Should I buy A New Camera Or A New Lens?
May 7, 2012 11:28:24 #
Maybe a dumb question but I need to take super sharp photos of babies and children using natural light.
I have a Canon xsi. Just using the basic lens it came with.
Sometimes I get good pics but often not.
Any advice is appreciated!
I have a Canon xsi. Just using the basic lens it came with.
Sometimes I get good pics but often not.
Any advice is appreciated!
May 7, 2012 11:57:24 #
Without breaking the bank, you might try the 50mm f1.4. Of course its a prime lens, but you can pick it up for +_$350, and it is very sharp as well as a good low light performer. If your wallet can stand it, check out the 24-70mm, a favorite of many portrait pro's.
May 7, 2012 12:01:16 #
Thank-You, I actually bought that lens 50mm f1.4 and it did not work for me.
I will check out the 24-70.
I will check out the 24-70.
May 7, 2012 12:04:33 #
If I want to shoot a subject showing their environment what is the best and least expensive lens.
Do I need a wide angle?
Do I need a wide angle?
May 7, 2012 12:07:06 #
I have always heard its not so much the camera , but the photographer. Now that cannot be completely true because there would not be so many types of lenses and cams out there.
Its a bit overwhelming!
I am pertty sure it is both.
Any thoughts?
Its a bit overwhelming!
I am pertty sure it is both.
Any thoughts?
May 7, 2012 12:10:03 #
Can you tell me why the 50 1.4 didn't work for you? What about the 50 1.4 did you find unsatisfactory? That's a great little lens (I would love to have it, but I have to wait for my 50 1.8 to die an untimely death).
95% of the time I shot with my 24-70 mounted to my 40D. That is a lens to die for but at $1,500+ it better be tack sharp. If you have the extra money laying around then I recommend it, you could also look at the 24-70 II ($2,200).
I personally recommend upgrading glass before the camera body, glass will move from one body to the next. Master your camera, push it to it's limits and when you find you are limited by what your camera can do, not limited by what you can do, then upgrade the body.
95% of the time I shot with my 24-70 mounted to my 40D. That is a lens to die for but at $1,500+ it better be tack sharp. If you have the extra money laying around then I recommend it, you could also look at the 24-70 II ($2,200).
I personally recommend upgrading glass before the camera body, glass will move from one body to the next. Master your camera, push it to it's limits and when you find you are limited by what your camera can do, not limited by what you can do, then upgrade the body.
May 7, 2012 12:15:46 #
That sounds like great advice! Thank-You!
The prime lens was a bit too limiting.
Perhaps it was my lack of experience.
I have very basic knowledge but a very good eye!
The prime lens was a bit too limiting.
Perhaps it was my lack of experience.
I have very basic knowledge but a very good eye!
May 7, 2012 12:21:03 #
I am not a pro, and I have a Nikon, so maybe my advice doesn't count. But, having said that, I went from a Nikon 3000 with stock lens to a Nikon 5100 with Tamron 70-300 and can not flipping believe the difference in the sharpness of the shots. I've also believed that everything needs processing, but now I crop the shot and love that alone. I went to a local shot where my daughter lives and looked for the oldest employee there and talked to him for over an hour. He asked me what I like to take shots of, what kind of light, etc. until he knew me. Find your guru and ask him. It also takes money. You have to work with what you have. I'd love a Nikon 7100 but I know that is not in my budget, especially if I want a new lens also.
May 7, 2012 12:23:30 #
Your basic lens isn't the sharpest, but the 50 is very sharp. I assume you tried all the adjustments, like spot focusing etc. So if the 50mm didn't work for you, you may be having a problem unrelated to the lens. Without looking at your pix its not possible to know, but consider DOF management, camera movement (try a tripod) and as a last resort, have the focusing checked and calibrated by a qualified tech. Good luck.
May 7, 2012 12:29:02 #
You put an L grade lens on that Rebel and you are going to swear up and down you have a new camera, believe me I did when I upgraded my lens on my 40D.
With a Prime Lens you have to remember you are the zoom part of the lens, some find it limiting others find, I find pay off worth it. With a Prime you are going to get a sharper picture, there are less moving parts inside the lens. Of course L glass zooms are going to out perform consumer grade primes but over all I would take a consumer grade prime over a consumer grade zoom any day of the week.
I only have one zoom in my bag (the 24-70) and 2 primes the 50 1.8 and the 85 1.8, both "cheap" primes, but I can get tack sharp images with them, you just have to play with them a little and get an understanding of how they work. They do create the best bokeh.
With a Prime Lens you have to remember you are the zoom part of the lens, some find it limiting others find, I find pay off worth it. With a Prime you are going to get a sharper picture, there are less moving parts inside the lens. Of course L glass zooms are going to out perform consumer grade primes but over all I would take a consumer grade prime over a consumer grade zoom any day of the week.
I only have one zoom in my bag (the 24-70) and 2 primes the 50 1.8 and the 85 1.8, both "cheap" primes, but I can get tack sharp images with them, you just have to play with them a little and get an understanding of how they work. They do create the best bokeh.
May 7, 2012 12:30:19 #
Shauena wrote:
Maybe a dumb question but I need to take super sharp photos of babies and children using natural light.
I have a Canon xsi. Just using the basic lens it came with.
Sometimes I get good pics but often not.
Any advice is appreciated!
I have a Canon xsi. Just using the basic lens it came with.
Sometimes I get good pics but often not.
Any advice is appreciated!
What about your photographs do you not like?
May 7, 2012 12:44:01 #
The sharpness is lacking to name one.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
May 7, 2012 12:46:12 #
You tied a much better lens, but said it didn't work for you. Time to move to another solution.
May 7, 2012 12:53:28 #
Shauena wrote:
The sharpness is lacking to name one.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
NO! (sorry don't mean to yell). Photoshop is not the answer to getting sharp photos, you need to learn to get it sharp in camera, don't make the mistake of thinking that photoshop is going to be your saviour.
First we need to find out why you aren't getting a sharp image: Can you post a sample and include your settings (aperture, SS and ISO are a good starting point).
Do you pick your focal point (single point focus) or do you let the camer pick the focal point (multi point focus)?
Are you attempting to shot wide open (aperture set to 1.4)?
Do you manual focus or auto focus?
Are you using auto mode, a pre-programmed mode or manaul?
Do you shot RAW or Jpeg?
With the 50 1.4 you should be able to obtain a nice sharp focus, we just need to figure out why that isn't happening for you and work from there. Buying a $1,500+ lens isn't going to be the answer to this problem.
May 7, 2012 13:20:01 #
Shauena wrote:
The sharpness is lacking to name one.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
Still learning about this camera and using the natural light.
Maybe I need to learn photoshop well too.
For spot on closeups, I think I just need a better lens.
I bet you are hand-holding the camera and not using a tripod.
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