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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Fast glass or IS?

Postal Boy
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Aug 26, 2006, 2:18 PM

Post #1 of 19 (1216 views)
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Fast glass or IS?	Can't Post

Just starting out, is it better to have fast glass, or built in IS? I am looking at a faster Tamron lense, or the Canon 17-85 IS glass.

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 27, 2006, 9:18 AM

Post #2 of 19 (1191 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Both have the same goal, better exposures in poor lighting conditions.

Admittedly, but I have not favored IS for the mid-range lenses (50-100mm). I am an advocate of it for longer ranges.

With a lense that goes down to f1/2.8, you can really drop the DOF to get a neat effect and focus your viewers on just what you want. IS doesn't give any new options.

With those in mind, I guess I would suggest fast first, IS second for short/mid-range. Both for longer range (>150mm).

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Toogy
User

Aug 27, 2006, 10:21 AM

Post #3 of 19 (1187 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Both!!

My 17-55 F2.8 IS is an incredible lens! Never have to worry about camera shake anymore, I am probably ruined for life now that my two main lens are IS lens. Unsure

I constantly drag the shutter during receptions and my % of keepers is twice as high now that I have an IS lens.

But back to your original question, I'd prefer a F2.8 lens over a variable focal length lens (ie 17-85 F4-5.6) any day.
Plus with the 20D, 30D line of cameras, they focus more accurately/faster with a F2.8 lens or greater.
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

Postal Boy
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Aug 27, 2006, 5:11 PM

Post #4 of 19 (1165 views)
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Re: [Toogy] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks you guys for your input.

-Postal

Brackish
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Aug 28, 2006, 12:32 PM

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szerangue
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Aug 28, 2006, 2:26 PM

Post #6 of 19 (1139 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have the Canon 17-55 IS lens... wow, what a lens. The picture quality is so much better than the kit lens, it is amazing.
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Toogy
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Aug 28, 2006, 3:20 PM

Post #7 of 19 (1132 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also use a 70-200 F2.8 IS

I usually end up using the 17-55 more than the 70-200, but I couldn't imagine doing a wedding without either of these lens, even though I did all my weddings last year without them :)
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

Scott Brooks
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Aug 28, 2006, 3:24 PM

Post #8 of 19 (1127 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I have the Canon 17-55 IS lens... wow, what a lens. The picture quality is so much better than the kit lens, it is amazing.

Yup ... the 15-55IS and 70-200IS ... each one stays on a body all day long.

Brackish
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Aug 28, 2006, 3:26 PM

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Toogy
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Aug 28, 2006, 5:09 PM

Post #10 of 19 (1122 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also have a 10-22mm and a 50mm F1.4, but those hardly ever get used.
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

Brackish
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Aug 28, 2006, 5:26 PM

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Colvin ADTR
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Aug 28, 2006, 5:34 PM

Post #12 of 19 (1115 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am reading more and more that modern zooms are just as sharp as primes in the sweet spot (say f5.6-8). With the cheap lenses I use, it was easier to get a prime for low-light rather than deal with the f-stop variation of a zoom.

Toogy
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Aug 28, 2006, 9:00 PM

Post #13 of 19 (1101 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I honestly think my 17-55 is sharper than my 50mm F1.4. It is the sharpest lens I have ever owned, seriously.
I use the 10-22 sometimes for church interiors, but usually find 17mm is wide enough for that.

In Reply To

I also have a 10-22mm and a 50mm F1.4, but those hardly ever get used.

I know Jenn has said the 50 is a lot sharper than the 17-55 so she
thinks it would be better for portraits that would get blown up ... but
I take it that, for your own work, you find the 17-55 is adequate for
enlargements? Do you use the 17-55 for the inside chruch formals?

You don't use the 10-22 much for wide shots of the church interior and
exterior?

------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 28, 2006, 9:53 PM

Post #14 of 19 (1096 views)
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Re: [Toogy] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Tinker with the 24-70mm f2.8L as well. It lives on my 5D through most of the days.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Brackish
Veteran

Aug 29, 2006, 8:26 AM

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Toogy
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Aug 29, 2006, 9:56 AM

Post #16 of 19 (1074 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

For last year I used the following:

Tamron 28-75 F2.8, eventually replaced with a Canon 28-70 F2.8L
Canon 70-200 F4L - Great lens outdoors, but useless indoors.
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

AlanB
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Aug 29, 2006, 3:15 PM

Post #17 of 19 (1061 views)
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Re: [Toogy] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I usually end up using the 17-55 more than the 70-200, but I couldn't imagine doing a wedding without either of these lens, even though I did all my weddings last year without them :)

Jeff, do you find the 17-55 to be wide enough? I guess that depends on which body you are using. I would think with a 5D it would be fine, but I am curious if it is wide enough with a 20D/30D?

Thanks,
Alan

Toogy
User

Aug 29, 2006, 3:19 PM

Post #18 of 19 (1059 views)
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Re: [AlanB] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes the 17-55 is generally wide enough on the 30D/20D.

I have a 10-22 if I really need it.

PS, the 17-55 won't even fit on a 5D, since it is an EF-S lens. Tongue

------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

AlanB
Veteran

Aug 29, 2006, 3:26 PM

Post #19 of 19 (1056 views)
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Re: [Toogy] Fast glass or IS? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

PS, the 17-55 won't even fit on a 5D, since it is an EF-S lens. Tongue

DUH.... Ya know, I knew that. I guess I was thinking about 17 being wide enough without paying attention to the lens itself. Crazy

The photographer that did my sons wedding a few weeks ago was using two 5D's; one with a 16-35 and the other with a 70-200. Very nice setup. That 16-35 looks like it might be a nice choice for the 30D also. Although no IS.

Alan