Body and Lens Question

ant1

ant1

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Right okay, I have one body at the moment. Am going to be buying another body so I don't have to keep changing my lenses when doing shoots.

Photographed my cousins wedding in Santorini last week and realised this. I needed my 28mm 2.8 prime when I didn't have it on the camera, and then either my 55-250 or 50mm prime when I had my 28mm.

So my thoughts are buy a new body and keep my 28mm on there, (was great for group shots, some may not think its wide enough, buy for me it was fine. Plus it was passed down from my dad, so was free. And if it ever goes, they are fairly cheep to replace.

I was then going to put my 55-250mm on the other body, and when the lighting goes down, I will replace this with my 50mm 1.8.

Now, as I'm buying another body, would it be worth buying a Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 to replace the 28mm (as the sigma is wider) and 50mm. So then I will only have my telephoto on the one body and the sigma on the other?

Thanks
Ant
 
Yes :D

I personally see little if any advantage with non macro f2.8 or narrower aperture primes when there are good and quite compact f2.8 zooms in the 17-50mm sort of range. I had a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and it was a very sharp lens and gave little if anything away to a prime in most use, so a "standard" zoom would make sense to me if partnered with a longer zoom although I personally would still want something like a 30 or 50mm f1.4 / f1.8.
 
What camera body do you have and what one do you intend buying as your 2nd body.

For low light or indoor shots you need
1. camera capable of handling the higher ISO's 5D or 1Ds
2. fast prime lenses
3. a f2.8 zoom
4. flash if allowed (depends on venue and situation)

Options in the zoom would be 24-70mm f2.8 MKI, 70-200mm f2.8 IS MKII or 17-55mm f2.8 IS on a cropped body and a handful of prime lenses like the 24mm f1.4, 35mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 135mm f2

An alternative to the 17-55mm is the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (non VR)
 
Well, my one body is a EOS 450D. Bought at the right price second hand and fit my budget perfectly. I don't earn much at the moment as on apprentice wage.

I would most probably buy the same body again, if i'm totally honest to keep the cost low.

I would keep my 50mm 1.8 prime still in my bag, but would ditch the 28mm if I have a 17-50mm 2.8. The tamron seems the cheaper option? And is still quick at 2.8.

If, for instance I could only afford either the lens or another body, which should I pick?

Bare in mind, I have 28mm, 50mm and 55-250mm.
If I bought another body I would then obviously have 2 bodies. 28mm on one, 50mm between 55-250mm on the other.

Or simply buy a Tamron 17-50mm, and put up with swapping lenses (50mm, 55-250mm) between the one body?

Thank you all,
Ant
 
Dunno if you're interested but I have a 40D for sale here. http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=413893
It would be a great step up from the 450d with the 28mm it would be a great combo. I see the flexibility the zoom would offer, but honestly believe the prime would offer you much better pictures, quicker focusing etc.

I would stick with the 28 & 50mm for one body, both being perfect for weddings and keep the telephoto on the other.

The lenses you're looking at buying aren't offering you anything more than you have already, and I'd go as far to say the Tele should be first to be replaced with a Tele prime or 70-200 f4L (being the cheapest L Tele zoom)

If you buy a body, you have a backup, if you buy a lens and one body goes down, what are you going to do then? Stand there with a load of lenses and not be able to shoot anything?

Whatever body you buy, I think you would need to progress from the 450D now if you are doing client shoots and weddings.
 
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40D is a great solid camera, and I used mine at a couple of weddings I did last year.
There so cheap now, only a few years old, still very good performance...with a handful of fully charged spare batteries and a few big, fast CF cards, you can take over the world...lol
 
Thanks for that Mirus, I thought exactly that about the primes, why buy another lens when I have primes that do exactly the same. Plus it's cheaper buying a body and switching the 28mm and 50mm and on the other having my telephoto.

I will take a look at your camera tomorrow mate, thanks for that too.


Well, i think my mind is made, i'm going to buy another body, 28 and 50mm on one tele on the other.

Thanks people :)

Ant
 
Ant, primes don't just do the same as the zoom, they do more. Even your 50mm pushing it to f1.8 gives you more options than a zoom and when you find yourself in a dark room and not allowed to use flash it will be a blessing! They force you to think about your composition which is a good thing too.

Whatever body you go for, if you got any questions and I can help, just get in touch :)
 
Mirus you are right.
I would love to buy your body but think it's out of my budget. Like I say I don't earn a lot, and keep costs low.

When I say shoots in my first post, the weddings I have done so far are un-paid and family. Next is my girlfriends father, again un-paid. I would rather do it for nothing as I enjoy it, and to gain experience and a portfolio, and as my level of experience doesn't really grant a payment just yet. (Else I would charge and use it for my body haha).

Thanks again,
Ant
 
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