Low light lens
Discussion
Went to a wedding recently and realised that I do not have a serious indoor/low light lens (I have been mainly interested in outdoor/sports photos to date), the indoor pictures I took were pretty awful with the Canon 17-85 IS. Got some superb outdoor photos, although I now do fully appreciate the skill involved as the churchyard was very shady and quite difficult to get the light right.
So what are people's thoughts on a good lens (to go with a 400D now, possibly a 40D soon), mid-range budget I guess.
Also, does anyone know if the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM works with the 40D - warehouseexpress.com do not list it as compatible but I do wonder if they have not updated their site since the 40D was launched.
So what are people's thoughts on a good lens (to go with a 400D now, possibly a 40D soon), mid-range budget I guess.
Also, does anyone know if the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM works with the 40D - warehouseexpress.com do not list it as compatible but I do wonder if they have not updated their site since the 40D was launched.
Well for 50odd quid you cant go wrong with a 50mm f1.8 and then get ether a 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2 and your sorted 
Personally I use the canon 50mm f1.4 with the canon 100mm f2 and find them a great combo. Another lens to look at is the sigma 30mm F1.4, I have never used one my self but have only ever heard good reviews about it.
And the 10-22 will work on a 40d as it takes both EF and EFs lenses.
Personally I use the canon 50mm f1.4 with the canon 100mm f2 and find them a great combo. Another lens to look at is the sigma 30mm F1.4, I have never used one my self but have only ever heard good reviews about it.
And the 10-22 will work on a 40d as it takes both EF and EFs lenses.
x5x3 said:
Went to a wedding recently and realised that I do not have a serious indoor/low light lens (I have been mainly interested in outdoor/sports photos to date), the indoor pictures I took were pretty awful with the Canon 17-85 IS. Got some superb outdoor photos, although I now do fully appreciate the skill involved as the churchyard was very shady and quite difficult to get the light right.
So what are people's thoughts on a good lens (to go with a 400D now, possibly a 40D soon), mid-range budget I guess.
Also, does anyone know if the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM works with the 40D - warehouseexpress.com do not list it as compatible but I do wonder if they have not updated their site since the 40D was launched.
Just echoing whats already been said So what are people's thoughts on a good lens (to go with a 400D now, possibly a 40D soon), mid-range budget I guess.
Also, does anyone know if the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM works with the 40D - warehouseexpress.com do not list it as compatible but I do wonder if they have not updated their site since the 40D was launched.
I'd take a look at the 50mm f1.4 (approx £250), or if you want something slightly longer the 85mm f1.8 (about £250 as well). Both would be good in low light, especially the 50mm. If your not sure then you could try the 50mm f1.8 (£60-70), but its not USM and you do hear stories of it missing focus in low light. Can't really argue for the price though really
If you want a zoom then something like a Sigma 28-70 f2.8 (about £250) might be a lower cost option. Its not HSM (sigma's version of USM) though.
If it were me, i'd go for the 50mm f1.4
Seems to have a really good reputation.The 10-22 will be fine on the 40D
It has the same sized sensor as the 30D, 20D, etc..You might want to take a look at the sigma wide angle as well, the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (about £300). Its significantly cheaper than the canon 10-22's (approx) £480. The Canon does have a good reputation though
Cheers.
Another lens to look at is the Sigma 20mm F1.8. I had one a few years back and found it really good. I think I sold it for about £160. It works on full frame cameras as well as the crop cameras, only thing I didn't like was the focusing was quite loud, but that only really bothered me if I was going from focusing close up to a landscape or something.
Do you have an off camera flash, something like a 430ex where you can bounce the flash off the roof of the building might be an idea?
Do you have an off camera flash, something like a 430ex where you can bounce the flash off the roof of the building might be an idea?
dinkel said:
Durruti said:
I'm currently fighting a severe case of lens lust for the Sigma 30mm F1.4. Sadly, I can't seem to find a negative review of the bloody thing anywhere.
I'm looking for a lowlight standard lens for my E300 Olympus. Any suggestions?50mm 1.8 is a great lense, punching well above its price tag (in my opinion) - HOWEVER on a crop sensor DSLR like the lower range Canon's (I use a 350D...) - I often find myself wishing it was a little closer to a standard focal length rather than 80mm equivalent, still it'd be good for portraits.
