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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
What Lens?

 
 


Luisa Winters
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Jan 21, 2005, 4:39 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1359 views)
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What Lens? Can't Post
Hello all!

I am planning on getting a Canon 20D, but I will probably only be able to afford 2-3 lenses.

I know NOTHING about photography, but want to learn....

Which lenses do you suggest I get? I will use this primarily for:

Shooting on location (mostly some industrials that I do on video, it wouldn't hurt to have stills with that)
Studio / products (I have background and a video lighting kit, so I guess I can do some product shots)
Studio / Headshots / portrait (it seems every week someone asks me if I do these, it would make sense to offer it)
Web content (I know I can do these with my video camera).
My kids (of course!!!)

Mainly I want to learn, but I want to do it right.. I have decided on the 20D, now the thing is whih lenses?

thanks in advance!

Luisa Winters


Storm Crow
Veteran


Jan 21, 2005, 4:47 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1347 views)
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Re: [Luisa Winters] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Welcome to the conversation! For a start I would read this thread if you have not already:

http://www.videouniversity.com/...;;page=unread#unread
_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________


Luisa Winters
User


Jan 21, 2005, 4:53 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1347 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Aaaahhhh! I see.....

Do you mean I actually have to use the search function before posting Wink??

Sorry about that BlushBlush!! I should have..... There are only a couple of posts..

Thanks for the answer.

Luisa Winters


Darryl
User

Jan 21, 2005, 5:44 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1345 views)
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Re: [Luisa Winters] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
I will probably only be able to afford 2-3 lenses...Which lenses do you suggest I get?
Right now till the end of the month (I think) Canon has great rebates on lenses. If you buy a combination of 3 items, like a 20D and 2 lenses, they triple the rebate for each one. I ended up getting almost $300 back.

I had the Tamron 28-75 2.8 that chris mentioned. It is a great lens (I have 1 for sale if interested). For about the same price I replaced it with a Canon 28-135 IS. It is not as fast, but it has greater range and the IS (Image Stabilizer) will compensate for some of the decreased aperture. The 28-135 is also what I use to follow my 1-year old around.

For portraits/headshots etc it's better to use a longer lens. It will help separate your subject from the background (blurry background- bokeh is the term). It's also more intimate getting tighter shots. The smaller the aperture number the better. I have the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS. Costs just as much as the 20D but well worth it. The Canon 70-200 f4 would be a cheaper alternative.

For architecture and landscapes, you would be better off with a wider angle lens. I have the Canon 17-40. The 20D has a conversion factor of 1.6x so with a 17-40 lens you would realistically be getting 27mm-64mm. Keep that in mind. (on the other hand, a 70-200 lens on the 20D would be similar to 112-320- not bad).

Spend the bucks on your lenses and high quality UV filters. You can always put your lenses on other cameras.
........................................................
Darryl


GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 7:05 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1336 views)
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Re: [Luisa Winters] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Luisa?...is this the "Premiere Pro Guru" I heard about at my last GPVA (Greater Philadelphia Videographer's Association?)?! Welcome to the board- I see you've racked a decent amount of posts but this is the first time I've seen you around these parts.

Your doing a seminar here in Philly soon right? Very cool- though I'm a Vegas user (reformed Premiere 6.5 user..lol)

Anyway let me see if I can help you out. When I purchased my 20D I picked up two lenses...the 85 1.8 and the 70-200 2.8L IS. The 85 1.8 is around $300, but the L-glass...the 70-200 will run you more than the cost of the 20D body retailing for around $1650. Absolutly beautiful lense- 2.8 all the way through the zoom range. Great IS, and bokeh. It'll be my long lense for the rear of churches.

The 85 1.8 is a tad long on a 1.6x cam like the 20D- it's much more useable on my MkII. However it's an astounding portrait lense for the money. Another cheap one to consider is the 50 1.8 II. It's very cheap ($69) and doesn't have micro-usm (uses ring usm...ie the barrel moves while autofocusing) but is a great piece of glass at it's price point and almost a "perfect" length for 1.6x bodies doing portraits.

As for me my next investment will be for a 24-70 2.8L. It's a very usable focal range and a very high rated glass. It'll be on my camera 90% of the time.

It really depends on your budget- Canon has sooooo many lenses available. A good place to check out is www.fredmiranda.com -when your there click on the "review" button and follow the links to the canon zoom/prime lenses. Each lense is rated by dozens of users and is a great resource for researching your glass investment.

Again nice to see you on the board. Maybe I'll see you at the Town Meeting in March!








Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com


(This post was edited by Glen Elliott on Jan 21, 2005, 7:07 PM)


Luisa Winters
User


Jan 21, 2005, 7:17 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1330 views)
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Re: [Glen Elliott] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Yes, I am that Luisa... The Premiere Pro one... but now I want to experiment in Photography. It has always interested me, and I see the opportunity to be able to mix my video skills with some (minor) photographic gigs.

I figure I will get the 70-200 and some kind of inexpensive 50mm
The bundle I am thinking of getting already comes with a 18-55mm
I am also looking at a 16-35mm (a little expensive, so it may have to wait)

Maybe we'll see each other soon - take care and thank you so much for your help!

Luisa Winters


Storm Crow
Veteran


Jan 21, 2005, 7:48 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1331 views)
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Re: [Luisa Winters] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Luisa, I was not implying that at all and if you took it that way I'm very sorry. I just meant that since this is a very new forum that this was the only info posted here so far!
_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________


Luisa Winters
User


Jan 21, 2005, 9:59 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1320 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi!
I didn't take it like that at all!! That's why I placed the smiley faces SmileCoolWinkAngelic

I really DO appreciate the help!

Thank you!

Luisa Winters


ChopSueyChris
User


Jan 22, 2005, 4:16 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1295 views)
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Re: [Luisa Winters] What Lens? [In reply to] Can't Post
May I recomend the Canon 2.8f 15mm FISH EYE lens? its beautiful, fast, and light. runs for about 450 i think.
====================
I got some stuff.