Suggestions on my next lens

Though I don't think I will be buying for a while I have been looking around at getting my next lens. I have a canon 60D with the kit 18-200mm 3.5-5.6. The second lens I picked up was a 17-50 f2.8 for darker event shooting as the 3.5 doesn't cut it. I am definitely a hobbyist photographer I don't make any serious money from it. I like to shoot events like sports weddings for friends. I love night photography with long exposures. I love me landscapes. I like to travel and taking pictures of things up close and from far away day and night.

So Im finding my equipment has two functional gaps in my use. one is that I am constantly taking multiple shoots and having to stitch them together so some day I'll need a wider lens but not sure if it would be really all that worth it considering I already have the 18mm. The second gap is dark event shooting.

being a college student I don't have much money at the time and like the Idea of cheeping my lens prices down enough where they are still functional.

Im kinda looking at getting a 50mm 1.4 or a something. im not sure. I'm very open to suggestions off brands are welcomed.

what about the sigma 30 1.4?

If you want something wider than 18 for landscapes and travel, the Canon 10-22 is, IMO, the best you can get. For astrophotography (if that is what you're into), the Tokina 11-16 is as good as it gets, but this lens is more limited when it comes to travel and landscape due to the very short zoom range.

10mm and 18mm, although they are only 8mm on paper, are vastly different through the viewfinder.

If you can't afford a Canon 10-22, look at the Sigma 10-20. It's cheaper, and still a very decent lens. Although with that said, I have tried the Sigma myself, and found the Canon to be better.

Some shots from the Canon 10-22:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/noobography/6​315458952/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/noobography/6​998565306/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/noobography/8​129995748/

shallfrisch wrote in post #16457799
... The second gap is dark event shooting.

get a flash and diffuser, and learn good bounce flash technique

timbop wrote in post #16458361
get a flash and diffuser, and learn good bounce flash technique

I already have one thanks. I was talking about a new lens because flash is often not allowed or if you are out side or have a high ceiling you cant bounce.

Sirrith wrote in post #16457807
If you want something wider than 18 for landscapes and travel, the Canon 10-22 is, IMO, the best you can get. For astrophotography (if that is what you're into), the Tokina 11-16 is as good as it gets, but this lens is more limited when it comes to travel and landscape due to the very short zoom range.

10mm and 18mm, although they are only 8mm on paper, are vastly different through the viewfinder.

If you can't afford a Canon 10-22, look at the Sigma 10-20. It's cheaper, and still a very decent lens. Although with that said, I have tried the Sigma myself, and found the Canon to be better.

I'm looking for something faster then those. i guess my concern would be for dim event shooting.

I agree with Sirrith. The Sigma 10-20 is pretty well regarded and won't break the bank. There are also the Tokina 12-24 and a 12-28 that hasn't gotten a lot of press but is an excellent focal length for wide use. The Canon 15-85 isn't fast, but it is quality glass and is capable of staying on your camera long term with its great all purpose focal length. The new Sigma 17-70 is faster (2.8-4), cheaper, and a little lighter, but 17mm isn't really much wider than 18mm, but 15mm will be noticeably wider than 18mm.

shallfrisch wrote in post #16459296
I already have one thanks. I was talking about a new lens because flash is often not allowed or if you are out side or have a high ceiling you cant bounce. Please answer my question or don't be a waste.

wow. You think that getting a lens is going to solve your problem with dark venues, and I tried to advise you on addressing that need on the cheap. Over 175 weddings I have found that a demb flip-it or fong lightsphere do a great job in venues with high ceilings. However, you should disregard what I am saying because I didn't tell you to buy a $500 lens.

I'll unsubscribe so I don't accidentally tell you something you don't want to know.

shallfrisch wrote in post #16459304
I'm looking for something faster then those. i guess my concern would be for dim event shooting.

So you want something wider than 18 and faster than 2.8?

BrickR wrote in post #16459334
I agree with Sirrith. The Sigma 10-20 is pretty well regarded and won't break the bank. There are also the Tokina 12-24 and a 12-28 that hasn't gotten a lot of press but is an excellent focal length for wide use. The Canon 15-85 isn't fast, but it is quality glass and is capable of staying on your camera long term with its great all purpose focal length. The new Sigma 17-70 is faster (2.8-4), cheaper, and a little lighter, but 17mm isn't really much wider than 18mm, but 15mm will be noticeably wider than 18mm.

I think If I get a wide angle lens it would be in the 10-20 range so I would bet the sigma. I already have a 17-55 f2.8 which is a versatile dim light lens and is comparable to the sigma 17-70 and cannon 15-85.

I'm thinking of getting a prime lens I hear that learning a prime lens makes you a better photographer and they are fast and cheap. Should I just go with canon's nifty fifty or will that be to tight for a crop? If I was to go wider what would be the next best bang for the buck?

shallfrisch wrote in post #16459296
I already have one thanks. I was talking about a new lens because flash is often not allowed or if you are out side or have a high ceiling you cant bounce. Please answer my question or don't be a waste.

Is it how you usually get friends?

timbop wrote in post #16459465
I'll unsubscribe so I don't accidentally tell you something you don't want to know.

Don't you know buying an expensive new lens fixes ALL problems?

If you're'shooting in places where flash isn't allowed though and light is really that much of a problem and you've already got an f2.8 lens that's not helping you, you'll probably want something that's f1.4. This will in turn present problems with nailing focus, and depth of field issues. As to WHICH f1.4 lens will suit you, that'll depend on the field of view you want to capture and how deep your pockets are.

Good luck looking, and just a gentle reminder that being rude and ignorant to those making suggestions is a great way to get no suggestions at all.

Sirrith wrote in post #16459498
So you want something wider than 18 and faster than 2.8?

Well sure if you can magically make it inexpensive . I'm debating which gap I want to fill right now the wider or the faster part. So I'm looking at lenses that are wider and separately looking at lens that are faster.

as I said in the post above I am starting to lean towards a prime to fill in the speed issue.

shallfrisch wrote in post #16459513
Well sure if you can magically make it inexpensive . I'm debating which gap I want to fill right now the wider or the faster part. So I'm looking at lenses that are wider and separately looking at lens that are faster.

as I said in the post above I am starting to lean towards a prime to fill in the speed issue.

Unfortunately that doesn't exist. The widest you can go with faster than 2.8 is 18mm, I believe (or 24mm on FF). And that actually leads me to the next recommendation: Sigma 18-35 1.8, which will be well suited for events (I dislike primes for events, too much going on, too little time).
But I agree with the posters above that suggest flash. Just using wide aperture will not help much, you will find that the DOF becomes too narrow. Many nightclub shooters use the 11-16 or the 16-35 on FF + flash for that reason, they get the DOF required and they get the light they want.

Sirrith wrote in post #16459527
Unfortunately that doesn't exist. The widest you can go with faster than 2.8 is 18mm, I believe (or 24mm on FF). And that actually leads me to the next recommendation: Sigma 18-35 1.8, which will be well suited for events (I dislike primes for events, too much going on, too little time).
But I agree with the posters above that suggest flash. Just using wide aperture will not help much, you will find that the DOF becomes too narrow. Many nightclub shooters use the 11-16 or the 16-35 on FF + flash for that reason, they get the DOF required and they get the light they want.

gosh, where those look amazing I can't fork out that kind of cash.

I was thinking of getting the prime for more selective shots where an extra bit of light would be appreciated where my workhorses would be the other two lens with a flash.
does that seem reasonable or am I missing something. I think the 17- 50 works decently nice but I could use a bit more light sometimes and I some times want more bohke then either can give.