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Thread started 10 Apr 2013 (Wednesday) 15:41
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Wanting to redo my bag - suggestions?

 
daystar
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Apr 10, 2013 15:41 |  #1

What I seem to be most attracted to and want to learn more about is portrait photography. So, that being the case, I'm thinking about rearranging my gear list. Bear in mind I would have to sell what I have available and have a limited amount of funds that I could add to it. I also want to get a good walk-around/general lens. Oh, and maybe a macro sometime in the future.

What lenses would be the best to get for portrait work? I've considered getting a couple of good primes like a 50mm and the 85mm. Or would getting the 70-200mm to serve solely be the best? I know I could add things in later as the money/desire is there but this is just to get a good start.

What walk-around lens would you add as well?

Thanks!

Oh, I guess I should add I'm not thinking studio photography. I'd like to use as much natural light as possible, maybe add in a flash here or there, a reflector, etc. Not looking for a major set-up at this time.


Nikon D750 | Nikon D7100 | 85mm 1.8G | 50mm 1.8G | 35mm 1.8G | Tamron 70-200 2.8

  
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Albert ­ Nam
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Apr 10, 2013 15:47 |  #2

In terms of portraits, a 70-200 gives you excellent bang for the buck, but the 85L is simply sublime when in the right hands. It's a tough decision.

For an EF-S walk-around, the 15-85 is a solid performer. But if aperture is your game, then the 17-55 is of course great as well.


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kponds
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Apr 10, 2013 15:58 |  #3

I don't know if I'd get a 70-200mm as a portrait lens on crop. It's canonical on full frame, but ...

- The typical portrait range is 85mm-135mm FF equiv. The 70-200 starts at 112 equiv on crop. So, it's a long portrait lens only.

- F/2.8 gives a good bit more depth of field on crop than it does on FF. if you really want to destroy the background, you might want to go with prime lenses. This may be important since you're not doing studio portraits.

I don't know what's wrong with the 50mm that you already have. It's a great portrait lens on crop! Throw in an 85mm F/1.8 and you'd be set.


As far as a walkaround, I really really like the last two versions of the Sigma 17-70 (the ones that go F/2.8 to F/4, as opposed to F/4.5, and have OS), as do several others in the lens threads.




  
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amfoto1
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Apr 10, 2013 16:09 |  #4

Assuming you are sticking with your 30D or another crop sensor camera, I'd recommend a 50/1.4 and an 85/1.8 for portraiture. They are partcularly nice for candid work, where a big black or white zoom can be more intrusive. If you want to do wider, environmental portraits you also might conisider a 28/1.8, which can double for a walk-around prime... it's reasonably compact even with its matched lens hood.

If you prefer a zoom for a walk-around, there are two or three schools of thought:

1. A large aperture zoom, probably preferrable if you don't have some faster primes. A 17-55/2.8 might be the top choice here, but if you already have a 24-70/2.8, you've already covered this base.

2. A compact, versatile zoom that allows you to travel really light.... the EF-S 15-85mm is a good example. Here you would likely want/need some large aperture primes (such as the 28, 50 and 85 mentioned above) to complement the zoom for other shooting situations.

3. A budget zoom... the 28-135 IS is a bargain on the used market, and the EF-S 18-135 is only about $100 more used. These also usually require one or two or three faster primes, for particular situations.

What you are lacking is anything particularly wide. You may or may not need that. The 15-85mm gets pretty wide... But Canon's 10-22mm is a lot wider and there are several other good choices from the third party manufacturers. Of course, maybe you just don't use a wide lens very much.

Telephoto like the 70-200mm would replace your 55-250 with a better built, better sealed, more durable, faster focusing lens... possibly a faster aperture if you go with an f2.8 (bigger and heavier tho)... not a huge difference in image quality, though.

If wanting to shoot wildlife/birds, 200mm and 250mm comes up a bit short. There are some 70-300 zooms, ranging from cheapies to expensive L-series. But a 300/4 IS with a 1.4X teleconverter or a 100-400 or 120-400, 150-500 might be needed for smaller and shyer subjects. Of course, maybe you don't need a longer telephoto, depending upon what you like to shoot.

You mention macro and there are many good lenses to choose. For now, you might just get some macro extension tubes and use them with your existing lenses. Depending upon the combo, you can get pretty high magnification just with tubes.

There are also tilt-shift lenses for architecture/landscape (and some macro), fisheye for wilder effects, and other specialty lenses. You only mentioned wanting to do portraiture, might want to develop a list of other interests and where you feel your current gear is lacking... that will help guide you planning for your lens kit.


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5DII, 7DII, 7D, M5 & others. 10-22mm, Meike 12/2.8,Tokina 12-24/4, 20/2.8, EF-M 22/2, TS 24/3.5L, 24-70/2.8L, 28/1.8, 28-135 IS (x2), TS 45/2.8, 50/1.4, Sigma 56/1.4, Tamron 60/2.0, 70-200/4L IS, 70-200/2.8 IS, 85/1.8, Tamron 90/2.5, 100/2.8 USM, 100-400L II, 135/2L, 180/3.5L, 300/4L IS, 300/2.8L IS, 500/4L IS, EF 1.4X II, EF 2X II. Flashes, strobes & various access. - FLICKR (external link)

  
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daystar
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Apr 10, 2013 16:09 as a reply to  @ kponds's post |  #5

I didn't know if I should consider upgrading my 50mm to a 1.4 at least. And I keep hearing raves about the 85 1.8 so I was already leaning towards it but wasn't sure if there was a better configuration.

