Can I get some advice on lenses?

[stompboxx]

Hey...about a year ago I was bought a Canon EOS 500d as a gift, which came with an EF-S 18-55mm lens. I also wanted something with a bit more zoon so bought a Canon EF-S 55-250mm to go with it. I've been pretty happy with it I guess, though I don't use the zoom lens that often.

I'd like to step up my photography, and am looking to upgrade my lenses.

One lens I really want is the Canon EF 85mm F/1.8 potrait lens...it looks fantastic and I'm interested in developing this area of my photography.

I guess the question is what other lens would compliment that well? Should I keep the two I already have or look to replace them with better quality lenses? Should I look to upgrade the 18-55mm, and if so what should I consider?

Also, for the minimal amount of zoom photography I do is the 55-250mm I have up to the job, or is there something better available without spending £300+

Sorry about all the questions! Thanks...

[TooLateForAName]

What are you going to use these lenses for?

what conditions and circumstances? Its no good saying you want a zoom. tell us what you want to do with it and then people can give you decent advice.

Incidentally on another forum someone is selling a 50/1.8 for £40 and a 50-500 for £50 which seems like a good buy. (ukclimbing if anyone is interested)

[Simpo Two]

Now is a good time to get the wording right. Any lens with a variable focal length is a 'zoom', whether 18-55 or 55-250. What you mean is 'wide angle zoom' and 'telephoto zoom'. In contrast the 85 is a prime (ie fixed focal length) lens.

Personally I'd say 85mm on a 1.6x crop sensor would be too long for portraits but feel free to disagree!

[RobDickinson]

IMO get the 85/1.8, cracking lens, that or a 50/1.4

And then get one or two flashes (& prollys etc) and get some cheap radio popers.

For potraits having light is way more important than having a few more lenses.

[Simpo Two]

Or save some cash and get the 50mm f1.8.

Prollys and popers? Rob has been drinking too much Tui!

But some budget studio lighting - at least one head and softbox is a very good idea. Just decide what you want to do most and grow your kit in that direction.

[stompboxx]

Ok, so I want the portrait lens to take ...er... portraits.

I think what i'm looking for after that is a more 'all-round' lens for general shots, at the beach, visiting cities, some of the motor, that kind of thing...really don't want to carry more than 2 lenses around if poss, but still want great results (i'm assuming that's a bad thing to ask for, so i'm ready to be shot down!)

[RobDickinson]

Early morning here only two cuppas down so far...!

Well how do you feel about the kit lens focal range, OK? or want more?

[stompboxx]

RobDickinson said:

Early morning here only two cuppas down so far...!

Well how do you feel about the kit lens focal range, OK? or want more?

definitely want more...

[RobDickinson]

Well know more usualy equals poorer quality , though the kit lens isnt great you shouldnt ctualy get worse than it.

Tops is the 17-55f2.8 or the new 15-85 both pricey

Otherwise look at sigmas 17-70OS

[Elderly]

Simpo Two said:

Now is a good time to get the wording right. Any lens with a variable focal length is a 'zoom',.....

........... but feel free to disagree!

Sorry -I know what you mean but I can't resist being pedantic!
Any lens with a variable focal length that holds its focus point as you change the focal length is a 'zoom'.
Variable focal length lenses (such as some of the Vivitar series 1 lenses) which require re-focusing with every change
of focal length are not 'zooms' - I can't remember what they are called .

[RobDickinson]

Theres parfocal lenses which when zoomed stay focused (relativly uncomon actualy) and varifocal lenses that dont.

There both zooms though.

[rottie102]

Well, do what I do and carry 50mm prime and 18-200mm in your bag.
That covers most of my photographic needs.

[Elderly]

RobDickinson said:

Theres parfocal lenses which when zoomed stay focused (relativly uncomon actualy) and varifocal lenses that dont.

There both zooms though.

'Parfocal' - thanks for the memory jog Rob.
I wonder if parfocal lenses (IIRC also known as 'true zoom') will come into greater demand
as more and more 'still' cameras get a video capability?

[Simpo Two]

Well I know better than to argue with Elderly! (though terminology does evolve as the centuries pass )

By force of habit or possibly experience, I always zoom first then focus, and if I change the framing more than a little I refocus.

[ofcorsa]

I'm saving up for a 70-200mm F4L been itching for something with reach but have resisted buying anything else.

[Elderly]

Simpo Two said:

Well I know better than to argue with Elderly! (though terminology does evolve as the centuries pass )

By force of habit or possibly experience, I always zoom first then focus, and if I change the framing more than a little I refocus.

I wondered why there was no 'Horseless Carriage' lounge on Pistonheads

In the 'olden days' when parfocal lenses (true zoom) were first used,
we would zoom in to full telephoto and focus on our chosen point,
then re-frame as required. Something you can't do with a varifocal lens.

[Simpo Two]

Elderly said:

In the 'olden days' when parfocal lenses (true zoom) were first used,
we would zoom in to full telephoto and focus on our chosen point,
then re-frame as required. Something you can't do with a varifocal lens.

That's how cameramen did it on video shoots too. Now they just focus on the background

I guess variparfocalboil video lenses are too expensive for the general camera market?

[LongQ]

Simpo Two said:

Elderly said:

In the 'olden days' when parfocal lenses (true zoom) were first used,
we would zoom in to full telephoto and focus on our chosen point,
then re-frame as required. Something you can't do with a varifocal lens.

That's how cameramen did it on video shoots too. Now they just focus on the background

I guess variparfocalboil video lenses are too expensive for the general camera market?

I had always assumed that such issues became non-issues with the advent of Auto Focus. In the stills world if not entirely in the video world.