Need advice on indoor low light lens choices.

[KKCFamilyman]

How did your Disney photos turn out?

Here are a few. Just with the 24-105mm

[KKCFamilyman]

Here is an example with the exif as a .jpeg

It was a canon 60d with 320 ex  flash and17-55 2.8 is. I was in manual. I also found another with the christmas tree same setup with 1/20 f2.8 iso 800. So I guess I already have a better arsenal but just need to know if getting the 70-200 2.8 vs my f4 is better than a newer 600ex speedlite.

[Dylan777]

My 2 cents worth...

Sell 24-105L and replace it with the new 24-70L II as you'll gain an extra stop.

Although you just bought the 70-200 f4 IS, if you can exchange it for the 2.8 IS (v2 if you an afford it and weight is not a big issue) - meaning you'll have constant 2.8 aperture all the way from 24-200!

Still keep 50 1.4 for very low light. 

Hope this helps. Let us know what you think.

Cheers

yep, you gain extra stop in aperture, but you will lose 3 tops of IS which means you have the ability to go lower than 1/24.  in theory, you should not go below 1/24 with 24-70mm lens, but you can do it with 24-105mm since the lens support 3 stops in IS.  however, with 5d mark III in low light, one would not care that much since 5d mark III's ISO is soooo good unless 25,600 or 51,200 (worse case) is not enough for you

IS is great for night time landscape, BUT NOT taking people at that slow speed. I prefer min 1/60 or above.  with 5D III, f2.8 can handle most low light condition.

If budget is allowed: sell your 24-105 + 70-200 f4, get 70-200 f2.8 IS II + new 24-70 f2.8.

Combo 70-200 f2.8 IS II + 5D III or 1D X = "a gift from heaven"

[agierke]

i agree with the notion that a 600EX would get you the most functionality for your dollar with the parameters you stated. replacing the 24-105 or the 70-200 would be nice (both replacements suggested would show improvements but it would be nominal) but the cost to do so would be far greater.

if you simply had to get an additional lens i think the 35mm F1.4L would offer the most benefit to your existing kit. that lens is simply an All-Star in canons line up. can be tricky to use with moving subjects wide open, but well worth it if you have the patience to learn to use it.

back to a speedlight....

+100 to the idea of properly using bounced light for low light situations. i would even suggest that you get a radio trigger system to plug into the speedlight so that you can use the flash off the camera. i attach AB CSRBs to my flashes and trigger them remotely with the CSTs. this would allow you to place the flash anywhere in the room (bounce off the ceiling) and effectively raise the light level of the room in a more natural way.

600EX + CSRB/CST combo would run you @ 725.00 and increase the functionality of ALL your existing lenses (and any future lenses you purchased). keep in mind you would also need to buy a hot shoe adapter (15.00) to attach to the bottom of the speed light so you can plug in the CSRB.

[KKCFamilyman]

i agree with the notion that a 600EX would get you the most functionality for your dollar with the parameters you stated. replacing the 24-105 or the 70-200 would be nice (both replacements suggested would show improvements but it would be nominal) but the cost to do so would be far greater.

if you simply had to get an additional lens i think the 35mm F1.4L would offer the most benefit to your existing kit. that lens is simply an All-Star in canons line up. can be tricky to use with moving subjects wide open, but well worth it if you have the patience to learn to use it.

back to a speedlight....

+100 to the idea of properly using bounced light for low light situations. i would even suggest that you get a radio trigger system to plug into the speedlight so that you can use the flash off the camera. i attach AB CSRBs to my flashes and trigger them remotely with the CSTs. this would allow you to place the flash anywhere in the room (bounce off the ceiling) and effectively raise the light level of the room in a more natural way.

600EX + CSRB/CST combo would run you @ 725.00 and increase the functionality of ALL your existing lenses (and any future lenses you purchased). keep in mind you would also need to buy a hot shoe adapter (15.00) to attach to the bottom of the speed light so you can plug in the CSRB.

Thanks for the speed light advice. I will plan on looking at that setup. Would mind pm'ing me the parts your suggesting. I think I am going to evaluate the 35mm after Christmas. I still have the 50 and will work with flash. My only problem is the temptation to spend the extra $850 for the 70-200 2.8 is ii and return my f4is. I don't want the weight but I can't help but wonder if I will upgrade later and if that will make better use of my af system. Any thoughts this is regardless of the speed light I am pretty sure I am getting.

[KKCFamilyman]

I ended up getting the 70-200 2.8. I plan on getting a speed lite next (600 ex). I posted an example of a christmas shot I hope to improve.

[agierke]

i use Alien Bee products.

Cybersync Trigger Transmitter (CST)        59.95
Cybersync Receiver (battery)  (CSRB)      69.95
Speedlight Foot Adapter                          15.95

all the necessary cords come with the transmitters. i use a small piece of velcro to attach the CST to the side of my flash when using 2 flash set up and one is on my camera's hot shoe. if you are using only 1 flash the CST goes on camera's hot shoe and the Speedlight Foot adapter goes on the bottom of the Flash with the CSRB plugged into it. use the foot stand that comes with the flash to place it on a mantle or table top (or screw it into a lightstand in the opportunity is there).

very affordable solution which offers alot of lighting flexibility. i currently have 3 CSTs, 2 CSRBs, 1 CSRB+ and 2 580EXs. I plan on adding 2 more speedlights so that i have a very lightweight 4 light package that i can use if time and logistics dont allow for the use of monoheads.

[KKCFamilyman]

Thanks I will look into that.

[Dylan777]

I ended up getting the 70-200 2.8. I plan on getting a speed lite next (600 ex). I posted an example of a christmas shot I hope to improve.

I hate to say "I told you" on 70-200 f2.8 IS II, before your vacation.

Now I'm telling you AGAIN, sell your 24-105 and get 24-70 mrk II.

[KKCFamilyman]

I ended up getting the 70-200 2.8. I plan on getting a speed lite next (600 ex). I posted an example of a christmas shot I hope to improve.

I hate to say "I told you" on 70-200 f2.8 IS II, before your vacation.

Now I'm telling you AGAIN, sell your 24-105 and get 24-70 mrk II.

Yeah as much as I hate the weight I think your right. I will after I get the 600 ex and get thru the holidays. I need to upgrade my pp computer rig first.

[Dylan777]

I ended up getting the 70-200 2.8. I plan on getting a speed lite next (600 ex). I posted an example of a christmas shot I hope to improve.

I hate to say "I told you" on 70-200 f2.8 IS II, before your vacation.

Now I'm telling you AGAIN, sell your 24-105 and get 24-70 mrk II.

Yeah as much as I hate the weight I think your right. I will after I get the 600 ex and get thru the holidays. I need to upgrade my pp computer rig first.

If you plan to get 24-70 II + 600ex(great flash by the way), I think you should sell your 50mm f1.4, 430ex and 270ex...less gear in the bag. I'm going to sell my 50mm f1.4 after my trip to Hong Kong.

[verysimplejason]

You might want to keep the 50mm.  It's small and will not inconvenience you so much.  However if the situation demands more low light capability, you might miss it so much.

[dbduchene]

Till I get a canon 16-35 it is my Tamron 17-35 F2.8-4 and also my 15mm 2.8 fisheye. I also have a Sigma 50mm F1.4 that I use sometimes

[KKCFamilyman]

I am Definetly selling the speed lites and the 24-105 if I get the 24-70 ii and 600ex. I cannot afford to keep everything. I will probably dump the 50 with hopes of getting the 35mm 1.4. Not sure how soon all this will happen.