Best affordable low light SLR?

Has anybody looked at www.cambridgeincolour.​com? Has excellent (very) low photos taken around Cambridge University (in England), all taken with a 5D but I don't know what lens.

It strikes me that the 24-105L makes an excellent first all-purpose lens, and it seems to be packaged with bodies at quite attractive prices. But I want to get some fixed focal length lenses as well - does anyone have any specific recommendations? In the past I've always had a 28, 50 and 130 (is that last one right? - I don't have my camera bag here in Belize with me and I can't remember).

What about non-Canon lenses? Perhaps the best GP lenses ever had for FD were from the Tamron SP range. But I'm years out of touch and I don't see them around any more.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4129434
Has anybody looked at www.cambridgeincolour.​com? Has excellent (very) low photos taken around Cambridge University (in England), all taken with a 5D but I don't know what lens.

It strikes me that the 24-105L makes an excellent first all-purpose lens, and it seems to be packaged with bodies at quite attractive prices. But I want to get some fixed focal length lenses as well - does anyone have any specific recommendations? In the past I've always had a 28, 50 and 130 (is that last one right? - I don't have my camera bag here in Belize with me and I can't remember).

What about non-Canon lenses? Perhaps the best GP lenses ever had for FD were from the Tamron SP range. But I'm years out of touch and I don't see them around any more.

For a fullframe 5D the 24-105 seems to be a staple, but yes Tamron is still around. Their 28-75/2.8 is a great lens if you want faster than f/4, but it does not have IS. Of course, a canon 28/2.8, 50/1.4, and 135/2 would be a very good combo for a little more money than the 24-105.

Yeah, 50mm 1.4. Its like the bread and butter of primes. and on the 5D will take great shots. I'ts all about what you want to use it for though.

OK. I bit the bullet and bought on eBay, at what I think is a very good price (even allowing for the much-talked-about rebate that I won't get). Probably a grey import but as I don't live in the USA it doesn't make any difference.

It's a body plus the 24-105L lens. I now want to get a fixed focal length lens, maybe the standard 50mm or perhaps 35mm. I was looking at the L-series lenses in those focal lengths but they are way too expensive for me at present. I remember the FD days - I still have 50mm lenses in both 1.8 and 1.4 - and other than the 1/2 stop there was no benefit to the 1.4 and several disadvantages - cost of course, but also weight and bulk. I ended up taking the 1.8 out with me and leaving the 1.4 behind, unless I was taking my full bag (with 9 lenses).

So, as a sensible compromise, does anyone think I will be selling myself short if I get the 1.8? As I said, I want to take available-light photos, but 1/2 stop really isn't much. Unless there are other overwhelming reasons to go for one of the other lenses.....

Is there anyone out there with EF lenses that are surplus to needs and which they might part with? Given that I only have my "starter" lens I'm open to considering anything at present.

And lastly, are there any non-Canon lenses that people would recommend for EF use? For example, I bought a Sigma 600mm FD reflex lens because it was pretty good and I would only use it once in a blue moon. I doubt if I've taken more than 100 shots with it.

Actually, does anyone know if FD lenses will work with the 5D? Obviously the focusing won't work, but I can cope with that.

Peter,

Congratulations on your buy! The 5D is a fantastic camera!

I certainly understand the quandry of what lenses to buy! When I got my 5D it also came with the 24-105, which is a nice walk-around lens, plus one of the 50mm's is always good to have on hand, especially for low-light situations, since the 24-105 is f/4. It has IS for camera shake, which is good, and the 5D is so great in high-ISO performance that maybe the f/4 is no big deal...

On the wide end, rather than get a number of fixed lenses, I have the 16-35 f/2.8L

On the long end, well, I get serious since I do a lot of wildlife and landscape work.

If you want to see a number of pictures from a recent afternoon trek to Mount St. Helens, a Washington State active volcano, check here. I used the 5D with the 24-105 and the 70-200 f/2.8L, plus a panorama of shots from the 100-400 L.

Good luck with your endeavors!

