Buying a T4i body only. Only room in the budget for one lens help me pick one

[MolonLabe]

So after much research, I've settled on the Canon T4i as my first non point and shoot.

My PnS is a canon g11.

After hearing about how limited the starter kit lens can become, I've decided to go strait for one good lens as opposed to a kit with two lower end lens.

So I'm thinking buying something in the 18-55 / 24-75 ish range.

I will be buying another lens, somewhere going up to the 200mm range before our Christmas trip to WDW.

Buy once, cry once.

 

[ThurlFan]

I've not used it myself, but heard good things about the 18-135

 

[superdisneydork]

I've not used it myself, but heard good things about the 18-135

Until quite recently, the 18-135mm was my go to lens, until I treated myself to a nice 24-105mm lens. In fact my 18-135mm is currently for sale!

I love the lens, its quite sharp across the whole range, but its sharpest around 24mm, it's f/3.5-5.6, so it's not fantastic in the dark, but a good flash, or cranking the ISO (The T4i should have pretty decent noise performance) it can hold it's own. The best part is the versatility, it has some decent reach, but it still goes quite wide, which is important for a crop like the T4i. Also, a tripod and a long shutter makes it a great combo.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

If I was going to buy one lens for WDW, it would be the 24-70 f2.8. While the variable aperture lenses are cheaper and lighter, I have found the need for lowlight fast lenses a must for WDW. With the indoor shows and parades in lowlight the 2.8 for me is a must. My second lens would be the 70-200 f2.8 for the same reasons. These lenses will be heavier but that is the price to pay. While many say wider is better for WDW, I have found that 24 is very usable. I actually use a 28-70 for the majority of my shots. If the Canon lens is out of your budget, there are some good third party offerings.

 

[superdisneydork]

If I was going to buy one lens for WDW, it would be the 24-70 f2.8. While the variable aperture lenses are cheaper and lighter, I have found the need for lowlight fast lenses a must for WDW. With the indoor shows and parades in lowlight the 2.8 for me is a must. My second lens would be the 70-200 f2.8 for the same reasons. These lenses will be heavier but that is the price to pay. While many say wider is better for WDW, I have found that 24 is very usable. I actually use a 28-70 for the majority of my shots. If the Canon lens is out of your budget, there are some good third party offerings.

While I would generally agree with you, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is quite a price, certainly worth it, but tough to swallow.

Just curious what body you're using? I'm a little nervous my 24mm is going to be not quite wide enough for Disney on my crop body.

 

[MolonLabe]

If I was going to buy one lens for WDW, it would be the 24-70 f2.8. While the variable aperture lenses are cheaper and lighter, I have found the need for lowlight fast lenses a must for WDW. With the indoor shows and parades in lowlight the 2.8 for me is a must. My second lens would be the 70-200 f2.8 for the same reasons. These lenses will be heavier but that is the price to pay. While many say wider is better for WDW, I have found that 24 is very usable. I actually use a 28-70 for the majority of my shots. If the Canon lens is out of your budget, there are some good third party offerings.

2k is too much for me to spend on a lens. I was hoping to keep it under 1k if possible.

My birthday (the camera and lens), My wifes birthday, all three daughters birthdays, 7 days in WDW and then Christmas are all coming up.

How is the Sigma brand? $824 and a 4 year warranty (as opposed to canon's one year)-
http://www.adorama.com/SG247028HEOC.html

How much difference will there be in that sigma vs canon?

I ask because I have a vortex front focal plane scope that was about $800 and there is virtually no gain in quality, image clarity or light gathering compared to the next 'step up' in another brand which moves you close to the 2k mark as well. Vortex simply doesn't have the name, even if they do have nearly identical quality. Vortex also has a lifetime no nonsense warranty too. Are we looking at about the same type of thing here?

Thank you in advance everyone. I'm looking forward to really exploring this new found hobby.

 

[HPS3]

Don't be afraid to buy a Sigma. I shoot with a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 and its really sharp. The build quality is really nice also. I think Tamron also just came out with a new 24-70 with stabilization.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

While I would generally agree with you, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is quite a price, certainly worth it, but tough to swallow.

Just curious what body you're using? I'm a little nervous my 24mm is going to be not quite wide enough for Disney on my crop body.

I use a Pentax K5 and K10D. Both are APS-C. Many of the shots in this series were taken with my Sigma 28-70 f2.8

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/sets/72157628451818517/

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

2k is too much for me to spend on a lens. I was hoping to keep it under 1k if possible.

