Just a 35 for now??

OK, after many MANY weeks of looking I "think" I may know to do. Any suggestions thoughts would be great! Instead of waiting to buy the 5D and having to sell my left lung for it plus lenses, I'm thinking of getting the 30D and the 35L**, or the 30D and the 50 1.4 and the 100 macro and tubes.

My short term plan is the following
30D
35L
50 1.4
100 macro with tubes

Then when I hit the lottery I want to upgrade to the 5D or better when the new models come out. And get the 200L with the TC and the 85 1.8.

** For many years I've used just a 50 on my film camera and was happy, so I think I could it again. The lenses I use most on the film camera are the 35, 50 and 85. If I buy the 35 it'll be at least a year before I could afford anything else. Unless I sell a bunch of my MF lenses. But if I really like the 30D and the 35 I will start slowly selling my FD gear to go almost fully to digital, keeping only the fun fast most used FD stuff for fun and sentimental reasons.

Any comments, suggestions, yeah that sounds ok to only have one lens and it being a prime is no problem??

PS-I don't use zooms with the FD system, I have tried 4 different L zooms and didn't like them, I like the primes better.

well, if i were going to be "stuck" with one prime for general photography purposes the 35 1.4 certianly wouldnt be a bad on for sure. if you want to experiment a bit with macro you could even throw in the set of tubes and use them on the 35.

The 35mm f/1.4L is a great lens. Super sharp, well built, focuses fast, provides a great "standard" FoV on crop cameras and focuses very close. Just a wonderful all-around lens.

I liked the 35mm f/2.0 as well, AFD focus and all. The L is just that much better.

Here is a thought. The 35 1.4 is an outstanding lens. I own the 35 2.0 and it is a great performer. Not where the 1.4 is, but very good in it's own right.

If you are looking for a little more "immediate" variety you could get the 35 2.0, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, and the 100 macro for about $200 more than the cost of the 35 1.4.

None of them are "L", but all are very, very good.

Just a thought.

I really enjoy the 35 f/2 as well. Who says it has to have an L on it to perform? Its super cheap, built fairly well, and works great! It is a buzzer (af motor), but that doesn't bother me any. I had the XTi, 35mm f/2, and the 580ex out last night at the bar... got 450 candids of coworkers and other intoxicated patrons. What a night! HA!

How would it work in a dark bar without a flash?

ehh not so well I dont think. Having the 580ex plus the lightsphere was really really key! The shots all came out VERY good like in some cases it looks like a studio softbox setup. The thing really does work well when you have low white ceilings and walls. I think without the flash you'll end up with dark underexposed shots, off color tones from te neon lights, or blurry shots. Heck, I was shooting 1/50 f/4 iso 400 with the 580... probalby could have shot iso 100 but what the hey.

i would say it would work well, with the ISO cranked up anyway. doesnt get much better than F1.4

Plus with getting more lenses instead of the L I get double rebates, so if I get the 35 2.0, the 50, and the macro it'll cost less then the L plus I'll get the double rebates.


eta: but then again I don't want to buy lenses now to have to upgrade them later. I want good stuff so I don't need to upgrade. I'd rather have quality over quantity. If i get the L and throw the 50 in (my CC is now in hiding!), with the rebates from the lens and the camera I'll be paying $85 bucks for the 50.

I think kidpower's comment above is on the right track. I would suggest 3 lenses instead of 4 and with the hoods and rebates it should come out to about what the 35L alone costs. First, the 28mm f/1.8 instead of the 35mm f/2. It has a 7-blade aperture instead of the 35's 5-blades, it has the USM motor as well, and, it is closer to "normal" than 35mm and closer to AOV you are used to. Second, the 50mm f/1.4. And last, skip the 85mm focal length and (especially if you want to do macro) get the 100mm macro (BTW, I have this lens and it is really nice). Just my thoughts.

jr once I get a FF camera I won't want the 28. I have that for film and it's rarely on the camera if at all.

B & H 35 1.4 1, 135

35 2.0 229

50 1.4 315

85 1.8 340

100 macro 390

None of the above prices has the rebate included in them.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #2211025
...but then again I don't want to buy lenses now to have to upgrade them later.

I don't think the lenses I suggested would need upgrading later. Oh, BTW, the sooner you get rid of the manual lenses and 35mm gear the better price you will get for it. I sold off my old 35mm and MF systems a couple of years ago and wish I had done so a year earlier when I first considered doing so. If I waited until now I would had got even less. The sooner you sell the better money-wise.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #2211052
jr once I get a FF camera I won't want the 28. I have that for film and it's rarely on the camera if at all.

I understand, I rarely used my 28mm with my 35mm film camera as well, however, there were times when I needed it. I have the 15mm f/2.8 that I now use with my 20D, again, rarely used but surely needed at times. Besides, how long before you get that FF?

IDk... even with a 1.4 lens I think you would have problems shooting in a bar without a flash. Even if you can get enough light to get proper exposure, you are more than likely going to have serious AF issues without the flash assist. Out of 450 photos taken, I bet 425 of them are keepers. Thats saying something about how well the 580ex works....i love it!