Please Help me Pick a New Lens

Jam71868 · 27th of July 2007 (Fri)

Hi. I do alot of portrait and theatre photography. I obviously need low light lenses for theatre. I currently own the Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 70-200 2.8L (non-IS), Tamron 28-75 2.8. I want to get a new lens that can double for portraits and theatre and have been considering the Canon 85 1.8 and the 100 f/2. Do you have a suggestion on which way to go since they are both so close in what they do? I like the 85 cause it fits the need for portraits a bit better, but the 100mm has more reach with about the same light requirements and DOF and would be good for theatre. I am using a 30d. Also, if there are lenses that you would suggest that I haven't mentioned, please mention them and give your reasons. As always, thanks for taking the time to respond.

BigBlueDodge · 27th of July 2007 (Fri)

Both of those lenses are great. They are pretty much identical. I've had them both and didn't notice any difference in image quality or AF speed. 15mm isn't that much difference, quite honestly.

Steiglitz · 27th of July 2007 (Fri)

I've shot a lot of theatre, and really, the best way to go are fast primes, if image quality is your highest goal.

This list will serve you better then any zoom lens combo:

Canon 35L
Canon 50L or 50mm F1.4
Canon 85L or 85mm F1.8
Canon 135L
Canon 200L

For theatre, fast zooms F2.8 are not ideal...especially when shooting available light shots. I long ago stopped using F2.8 zooms for theatre...they're not flexable enough...too slow. Also look at the Canon non-L primes, as they're often very good, and all better then any and all zooms, in regard to theatre and flashless work.

B3SEO · 27th of July 2007 (Fri)

Depending on what you are shooting camera body wise, both are good choices, although I would lean on the 85mm/1.8, only because I have one of them. The 100mm is also a macro lens if I'm not mistaken. That would be a plus, and I hear it's a killer lens for the price.

Steiglitz · 27th of July 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3SEO

Depending on what you are shooting camera body wise, both are good choices, although I would lean on the 85mm/1.8, only because I have one of them. The 100mm is also a macro lens if I'm not mistaken. That would be a plus, and I hear it's a killer lens for the price.

Sure the 100 is a great lens, but for theatre, F2.8 is going to often be too slow.

27th of July 2007 (Fri)	#1
Jam71868 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 535 IMAGE EDITING OK	Please Help me Pick a New Lens Hi. I do alot of portrait and theatre photography. I obviously need low light lenses for theatre. I currently own the Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 70-200 2.8L (non-IS), Tamron 28-75 2.8. I want to get a new lens that can double for portraits and theatre and have been considering the Canon 85 1.8 and the 100 f/2. Do you have a suggestion on which way to go since they are both so close in what they do? I like the 85 cause it fits the need for portraits a bit better, but the 100mm has more reach with about the same light requirements and DOF and would be good for theatre. I am using a 30d. Also, if there are lenses that you would suggest that I haven't mentioned, please mention them and give your reasons. As always, thanks for taking the time to respond.

27th of July 2007 (Fri)	#2
BigBlueDodge Goldmember Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lonestar State Posts: 3,725	Re: Please Help me Pick a New Lens Both of those lenses are great. They are pretty much identical. I've had them both and didn't notice any difference in image quality or AF speed. 15mm isn't that much difference, quite honestly. __________________ David (aka BigBlueDodge) Gear

27th of July 2007 (Fri)	#3
Steiglitz Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lake George, NY State, Supposed Arrogant, but Not really.... Posts: 1,526 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Please Help me Pick a New Lens I've shot a lot of theatre, and really, the best way to go are fast primes, if image quality is your highest goal. This list will serve you better then any zoom lens combo: Canon 35L Canon 50L or 50mm F1.4 Canon 85L or 85mm F1.8 Canon 135L Canon 200L For theatre, fast zooms F2.8 are not ideal...especially when shooting available light shots. I long ago stopped using F2.8 zooms for theatre...they're not flexable enough...too slow. Also look at the Canon non-L primes, as they're often very good, and all better then any and all zooms, in regard to theatre and flashless work. __________________ Gear is essential, but often has little to do with composition, pictures, and art...Alfred Steiglitz Canon 5D, Canon 1D Mark II, All L primes from 14mm through 200mm. All L zooms from 16mm through 400mm. 2.0x TC Last edited by Steiglitz : 27th of July 2007 (Fri) at 16:42.

27th of July 2007 (Fri)	#4
B3SEO Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 783 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Please Help me Pick a New Lens Depending on what you are shooting camera body wise, both are good choices, although I would lean on the 85mm/1.8, only because I have one of them. The 100mm is also a macro lens if I'm not mistaken. That would be a plus, and I hear it's a killer lens for the price. __________________ Step back please... I'm armed with a camera... _____________________________ Gear - Canon 5D/Grip, Canon 20D/Grip, EF 17-40mm, EF 24-70mm/2.8, EF 28-135mm IS, EF 50mm/1.4, EF 85mm/1.2, EF 135mm/2.0, EF 200mm/2.8, Canon 70-200mm/2.8 Canon 580EX II (3) Other Stuff - Manfrotto Tripods/Heads, Domke bag, Pelikan Cases

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