50mm f1.8 has a lot going for it. It does have some downsides but its the cheapest way into low light photography.
Mine is sharp from f2.2 up, and I always try and keep it there or above. F1.8-2.0 is soft.
Its slow to focus and in low light uses canons patented 'guide dog' focusing system. :/ Manual focus is OK tho.
Its made out of used toilet rolls recycled, so its enviromentaly friendly, just dont sneeze when using it.
Its a little on the long side for a general lens on a cropped sensor camera, great for portraits.
Mine is sharp from f2.2 up, and I always try and keep it there or above. F1.8-2.0 is soft.
Its slow to focus and in low light uses canons patented 'guide dog' focusing system. :/ Manual focus is OK tho.
Its made out of used toilet rolls recycled, so its enviromentaly friendly, just dont sneeze when using it.
Its a little on the long side for a general lens on a cropped sensor camera, great for portraits.
Thanks for the replies folks, if the 50mm f1.8 is slow to focus then it is probably not what I am looking for.
The most frustrating shots I took were of the bride and groom leaving the church - i.e. a combination of low light and movement, I realise this is not neccesarily a common situation but I would like to get it right (or at least better!) next time,
The most frustrating shots I took were of the bride and groom leaving the church - i.e. a combination of low light and movement, I realise this is not neccesarily a common situation but I would like to get it right (or at least better!) next time,
Good flashgun and diffuser??
If you use an external flash on a Canon (sorry, dedicated) then it has the red light focus assist rather than the disco-strobe thing it does with the internal flash. Also, results are a thousand times better - you don't have to have harsh looking pics!
Just an idea.
If you use an external flash on a Canon (sorry, dedicated) then it has the red light focus assist rather than the disco-strobe thing it does with the internal flash. Also, results are a thousand times better - you don't have to have harsh looking pics!
Just an idea.
You probably need to be a bit more specific about what you want to do in low light. As others have said, to get a really wide aperture you'll be looking at prime lenses. If you're looking for primarily a portrait-type lens then probably the 50mm or 85mm are what you're looking for, but you'll probably find them a bit restrictive for any group shots indoors (except perhaps in a church, where you'll be far enough away). If you want something more general-purpose then look at the options around 30mm or below.
Personally I've got a (Nikon) 50mm f/1.8 and a 30mm f/2 and find that in most circumstances the 30mm is much more useful than the 50, but the 50mm has been very handy in church as it gives slightly more reach.
I wouldn't necessarily write off the 50 f/1.8 for being too slow to focus - the autofocus system will work more effectively through a brighter lens, so it may be better than you think.
Personally I've got a (Nikon) 50mm f/1.8 and a 30mm f/2 and find that in most circumstances the 30mm is much more useful than the 50, but the 50mm has been very handy in church as it gives slightly more reach.
I wouldn't necessarily write off the 50 f/1.8 for being too slow to focus - the autofocus system will work more effectively through a brighter lens, so it may be better than you think.
Durruti said:
Dink, as you'll well know, 4/3rd lenses haven't been particularly well supported by third party manufacturers so far, leaving the only realistic choice for you - either the 11-22 f2.8-3.5 or the 14-54 f2.8-3.5 from Olympus. Price is a bit on the heavy side (£450 for the 14-54 or £550 for the 11-22). It's a shame really because I've always fancied the E1 as a cracking camera but the lack of (relatively) cheap glass has always put me off.
If I wanted a standard lens with a 2.8 could I buy an analog 100mm with a conversionring? Or would I lose light that way?tertius said:
As well as the other suggestions esp the 50mm F1.8 (I mean for 50 or 60 quid you can hardly go wrong) you could also consider the Sigma 18-50 F2.8 EX - I have it and think its a great versatile lens, and F2.8 through the range.
If only they'd stick there HSM motor in it like they do with the nikon version. Look at the tamron 17-50f2.8 too.But IMO f2.8 isnt quite quick enough for dark indoor shots unless your camera is excelent at higher ISO's, F2.0 is much handier.
50mm f1.8 is a cracking lens and focusing is OK btu it can be flakey/slow in low light. Would love to try the 50/1.4
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff