any recommended lenses for churches?

50D, anthony. I'm using kit lens want much sharper images ...just better qauality really.
 
Something wide. EF-S 10-22 would be a great choice although Sigma 10-20 OK if funds don't stretch.
 
Jackwow said:
Something wide. EF-S 10-22 would be a great choice although Sigma 10-20 OK if funds don't stretch.
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Another vote for the Sigma 10 - 20. As usual, Sigma deliver a lot of bang for your buck.
 
Oggy said:
Another vote for the Sigma 10 - 20. As usual, Sigma deliver a lot of bang for your buck.
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You want something fast and sharp unless you will be using tripod every time and doing 2-5s exposures. If you want more versatility there is no alternative to Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, while 12-24mm f/4 is also good but only f/4. Sigma is dead slow in comparison, and not sharp wide open either.
 
Hey guys, the OP says he wants sharper images than his 18-55 gives. He doesn't say anything about going wider.

Shooting at f/8 or thereabouts on a tripod will do a lot for sharpness with the existing lens. (In fact, whatever lens you have, shooting at f/8 or thereabouts on a tripod will give you the best results.) Go for a wider lens if you want, and the ones mentioned here are all good, but don't ignore the technique issues.
 
StewartR said:
Hey guys, the OP says he wants sharper images than his 18-55 gives. He doesn't say anything about going wider.

Shooting at f/8 or thereabouts on a tripod...
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Using a tripod is not always allowed in churches, often it's a deffo no-no.
 
Sigma 10-20 plus tripod for interiors, tripods are allowed in most churches if they have soft feet, cathedrals are another matter as they are frequently either not allowed or there is a charge for a permit when using a tripod.

However, with a tripod and a remote shutter most lenses can geta sharp image with the right technique as Stewart has sugegsted.

For detail shots, anything in the 70-200 range (not exclusively 70-200 zooms, I sometimes use a 105mm macro for roof details) if the ceilings are tall. However, I almost exclusively use either the Sigma 10-20mm or the Sigma 30mm for church photography.
 
thanks, people.
I'm aware my technique may be lacking but.....surely a better lens would give sharper image.I put a cathedral shot up in general photo sharing if someone wouldn't mind looking.It'll be on 2nd page now.
At work..must go :)
 
ab2012 said:
thanks, people.
I'm aware my technique may be lacking but.....surely a better lens would give sharper image.I put a cathedral shot up in general photo sharing if someone wouldn't mind looking.It'll be on 2nd page now.
At work..must go :)
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You will get more views if you put a link up in this post matey.
 
How come nobody has mentioned the lens designed for architecture in mind?

TS-E_17mm_w200_tcm14-623994.jpg


Canon TS-E 17mm. Horrendously expensive to buy but reasonably cheap to rent.
 
don't know how to put up a link..sorry..how did you do that Alastair?
 
Alastair said:
Sigma 10-20 plus tripod for interiors, tripods are allowed in most churches if they have soft feet, cathedrals are another matter as they are frequently either not allowed or there is a charge for a permit when using a tripod...
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...and if not, a tactically sited beanbag is usually acceptable.

Very fast lenses with paper thin DOFs are not necessarily the way forward.
 
Oggy said:
...and if not, a tactically sited beanbag is usually acceptable.

Very fast lenses with paper thin DOFs are not necessarily the way forward.
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At 10mm, even f/2.8 has very wide DOF, more than enough for church interior. The problem only starts when the lens is soft or defective at those settings.
Having said that I shot many interiors with tokina 12-24 @ 17mm wide open ISO1600 on FF and get perfectly sharp results - something that I can't ironically do with Canon 17-40.
 
Oggy said:
...and if not, a tactically sited beanbag is usually acceptable.

Very fast lenses with paper thin DOFs are not necessarily the way forward.
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Agree with both comments. I've generally had no problem with a discretely used monopod. Prop your body against a pillar or pew and hold the monopod tight against your chest. Briefly hold your breath and *squeeze* the shutter button. With a wide angle lens you should easily get away with 1/25 second, slower with IS/VR/SS
 
Alastair said:
I think he means this thread..
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I notice you chose to head to Peterborough.. although Ely charges an entrance fee (and a £2 permit for using a tripod) it's a far more interesting building to photograph (and make sure you choose gift aid so that your ticket is valid for 12 months).

I can also very highly recommend a run towards Bury St Edmunds for All Saints, Wordwell. Free to enter and probably the most charming small church I've ever found. The nearby church of the forest at Santon Downham is a close second and makes the trip a good half-day out.
 
Only because I live in Peterborough.It was a sunny day and wanted to see what I could do, but not happy with the results.Not sure how much it's technique and how much it's the lens.I wasn't using a tripod.Thanks for your recommendations.It gets me down that I'm not taking sharper or/and wider shots.You've obviously looked at the photos.....:(
Thanks to all who have suggested lenses and tips :)
The Tokina looks very sharp in the flickr shots I've looked at.
 
ab2012 said:
It gets me down that I'm not taking sharper or/and wider shots.You've obviously looked at the photos.....:(
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TBH, the photos are ok. Some processing to get the best from the shots you're taking would be a big improvement. However, to me the compositions are a bit middle-of-the-road. But that's a matter of finding your style.. and there is something about Peterborough Cathedral that I struggle with, it just seems to be all the wrong shape and proportions when I view it through a lens. I've gone there twice and only produced one photo I'm happy with.
 
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