New camera, now which lenses?!?

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Cliveyp

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Clive
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Following a couple of other thread of mine, i've finally managed to pick up a mint 50d from a friend to replace my old 400d.

As a background, i've had the 400d for many years and, although i've learnt a lot, enjoy it, and tend to use it in manual for 99% of the time, i've never really taken myself seriously with it. I've never spent big money on it, having only gained a 50mm f1.8 and a Tamron 55-200 to compliment the kit 18-55, along with the obligatory tripod and 430EXII.

I've recently decided that, actually, some of my photos come out quite well, and have recieved good feedback from family and friends, along with being asked to shoot another friends wedding next year. Having owned the 400 for the best part of 4 or 5 years, i decided that it was time for a change and fell on the idea of a 50d by accident.....much like actually falling for this particular 50d that my mate has hardly used and wouldn't have sold had I not mentioned it in passing!

So, with this in mind, the 400d will be going to my dad complete with the kit lens and Tamron, giving me the opportunity to treat myself to some decent glass. I'd be looking at typical portrait and group shots for the wedding (and for personal enjoyment as this is my favourite type of shot), along with some RC car work that I have managed to fall on, plus general scenery/landscape shooting. The question is, what decent gear do I go with to replace these?

As an idea of budget, i've been working on a Canon 70-200 f4 L (non-IS) and a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC, based on what i've read on here and past experience of a friends L series, so circa £700-750 total budget. Would these be what you'd recommend, or is there better in each class at a similar overall budget??

Cheers for you help.....i promise there wont be many more questions!!
 
For the budget, you can't really do much better than those two.

One annoying thing with the Tamron is that the zoom & focus ring directions are reversed from Canon lenses.
 
I've got a Canon 70-200 f4 L non IS and it's a cracker of a lens. Tack sharp IQ from wide open, great AF speed and light enough to carry for a good while. I've taken some of my best photos with this lens, it's really superb.
However I'm thinking of selling this and another lens to get either a Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS or a Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS mk1 (or a Canon 70-200 f4 L IS) but not sure which is the best overall.
 
Cliveyp said:
Following a couple of other thread of mine, i've finally managed to pick up a mint 50d from a friend to replace my old 400d.

As a background, i've had the 400d for many years and, although i've learnt a lot, enjoy it, and tend to use it in manual for 99% of the time, i've never really taken myself seriously with it. I've never spent big money on it, having only gained a 50mm f1.8 and a Tamron 55-200 to compliment the kit 18-55, along with the obligatory tripod and 430EXII.

I've recently decided that, actually, some of my photos come out quite well, and have recieved good feedback from family and friends, along with being asked to shoot another friends wedding next year. Having owned the 400 for the best part of 4 or 5 years, i decided that it was time for a change and fell on the idea of a 50d by accident.....much like actually falling for this particular 50d that my mate has hardly used and wouldn't have sold had I not mentioned it in passing!

So, with this in mind, the 400d will be going to my dad complete with the kit lens and Tamron, giving me the opportunity to treat myself to some decent glass. I'd be looking at typical portrait and group shots for the wedding (and for personal enjoyment as this is my favourite type of shot), along with some RC car work that I have managed to fall on, plus general scenery/landscape shooting. The question is, what decent gear do I go with to replace these?

As an idea of budget, i've been working on a Canon 70-200 f4 L (non-IS) and a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC, based on what i've read on here and past experience of a friends L series, so circa £700-750 total budget. Would these be what you'd recommend, or is there better in each class at a similar overall budget??

Cheers for you help.....i promise there wont be many more questions!!
Click to expand...


First of all congratulations on your 50D Clive and indeed on the forthcoming wedding shoot.

I think that if you wanted to use the 70-200 in say, a church or for that matter indoors, then f2.8 would come in very handy. Even a used example will take you up to budget though but how about retaining the 18-55 kit lens and letting your dad have the nifty fifty instead and borrow it back when you need it. TBH the kit is not a bad lens, especially the IS version. It may be f3.5 but it offers a useful range. You'll most likely have to use flash with it and I'm assuming you don't mind doing that. For the wedding you could also make a loan of the 400D from your dad since it pays to have a backup unit.