Tony

---------------

Several Canon cameras, too many lenses and stuff to list

Tony Long Photos on PBase

If you are moving from film the only way to go is 5D

Welcolme Goodluck with the 5D. I moved up from a AE-1P last year.

moorel wrote in post #4128924
5D + 85mm f/1.2 L II = killer combo for low light portraits!

I really liked that combo for portraits when I had the 85L as well.

For me it's now the 5D + 24L. I absolutely love this combo.

Does anyone else feel like me that 50mm is a bit too narrow for a default "standard" lens? I've always preferred 35mm as being closer to what my eyes see.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
Hi guys
I've just registered to ask this question. I think maybe it's time to move on from my trusty Canon A1, that's served me well for over 25 years (!). If truth be known, I've used digital compacts for several years in preference, and I don't think I'll ever move back to film. But I love what an SLR can do. I've done a lot of low available-light work in my time and I love it, so whatever I get has to be good at that. Everyone seems to point me towards the 5D, so I have a few questions to ask you experts:-

1 Is the 5D the best model for low light photography in the Canon range?
2 Is there a camera of another make that runs it close, or maybe is better (I'm wondering specifically about Nikon)?
3 Returning to the Canon, I'm considering the 24-105 L-series zoom lens. Is this lens really as good as it's cracked up to be?
4 Does the old rule still apply, that however good a zoom lens there will be a fixed focal length lens that will eclipse its performance?
5 Is the current 5D soon to be replaced, and will the replacement be such that I'd regret having jumped into the market too soon?

There's probably a lot more I should be asking, but as I'm new here I don't want to be too greedy! I can tell that you people like your 5Ds, but if you were starting over again is that really what you would buy? Remember, it's LOW LIGHT that I'm really interested in.
Peter

1. No. 1D Mk III is (available). But the expected (that is, not even announced yet) 5D Mk II should be better.

2. Yes. Nikon D3 is better. It is announced but not yet available.

3. It is a good lens, but not suitable for low light due to its f/4 aperture. Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 is one stop faster.

4. Prime lenses usually have larger apertures, so more suitable for low light. But in terms of resolution at small aperture (say f/8), zoom lens is as good.

5. 5D is expected to be replaced sometimes next year.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4137590
OK. I bit the bullet and bought on eBay, at what I think is a very good price (even allowing for the much-talked-about rebate that I won't get). Probably a grey import but as I don't live in the USA it doesn't make any difference.

It's a body plus the 24-105L lens. I now want to get a fixed focal length lens, maybe the standard 50mm or perhaps 35mm. I was looking at the L-series lenses in those focal lengths but they are way too expensive for me at present. I remember the FD days - I still have 50mm lenses in both 1.8 and 1.4 - and other than the 1/2 stop there was no benefit to the 1.4 and several disadvantages - cost of course, but also weight and bulk. I ended up taking the 1.8 out with me and leaving the 1.4 behind, unless I was taking my full bag (with 9 lenses).

So, as a sensible compromise, does anyone think I will be selling myself short if I get the 1.8? As I said, I want to take available-light photos, but 1/2 stop really isn't much. Unless there are other overwhelming reasons to go for one of the other lenses.....

Is there anyone out there with EF lenses that are surplus to needs and which they might part with? Given that I only have my "starter" lens I'm open to considering anything at present.

And lastly, are there any non-Canon lenses that people would recommend for EF use? For example, I bought a Sigma 600mm FD reflex lens because it was pretty good and I would only use it once in a blue moon. I doubt if I've taken more than 100 shots with it.

Actually, does anyone know if FD lenses will work with the 5D? Obviously the focusing won't work, but I can cope with that.

I would definitely get the 1.4 over the 1.8. AF accuracy on the 1.8 leaves MUCH to be desired.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4137590
OK. I bit the bullet and bought on eBay, at what I think is a very good price (even allowing for the much-talked-about rebate that I won't get). Probably a grey import but as I don't live in the USA it doesn't make any difference.

