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+--- Thread: Fast glass recommendations? (/Thread-Fast-glass-recommendations)
Fast glass recommendations? - Shannon - 01-22-2011
I have a few gaps left in my lens collection. One is a fast prime for low light/available darkness situations; one is a macro lens; and one is a wide angle zoom.
I was recently asked to shoot some band images in what amounts to a nightmare scenario. Extremely low light, black walls and ceiling, and lots of fast movement. My 2.8 lenses could only keep up at ISO6400 and 1/30th to 1/60th of a second. Motion blur and noise are major problems in these images, and focus was inconsistent because of the darkness. The flash and diffuser worked, but killed the natural light ambiance, and made for some horrid shadows even when a diffuser was used. Black ceilings did not help.
So I need to fill the "low light lens" gap in my kit. I'm looking at the 50/1.4 and the 50/1.2, and that led to considering the 85/1.2, which led to the 85/1.8.... starting to see stars and have headspin here.
Anyone have any of these lenses? Any suggestions? My inner perfectionist says "Only the best!" but my pragmatic wallet says $1,500 for a lens I won't use much for most situations is a bit hard to swallow right now. The 50/1.4 isn't an L, and won't last me a lifetime, and I have read about it dying during weddings... not acceptable. The 85/1.2 is $400+ more ($1,900+) optically superior in almost every way, but has even shallower DOF, is bigger than a grapefruit and heavy, and isn't going to allow me to be as close... and the 1.8/85 is not really fast enough.
Opinions? Suggestions? Comments? Donations? (Just kiddng! lol)
RE: Fast glass recommendations? - Shannon - 01-23-2011
And then there's the Siggy 1.4 I forgot, which only adds to the confusion...
RE: Fast glass recommendations? - ronatello - 01-24-2011
For wide angle zoom: how about the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L II? Of course on your full frame camera, that will be very wide angle. The 24-70mm F2.8 L may be more versatile.
If you are concerned about the 50mm 1.4 dying, go with the 50 1.2 L lens.
With you being as serious as you are with your photography, I would just stick with L lenses only.
This website is pretty good about reviews: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/
He reviews a slew of Canon (and 3rd party like Sigma, Tamron, etc.) lenses.
The only L lens I have is the 70-200 F4L non IS. That's all I can afford!
RE: Fast glass recommendations? - Shannon - 01-25-2011
I forgot to mention, I have the 24-70L/2.8. Love it. The 16-35/2.8 L is the only option for a wide angle zoom, really, because of it's 2.8, and for wedding and event work, that's even slow.
I have concluded that my only real options for the 50 are the Sigma 1.4 and the Canon 1.2. And you're right, anything less than the best I can get is going to drive me nuts eventually. So... I guess here's to saving.