My 2c
 
The Canon F4 IS and Sigma F2.8 OS are both well out of my range, although the non-OS Sigma is only slightly more than the F4 Canon.......is that worth considering or should I stick with the L glass??
 
Houston1863 said:
First of all congratulations on your 50D Clive and indeed on the forthcoming wedding shoot.

I think that if you wanted to use the 70-200 in say, a church or for that matter indoors, then f2.8 would come in very handy. Even a used example will take you up to budget though but how about retaining the 18-55 kit lens and letting your dad have the nifty fifty instead and borrow it back when you need it. TBH the kit is not a bad lens, especially the IS version. It may be f3.5 but it offers a useful range. You'll most likely have to use flash with it and I'm assuming you don't mind doing that. For the wedding you could also make a loan of the 400D from your dad since it pays to have a backup unit.

My 2c
Click to expand...

Thanks, appreciate your comments!

I can have loan of the 400d any time, same for the lenses if im honest, so gaining the 18-55 back won't be a problem. Unfortunately the 18-55 that I have is the 400d kit lens, not a later one, so is non-IS too. I still like it, but I'd really like to replace rather than re-use, especially at a point when I can afford and justify it! Just at the moment though, blowing all of my glass budget on one lens, although it would be lovely, is just a frightening thought!
 
Clive I have another idea.

Were you more interested in the long end of the 70-200 or everything in between as well? I ask because MPB have the 200/2.8 L at £499 and a Tamron 17-50 will set you back £299. That should bring you close to your budget. If you source the items here ( when available ) the prices would be better.

Just a thought.
 
Houston1863 said:
Clive I have another idea.

Were you more interested in the long end of the 70-200 or everything in between as well? I ask because MPB have the 200/2.8 L at £499 and a Tamron 17-50 will set you back £299. That should bring you close to your budget. If you source the items here ( when available ) the prices would be better.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for your thoughts! I would be looking at the whole zoom range rather than a prime said use it for various other things too. Worth bearing in mind though should my opinion change (it regularly does!).
 
Your initial plan sounds good to me. 70-200s often come up in the Classifieds here for £300-350, and the Tamron is supposed to perform well. Could also consider the Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS which gets rave reviews on Photography On The Net, liking it to the Canon 17-55 in terms of IQ. You might be able to pick one up secondhand within budget. They're £580ish new.
 
Morph3ous said:
Your initial plan sounds good to me. 70-200s often come up in the Classifieds here for £300-350, and the Tamron is supposed to perform well. Could also consider the Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS which gets rave reviews on Photography On The Net, liking it to the Canon 17-55 in terms of IQ. You might be able to pick one up secondhand within budget. They're £580ish new.
Click to expand...

I'll have a look into the Sigma 17-50 too then, thanks! Unfortunately I've not got access to the classifieds on here yet so I am probably missing out on a lot of bargains..... :(
 
I think my post count must have risen above the level needed (at last!) to view the classifieds, so excuse my above post, I DO have access to the bargains on here!

Thanks guys!
 
Ideally you want a 70-200 f2.8 in the church for low light but fund is tight and is best to spend it on something that will be useful for you on wedding and non wedding stuff.

For a mid range zoom, i will defo go for the Tamron 17-50 simply for optic. Some will say the auto focus is not very fast but shooting none fast sports you will be more then fine.

The 70-200 f4 may not be too much useful in church because of the f4 but it is still a cracking lens to use for sharpness and optic when their are good lights.

To behonest, on a wedding you will most likely shooting with the 17-50 f2.8 most of your time and their are only certain moment where you feel the 70-200 is needed.
 
Thanks mate, appreciate your guidance!

You mention the slow AF of the Tamron is not suitable for fast moving sports....as a matter of interest, how would it compare to, say, the 400D's kit 18-55? I currently use that, and the slower still Tamron 55-200, for my RC car shots....including some on-track action ones. I do find I struggle with such a slow focus, but I manage and just make sure I reel enough off to ensure enough are in focus!
 
Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying the focus is very very slow. I would say is average compare to build in focus motor lenses.

In most situation the focus speed is plenty enough to behonest. I won't worry about it, plus you rarely need to use the 17-50 to shoot fast action sport since the focal range is not long enough.

Don't worry about it and enjoy the lens if you end up buying it.
 
Thanks mate, appreciate it! Can't wait till the weekend now to pick up the 50D!
 
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