I'm going to check out those walk-around recommendations, too. :)


Nikon D750 | Nikon D7100 | 85mm 1.8G | 50mm 1.8G | 35mm 1.8G | Tamron 70-200 2.8

  
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daystar
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Apr 10, 2013 16:15 |  #6

Amfoto1,

Thank you for such a thorough reply. Lots of great information for me to go back and re-read. I do indeed have other interests and I should keep those in mind as well.


Nikon D750 | Nikon D7100 | 85mm 1.8G | 50mm 1.8G | 35mm 1.8G | Tamron 70-200 2.8

  
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L.J.G.
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Apr 10, 2013 16:22 |  #7

Alan offers some pretty good advice. Also one to consider on a crop body is a Sigma 30 f/1.4. I had one and it was a good copy. It quickly became my favourite lens. For some reason I was never happy using 50mm on the crop, I was just never felt comfortable with it, yet use the 85 on both my crop and FF all the time. The Canon 28 (or Sigma 30) plus an 85 would give a good pairing for what you want.


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daystar
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Apr 10, 2013 16:35 |  #8

L.J.G. wrote in post #15813053 (external link)
Alan offers some pretty good advice. Also one to consider on a crop body is a Sigma 30 f/1.4. I had one and it was a good copy. It quickly became my favourite lens. For some reason I was never happy using 50mm on the crop, I was just never felt comfortable with it, yet use the 85 on both my crop and FF all the time. The Canon 28 (or Sigma 30) plus an 85 would give a good pairing for what you want.

What are the chances of not getting a good copy of the Sigma 30? And do I have to be careful about distortion with a wider lens like that?


Nikon D750 | Nikon D7100 | 85mm 1.8G | 50mm 1.8G | 35mm 1.8G | Tamron 70-200 2.8

  
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kponds
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Apr 10, 2013 16:37 |  #9

daystar wrote in post #15813012 (external link)
I didn't know if I should consider upgrading my 50mm to a 1.4 at least.

The 50mm F/1.8 to F/1.4 difference is primarily in build quality and autofocus speed and accuracy. They're both soft below F/2.2 or so, and compare pretty evenly after that.

Yeah, the 50mm F/1.4 does allow you to go 2/3 stop faster if don't care about sharpness, and it is a better lens due to the previously mentioned build quality and autofocus. But is it worth spending $300 to upgrade? I don't really think so.




  
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daystar
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Apr 10, 2013 16:52 |  #10

kponds wrote in post #15813125 (external link)
The 50mm F/1.8 to F/1.4 difference is primarily in build quality and autofocus speed and accuracy. They're both soft below F/2.2 or so, and compare pretty evenly after that.

Yeah, the 50mm F/1.4 does allow you to go 2/3 stop faster if don't care about sharpness, and it is a better lens due to the previously mentioned build quality and autofocus. But is it worth spending $300 to upgrade? I don't really think so.

Cool. My bank account loves you! :lol:


Nikon D750 | Nikon D7100 | 85mm 1.8G | 50mm 1.8G | 35mm 1.8G | Tamron 70-200 2.8

  
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LeeRatters
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Apr 11, 2013 04:10 |  #11

The 50/1.4 is a vast improvement over the 50/1.8 but on a crop system I'd go for a 28/30mm & 85mm I think. 50 & 85 are just too close together IMO :)


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mike_311
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Apr 11, 2013 07:43 |  #12

LeeRatters wrote in post #15814974 (external link)
The 50/1.4 is a vast improvement over the 50/1.8 but on a crop system I'd go for a 28/30mm & 85mm I think. 50 & 85 are just too close together IMO :)

the bokeh is much better on the 1.4, not mention the1.8 has dirt slow AF, which honesty is the reason i upgraded, i got tired of missing shots in low light.

see here:

this is with the 1.8 at the time i had a rebel XS...

IMAGE: http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/mike_311/NYC%202011/IMG_9490.jpg

this is the 1.4 on the 5dii (nat that that will make a difference.

IMAGE: http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/mike_311/xmas%202012/lights/IMG_2202.jpg



some other thoughts, i used to use a 50 and 85 on a 60D for portraits, i made it work, i got the 5dii and they work much better if for no other reason that its easier to compose the frame since you don't have to stand back so far. i run out of room now backing up with my 5dii and the 50 so you can imagine what it will be like on your crop.

i still only use a 50 and and 85, i don't have a longer lens. i can always stand closer with my 85.

my recommendation is if you need pin sharp IQ low light capability and especially very shallow DOF get primes, otherwise just use your 24-70, it should be plenty sharp and will cover all the portrait focal length you should need. worry more about getting better lighting if you don't have any.

Canon 5d mkii | Canon 17-40/4L | Tamron 24-70/2.8 | Canon 85/1.8 | Canon 135/2L
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