Lens Advice?

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Suraj
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Hi everyone,

I have a Canon 40D, with a 17-85mm EF-S lens with it

but been looking at getting a 28-105mm Lens F/2.8-4.0

was just asking peoples opinions on this lens? and also price ranges that I should be paying for it?

my budget isn't that big, I would preferably like something with a higher top end focal range, but cannot afford them :(

thanks in advance

Suraj
 
What lens is it, and why do you want it? The spec is very similar to the lens you've got, what's wrong with that?
 
hi mate, its a Sigma lens

well my lens is awesome, but doesn't give good portrait pics, but when I was using my mates 28-105mm, it was giving great portraits in the same environments (sorry I am new to DSLR's lol) is it the aperature, or am I just being a clot? lol

thanks mate
 
The 17-85 does a good portrait if you give it some light.. adding a flash into the mix with it really makes the results pop.

Were you using your mate's lens under the same conditions you'd been using your lens?
 
It's not a current Sigma lens, and nothing special. You would also miss the wide-angle end.

In what way were your friend's pictures better? And what is wrong with your lens?
 
Alastair said:
The 17-85 does a good portrait if you give it some light.. adding a flash into the mix with it really makes the results pop.

Were you using your mate's lens under the same conditions you'd been using your lens?
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yep mate, same conditions, maybe I just need to practice more on my cam tbh

HoppyUK said:
It's not a current Sigma lens, and nothing special. You would also miss the wide-angle end.

In what way were your friend's pictures better? And what is wrong with your lens?
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they just appeared clearer, with more focus on the person (less on the background causing more of a blur?)

thanks for all the advice so far guys :)
 
suj said:
yep mate, same conditions, maybe I just need to practice more on my cam tbh



they just appeared clearer, with more focus on the person (less on the background causing more of a blur?)

thanks for all the advice so far guys :)
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That's a shallow depth of field effect, which works well on portraits. You get that by really filling the whole frame with the subject and moving close with the lens at a longish focal length setting, and your lowest aperture f/number.

Try that. He can go to a slightly lower f/number than you with his lens but there's very little in it.

Personally I would stick with what you've got. Your lens can go to a much wider angle than his which is more useful for landscapes and stuff. If you like that shallow DoF look, then the lens you want is a 50mm f/1.8, and they're really cheap - like £80.
 
HoppyUK said:
That's a shallow depth of field effect, which works well on portraits. You get that by really filling the whole frame with the subject and moving close with the lens at a longish focal length setting, and your lowest aperture f/number.

Try that. He can go to a slightly lower f/number than you with his lens but there's very little in it.

Personally I would stick with what you've got. Your lens can go to a much wider angle than his which is more useful for landscapes and stuff. If you like that shallow DoF look, then the lens you want is a 50mm f/1.8, and they're really cheap - like £80.
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thank you so much hoppy, that makes alot of sense!
I heard them "nifty fifty's" are good lenses, what's the best mark to get?

I need to do more reading on camera's, any good literature to read well bored?

thanks again :)
 
The current mk2 is the one... either that or the 85mm F1.8, but that one is over 3 times the price.
 
The nifty fifty is very sharp and the f1.8 comes in handy as well if you want to 'blur' the background. However I found it slightly limiting in that it is fixed at 50mm and on a crop sensor camera (1.6x on the 500d) it was restricting me to head shots (maybe shoulders) when indoors.

But for £75 quid you can't go wrong and if, like me, you decide to get rid of it later you will get most of your money back selling it. I ended up upgrading to a Tamron f2.8 28-75. This is a great lens and can be had 2nd hand for £200. Brilliant piece of kit for the money and gave me great portrait results.

So if you can't stretch to the Tamron 28-75, then get the nifty fifty and see how you get on and upgrade later when the funds are available.
 
iancandler said:
The current mk2 is the one... either that or the 85mm F1.8, but that one is over 3 times the price.
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thank you mate :)

HoppyUK said:
Here you go - £75 new http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185895
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thanks again hoppy, you have been very helpful, I have dropped him a message :D

barbs said:
The nifty fifty is very sharp and the f1.8 comes in handy as well if you want to 'blur' the background. However I found it slightly limiting in that it is fixed at 50mm and on a crop sensor camera (1.6x on the 500d) it was restricting me to head shots (maybe shoulders) when indoors.

But for £75 quid you can't go wrong and if, like me, you decide to get rid of it later you will get most of your money back selling it. I ended up upgrading to a Tamron f2.8 28-75. This is a great lens and can be had 2nd hand for £200. Brilliant piece of kit for the money and gave me great portrait results.

So if you can't stretch to the Tamron 28-75, then get the nifty fifty and see how you get on and upgrade later when the funds are available.
Click to expand...

thanks barbs, that is great advice, my budget cannot stretch that far yet due to buying the DSLR, some split wheels and road tax (dunno why I pay this, like they even fix the roads :p)

think I will go for the nifty fifty :D

thanks to everyone again, I really appreciate the help, I will post up some updates when I get it through and playing with it :)
 
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