My birthday (the camera and lens), My wifes birthday, all three daughters birthdays, 7 days in WDW and then Christmas are all coming up.

How is the Sigma brand? $824 and a 4 year warranty (as opposed to canon's one year)-
http://www.adorama.com/SG247028HEOC.html

How much difference will there be in that sigma vs canon?

I ask because I have a vortex front focal plane scope that was about $800 and there is virtually no gain in quality, image clarity or light gathering compared to the next 'step up' in another brand which moves you close to the 2k mark as well. Vortex simply doesn't have the name, even if they do have nearly identical quality. Vortex also has a lifetime no nonsense warranty too. Are we looking at about the same type of thing here?

Thank you in advance everyone. I'm looking forward to really exploring this new found hobby.

I have four Sigma lenses, 28-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro, 100-300 f4 EX DG, and the 30mm f1.4 EX DC. I use all my lenses semi-professionally and have had great results. The 100-300 is best lens in the arsenal. Here are a couple taken with that lens.


NHRA NAT 1361 v2 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr


NHRA NAT 1518 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

And one with the 70-200


Randy 9091 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

 

[photo_chick]

2k is too much for me to spend on a lens. I was hoping to keep it under 1k if possible.

My birthday (the camera and lens), My wifes birthday, all three daughters birthdays, 7 days in WDW and then Christmas are all coming up.

How is the Sigma brand? $824 and a 4 year warranty (as opposed to canon's one year)-
http://www.adorama.com/SG247028HEOC.html

How much difference will there be in that sigma vs canon?

I ask because I have a vortex front focal plane scope that was about $800 and there is virtually no gain in quality, image clarity or light gathering compared to the next 'step up' in another brand which moves you close to the 2k mark as well. Vortex simply doesn't have the name, even if they do have nearly identical quality. Vortex also has a lifetime no nonsense warranty too. Are we looking at about the same type of thing here?

Thank you in advance everyone. I'm looking forward to really exploring this new found hobby.

There is no comparison between the Sigma lenses and a Canon L series. Sigma makes a lot of nice lenses, but they just aren't L series. That said, you certainly don't need L series to make great images.

If you really don't want the kit and want to keep it around $1000 I'd look at the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 (which is L series quality but an EF-S lens) or the Canon 24-105 f/4 L. If you want to keep it under $500 I'd look at the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Those are my preferences though and we all have different needs and preferences.

One thing to note.. I use an older 28-105 as my walkaround lens on a Canon crop body. 28mm is not very wide on a crop body and you might want to make sure you have something wider in your bag for when you need it. I use my 18-55 kit still on those occasions. IMO it's totally worth the $100 added to the body at the time of purchase if you're not buying a lens that goes wider than 24 or 28mm.

 

[MolonLabe]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

Since two lens will only be in the budget before our trip, I'm going to focus in on a 'walk around lens' that I can have on just walking the park and the other will be for Character meals. We've got 6 or 7 ADR's of them lined up, lol.

I'm thinking about $1,600 for both lens will be my limit.

 

[Shutterbug]

I want to also chime in on the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non-VC) version. I have found it to be a very good and sharp lens.
Only two cons for me on this lens. One is its not silent when focusing but I have never used it where I needed to be absolute quiet.
The other is that it sometimes hunts in low light.

Other than that its been a good lens and currently at B&H, its 499 with a $75 mail in rebate. That would give you the rest to buy another lens with longer reach.

I also agree you want wide at the world, 24-28 was never wide enough for me.

 

[corgi_monster]

Canon 24-105 f4 L hands down! I got mine for under $1,000 (new) including the kit and it's an extremely versatile lens. On trips, there are times when I think, "I wish I had a fisheye right now," or "I wish I had a 200mm" but if you wanna travel light, the 24-105 cannot be beat. Just keep in mind that it's good, but not the best with night or lowlight shots. But again, if you are only going to carry one lens with you, this would be my pick.

 

[superdisneydork]

Canon 24-105 f4 L hands down! I got mine for under $1,000 (new) including the kit and it's an extremely versatile lens. On trips, there are times when I think, "I wish I had a fisheye right now," or "I wish I had a 200mm" but if you wanna travel light, the 24-105 cannot be beat. Just keep in mind that it's good, but not the best with night or lowlight shots. But again, if you are only going to carry one lens with you, this would be my pick.

