Recommend me a lens that's better/more useful than a 50mm lens

[wickidwombat]

I would like to buy a nifty-fifty (most likely the 50mm 1.4). I'd like it for portraits but want it for music/concert photography (right between the stage and the crowd, where the security personnel stand...if I can figure out a way to get a media pass without paying extra to the tour organisers ).

But while some people say everyone should have a 50mm in their lens collections, one of my teachers (I'm a photography student) have said that some people find 50mm lenses boring, etc. So what's the next best kind of lens? I guess my (stretched) budget wpuld be up to $1500 including the B+W filter I would buy. What does everyone think of these 'kits' and which one is better? http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Filter-Accessory-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002PX21JS/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331887805&sr=1-7 or http://www.adorama.com/CA5014AFUA.html

I don't need this lens (canon branded or otherwise) but I would like it. I guess the alternatives would be a prime such as the 24mm/35mm or the 17-40mmL. Any suggestions/advice is appreciated.

sigma 85mm f1.4 is awesome i got it for $999 here in oz they go for around $900 on ebay
then you got change of $500 so i think the 50 f1.4 is around $350 $400 so get one anyway
those 2 lenses and the 16-35 f2.8 and i'm all set

 

[Viggo]

24 and 28mm equiv is extremely versatile. I have the 24 L II and the Zeiss 28mm and use them both for all sorts of pictures, great tools.

 

[tt]

Yogurt the lens for the focal length and background co
Pressing you want, right?
A 50mm can make a great lens for Photojournalists - it can be the 1.4 or the 1.2 and not too noticeable.

Subject to camera distance and how you want to frame the subject both make a difference no?
If you're far away and want a tight crop, that's need a telephoto.
Of you're close and personal and want wider angle
24,35,50 or that range would better suit.
Once you know the zoom range or prime focal length you're golden - its just saving and buying and using time!

Every lens is subjective - what you want to do with it ultimately decides if a given lens is suitable for you

 

[scottsdaleriots]

Are they several specific lenses which are mainly used for music/concert photography? Anyone know? E.g. 35mm, 50mm, etc.

Here are the lenses I am considering;
* 24mm IS L (when it's released)
* 28mm IS L (when it's released)
* 35mm f/2 or f/1.4L
* 24-70mm mki or mkII (I prefer internal zoom but will have to see what the price tag will be, plus it's on my equipment list for uni)
* 16-35mm 2.8L
* 50mm 1.4 (have been wishing a mkII comes out but it'll prob never happen)
* 17-40mm f/4 (I like the focal range but wish it was faster, at least a 2.8 instead of f/4)
* 17-55mm 2.8 IS (however i am trying to avoid buying another ef-s lens/es since I will be upgraded to FF in future. Not if I upgrade to FF, Just a matter of when and when I have enough money)

 

[Harley]

Since you're using a 7D, I would recommend looking for a Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 and get the EdMika FL 55mm brass adapter. Search this forum for EdMika and you'll see photos and comments from people using it. Also here's a link to one thread:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php/topic,1758.msg73641.html#msg73641
Also, if you look at the ribbon at the top of the CR home page you'll see and article called "FD & FL Lenses on your EF Body." This is the whole story about Ed Mika.

 

[pwp]

Since you're using a 7D, I would recommend looking for a Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 and get the EdMika FL 55mm brass adapter.

Yes that would be an inexpensive solution, and deliver great quality for a lot of subjects. For concerts/stage work there really is no substitute for reliable speedy AF. I shoot stage with two bodies...1D4 with 70-200 f/2.8IIis and a second body with either 24 f/1.4 or 50 f/1.4 depending on how close to the action I can get. But on a countback, I'd say over 90% of the shots are from the 1D4 70-200 f/2.8.

Your 7D should be great for stage work...speedy AF and perfectly acceptable results with 1600 iso. If the budget is there, consider the 70-200 f/2.8. It will quickly become indispensable glass for you.

Paul Wright

 

[scottsdaleriots]

^ I've already got a 70-200 lens. Right Im just looking at primes - L or non-L - and at wide/sandard zooms. I've also been looking at some sigma lenses, like http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-50mm-2-8-Aperture-Nikon/dp/B003A6NU3U

Since you're using a 7D, I would recommend looking for a Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 and get the EdMika FL 55mm brass adapter. Search this forum for EdMika and you'll see photos and comments from people using it. Also here's a link to one thread:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php/topic,1758.msg73641.html#msg73641
Also, if you look at the ribbon at the top of the CR home page you'll see and article called "FD & FL Lenses on your EF Body." This is the whole story about Ed Mika.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will have to do some research on that particular lens. First time I've heard of it. Can I only get the lens and adapter from ebay? I dont use ebay coz of some dodgy 'sellers'.

 

[koolman]

Scott:

I understand you are using a crop 7d - and want a low light solution for stage photography and portraits.

The 17-55 zoom should do this well. You could also get away withe 35 f/2 or 35L 1.4

The 501.4 you are looking at is somewhat narrow on a crop, and your FOV will not cover the stage.

Its great however as a portrait prime.

 

[Harley]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will have to do some research on that particular lens. First time I've heard of it. Can I only get the lens and adapter from ebay? I dont use ebay coz of some dodgy 'sellers'.

