60D users, friends and their random OT B.S.

Vinz if you can get the f4 with is I would go for it as its supposed to be great optics an it's always useful to have IS, saying that mine is the none IS haha

pauly916 wrote in post #15214728
Maria I'd love to know what compromises you are worried about as I have found the lens performs excellently all the way through the focal range and is sharp from wide open. I have printed images out to a2 and they look fantastic. I think sometimes we read so many reviews about these lenses saying one thing or another that we end up thinking " ooh I must get this as its a nano bit sharper or bokeh is so much better "
At the end of the day it's a tool, it's how you use it that matters. I bet if you had three prints all the same taken with 24-104 24-70. And say the 17-55 you could not tell which was which.
Hope this doesn't sound like a rant it's just my own opinion lol

lol you are probably right. I have just read it's not so great at the wide end and long end like how it usually is with versatile zooms. But I have seen some great pictures from you and in the 24-105 thread, so I'm sure it's just pixel peepers complaining to complain! I guess the question for me really is, is it wide enough to also use on my 60D? Because I would still like that to be my main walk-around camera, which is why I'm considering the 17-40. AND does the IS compensate enough in comparison with the Sigma 2.8 for lowlight situations? Same goes with f/4 on the 17-40 so that is currently in last place.

And I don't want a 17-50 because I want to be able to use the lens on both cameras...

pauly916 wrote in post #15214743
Vinz if you can get the f4 with is I would go for it as its supposed to be great optics an it's always useful to have IS, saying that mine is the none IS haha

IS would probably be nice for portraits in different lighting situations [without a tripod] as I can barely hold my setup steady lol. Can't go wrong with any 70-200 I think. Just depends if you need that extra stop or not... I'd say the f/4 gives nice bokeh when used correctly, though.

P.S. Sorry for bombarding the thread. Haha.

I know what your saying on my 60d I loved it but I also had a canon 10-24 ( which is an amazing lens ) to cover wide when I needed it. 2.8 is always preferable to f4 but it all depends on your style and what you shoot at the end of the day, I guess there is always a trade off with any lens that's why they make so many lol.

pauly916 wrote in post #15214728
Maria I'd love to know what compromises you are worried about as I have found the lens performs excellently all the way through the focal range and is sharp from wide open. I have printed images out to a2 and they look fantastic. I think sometimes we read so many reviews about these lenses saying one thing or another that we end up thinking " ooh I must get this as its a nano bit sharper or bokeh is so much better "
At the end of the day it's a tool, it's how you use it that matters. I bet if you had three prints all the same taken with 24-104 24-70. And say the 17-55 you could not tell which was which.
Hope this doesn't sound like a rant it's just my own opinion lol

MARSURAT1 wrote in post #15214767
lol you are probably right. I have just read it's not so great at the wide end and long end like how it usually is with versatile zooms. But I have seen some great pictures from you and in the 24-105 thread, so I'm sure it's just pixel peepers complaining to complain! I guess the question for me really is, is it wide enough to also use on my 60D? Because I would still like that to be my main walk-around camera, which is why I'm considering the 17-40. AND does the IS compensate enough in comparison with the Sigma 2.8 for lowlight situations? Same goes with f/4 on the 17-40 so that is currently in last place.

I agree with pauly916. Granted I don't shoot for a living, but I use this lens almost exclusively wide open (unless I am shooting wide landscapes or a group of people) and I have not noticed any softness at all. If the picture is soft in some situations for me, I can definitely see that it is an operator (my) issue such as too slow of a shutter speed for a particular subject or missed focus. Again, I am not a pro but I've shot sports, wide life, people, and landscapes (when I don't need a wider view) with this lens and printed 20x30 prints and they got enough of "oohs" and "ahhs" from people that see them. This lens is on my camera 95% of the time. I take it off only when I shoot in-doors without flash then I use my Sigma 30mm 1.4 or when I need to go wider and then I use my UW Sigma lens. I would recommend trying it for sure. The only question is would it be wide enough for your needs.

You guys are very convincing I do have my Tokina for wide and my pancake/flash for lowlight, so I guess I can't go wrong. And since I like the 40 on my 5D I'll probably like the 24 on the 60D, and switch between the walk-around combos for when I feel like going lightweight vs. going versatile, long vs. wide. I think overall it should be a great lens for both systems and it really opens up a lot of possibilities.

Thanks, guys! I think I've made a decision for the millionth and second time

MARSURAT1 wrote in post #15215034
You guys are very convincing I do have my Tokina for wide and my pancake/flash for lowlight, so I guess I can't go wrong. And since I like the 40 on my 5D I'll probably like the 24 on the 60D, and switch between the walk-around combos for when I feel like going lightweight vs. going versatile, long vs. wide. I think overall it should be a great lens for both systems and it really opens up a lot of possibilities.

