What Lenses & Filters Do You Have?

[ShesaLikeableBiBear]

Hope to get into some dog photography, this was taken on the w/e, has only been cropped in photoshop.

[kja]

Wow Helen, those pics are beautiful

Is that the purpose of that lens? Portraits? Is there anywhere I can go to read a list of which lens is best for which end use? I bought my 70-300 for portraits [and some dog sports] but I'm thinking maybe the 85 would've been better a better choice. Pooh. Time to start saving again!

The 85 is a classic portrait lens. It's biggest draw is being able to shoot wide open for those creamy backgrounds that make the main subject really pop.

Of course, you can use it for far more than portraits, but this is what the "pros" like it for and what gets the most press. There are two versions - the 1.8 as above which is a delight for $340 new and the serious 85L 1.2 for $1700+...this is one of those lenses that is on a lot of wish lists, but where the much cheaper version performs very admirably, too.

The 50mm has the same thing - the Nifty Fifty for about $70ish is 1.8 and is a great bit of glass for portraits and the like. It's also a great way to get into low light capabilities for virtually nothing...then you can move to the more robust 1.4 for about $350ish or the serious 1.2 for over a grand

BTW - all prices are in USD coz I almost never buy camera gear here with the crazy prices!

Your 70-300 may be a better choice for dogs in action as you can cover a wider area. If you are going to be able to control your distance from your subject, then a prime is a very good way to go.

[ruthless]

Thanks kja. They're quite reasonable prices. What site do you use to buy lenses from the US?

[helen]

Couldn't have explained better myself kja - I would love to know where you purchase lenses from too, and have you ever had any problems with postage?

[rubiton]

Nice clear pic heasapandabear you can nearly feel the texture in the fur - and make sure you get or already have a filter for that lens!

For Canon stuff I buy from quality Camera Sales in Perth - sure some things may be a little cheaper from overseas but the bloke who runs it replies to emailed enquiries very quickly even late on the Sunday afternoon, the prices are pretty good compared to other bigger places in Aust and its good to help Aust small businesses along when you can. Stuff is also delivered within 48 hours.

Edited March 4, 2008 by rubiton

[kja]

Nice clear pic heasapandabear you can nearly feel the texture in the fur - and make sure you get or already have a filter for that lens!

For Canon stuff I buy from quality Camera Sales in Perth - sure some things may be a little cheaper from overseas but the bloke who runs it replies to emailed enquiries very quickly even late on the Sunday afternoon, the prices are pretty good compared to other bigger places in Aust and its good to help Aust small businesses along when you can. Stuff is also delivered within 48 hours.

That's great to know - I always check out Aussie prices and having a recommendation is a good thing!

[Ripley]

Just bumping to let you know that the US dollar is now 95 cents and you can get some good prices at B&H New York, even with shipping and a warranty added. I got a 3 year int'l warranty on a lens honoured by Canon Australia and still saved a few hundred bucks compared to the cheapest price I would have found it here. I had boss get it for me when he was in NY.

OK so on Friday I bought something else from B&H's site. Not too expensive - a Canon 1.4 teleconverter.

I'm selling my cheaper lenses so lenses I will only have after flogging off kit lenses:

Canon 50mm 1.8

Canon f/4 L 70-200mm

Canon 1.4 L teleconverter

Sigma 17-70mm

My kit is complete! :D

(I haven't tried out my 70-200mm yet, it's still wrapped in plastic).

Edited April 25, 2008 by Ripley