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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Need help choosing a good lens

arami
User

Aug 15, 2005, 11:45 PM

Post #1 of 17 (3506 views)
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Need help choosing a good lens	Can't Post

Hello everybody,

I am about to buy the Canon 20D for wedding photography.

I need help choosing a good lens to start with and where to buy it.

Thanks in advance,

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

daremo
User

Aug 16, 2005, 8:00 AM

Post #2 of 17 (3500 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Autofocus Lens
for Canon EOS - bought from BHphotovideo.com

A awesome lense with the Canon 20D. I shot these photos using that lense and the Canon 20D, although the photo subject is not wedding related, you at least can see the quality of the shots.

- Anything that kills you, only makes me stronger.

arami
User

Aug 16, 2005, 2:42 PM

Post #3 of 17 (3484 views)
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Re: [daremo] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks daremo. That's a good price.

Cool pictures!

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

scotthayes
Veteran

Aug 16, 2005, 7:52 PM

Post #4 of 17 (3466 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

dude, check www.fredmiranda.com, people sell those all the time
for Canon L glass, there is one on there now for $275. Along with the
17-35, a killer combo.

If your gear is paid for, KEEP IT!

StudioAdam
Enthusiast

Aug 17, 2005, 9:17 AM

Post #5 of 17 (3445 views)
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Re: [daremo] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

I;m in the same boat as Arami, but I'm leaning toward the Digital Rebel 8.0 to start with, and put the savings into a good lens or two. It's been suggested to have a good ultra wide and a zoom lens.

I read this online today while researching.

If you can afford it, go with the 20D. If you can�t afford it, the Rebel XT is a very capable performer. I�d rather have the Rebel XT and a good lens than the 20D and a mediocre lens. Consider ordering the Rebel XT without the lens kit and invest the savings in a good quality lens, such as a Canon UltraSonic lens.

Any suggestions? Advice to support or refute?

Thanks,

Adam

Adam

VU Minnesota Campus

arami
User

Aug 17, 2005, 9:54 AM

Post #6 of 17 (3440 views)
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Re: [scotthayes] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Scott!

The fredmiranda website is awesome. I registered last night and spent a good chunk of time in there.

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

scotthayes
Veteran

Aug 17, 2005, 9:57 AM

Post #7 of 17 (3432 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

it is ADDICTING!

If your gear is paid for, KEEP IT!

arami
User

Aug 17, 2005, 9:59 AM

Post #8 of 17 (3432 views)
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Re: [StudioAdam] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also have the Digital Rebel XT in mind.

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 17, 2005, 11:57 AM

Post #9 of 17 (3420 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Consider more factors.... What type of shooting will you do, and in what lighting??

I have been doing integrated photo/video this season, and thus do not lug a vast lighting kit for photos. I have found that the 28mm width is insufficient for group shots in darker venues. I need to be closer for better lighting, and use a Canon 16-35mm for the bulk of the photo sessions. The f/2.8L version is not cheap, but it is my primary lens throughout the wedding.

Unless you plan to be in close proximity to the ceremony, I suggest that you consider a telephoto lens too. Something that gets you in the 135mm to 200mm range, with low aperture (f/2.8 or lower) for darker venues. IS (image stabilizing) may be considered too.

Those are what I would encourage to start with. After that, I use two others:
28-70mm for general use. Its a good lens for walkabout, personal use as well as wedidng candids.
15mm Fisheye for more artisitc shops. I'm a fisheye groupy.

Sorry, but I really don't have current pricing handy. Check eBay, Pricegrabber, and larger photo shops in big cities.

Jeko

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

arami
User

Aug 18, 2005, 11:01 AM

Post #10 of 17 (3381 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the info Jeko!

Those lenses you mentioned, are they Canon lenses?

If you had to choose one lens to start with which one would you recommend?

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 18, 2005, 11:14 AM

Post #11 of 17 (3378 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mine are canons. You really ought to try to get to a shop where you can handle and shoot with them to evaluate and price them....
Sigma and Tamron are also available. For me, its a 3 hr jaunt to Atlanta from Knoxville to play.

If only one lens, again you need to identify what type of shooting you will do primarily.

Canon 16-35mm (f/2.8L) for photo sessions. Can't beat it. But you can't get up tight shots very well.....

So, try to get another soon:
Canon 24-70mm (f/2.8L) to try to cover the above, and a gamut of candid applications.
Canon 70-200 (f/2.8L) for distance shots (ie from the church's back to the alter).

Jeko

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

arami
User

Aug 18, 2005, 9:19 PM

Post #12 of 17 (3352 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks once again!

I'll mainly use it for weddings for now.

Once I book a couple of weddings for photography I'll get the other lenses with another camera.

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

WLR
User

Aug 21, 2005, 3:22 PM

Post #13 of 17 (3283 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Miami eh? I have family there..but anyway, I've been using the Cannon 17-85 as an all-around lens with my 20D. Also have the Cannon 28-135, but hardly ever use it.

WLR

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

(This post was edited by WLR on Aug 21, 2005, 11:27 PM)

arami
User

Aug 22, 2005, 2:35 PM

Post #14 of 17 (3138 views)
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Re: [WLR] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks WLR!

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

arami
User

Sep 4, 2005, 5:09 PM

Post #15 of 17 (2571 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

I finally ordered the Canon 20D with the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L lens, Canon 580 Flash and 4 1GB CompactFlash cards to start.

I already have my eyes set for the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens and a backup Camera. Coming soon! Smile

Now, batteries!

What would I need for a wedding day?

Do I need that grip for the 20D?

Thanks!

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Arami Camacho
ZorAmi Creative Solutions
Miami, FL

Jeko
Enthusiast

Sep 4, 2005, 5:51 PM

Post #16 of 17 (2568 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

One back up internal/standard battery for the camera... generally, I might need to switch that once per camera on full day shooting. NOTE: I don't use internal flash ever. Its always safe to have at least one back-up.

Though not absolutely necessary, you could also consider the 580EX's external battery pack. It holds 8AA batteries and decreases the flash's recycle time. It isn't mandatory, but it can reduce the interuption frequency during key times... live events and large group sessions for example.

Jeko

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

WLR
User

Sep 4, 2005, 9:39 PM

Post #17 of 17 (2556 views)
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Re: [arami] Need help choosing a good lens [In reply to]	Can't Post

Get the grip.

It gives the camera a whole different feel that you will like, your finger will just naturally fall on the shutter release.
It holds 2 internal batterys also.

WLR

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.