Best lenses for Car Photography

[WillAron]

Hey,

I'm in that stage again where I'd like to upgrade my lens. I've got a Canon 7D and my lenses are a Canon18-135mm EF-S (My main all rounder) and a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 hsm (which is my action lens).

I want to get another lens which is like my 18-135 but on a higher scale. My EF-S lens is good but I feel I could do with something better. Is there any lens like this you would recommend and which is a good value for money.

Also, out of interest, is there any 50mm or 85mm lens that you'd recommend?

Thanks.

[markmullen]

On a crop body if you want a standard range zoom you're looking at 17-55 f2.8 or 15-85 if you're sticking with Canon lenses.

For primes:

50mm f1.8 (cheapest)
50mm f1.4 (better)
50mm f1.2 (best

85mm f1.8 (cheapest)
85mm f1.2 (awesome but slow AF, heavy and expensive)

[Janesy B]

Well you've got 70-upwards covered so you could get away with an EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 but they're not great value for money. Good lens though, Tamron have their own version but the IS (VC) version isn't as good as the Non-IS (VC) version and it's not all that quick with AF as it isn't Ultrasonic. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a good lens and cheap. Only used the cheapy plastic 50mm f1.8 which isn't all that good unless you stop down a bit so it's a bit pointless using one next to a 17-55 f2.8.

[V8A*ndy]

The missus has a canon 50mm 1.4. for her 550d.

She has used it to very good effect for arty static shots of cars, engine bays, interiors and badges etc.

It's a cracking lens. The 1.8 version is bonkers value but I havn't tried it.

[tim-b]

WillAron said:

I want to get another lens which is like my 18-135 but on a higher scale. My EF-S lens is good but I feel I could do with something better.

What is wrong with your current lens? If you work out why you want a new lens, it's a lot easier to decide which one to get! And if you don't know why you need a new lens, you don't need it at all

[Nighthawk]

I shoot on a 5d body, so the crop factor isn't a problem for me but for detail I mainly use a canon 24-70 and a 135, longer stuff I use the 70-200

[kman]

tim-b said:

What is wrong with your current lens? If you work out why you want a new lens, it's a lot easier to decide which one to get! And if you don't know why you need a new lens, you don't need it at all

^ what he said. maybe if you could explain what the issue is, someone can advise...

[WillAron]

tim-b said:

What is wrong with your current lens? If you work out why you want a new lens, it's a lot easier to decide which one to get! And if you don't know why you need a new lens, you don't need it at all

I think the reason being is that I feel like I could do with something that performs better. Then again saying that it's best I do say why I feel like I need a better one. I've always felt that with my EF-S lens, my photos come out slightly grainy and not sharp enough. I've always left my ISO on it's lowest setting.

I think with the lenses that I've been recommended sound great and I've checked photo examples on Flickr and other sites. I've been wanting to grad hold of a 50mm or an 85mm for a while now because of the aperture and the wide angles it gives.

[rottie102]

WillAron said:

I've been wanting to grad hold of a 50mm or an 85mm for a while now because of the aperture and the wide angles it gives.

50mm and 85mm wide angles?

If you are keeping 7D I'd get a 35mm f/1.4 either Sigma or Canon if I was in your shoes. You will have to be FAAAAAR away from the car to fit it all in the frame with 85mm on a crop body.

[WillAron]

rottie102 said:

50mm and 85mm wide angles?

Aaaaaah, I was told that by one of my tutors from uni.

[rottie102]

WillAron said:

Aaaaaah, I was told that by one of my tutors from uni.

Don't listen to them much

In regards to choosing the right lens to buy - just try to use only one length on your 18-135 and you'll see which one is best for what you do. One day only 18mm, then 35, 50 and 85mm. When you see what works for you just buy the best prime at that length that you can afford.

As for the lack of sharpness in your photos - I don't know how you PP them but I'm assuming you know to always FIRST resize the photos to desired dimensions and THEN sharpen them?

Edited by rottie102 on Wednesday 21st May 23:03

[kman]

50p he meant 50mm and 85mm wide apertures...