Wanting a faster lens

I'm looking for a faster lens for indoor and night shots of mostly people/kids.
Going on a cruise this fall and was thinking of getting something before then for inside the ship and at night (along with indoor bday parties, aquarium shots, and other indoor/night events.) I have a flash but prefer not to use it whenever possible.

I like my ef-s 15-85mm, it's just a little slow and my 50mm is a little long indoors. Someday I wouldn't mind trying a full frame camera but probably not anytime soon.

Would like something at least 24mm wide and at least F2.8.

Was thinking of the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS or Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC. Canon would be a little better focal length but the Tamron would be nice if I ever decided on a full frame. $1200 for the Tamron is definitely the most I'd want to spend.

Sigma 18-35 is an option. It's a little short but f1.8 would be nice. No OS but I don't think i'd need it? Sigma has a 17-50mm f2.8 os too but i'd rather have the canon.

Could go with a 24mm prime. Canon f2.8 IS or Sigma 24 f1.8. Cheapest option but no zoom.

Anyone have any insight, suggestions or experience with these? Would be keeping all of my current lenses.

The sigma 18-35 is a great lens, tack sharp and fast. the 1.8 really helps, and it is sharp wide open. I just purchased a 6D and am contemplating selling as I cant justify keeping that as a back up lens only on my 50D. Good luck with your decision

The Sigma 18-35 is the first lens I'd buy if I owned an APS-C camera. I think it would complement your other lenses nicely.

My 2nd vote would go to the 17-55IS. I've owned one in the past, and it is a confidence inspiring lens. Very reliable.

I think I'd go with the 17-55 IS. IS is great, and at f/2.8 it's even better. The Sigma is a good lens from all accounts, but I'd rather have the IS, extra width and extra reach than f/1.8. The Tamron is a nice piece of glass, but 24mm is just too long as a starting focal length on crop IMHO.

Another couple primes for your consideration would be the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art or the Canon 35mm f/2 IS. That 35mm is one I've been drooling over for a long time. Budget keeps me from doing it, but that's probably the next prime in my bag whenever said budget becomes available. It also works on FF, so there's that added benefit too.

Another vote for the sigma 18-35. For what you describe you want, it is the perfect fit. The extra 1 1/3 stop over f2.8 comes in very handy and it is probably the sharpest crop lens out right now. It's really just several fast primes in a single package!

hokiealumnus wrote in post #17063540
Another couple primes for your consideration would be the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art or the Canon 35mm f/2 IS.

I've thought about the 35mm. Just a little long for indoors and too close to my 50mm for other purposes. It's one of those lenses that I want, but not sure what i'd use it for.

I voted 17-55 2.8. From the day I got that lens 3 1/2 years ago until now I have loved this lens. Unless I am doing long range bird or sports photography, the 17-55 never leaves my camera. For crop it is an amazing lens.

Learn to use your flash if at all possible. Bounced off the ceiling indoors it will give you better pictures with a kit lens than any other lens on the market in your average indoor light.

Now, if you've already got a flash and you think 50 is too long for indoors, then the obvious choice is the Sigma 1.8. However, this will be a slower lens for non-action night photography because it lacks IS.

You said you wanted it to go on a cruise. I recently went on a cruise, and I never walked around the ship with my 70D. I always took it with me off the boat, but on board I was too busy relaxing or eating to mess with a DSLR.

You're all wrong, haha.

My choice would be the 24/1.4, but if budget doesn't allow, the 28/1.8. If you're desperate for IS, there's a 28/2.8IS, but seems irrelevant to me at that focal length with modern high ISO and 1+1/3 stop wider max aperture.

Of course, the quick way to shorten your lenses (by ~1/3), and to do better in the dark (with brighter viewfinder and generally larger photosites on the sensor) is to go full frame... get a used 5Dc and enjoy your 50/1.8 the way it's meant to be!

the Canon 17-55 hands down. I do nightlife (Bar/Club ) photography and the 17-55 is sharp , quick auto focus and produces great results!

Sigma. There isn't anything like it from anyone else, and it is that good. Try finding 18, 20, 24, 28, 30, and 35mm f1.8 primes

vengence wrote in post #17063836
You said you wanted it to go on a cruise. I recently went on a cruise, and I never walked around the ship with my 70D. I always took it with me off the boat, but on board I was too busy relaxing or eating to mess with a DSLR.

We're taking our 2 young kids, which is what I want photos of on the cruise and inside the ship, so there won't be much relaxing when we're with them. They have a kids drop-off so hopefully we can get a little relaxation then.

The Canon is what I was leaning towards. I have a feeling my 15-85 might not get much use if I got the 17-55. Maybe I could sell it for something else.

I would forget about getting an f/2.8 lens because 2.8 is only about 1 stop faster than your 15-85 and it means you can shoot at 1/60 instead of 1/30 in low light. That is not going to be a huge benefit.

A flash is really your best solution for low light.

Heya,

Canon EF 35mm F2 IS
Canon EF 28mm F1.8

And crank ISO to 3200~6400 and spend some time on noise reduction methods and post processing.

Very best,