Yes, as scrappydog indicated, Ed Mika is the only source for this adapter (which has no glass optics -- it's purely an engineered brass replacement for the FL 55mm's breach lock mount). He is currently only selling on eBay. Ed is an excellent seller and will do everything to make sure you get your adapter in a timely manner and provide all the support you'll ever need in getting it installed and functioning. It's really quite fast and easy to adapt the lens and it is entirely reversible if you want to take the lens back to its original condition.

Other adapters for old Canon glass usually involve optics which effectively slow the lens down. Some adapters require you to permanently alter the lens making it thereafter unusable as originally intended. All of Ed's adapters are non-permanent and non-altering, involve no optics, and have microchips providing autofocus confirmation and EXIF data back to the camera body.

I'm a big fan and now have several old lenses with Ed's converters. The FL 55mm was my first. Having a lens that can shoot at f/1.2 is a huge advantage -- it's letting in about 50% more light than f/1.4 and about six times more light than f/2.8 so you can do available light interiors and night shots. Plus at that wide an aperture you can get super-shallow depth of field. It's an 88mm equivalent on a crop body like the 7D so it's a great portrait lens, too.

It's an awful lot of bang for not a lot of bucks. And it's just a fun and versatile lens.

 

[darrellrhodesmiller]

or just rent a big lens with 400+mm focal length when you need one.
far cheaper than buying.

 

[RobPan]

Before I went digital, I had two F-1 cameras, and the lens I most often used was a FD100 mm f 2.8. I think I used it in about 60 pct of my pictures. 100mm is ideal for portraits, and is also fine in the theatre (I had Ektachrome pushed to 800 ISO which went well).
You will also be able to take some outstanding landscapes and snapshots with it. In other words, a fine all-purpose lens. In my opinion it will give you much more pleasing results than wide-angles.
If you wish you may supplement it with a 28 mm or something similar. But you may well find yourself using the 100mm much more often.
Today, Canon has a EF100 mm lens at F2.0 for around US$506. You will probably be able to use it indoors without flash (much to be preferred!) as today's cameras will allow you to shoot at 1600 or 3200 ISO (or even at 25600 ISO if you are the happy owner of an EOS 5D mkIII). The rather shallow depth of field is ideal for portraits.

Kind regards,

Rob.

 

[scottsdaleriots]

Before I went digital, I had two F-1 cameras, and the lens I most often used was a FD100 mm f 2.8. I think I used it in about 60 pct of my pictures. 100mm is ideal for portraits, and is also fine in the theatre (I had Ektachrome pushed to 800 ISO which went well).
You will also be able to take some outstanding landscapes and snapshots with it. In other words, a fine all-purpose lens. In my opinion it will give you much more pleasing results than wide-angles.
If you wish you may supplement it with a 28 mm or something similar. But you may well find yourself using the 100mm much more often.
Today, Canon has a EF100 mm lens at F2.0 for around US$506. You will probably be able to use it indoors without flash (much to be preferred!) as today's cameras will allow you to shoot at 1600 or 3200 ISO (or even at 25600 ISO if you are the happy owner of an EOS 5D mkIII). The rather shallow depth of field is ideal for portraits.

Kind regards,

Rob.

You cant readily get those FL and FD lenses from like amazon or B&H? Only on ebay?
Thanks for suggesting the 100mm f/2. It's affordable and it's EF not EF-S, which is good. And it's fast. However isnt 100mm on a crop too long for in-your-face music/concert photography? But I like it.

 

[briansquibb]

Thanks for suggesting the 100mm f/2. It's affordable and it's EF not EF-S, which is good. And it's fast. However isnt 100mm on a crop too long for in-your-face music/concert photography? But I like it.

On a crop an 85 f/1.8 is about as long as you want - this is the equivalent of the 135 which we used with film. the 85 f/1.8 is a top lens at a budget price with fast AF

 

[scottsdaleriots]

On a crop an 85 f/1.8 is about as long as you want - this is the equivalent of the 135 which we used with film. the 85 f/1.8 is a top lens at a budget price with fast AF

The 85mm lens (L or non-L) is on mhy wishlist. I've heard it's like the perfect portrait lens, after the 135mmL of course

 

[nikkito]

I also find 50mm lenses boring. I prefer shooting and playing with a 16-35mm. I just love wide angle

 

[scottsdaleriots]

I also find 50mm lenses boring. I prefer shooting and playing with a 16-35mm. I just love wide angle

Im considering the 16-35mm lens but the price is high.

 

[briansquibb]

There is always a fisheye

 

[TexPhoto]

If you don't want to spend the cash for a 50mm f1.4, I'd say pick up a 50mm f1.8. A fantastic little lens for the price.

 

[AnselA]

I love the amazing 135mm F 2.0. When I travel , I find it great for street photography as it gives portrait quality images yet allows me plenty of distance. It is tack sharp, fast and has a beautiful bokeh. It is the one lens I wish I had bought much sooner.

 

[JR]

Scott, in your price range definitively you should consider 135L as an alternate lens if that focal lenght suits you. In terms of more versatile, I actually prefer 85mm on a full frame. While the 1.2L may be out of your current budget, the non=L version is also very good and would make for a good alternative. For your 1500$ you could get both the 50 and 85...