Tamron 17-50 non VC or 24-105L paired with 430EX II Indoor for kids shooting

sportmode wrote in post #12855904
Having gone through the process myself with a 1-yr old growing to 4 now, I thought the 17-50/55 range fit better than the 24-105, especially considering you have a crop. With a toddler, you're always not too far, so you really don't need the longer range, and I think the 17-23 range would be more useful indoors and with group shots that you'd need with family get-togethers. The f2.8 also helps with indoor shots when you don't want to bother with a flash or just want to be incognito with your shots. The 24-105 fits better on a FF.

right, the Tamron 17-50 2.8 will be fine indoors especially with a flash, moving kids (or dogs!) are not a problem. F2.8 really helps with indoor pics

As much as I love the 24-105, for a crop body, I would go for a 17-50 f2.8, 55-250 IS, and 430EX II. My daughter uses this combo on our 60D and it makes a great setup.

I think the 24-105 is a little long on a crop for indoors. I had the Tamron 17-50, and it is very sharp, but it does hunt to focus in low light. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 17-50(os) f/2.8....I have heard good things, I have the 17-70 and really like it, but the f/2.8 would come in handing for indoors.......

mark2009 wrote in post #12859944
I think the 24-105 is a little long on a crop for indoors. I had the Tamron 17-50, and it is very sharp, but it does hunt to focus in low light. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 17-50(os) f/2.8....I have heard good things, I have the 17-70 and really like it, but the f/2.8 would come in handing for indoors.......

I can vouch for the 17-50 from Sigma. I've only had it a week but very pleased with the results so far.

mark2009 wrote in post #12859944
I think the 24-105 is a little long on a crop for indoors. I had the Tamron 17-50, and it is very sharp, but it does hunt to focus in low light. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 17-50(os) f/2.8....I have heard good things, I have the 17-70 and really like it, but the f/2.8 would come in handing for indoors.......

Another option is 15-85mm then, which has good reviews, but lack of constant wide aperture is a problem in my opinion for indoors shooting. I am also thinking from a perspective of outdoors next year, so 24-105L should fit the bill.

ateet wrote in post #12860037
Another option is 15-85mm then, which has good reviews, but lack of constant wide aperture is a problem in my opinion for indoors shooting. I am also thinking from a perspective of outdoors next year, so 24-105L should fit the bill.

The 15-85mm is a very nice lens, and with a flash it would fit the bill, focus is very good on it, I am just a frugal bastar#(3 kids/wife) and can't see paying $600 plus for it(yes dear), I got my Sig 17-70(os) used like new for $350....

mark2009 wrote in post #12860090
The 15-85mm is a very nice lens, and with a flash it would fit the bill, focus is very good on it, I am just a frugal bastar#(3 kids/wife) and can't see paying $600 plus for it(yes dear), I got my Sig 17-70(os) used like new for $350....

Lol I read 3 wife/kids... Just kidding for the money piece. Yeah maybe I will then try to find used 17-50 Sigma then. Gotta send back Tamron. I also get $110 total student rebate on Tamron. For $350 I still think new Tamron is a good deal.

ateet wrote in post #12860193
Lol I read 3 wife/kids... Just kidding for the money piece. Yeah maybe I will then try to find used 17-50 Sigma then. Gotta send back Tamron. I also get $110 total student rebate on Tamron. For $350 I still think new Tamron is a good deal.

Even with the discount, yeah, that is a great price, but if it won't focus for you, then you are not going to be happy.
I would keep your 24-105, and look for a Sigma 17-50..

yea, I have only one wife, and 3 kids, 2 of which are now in college, I am lucky if I get meat in my spaghetti, forget about L lenses these days

just got the 24-105L for my 5D2, but i suck at using my flash, cuz my subject are usually flat and color is not to my liking. i'm a natural light shooter and this is the first f4 lens i bought. usually indoors, i shoot with my 50 f1.4 on 5D2 or my 17-55 f2.8 on 30D. at f4, i do miss the wide open light sucker @ 2.8 or 1.4. but have read a lot of ppl suggesting using this 24-105L + flash. can someone teach me? (sorry to hi-jack OP).

to the OP, as for indoors, if you are using crop camera, i really like the 50 f1.4. but if you want wide, 17-55 is really nice.

EOS mE wrote in post #12861730
just got the 24-105L for my 5D2, but i suck at using my flash, cuz my subject are usually flat and color is not to my liking. i'm a natural light shooter and this is the first f4 lens i bought. usually indoors, i shoot with my 50 f1.4 on 5D2 or my 17-55 f2.8 on 30D. at f4, i do miss the wide open light sucker @ 2.8 or 1.4. but have read a lot of ppl suggesting using this 24-105L + flash. can someone teach me? (sorry to hi-jack OP).

Regardless of what lens you use when using an external flash follow the below simplistic guide and you will be a happy indoor shooter i guarantee it.

---------------

Indoors always shoot with your camera in "Manual Mode" when the external flash is attached. For STARTERS simply set your camera parameters at f5.6, 1\125, ISO200, and your external flash to ETTL Evaluative mode. Take a test shot and then you can adjust the FEC + or - to your tastes on your foreground subject. The in camera settings above is a starting point for the background ambient lighting which you can also re-adjust dependent on the existing ambient light. The FEC + or - is simply exposing the right amount of light on your foreground subject. [Note: Even if you dont use the FEC adjustment you will be just fine.]

Dont forget to vertically bounce your external flash upwards and use a DIY foam sheet flash card attached to the flash-head or the Demb-Flip-it to fill in those raccoon eye shadows.

I suggest the " Big Flip-It Model "

http://www.dembflashpr​oducts.com/flipit/mode​ls/

Here is a link for folks to read that should help:

http://photonotes.org …les/eos-flash/index2.html

Personally when i shoot outdoors in late afternoon light i always use AV mode, which with the external flash attached creates fill flash.

---------------

Regards & Have Fun,

silverfox.. thank you for the tip. i'm going to try that tonight on the little ones..

I am not sure why it has to be in manual mode? May be on older cameras only? Here is what I do on my 50D:

- Set to Av (my main mode, flash or no flash);
- In camera menu, set the range of exposures when using flash to "1/60-1/250 auto".
- point the flash' head to an appropriate spot on the ceiling or wall; if in landscape orientation, the best is to point upwards, and pull out the flash card (built-in on my 580EX).
- the rest is as usual - you can pre-focus (shutter half way down), pre-meter exposure (* button on my camera), re-compose, and press the shutter.

I would love to see how AV with 1/60 and flash works for you with jumping kids.
Show it here, please.

ok.. i just tried it on my 24-105L + 580EX2 in M mode. this is what i get. the exposure keeps blinking, even though i can still shoot but it's dark. see attached.

sample

EOS mE wrote in post #12867563
ok.. i just tried it on my 24-105L + 580EX2 in M mode. this is what i get. the exposure keeps blinking, even though i can still shoot but it's dark. see attached.

sample

Don't see a picture.