS worth the extra money. It's my fave lens now and is MUCH better than the 1.8 is so many ways.

Look at this bokeh!

tim · 4th of March 2006 (Sat)

bpuppy, those a great photos, as usual!

Where were the light sources in that first photo, and what were they? I'll take a guess at the sun at 10 o'clock, with a diffused flash on your camera?

The 50mm F1.8 is cheap and not so good, the 50 1.4 is not too expensive and very good.

CyberPet · 4th of March 2006 (Sat)

bpuppy, I knooooooooow!! I love my f/1.8 and it didn't hurt that I got it for free. Hence my odd dream.

jamiewexler · 4th of March 2006 (Sat)

I shot my first wedding for $100 with the kit lens, 50f1.8, and really crappy Sigma 55-200 - with a Sigma 500 Super on a bracket. In a cave of a New England catholic church. Turned out ok. I've since upgraded everything except the 50 f1.8.

bpuppy · 4th of March 2006 (Sat)

Those shots are both all ambient light ... 5:00 pm (sunset in November) photos.

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#1
Andel Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California Posts: 6	Lenses-What's the difference? i found a 50 mm 1.8 for sale for about $70. i also found a 17-85, f4-5.6 for $500. in my last posting, there was a reply from two members to get the 50 mm for my first wedding i'm doing in two weekends. i already have an 18-55 lense and a 580ex flash. i have the money to buy the bigger lens, but is it worth it or will the 50mm and my current lens do for the wedding gig? is my flash a help or a hindrance with the lenses of choice? does it even matter. i'm a bit anxious about this first job and i just want to do it right with the right equipment at a reasonable price (meaning i don't want to go broke buying stuff that i won't really need). i'm new to all this so i do appreciate your help and input. thanks!

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#2
CyberPet Hiding Under a Rock Join Date: May 2005 Location: Piteå, Sweden Posts: 4,052 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? get the 50 mm lens for sure, but I wouldn't buy a lens with f/4 as the largest aperture. Rather pay the money for a Tamron or a Sigma at f/2.8 throughout wide-to-zoom. __________________ /Petra Hall Click here to view my geeky gear list I shoot as much as possible in available light... sometimes, my flash is available – Joe Buissink

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#5
cyber_m0nkey Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore<--Sydney<--Odessa Posts: 701 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? Get the 50 - great lens and will be perfect for low light, flashless shots. Your kit lens stopped down to about 5.6 (at the wide end and f8 at the narrow) will do fine with the flash. The 17-85 is certainly a better lens then the 18-55 but not an absolute necessity, unless you need the extra reach - which you probably will at a wedding... __________________ Images Gear

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#6
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,923 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? I made a comment on which lens I recommend in your other thread... no point repeating it but i'll point it out. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#7
kawter2 Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,046	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? the diference is that it is like crack.. you start with the cheap $70 stuff and soon enough you are dropping $$$k __________________ Wedding Blog Eric J. Weddings

3rd of March 2006 (Fri)	#9
rlhphotos Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Coralville, IA Posts: 545 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? ^^ So sad isnt it....If you dont own a 50mm 1.8 you should....really...its a great lens for almost nothing in cost... __________________ :: Call Me Rob :: ::Equipment List:: ::Business Site :: Blog Site::

3rd of March 2006 (Fri)	#11
bpuppy Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 293 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? Get the 50 ... it's bright and sharp and will blur out the backgrounds. I would say do not even consider the 17-85 ... it's not sharp, and not bright. Consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 ... bright, sharp, well-built and cheap. And I would also say, ditch that kit lens as quick as possible. You can get nice results, but it takes work and luck ... both of which you do not have time for during a wedding. One thing I see most often in amateur work is too much depth of field. A portrait NEEDS to have the background blurred out unless the background is part of the composition. Thus the need for fast lenses and their associated pricing hike. But the only way to give professional results is with pro gear ... And Petra ... the 50 f/1.4 IS worth the extra money. It's my fave lens now and is MUCH better than the 1.8 is so many ways. Look at this bokeh! __________________ My Wedding Portfolio \| My Photo Blog \| My Flickr

4th of March 2006 (Sat)	#12
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,923 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? bpuppy, those a great photos, as usual! Where were the light sources in that first photo, and what were they? I'll take a guess at the sun at 10 o'clock, with a diffused flash on your camera? The 50mm F1.8 is cheap and not so good, the 50 1.4 is not too expensive and very good. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

4th of March 2006 (Sat)	#14
jamiewexler Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,990 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lenses-What's the difference? I shot my first wedding for $100 with the kit lens, 50f1.8, and really crappy Sigma 55-200 - with a Sigma 500 Super on a bracket. In a cave of a New England catholic church. Turned out ok. I've since upgraded everything except the 50 f1.8. __________________ Massachusetts Wedding Photographer My blog my facebook my gear

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