Need Gifting Help for Girlfriend!

Hey guys,

My girlfriend currently has a T2i, 18-55 kit lens, 75-300 tele, a cheaper YN flash with triggers, and her dad just bought her a tripod (giving it to her for christmas).

I have the stuff in my signature that she can borrow as well although we are not always together to share our stuff.

She mentioned before that she thought the circular polarizing filter was really cool so I was interested in getting her one of those. However, is it worth it in her situation? The front element on both of her lenses rotates so it couldn't really be used properly unless it was on a tripod, correct? I could get one for my lens(es), but then it would be a present for me really LOL

She is really into dance and mentioned she would like a lens that is good for action/low light, as well. My budget is $200 give or take so I considered the 50 f/1.8 but would the auto focusing be terrible in a typical dance studio? If so, it would kind of defeat the purpose although she would like the shallow DOF for pictures of her family/cousins.

Any other ideas? She isn't super into photography and especially not the technical stuff but she does enjoy it. Would the 40MM f/2.8 be a better choice? Smaller aperture but I hear better focusing..

Just for a little background I am also considering getting her a 7" tablet such as the Nexus 7/Fire HD so it is basically between camera stuff and some hiking boots or the tablet lol

Thank you!

Clearly, get her something you can use - that's job one. If you end up marrying her, then you can get her stuff only she can use because in the divorce she'll likely get it all anyway. You probably can't wear her hiking boots, so cross them off the list. I'd go with the nifty 50, I think it would work for a typically lit dance studio and if it doesn't, you've got another lens for your bag.

rick_reno wrote in post #15326744
Clearly, get her something you can use - that's job one. If you end up marrying her, then you can get her stuff only she can use because in the divorce she'll likely get it all anyway. You probably can't wear her hiking boots, so cross them off the list. I'd go with the nifty 50, I think it would work for a typically lit dance studio and if it doesn't, you've got another lens for your bag.

LOL, I am understanding you better and better every day Rick!

Well.. we will be getting married before too long so may as well accept it now, haha!

Good to hear the 50 will work in the dance studio!

The cpl filter will work for her and is what you want to get if you decide to go with a filter.

If she is not super into photography though, you may want to consider switching her over to one of the smaller cameras that stil have full auto control.

Well, if you're thinking 50mm, B&H has the f/1.4 for $299. Above your budget, but a great deal if you can swing it.
The 40mm 2.8 pancake is sharper wide open, and can be had for $150. I'm considering that one.

If you go for a CPL, get a decent one. If she does much landscape work, that'd be nice, too.

rick_reno wrote in post #15326744
Clearly, get her something you can use - that's job one. If you end up marrying her, then you can get her stuff only she can use because in the divorce she'll likely get it all anyway. You probably can't wear her hiking boots, so cross them off the list. I'd go with the nifty 50, I think it would work for a typically lit dance studio and if it doesn't, you've got another lens for your bag.

Words from a very smart man! I love it!!

At this moment, I'd recommend the 50 1.4 for $299, or a used 85/1.8 or 100/2. I'd think that a bit more reach than 50mm would be nice for dance, although I suppose that depends on the studio.

If she "isn't super into photography" then don't get her photography equipment for Christmas.

Get her something that's absolutely useless but will make her happy.

^ I second that. If she hasn't dropped any hints about what she wants, then it could be she doesn't know or want anything photographic. In that case, why risk getting her something she won't use.

Just get the 50mm 1.8($100) and the 40mm 2.8($150), it's only $50 over your budget and that way you can each have one for workarounds

Good input from everyone, thank you! You guys have a point about skipping the photography stuff.. she does like it but it isn't a passion or anything. She mentioned the CPF but she doesn't do landscapes much so I don't know if it will get much use. She may just enjoy a pair of boots and some warm clothes for skiing this winter.

We are shooting the dance studio photos in the spring so if she wants a 50MM or whatever she could just buy it herself then if she doesn't do 100% rentals..

I'll have to think about it some more.. if anyone has more input feel free to throw it in, though!

I don't think she would like the 50mm lens. First, it's not wide enough (IMO) on a crop camera. I had the 50mm because "everyone" said it was a must-have, and ended up returning it because it was not practical for me. (Although it did take beautiful photos).

And, second, FWIW, I don't think it'll be practical for her. If she's not super into photography, she'll get frustrated by the lens, in that, again, it has too much "zoom" and if she's using it in a dance studio, she's going to have to constantly "zoom in/out with her feet." That's not always practical (or allowed, if she'd be photographing recitals). I think it'd be really hard to use for her purposes.

SwissMissy wrote in post #15333740
I don't think she would like the 50mm lens. First, it's not wide enough (IMO) on a crop camera. I had the 50mm because "everyone" said it was a must-have, and ended up returning it because it was not practical for me. (Although it did take beautiful photos).

And, second, FWIW, I don't think it'll be practical for her. If she's not super into photography, she'll get frustrated by the lens, in that, again, it has too much "zoom" and if she's using it in a dance studio, she's going to have to constantly "zoom in/out with her feet." That's not always practical (or allowed, if she'd be photographing recitals). I think it'd be really hard to use for her purposes.

I never understand the claims of a particular focal length being "too wide" or "not wide enough." That's just the nature of a prime lens. Any prime is not wide enough, and also too wide.

I personally found 50mm to be the perfect length on a crop camera for my dance troupe... until we moved to our new venue, in which case it was too wide. And now on my full-frame body, it's way too wide, unless I get a seat at the front, in which case it's perfect again. Entirely subjective, and changes all the time based on subject and location.

SwissMissy wrote in post #15333740
I don't think she would like the 50mm lens. First, it's not wide enough (IMO) on a crop camera. I had the 50mm because "everyone" said it was a must-have, and ended up returning it because it was not practical for me. (Although it did take beautiful photos).

And, second, FWIW, I don't think it'll be practical for her. If she's not super into photography, she'll get frustrated by the lens, in that, again, it has too much "zoom" and if she's using it in a dance studio, she's going to have to constantly "zoom in/out with her feet." That's not always practical (or allowed, if she'd be photographing recitals). I think it'd be really hard to use for her purposes.

Since zoom lenses max out at 2.8 which is usually too slow for most recitals and 2.8 zooms are out of the price consideration anyway, what lens would you suggest? The 50 is a good option as its got enough reach to shoot stageside casually and it serves as a great portrait length on a crop camera.