Thanks, guys! I think I've made a decision for the millionth and second time

I don't think you will regret it; as long as the focal length will work, you should not be disappointed in image quality. Especially with your combination of crop and FF bodies it will work on both and provide you with even more range options. Good luck!

awilli1715k wrote in post #15214434
Hey guys trying to decide on my next lens..I pretty much shoot anything like to shoot cars. Here is my current list

18-135
50mm 1.8

Here are the lens I'm considering

Canon 17-55 ( super expensive tho)
Canon 70-200 F4 ( had it before returned it didn't think I would use it as much)
Tokina 11-16
Canon 10-22 ( had it got overwhelmed over price returned it)

I guess I kinda feel like one day I may go full frame maybe I should get L lens but I'm trying to get that out of my head n buy for what I currently have., also I want my next lens to be sharp.
Advice greatly appreciated

I vote for the Canon 17-55 or a Sigma 30, both are sharp..:O

So everyone seemed to like my event photos from the anniversary party Someone at the event asked me if I could shoot their wedding for free/for the experience... I don't really know what to do, mostly because I'm scared and because it'd be nice to get some kind of compensation (even if it's just gas money) since it will be 45 minutes from where I live. Don't really know how to ask, though, and the way I was asked it seemed they could do with or without me because their friend is shooting the wedding as a gift. We'll see what I do... yay for more to think about

Also, I'm one point shy of qualifying for CPS Gold Membership

I wouldn't shoot for free...It leads to other "free" shooting. Then you'll feel guilty about doing it for one person and not another. Then the discount questions come flowing in. Don't shoot for free.

My friend and I started a wedding videography business, and we don't shoot for free. For anyone.

MARSURAT1 wrote in post #15215592
So everyone seemed to like my event photos from the anniversary party Someone at the event asked me if I could shoot their wedding for free/for the experience... I don't really know what to do, mostly because I'm scared and because it'd be nice to get some kind of compensation (even if it's just gas money) since it will be 45 minutes from where I live. Don't really know how to ask, though, and the way I was asked it seemed they could do with or without me because their friend is shooting the wedding as a gift. We'll see what I do... yay for more to think about

It's easy to be flattered, but try thinking about it this way.

How well do you know these people or do you consider them friends? Do you feel like you owe them some free photography? Would you have been invited to their wedding if you didn't have a talent for photography?

Would you feel comfortable asking them to do a few hundred dollars worth of landscaping, house painting, plumbing, auto repair, etc., but not charge you for their work? Would you ask them to make a make a rent payment or car payment for you, gratis?

They already have another photog lined up, probably for free or cheap. Who knows; maybe they'll get what they pay for. But if you still want to get a little experience doing this kind of work you might try approaching them this way.

Offer to take some candid and casual shots for them. You can't expect to charge "pro" rates, but figure out an hourly rate to at least make it worth your time and how many hours you want to invest. And don't forget to add in for gas money and any other expenses.

As part of this "package" pick out a couple shots that you like and make a few 8x10s and 5x7s for them clearly but discretely watermarked with your copyright. If they like what they see then show them a selection of your other "keeper" shots and charge them at least a fair price for any prints they want.

If they want a CD of the pics or want you to email them copies keep them rather small and watermark them "less discretely". Don't make it easy for them to make their own copies. Make sure they know that you are the owner of the original image files, not them.

And don't feel badly if this all seems like too much effort to put yourself through. Taking on this job isn't really your responsiblity, especially not for free. But this may be a way for you to get some real experience and at least break even for your work or maybe come out a few dollars ahead on the deal!

MARSURAT1 wrote in post #15215592
So everyone seemed to like my event photos from the anniversary party Someone at the event asked me if I could shoot their wedding for free/for the experience... I don't really know what to do, mostly because I'm scared and because it'd be nice to get some kind of compensation (even if it's just gas money) since it will be 45 minutes from where I live. Don't really know how to ask, though, and the way I was asked it seemed they could do with or without me because their friend is shooting the wedding as a gift. We'll see what I do... yay for more to think about

Also, I'm one point shy of qualifying for CPS Gold Membership

Buy a flash!

I qualify...but haven't decided in if I want to drop the $100 a year on it.

Shoot the wedding, and then tell them if they like anything they gots to pay for it. Hopefully they will feed you and the bar is open at least. I think it is a little silly to ask you to what, shoot the thing and then just hand them a DVD? Are they really on that tight of a budget or are they just trying to get totally free photography out of it? A two shooter arrangement would normally cost a decent amount.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Thinking about it I'm probably not going to take the job. I know I can't charge pro rates, but I would be commuting and I just found out it would be an 8 hour wedding. Doesn't really make sense and it's pretty unfair for me. Only reason I did the anniversary for *kind of* free (my ticket to the event was paid for) was because the party was for my boyfriend's parents, so I did it for experience and as a gift...

I will offer to do it for an hourly rate or have them pay for the pictures. If they don't accept that, then aw well. Oh and the other photographer is doing it for free, as a gift, because he knows them. I understand that I'm just starting out but I feel like I'm a little more decent than free. Lol

Oh I would definitely get a free meal... But I think even paid photographers get that perk! Lol. I highly doubt there will be an open bar though, plus i still need to make that drive home. I was considering getting another 430EX II if I can't afford the 24-105 right away. Only reason I'm considering CPS is because my 85 needs calibration and my 5D a cleaning/checkup. Plus, of you sell the CPS strap it could pay off a bit of the membership