New lens any suggestions

tullie

Hi folks,

I have a Canon 30 D and I'm thinking of getting a new lens.
I'm currently using the 18 - 85 that came with the camera.
but I'm looking for wider aperture.

hoping to get one that's good as an all rounder (not a major telephoto or anything) but good for portraits with a bit of zoom on it.

So what would you guys get?

melekalikimaka

24-70 2.8

kumate_champ07

if your on a budget this might be a good choice
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-17-50mm-f-2.8-XR-Di-II-VC-Lens-Review.aspx

its just been released for canon mount, the previous version seems to be good.

Rb

melekalikimaka wrote: »

24-70 2.8

This.

Depends on the budget though.

tullie

thanks, have to have a look at the budget and do some window shopping over the next while

still undecided

tullie

actually, its way over the budget but any thoughts on the canon 16-35?

sineadw

I'd be thinking 16-35 is waaaaay too short for portrait stuff. Even the 70mm might be a bit short.

PCPhoto

sineadw wrote: »

I'd be thinking 16-35 is waaaaay too short for portrait stuff. Even the 70mm might be a bit short.

I would disagree with that - I enjoy portraits with my 16-35mm .... equally 70-200mm is great for portraits.....all depends on the style of portrait you are after and the situation you are in (background etc)

kumate_champ07

canon ef 85mm f1.8
it's an excellent lens, almost perfect except for some CA's in high contrast situations. I rarely see them.sharp from f1.8, very sharp at f2.8 and peaks at f5.6.

bokeh is excellent, focus is quick and silent, its also a light lens.

instead of saving up for 1 lens buy something cheaper you will use and when you got the rest of the cash saved up sell it and buy the other lens.

tho I think you would want to hold onto the the 85mm f1.8
if you want a more general purpose lens that has excellent bokeh and is great for portraits on a crop body you could try the sigma 50mm f1.4
so far I've had no autofocus problems with it but be aware you may need to send it back to sigma for recalibration if there are problems which means you wont have the lens for 2weeks

diamondphoto

Have you tried the 100/2.8 macro. Its a cracking lens and makes a very good portrait lens, with the advantage of being a marco, up to 1:1 magnification. Its not a 'L' lesn so you won't be paying huge money, though some photogs think it should be.

Worth a look.

Fergul

tullie

thanks for all the suggestions folks, loads to mull over