It's a body plus the 24-105L lens. I now want to get a fixed focal length lens, maybe the standard 50mm or perhaps 35mm. I was looking at the L-series lenses in those focal lengths but they are way too expensive for me at present. I remember the FD days - I still have 50mm lenses in both 1.8 and 1.4 - and other than the 1/2 stop there was no benefit to the 1.4 and several disadvantages - cost of course, but also weight and bulk. I ended up taking the 1.8 out with me and leaving the 1.4 behind, unless I was taking my full bag (with 9 lenses).

So, as a sensible compromise, does anyone think I will be selling myself short if I get the 1.8? As I said, I want to take available-light photos, but 1/2 stop really isn't much. Unless there are other overwhelming reasons to go for one of the other lenses.....

I have the 1.8 and wish I could afford the 1.4. I would certainly upgrade if I had the money (and no other long list of lenses I want). The build quality, image quality and autofocus are all reasons to get the better lens.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4137590
Is there anyone out there with EF lenses that are surplus to needs and which they might part with? Given that I only have my "starter" lens I'm open to considering anything at present.

Have you looked in the sell forum? There's a lot of lenses being sold there every day - some common, some not. You generally get good prices, and assuming the person you buy from has a good number of posts and is open, the risk is probably lower than ebay.

https://photography-on-the.net …ay.php?s=&daysp​rune=&f=14

peterbj7 wrote in post #4137590
And lastly, are there any non-Canon lenses that people would recommend for EF use? For example, I bought a Sigma 600mm FD reflex lens because it was pretty good and I would only use it once in a blue moon. I doubt if I've taken more than 100 shots with it.

Actually, does anyone know if FD lenses will work with the 5D? Obviously the focusing won't work, but I can cope with that.

The FD system has a shorter distance between the rear of the lens and the film than any modern system. The EF mount is great for a lot of things (using manual M42 and Nikon lenses for instance), but unfortunately any FD-EF adapter will result in loss of infinity focus (essentially, it acts like an extension tube). There is some FD-EF adapters with a lens in them to allow infinity focus, but the Canon made ones (made when EOS was first launched) are very rare and sell for a lot, and the chinese ones available on ebay are of low quality. The optics also magnify any image by 1.3x.

Basically, it's not worth trying to connect the two in terms of IQ loss.

Have fun with your new camera - I wish I had one

Know the old adage that if it seems too good to be true it probably is? Having discussed some extras with my seller (memory cards, batteries, etc) I was about to do the deal and sign over my Paypal money when an email came through from eBay saying they'd just chopped all this guys auctions and cancelled his status as a seller. Right now I feel very lucky!

SO, I now have the opportunity to reconsider before I jump into the fray once more. I think the choice of 5D still seems to be best, taking outright performance, price and availability into account, but should I wait a little longer? On lenses, I think I'll still go for the 24-105L as it seems a very good "default" lens with what for me seems a really useful focal length range. In the light of comments I'll go for a 1.4 standard lens rather than the 1.8. I really liked the look of the 1.0 lens someone sent me particulars of, but I don't have the $3500-odd the owner wanted. It may well be worth every cent, but for similar reasons I'm not about to buy a Bugatti either.

I'm thinking I might look at used, but it seems to me that most people love their 5Ds and don't sell unless there's some reason.

5D users are going to hate me but you absolutely don't need it to get low light images. For 95% of the time a 20/30/40D will do just as well. And when printed or sized for screen output (not peeped at 100% magnification), you can't tell the difference. If money is no issue - go for the 5d or Nikon D300. If you want to buy a camera with some very nice glass for less then the price of a soon-to-be-replaced 5d, any of the 20/30/40 class cameras will do the job just fine. They will be leap years better then your film experience.

Pete wrote in post #4126981
The current 5D will suit you fine. There's absolutely no reason to wait for whatever comes next.

This is a 1sec exposure at ISO3200. I intentionally didn't apply and noise reduction or sharpening to show off what the 5D can do.

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos​/large/IMG_2248.jpg

WOW! The 5D can shovel...?