Primes Everyday

"28-135 IS's problem is that it's so unsensitive - you can't decent shutter speeds (to stop movement) in many conditions and in lesser light it's very dim though the viewfinder. And after some experience with it I definitely have decided to avoid all lenses with variable aperture.

What in my opinion is really important is bright viewfinder and ability to get photos in almost any light.

I'd say a very nice first collection would be

Sigma 20 f/1.8
Canon 50 f/1.4
Canon 100 f/2.8 macro "


Above is Pekka's post on lens selection. I purchased the 50mm f/1.4 and 70-200L f/4 with the D30 and, naturally, use the 50mm as my "walk around lens". What a fantastic portrait lens! But not a good "walk around". Too narrow and dof takes some real study.

Is there a prime that funtions well as a "working lens" for landscape as well as 4 to 10 ft closeups or do I need the flexability of a zoom? I managed with a Nikor 50mm on my old FE for years and it was so versatile I never took it off. Is the Sigma such a lens or will it just go in the bag as a specialty lens with the 70-200?

Not a prime lens but I use the 28-70mm F2.8L on the D30 for this purpose. At the 1.6X magnification it will not provide wide angle but it moves from a slightly wider than 50mm film lens to a near telephoto. A very nice combination. It is fast enough to be useful in most conditions but is not difficult to focus while still provide a limited depth of field if desired.

The lens is heavier than normal but not really heavy like the 70-200mm F2.8L.

I Like the 28mm 2.8 Canon as a "standard" replacement. I shot these with it.

http://www.pbase.com/d​werner/trains

It's sharp, contrasty, fast focusing, incredibly resistant to flare, compact AND cheap! (Photodo likes it too...)
(Take off the battery grip, put this lens on and you have a nice old fashioned 35mm SLR size camera!)

For 20mm: I would seriously consider the Canon f2.8.
I sent back a Sigma with soft edges, terrible flare, and some chromatic aberration. It may have been just that sample. (Many people are happy with theirs). But as I have had two Sigma duds recently, I do not have any faith in their quality control or long term reliability.

Good Luck!

Opinions Please:

Along the lines of this topic, I am looking to buy a new lense to get wide angle for shooting candids (indoors & out) and landscapes, sunsets, etc. The 2 lenses I am considering are:

Sigma 17-35 F2.8-4 HSM EX
Sigma 20mm F1.8 EX

If you have any experience with either or both I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks,
Chillpill

PS. New to this forum and love it, read it everyday, Thanks Pekka!!!