Lens advice - low light, some zoom - Digital Scrapbooking Community

esther_a · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 07:53 AM

I purchased a Canon Rebel twin lens DLSR last year and have had lots of fun with it. And now my birthday/Christmas wish has come true and I can purchase a new lens. I thought I knew what I wanted having read all the threads here, but now I'm filled with uncertainty.

I have
Canon EOS 1000D Body
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens

I get frustrated trying to take sports photos in low light (winter or indoors) or indoor portraits (eg birthday parties). So I figure I need to use a low f-stop.
When I set my camera to Aperture priority (well I think I am) with the 18-55mm lens, why can I only go down to f4.5?

I was thinking of the Canon Lens 85mm EF f/1.8 USM, but I now realize it has a fixed, medium telephoto lens. I can't ever remember having a zoom-less lens! Will I cope without zooming in for sports shots?!! Will it be useless for indoor portraits?

Sorry. That is a lot of questions. Can you make any suggestions?! I'm looking to spend up to $700.

Thanks,
Esther

katrinak · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 08:24 AM

Glad you are able to add a new lens to the bag! Always so fun!

First question - with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 you are probably zoomed to 40mm or so when you can't get a wider aperture than f/4.5. The 3.5-5.6 tells you that it is a variable aperture lens meaning that you only get the widest aperture when you are at 18mm and the when you are at 55mm you are only going to be able to use 5.6. KWIM?

I think zoom wise you will be disappointed with the 85mm for sports photos, just not close enough especially if you shoot at the 300mm end frequently. BUT, take a look at your favorite photos and see what focal length you shoot at most often to really be sure.

The 85mm can be a nice portrait lens but I believe Kim has pointed out that you do need some space to work in. So if you shoot in tight spots, keep that in mind. Best way to know? Take your 75-300, set it at a focal length of 85mm and see what you find.

I'm sure others will chime in with their perspectives too! (and recommendations)

esther_a · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 08:28 AM

Thanks Katrina! Well, blow me down, the aperture does change as I zoom in and out!! I had no idea about the zoom vs aperture relationship. I thought maybe my camera was broken or something!!
But I would certainly appreciate some recommendations!

sweetpeony · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:17 AM

Found some info in Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book. He recommends a 300 - 400mm telephoto for sports, shooting wide open, jpeg for speed, and at an ISO of 400 for indoors. And VR.

The 400's are expensive, though, and big. I was looking at one as a bird lens. They should come with a burro to help cart them around!

KerryMac · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:18 AM

Hi Esther!
I used to have a lens that was just fantastic for what you're looking for. I did a quick search and found a couple of them used, which might not be for you, but it's a thought since Tamron doesn't seem to produce this lens any longer.
It's a 2.8 fixed (so it wont' change aperture unless you want it to) 28-105. I had one for years, until I dropped it

. I don't know why Tamron stopped making it!
The key to low light shooting is a wide aperture. It is very frustrating when you can't fully control that!
Right now I have a Canon 24-70 f 2.8 that I love, but it was around $1100 and a 70 zoom might not help you out too much.

kmartorina · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:33 AM

You could look at Canon's extension tubes. just a suggestion.

esther_a · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 09:48 PM

Kathryn, thanks for that suggestion. I knew nothing about extension tubes and after doing some research I've had to sleep on it! So if I had an 85mm, I could use an extension tube to zoom in a little closer, is that right?

Kerry, that lens does sound ideal. I found the CANON EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Zoom Lens (I see Kathryn has that, too) and it's a bit outside my budget!

I took Katrina's advice and looked at the zoom I used most frequently. It varies from 35-85. So maybe I should just get the super-cheap EF 50mm F1.8 II lens. Perhaps when my DH has finished his study and is fully qualified I can splash out on the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens...!!

Mary Ann, I've seen the amazing lenses the pros have at sporting events! Maybe they need them because they're further away from the action or because they want to zoom in ultra close for facial expressions. Luckily I get to stand quite close to watch my daughters play sport!

Thanks again. The advice is hugely appreciated!

Esther

Aino · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 10:49 PM

Esther, I like all of the above advice. But I want to add one more thing.

I definately think what you are looking for is a lens with a fixed aperture of say, f2.8. These lenses are good for low light and they are quick. If you raise your ISO, you can get by shooting great photos without flash even under low-light conditions.

I am a Nikon girl myself (aaaarrrgh!!! Please don't shoot me!!) - and I don't know much about Canon lenses.
What I do know - is that you should consider Tamron as a good option. They are generally also cheaper.
My latest lens, a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is amazing. Sharp, quick, lovely bokeh, sweet.
I am very happy I got it.
This would be a little short for your purpose though, but there is a Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro, with a pricetag around 700 USD which I think would serve you well. It has a fixed aperture (which in general raises the price of the lens), it is long and looks very OK to me. (They call it a flawed gem, but you can't "get it all" in a lens and not pay for it.)
Have a look at a Flickr site to see if you like the photos and read user's comments. Always useful.

There is also a similar Sigma lens which looks interesting.

The 85mm is a wonderful lens, but I am uncertain as to whether it would serve your purpose.

esther_a · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 02:25 AM

OK. I looked at Tamron. I must confess I'm still a bit interested in the shorter zoom because would like it for indoors as well and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Lens is within my budget (if I buy it from New York!!)! The site said it is a good choice for 1.6x FOVCF Digital SLR users.

What is 1.6x FOVCF Digital SLR?!!