Need advice on indoor low light lens choices.

What is your favorite christmas morning/party lens? Also do you use flash?

  • 24-70 ii

    Votes: 5 17.2%
  • 70-200 2.8 is

    Votes: 3 10.3%
  • 35mm

    Votes: 11 37.9%
  • 50mm

    Votes: 1 3.4%
  • 85mm

    Votes: 4 13.8%
  • 135mm

    Votes: 1 3.4%
  • 24-105 f4 is

    Votes: 4 13.8%
  • 70-200 f4 is

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    29
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dstppy said:
KKCFamilyman said:
kirillica said:
It depends on size of indoor. If it's not enough room, then 24-70 (I or II), if you have enough place in there - 70-200 F2.8 (II in case of IS)

I checked with my 24-105 this morning and it seems as though the 24-70 range for me will be my more used indoor simply because of room. I am debating on returning the f4 70-200 for the 2.8 but not really sure the added weight is worth the extra $1k and to only gain a stop still will require fill flash to me. I do not find myself using the 50mm simply because with kids it can be hard sometimes not being able to zoom in or out plus the more light the less my twins are in focus so thats why I am having a hard time finding the best way to approach most shooting environments knowing I cannot get them all. I did great birthday portraits with it at 2.8 but there was plenty of ambient light in the room. Basically what is everyones go to suggestion for christmas morning? Should i get the 600ex and go that route?

The Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC USD is also a really competent contender . . . Christmas morning and flashes don't go together at my house


+1
 
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85mm 1.8 on 5D3 is 'wide' enough to work indoors and the AF rocks, especially compared to the lethargic 50mm 1.4.

My 28-70 is in the shop right now getting cleaned, and i had to shoot a small indoors/patio party with only my 135L. Most shots were either tight singles/couples shots or for groups I backed up as far as I could. Half were taken with natural light, half with bounced/direct flash.

A 35mm, 50mm, or a 24-70 would have been nice, but damn I love that 135L and make excuses to use it wherever possible.

Here's the gallery link
 
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Menace said:
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 :)
 
Upvote 0
Menace said:
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

+1...sell 24-105 & 70-200 f4 replace with 24-70 II + 70-200 f2.8 IS II, keep 50mm f1.4 until mrk II comes out.
 
Upvote 0
Keep your current excellent glass and get a 600 EX-RT and learn to use it properly.
Badly used flash is appalling, used skilfully you'd barely know it was there....it's the photographers friend.
Skilfully bounce flash should look indistinguishable from natural light.

-PW
 
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pwp said:
Keep your current excellent glass and get a 600 EX-RT and learn to use it properly.
Badly used flash is appalling, used skilfully you'd barely know it was there....it's the photographers friend.
Skilfully bounce flash should look indistinguishable from natural light.

-PW

My local dealer is offering to take back my 70-200 f4 and sell me the 2.8 is ii version for $1899. Does anyone think thats worth it or should I still get the 600ex speedlite instead? It seems so heavy but thats a great deal.
 
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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.
 

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ishdakuteb said:
Menace said:
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"
 
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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.
 
Upvote 0
agierke said:
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.
 
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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.
 
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KKCFamilyman said:
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.
 
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Dylan777 said:
KKCFamilyman said:
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.
 
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