I can totally back this statement up! As I said, I moved to the Canon 24-105mm as my walkaround lens and its wonderful, crisp, sharp, good color and its got quite a workable range. There's a good change it'll be the only lens I take this September (I may take my 50/1.8 with me for night, or rent a 16-35mm/2.8, but again only for night shots). Though I am still a bit worried about 24mm not being wide enough, I am not at all concerned about the quality of the image.

Be warned, the 24-105mm is "only" f/4. During the day this isn't a problem at all you can stop it down around f/9 to f/11 and still have a solid high speed shutter, even at ISO 100, but at night, it's going to get tricky.

 

[MolonLabe]

Ok, assuming I went with a Canon 24-105mm f4L or something similar, I would then need something for night time (we are doing MVMCP) as well as for the indoor character greetings and diner encounters...

Something down as low as a 17 or 18 starting?

 

[superdisneydork]

Ok, assuming I went with a Canon 24-105mm f4L or something similar, I would then need something for night time (we are doing MVMCP) as well as for the indoor character greetings and diner encounters...

Something down as low as a 17 or 18 starting?

Is night time shooting going to be a priority for you outside of Disney? If not, maybe purchase the 24-105mm and get this for a week or whatever block of time you need it:

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/canon_wide_angle/Canon_17-55_f2.8_IS_EF-S

or maybe

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/canon_wide_angle/Canon_16_35mm_f2.8_II for a little bit more.

I've rented the 17-55mm a few months ago, I loved it, but I'm kind of itching to try the 16-35mm, and it is a nice L lens, though I hear (and believe) the optics in the 17-55mm to be L quality.

Even if you do want night time shooting long term, the rental may be an option for now to tide you over without breaking the bank. I do recommend the insurance though, otherwise Murphy's Law will be your worst nightmare...

 

[Luvscrappin]

I have heard many great things about the Tokina 11-16mm lens as well. It runs about $699 new. Seems to be a favorite of quite a few photographers on here and other boards. I am renting it for our trip next month, so we'll see. However, it seems to get rave reviews. Look at the "ultra wide thread" on here..the pics are amazing!

 

[MolonLabe]

Is night time shooting going to be a priority for you outside of Disney? If not, maybe purchase the 24-105mm and get this for a week or whatever block of time you need it:

I do want to be able to shoot in low light later as well.

I have a friend who is really into photography, I'm going to go over his various lens and get a hands on feel of how to proceed.

I haven't asked him about possibly borrowing a lens for my trip. Perhaps I can buy two lens and borrow one from him.

Usually borrowing things wouldn't be an issue, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about something so... delicate, lol.

Thanks!

 

[superdisneydork]

I do want to be able to shoot in low light later as well.

I have a friend who is really into photography, I'm going to go over his various lens and get a hands on feel of how to proceed.

I haven't asked him about possibly borrowing a lens for my trip. Perhaps I can buy two lens and borrow one from him.

Usually borrowing things wouldn't be an issue, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about something so... delicate, lol.

Thanks!

I personally won't borrow lenses from friends, for the cheap cost of a rental + insurance, it's nice peace of mind I won't be staring a very expensive bill down from a former friend.

Another great option is the Canon 'Nifty Fifty' 50mm prime. It's a relatively inexpensive lens, that is generally considered to be something every photographer should have, if only for the f/1.8 aperture, its very fast, and it's quite sharp. The only downside is at 50mm on a crop body like the T4i, it's a bit long, but Disney is big, plenty of room to take a few steps back

Take a look: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-...TF8&qid=1342584247&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+50mm

The reviews on it are almost all the same, the build is a bit cheap, but the lens is sharp, fast, lightweight and quite inexpensive. It's great if you want to take a step (or three) back and get a nice shot of the kids at night with the castle looming in the background, but blurred so the kids are the clear subject of the photo.

 

[photo_chick]

Ok, assuming I went with a Canon 24-105mm f4L or something similar, I would then need something for night time (we are doing MVMCP) as well as for the indoor character greetings and diner encounters...

Something down as low as a 17 or 18 starting?

With the T4i's ISO range and the IS on the 24-105 you can do a lot in lower lighting situations. If it were me and I wanted something faster to pair with the 24-105 f/4 for low light/night time I'd go with a fast prime to add to it.

The 50mm f/1.8 mentioned... I have and love this lens. Have used it for years. It's probably the most fun you can have with a Canon for a hundred bucks. You will notice a difference in the optical quality from the 24-105 if you have both. That bugs some people, others not so much. A lot of crop shooters find a 50mm prime too long for them though and prefer to go with a 35 or 24mm. Sigma makes an awesome 30mm f/1.4 that is also very popular.