Lens Decision

ConfusedChicca

ConfusedChicca

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Laura
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I'm torn, between a Sigma 18-50 to replace my kit lens, which is really a let down compared to my other lenses.
But I'm also eyeing up a Nifty Fifty, the f1.8 is a big pull towards it as I do weddings/christenings occasionally, and it'll be great for outdoor portraits (although, I'm guessing I can't use it at f/1.8 outdoors with my flashgun softboxes.. or can I?)

If I'm honest, I need both, but only have the budget for one, and I thought you lovely guys and gals could help me decide.
 
ConfusedChicca said:
I'm torn, between a Sigma 18-50 to replace my kit lens, which is really a let down compared to my other lenses.
But I'm also eyeing up a Nifty Fifty, the f1.8 is a big pull towards it as I do weddings/christenings occasionally, and it'll be great for outdoor portraits (although, I'm guessing I can't use it at f/1.8 outdoors with my flashgun softboxes.. or can I?)

If I'm honest, I need both, but only have the budget for one, and I thought you lovely guys and gals could help me decide.
Click to expand...

Why would you want to use a lens wide-open and use flash lighting? :thinking:

The short answer to your quandry is only you can decide! Which lens will you get most use out of?
 
tamron 17-50 f2.8
don't think 400d can high speed sync to your flashgun so I don't think you could go to f1.8 and push the shutter speed higher than what your 400d can sync to which I believe is 1/200th
I had the nifty fifty when i had a 400d and sold it on....just did nt use it...tamron at f2.8 was sharp enough for me..i pushed the ISO up and pp'd any noise out afterwards...just seemed silly carrying around a lens I never used...
 
I really rate the tammy aswell, not used the sigma though

I like my 50mm for the speed but I don't use it as much as I used to, for evening work it is exellent though as by bumping the iso you can literally shoot in the dark but it does get bloody noisy
 
You answered before me Kenny, but yes, that is why.
 
Get the Tamron 2.8, it'll blow your kit lens out of the water.

For weddings, you NEED fast glass, the kit lens just doesn't cut it, and don't rely on flash as a lot of places don't allow you to use flash. The 50mm 1.8 also hunts like no tomorrow in low light, and at 1.8, its VERY thin. If you try to manual focus (with that tiny focus ring) then a bit of camera shake/shift and you are off.
 
I've got f/2.8 on my 15mm fisheye, I really need something lower for churches. Sick of using ISO400+ and having a stupid amount of noise to deal with (how does everyone else remove noise in PP?).
 
I should've mentioned, my budget is only £100 at the moment, so the Tamron is way out of my price range.
 
ConfusedChicca said:
I've got f/2.8 on my 15mm fisheye, I really need something lower for churches. Sick of using ISO400+ and having a stupid amount of noise to deal with (how does everyone else remove noise in PP?).
Click to expand...

Tbh, if you are going to be doing professional work, I'd look at upgrading to a body that can handle high ISO's well.
 
That's next on the list, I'm about half way to the amount I need. Every penny from shoots is going in the camera fund, but I need a sharper lens for the time being.
I must say I don't do weddings as a pro, I do them for friends & family occassionally, but I hate the noise nonetheless.
 
noise is better than a blurred photo :)

convert to mono and hide it a little ;)

I remove a little noise in DPP and if necessary run the final jpg through noiseware...be selective though...ie..overlay the original image with the noiseware processed jpg and mask out areas you don't want to lose detail in....and control the effect with the layer opacity...
 
ConfusedChicca said:
I've got f/2.8 on my 15mm fisheye, I really need something lower for churches. Sick of using ISO400+ and having a stupid amount of noise to deal with (how does everyone else remove noise in PP?).
Click to expand...

Except you can't really transfer that 2.8 onto your kit lens....so that's kinda moot.

For what you do, you'll need, sharper, faster and better focus, and better ISO performance.

Which really translate to a new camera (come later) and better glass. And personally speaking, using a kit lens for weddings is nuts...I'd be scared if my photographer turn up with a kit lens, no matter how good he is, he is going to be held back by his equipment.

So, first, get a 2.8 glass, the Tamron. I have been down this road 3 years ago. I bought a 30D 3 years ago, did my first wedding for a friend with a 28-105mkii and a 50/1.8. I end up using the 50mm 80% of the time, came away learned a lesson that the 50mm is TOO LONG on crop for weddings, and it's CRAP in low light without the IR assist on the flash. I came away with some good shots and they were happy but I learned a HUGE lesson.

So my second wedding i bought a Tamron 17-50 2.8, served me REALLY well, and i even tried a 50mm on that wedding, and hated it. It really hunts badly in low light without the IR assist.

For weddings...the holy grail is FF (for better/best ISO performance) and the 24-70 2.8 L, unless you are a prime kinda gal, then 35L, 50L, 85L. That's where you should be aiming for...in the long term.

So, its up to you, I went through this exact path, why re-invent the wheel?
 
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