Is there a perfect lens for shooting cars? (Page 4): It's a very capable lens, that EF-S 15-85 IS USM, Richard ... it serves me well, on my T4i ... never felt the need to swap it ...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

RichardTaylor wrote:

I replaced my Canon 18-55 (not the IS version) with the Canon 17-85 (the predecessor to your EF-S 15-85 IS USM) after a couple of weeks of buying my firt DSLR.

Saw that flower post and I could see a few things that needed commenting on, however critique wasn't asked for.

It's a very capable lens, that EF-S 15-85 IS USM, Richard ... it serves me well, on my T4i ... never felt the need to swap it ... it even does macro at 15" ....

The flower post was intended for Photographic Discussion, but Admin saw it another way. That lone red car post - also met the same fate.

It would seem - I cannot DO a post here with photos enclosed ... as it will always be redirected to the Gallery. So, now, I will always do pic posts AT the Gallery ....

I shall henceforth - give up on combined posts. It will either be text here, or pictures, there ....

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

Yeah, well, I've got that ...

One more thing you need, though, Tom ...

And, that's to be in the right place, at the right time ....

And that comes down to - the Luck of the Draw ....

For "found" subjects it can sometimes be a bit of luck, however you can make your own "luck" a lot of the time.

For example - I wasn't at this right place at the right time by "luck". The "bad" weather was a great stroke of "luck" (the forecast was for rain).
I was the only photographer shooting at that location all morning.

#1 Focal length 220mm on a 1.6 crop body - I was using a 100-400 lens.

(Download)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Unless I was going to do detail shots of things like dashboard instrumentation, I would not use a macro lens for full body shots of a car. My Canon prime macro lenses preform best at close up distances, they are not too bad at further distances but the general purpose norms seem to have better resolution and contrast.

If I go to digitized medium format, I have a Phase I back for my RZ 67 and the 75mm shift lens is tack sharp. I an going to test the 90mm to see if it has the coverage for the shift attachment.

The last time I did this job, I shot it on 8x10 Transparency film- that was over 10 years ago. I'll be doing parts of the job all year. They want a few shots with Autumn colors so the last shot will be in late September- there is a November printers deadline so the thing will be ready for publication in the new year.

Gonna be fun!

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Unless I was going to do detail shots of things li... (show quote)

Sounds like a very interesting job.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

I would not use a macro lens for full body shots of a car.

This shot was taken with my Olympus 60mm 2.8 macro lens.

Why shouldn’t we use a macro for full body shots? Thanks.

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Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

RichardTaylor wrote:

For "found" subjects it can sometimes be a bit of luck, however you can make your own "luck" a lot of the time.

For example - I wasn't at this right place at the right time by "luck". The "bad" weather was a great stroke of "luck" (the forecast was for rain).
I was the only photographer shooting at that location all morning.

It's a right-hand-drive Mustang. Does the US import them there, that way - or do you have a facility there in Oz, Richard?

I think what I was referring to when I mentioned Luck in reference to GW Williams' work, was the opening to do that kind of thing ... do you see?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

tdekany wrote:

This shot was taken with my Olympus 60mm 2.8 macro lens.

Why shouldn’t we use a macro for full body shots? Thanks.

Very nice, and all, Tom ... nothing wrong with that ... Macros Rule!!!!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Unless I was going to do detail shots of things li... (show quote)

Nice work, if you can get it, EL ....

rrayr2002 Loc: New Jersey

I use sigma 18-300. Works well for me. Has become my walk-about lens.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

The one on your camers

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Drag cars get shot with focal lengths from 16-600mm but 24-70, 70-200 and 100-400 are the most common...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Nikonman44

Chris T wrote:

I seem to shoot quite a few cars ... not really sure why. I am attracted to bright colors, unusual designs, unique layouts. When I shoot them, it is usually with an AP-Zoom, because that's what I most often have on the camera, at the time. But, I am aware of certain deficiencies with these kinds of lenses. They are often not fast enough, or not wide enough, or not long enough, or not macro enough. Is there ONE LENS, you feel, is ideal, for cars?

16 x 300 Tamron will handle your concerns. You can get the same lens manuf by your brand of choice but for a whole lot more money

The Tamron has proven to be a wise decision and great investment as far as I am concerned.

FL Streetrodder

I go to many car shows and cruise-ins, have more photos of cars than any other subjects, and almost always shoot with an 18-55 lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Chris T wrote:

I seem to shoot quite a few cars ... not really sure why. I am attracted to bright colors, unusual designs, unique layouts. When I shoot them, it is usually with an AP-Zoom, because that's what I most often have on the camera, at the time. But, I am aware of certain deficiencies with these kinds of lenses. They are often not fast enough, or not wide enough, or not long enough, or not macro enough. Is there ONE LENS, you feel, is ideal, for cars?

On crop frame, Sigma 18-35 1.8 as ONE OR the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 .........and 50-100 1.8's ...as two

On FF, I would probably use the older Tamron SP 28-105 f2.8.

Nikonman44

rrayr2002 wrote:

I use sigma 18-300. Works well for me. Has become my walk-about lens.

I agree, the 16 300 has become my walk around also

Not much you cant capture with it attached.