Hi everyone! Eek! This is my first post although i have been a member a little while now.

hope you dont mind my first post being a question.

Question: i am currently shooting with a canon 1 dsmk2 with a 24-105 lens. i am saving to get the 70-200 2.8 L is usm one but really need something as a back up but something i would enjoy using too.

Any ideas what my second lens should be?


thanks

I second what Lauren says and would suggest the 50 1.4. Great to have something fast and versatile, and then get that 70-200IS 2.8L because it is by far my favorite and most used lens!!

I agree, Shawn. I am still trying to save up some for my 70-200. That is a great lens but you always need something good for portrait type work too!

85 1.8 maybe? or the 50 1.4 as PP have already said.

Hi Annemarie,

My boyfriend reminded me of this great resource last night that I haven't checked out in awhile:

http://kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

This guy has a ton of articles about different lenses and good comparisons between them. You might want to research the lenses you are considering and you may find out something that will pull you more in one way than the other.

The page isn't very pretty looking, I suggest hitting control+F and searching for the terms you are looking for. There's a lot of good, down-to-earth info there.

The 50mm prime is a good suggestion, as others have mentioned. There are three different ones available so you can find one at a price point that will work for you and allow you to continue saving for the 70-200.

I actually read a lot of nice stuff about the non-L, 85 1.8 yesterday on that ken rockwell site. I was planning on saving up for the L, but I think the 1.8 might suit my needs for awhile and I can put that money towards something else.

I shoot a 5D and have only three lenses: 28-75 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and 85 f/1.8.

My favorite? 85 f/1.8 hands down! It's an AMAZING lens. Too bad I don't get to use it all the time. But if I shot a crop body I would go for the 50 f/1.4 or even 1.8 instead. (Don't let this deter you from the 70-200. It's a great lens as well, and necessary).

If you are looking to get more reach, then you could go for the 135 f/2 L and get a 1.4x extender -- that's like 2 lenses in one, and it's a super-fast lens.

If I ever go all prime (I see this as a definite future possibility), I'd go 35, 50, 85, 135, and 1.4x extender.

Hope it helps!

thanks everyone. i checked out the ken rockwell site - you are right Lyn it is a great resource.

after looking at all the lenses and hearing how everyone loves the 70-200 - guess what? i bought it!!!!

it arrived this morning and i am so excited!!! i have 2 weddings this weekend so will get to use it straight away!!

does anyone have any shooting tips for this lens?

i am hoping i can hand hold with it for some of the time for candids etc and then pop it on the tripod for my couple shots.

how do you use yours?


thanks A

Ken rockwell is an interresting ressource. Unfortunately he is sometimes a bit of a gearhead. He is not into portraits and doesn't seem to be very into "fast" lenses. I always take his opinion with a pinch of salt as he often favour slower, cheaper lenses (they get the job done too when doing sunsets )

Honestly read all the reviews about the 50 1.8 I have both the 1.8 and the 1.4 and they are equivelent!! Seriously!! Go to B&H and read the reviews, it is a cheap but great lens. Try to get some primes, they are not as expensive but they are very sharp.

I have a Canon 5D and the 24-70 2.8L, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, and 70-200 2.8L IS. Really, my very favorite lens is also the 85 1.8. I do a lot of children's photography, and I love how that lens functions to get fast portraits of the little ones. What it does with light is incredible.

I do need to start using the 70-200 more. I'm getting out of weddings after this year, and haven't really explored with that one too much since it's so heavy to lug around when you're chasing after kids.