Camera gear - list yours!

if you're going to buy a prime lens, make it a good one; ie, don't skimp on quality. In most cases in life, you get what you pay for, and this is the instance for prime lenses.

Something with a low aperture (1.4/1.8) will allow great bokehh and detail in low lighted conditions, with out the use of additional lighting; If low light photography is your main shooting condition, i wouldn't go much higher than f/2.8.

If you can only afford one prime lens to start with, I recommend going for a wider-angled lens, because you can always crop in after you have take the photo; but you can't zoom out. you may find that you can always walk/get closer to your subject when shooting, but you can not always shoot from 30+ feet away.

I could not agree more with what Indiejack said, a 20/24mm, 50mm, 85mm and possibly a 105mm or 200mm (if you shoot long distances/landscapes, could possibly be the only lenses you would ever need.

read a bit more http://www.kenrockwell.com/ about lenses ect, and at http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses or http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison for more info before you buy, but i think a 20mm would be your best bet!

- Billy

I am using Canon 350D/Xti. 8.0-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints. Includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 zoom lens. DIGIC II Image Processor provides fast, accurate image processing; captures images at a rate of up to 3 frames per second. Fast start-up time--.2 seconds.

[pjurisprudencia]

shooting for since I was a junior in highschool now a freshman in college my gear is some stupid basic stuff.
canon 40D
YN462 Flash
Canon 70-200 F4L
Tokina 17mm f3.5 ATX-Pro

gets the jobs done kind of.

[indiejack]

Depends on what you're going for, the 50mm 1.4 you have now is a great lens, I love my 85mm 1.8 a ton but if you're looking to get more wide shots you'd do better with a 20mm 2.8 or higher aperture (of course the higher the aperture the higher the pricetag generally).

Advantage of the 85mm is the ability to shoot from a greater distance and still get that feeling like you're right there.
Example: shot around 30+/- foot away


A great set of primes IMO would include a 20 or 24mm, a 50 and an 85 which should cover most of your needs.

[Nazvil86]

yeahhh thats where im at right now. I can get a AB1600 , stand, and wireless trigger...which wouldn't be TOO much of a dent to the pocket- but as far as other primes go im not sure. I dont wanna dump over a grand on a lens yet. I think I want something wider but I was looking at the 85mm 1.8 or..something in the 20mm range. Anyone have input?

I have an E-PL1 and have been looking for an additional lens, mainly to shoot in low light (bar bands, etc) Everyone seems to love the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7

A lens database for Native M4/3 and Adapted lenses.

I've been contemplating getting either the Panasonic 17mm, or something wider, like the Rokinon 8mm. I currently have the Rokinon 8mm for my Nikon, and it is a beautiful lens; great sharp photos, its wide, and the build of the lens is superb. Google it!!!!

If your not after a prime lens, I have heard the weather sealed 12-50mm is suppost to be alright; kinda pointless having a weather proof lens, and not a body though...

thinking about either picking up a wide fast prime lens, or some strobes - still torn between the two.

PRIME!
There is no point having strobes if you don't have some decent glass to take the photo with in the first place!

[Nazvil86]

Been a long time viewer of S/W - finally decided to register on the forum and start posting up in this section since I recently started shooting again.

Gear so far :
Canon 5dMk2
Canon 50mm 1.4

thinking about either picking up a wide fast prime lens, or some strobes - still torn between the two.

[stagen]

I recently bought a Olympus E-PM1 with the stock flash and 14-42mm kit lens. Can anyone recommend a fun little lens to upgrade to? I've been contemplating getting an fd-4/3 adapter and using my old canon fd lenses, but i don't have anything amazing besides a 50mm, that i could see myself using.

I'll definently be buying the 15mm f/8, it looks incredible, 22grms, ha im just after something a little wider/sharper aswell.

thanks in advance,
Billy

I have an E-PL1 and have been looking for an additional lens, mainly to shoot in low light (bar bands, etc) Everyone seems to love the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7

A lens database for Native M4/3 and Adapted lenses.

I recently bought a Olympus E-PM1 with the stock flash and 14-42mm kit lens. Can anyone recommend a fun little lens to upgrade to? I've been contemplating getting an fd-4/3 adapter and using my old canon fd lenses, but i don't have anything amazing besides a 50mm, that i could see myself using.

I'll definently be buying the 15mm f/8, it looks incredible, 22grms, ha im just after something a little wider/sharper aswell.

thanks in advance,
Billy

[mayhem]

550D
18-55 (kitlens)
75-300 (kitlens)
24-70 F2.8 Sigma
50mm F1.8 II Canon

[donovan772]

D3100
18-55 kit lens
35mm 1.8G
Manfroto tri-pod
LowePro back pack

GoPro HERO3 Black Edition
Tri-pod mount
suction mount
etc.

Starting school soon and I will probably acquire much, much more

[anandayusuf]

Canon 60D (body only)
Canon 10-22mm f4.0
Canon 24mm f1.4L

Thanks for the advice Billy, after some research the Sigma sounds like a suitable replacement with solid reviews from most sources.
Cheers!

Not a problem, glad I could help.
Billy

[dailyrotary]

Thanks for the advice Billy, after some research the Sigma sounds like a suitable replacement with solid reviews from most sources.
Cheers!

What is a good wide angle zoom upgrade for a Canon 400D? I have been using the stock 18-55mm which is a good all-round lens but could use a crisper image.

I prefer up close shots, car shows etc. I tested a Canon 24-105mm which is awesome but very expensive, looking for something more affordable

Hey mate,
I've used a Tokina 12-24mm on my mates canon, which I really liked. It feels really sturdy and well made. The 11-16mm is also apparently very good aswell, but may be a little to wide for your uses, and quite expensive. maybe a Sigma 17-70mm?

Both the Tokina 12-24, and the Sigma 17-70mm are very good lenses, and are both very affordable. Here they are...

Sigma- [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-70mm-2-8-4-Canon-Digital/dp/B002ZNJB32/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360995350&sr=1-8&keywords=sigma+24-70"]Amazon.com: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Canon Mount Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics[/ame]

Tokina- [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-12-24MM-Digital-Canon-Cameras/dp/B001LD51H2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360995457&sr=1-1&keywords=tokina+12+24+canon"]Amazon.com: Tokina 12-24MM F/4.0 Pro II Zoom Lens for Digital Canon SLR Cameras: Electronics[/ame]

Hope this helps,
Billy