Lens questions

[Donald Duck888]

I have had a Canon Rebel XS for a while now and have used it mostly on auto mode. I made the decision a little while ago that I was going to learn to really use the camera thus starting a journey on learning all about photography, (has been really fun so far).

Well I was just reading on here about lenses and have some questions. I appologize in advance for what may be some rudimentary questions.

First off I was reading about a Canon lens (28mm F/1.8 EF). So just to make sure I am thinking right on this the 1.8 refers to the apiture(the amount the lens opens)? So it is reffered to as a fast lens because it can have a faster shutter speed due to apiture being able to let more light in in a shorter exposure time?

I went on the Canon site and also saw a lens (EF 50mm F 1.4). Is this lens similar to the other for low light shooting? What does the 28mm, 50mm part refer to?

Sorry for all the questions. I am hoping to really get good use out of my camera this Aug on Disney trip and right now I only have 2 lenses, (the one that came with the camera (EF 18-55mm F 3.5-5.6) and a longer range zoom lens (EF 55-250) I purchased with the camera as well).

Thanks so much for any info you can provide.

 

[d3mckinl]

you have the right idea about the Aperture. And its relation to shutter speed. to take it the next step. the faster lens allows more light in a dark environment to enter the camera allowing you to keep you ISO down so you don't get the grainy pics that point and shoot cameras give as well as keeping your shutter speed fast enough to not get motion blur. the 1.4 vs 1.8 aperture setting is 1 more "F stop". the 1.4 being faster.

the MM rating is the focal range which you already understand in that you called your 200 zoom longer range. the big MM is a longer reach while a smaller M is more wide angle.

You shoot with a crop camera (not full frame) so your camera has a crop factor to make everything more confusing. to equate your focal distance (MM) to a mm camera multiply the focal distance by your crop factor to get the equivalent focal range on a 35mm camera. for example. The 24mm lens on your camera would give you the same coverage as a mm lens on a 35 mm film camera or full frame sensor. (24mm X 1.5 crop factor = 36 mm equivalent)

Hope that helps.

 

[cpbjgc]

I have had a Canon Rebel XS for a while now and have used it mostly on auto mode. I made the decision a little while ago that I was going to learn to really use the camera thus starting a journey on learning all about photography, (has been really fun so far).

Well I was just reading on here about lenses and have some questions. I appologize in advance for what may be some rudimentary questions.

First off I was reading about a Canon lens (28mm F/1.8 EF). So just to make sure I am thinking right on this the 1.8 refers to the apiture(the amount the lens opens)? So it is reffered to as a fast lens because it can have a faster shutter speed due to apiture being able to let more light in in a shorter exposure time?

You are correct. The large aperture (and remeber, smaller number means larger opening) lets in more light to give a faster shutter speed. It also gives a shallow depth of field (the area within the shot that is in focus) so watch for that.

I went on the Canon site and also saw a lens (EF 50mm F 1.4). Is this lens similar to the other for low light shooting? What does the 28mm, 50mm part refer to?

That is he focal length of the lens. It described the field of view - that is, what is in the frame for you picture. The smaller the number the wider the field of fiew. I see you have the 18-55 kit. If you set the kit lens zoom to 28mm and then 50mm you can see what the difference is in framing.

Hope that helps!

 

[Donald Duck888]

Thanks for the input.

I am now deciding between a Canon EF 50mm F 1.8 II for approx $100 and the Canon EF 50 mm F1.4 usm for approx $400.

I have read reviews of each and it seems they both produce really good image quality. I assume much better than my kit lens? It seems that the higher price one is just built a bit better than the lower price one from what I have been reading.

Does any one have any experience with either of these? Or does any one have any other suggested lenses? Lastly will I see a marked difference between these and my kit lens?

Thanks again for the info.

Oh yeah and thanks d3 for teaching me another thing new about my DSLR when you said it was a "crop" camera i had to look up what that meant as I never heard that term before. Lerming more each day.

 

[mom2rtk]

What are you planning to use the lens for? I know it's a matter of personal preference, but I prefer a little wider lens (smaller mm) for Disney. It allows me to get more in my frame without having to back up as far (and have people jump in the way!).

If you're considering fast primes (non-zooms) then I would be remiss not to mention the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It's an awesome lens that gets rave reviews from most here on the boards.

Going from 1.8 to 1.4 is going to bump the price. But it's what is often needed to get photos in very low light situations, like the dark rides at Disney.

 

[Donald Duck888]

then I would be remiss not to mention the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.

Thanks for the suggestion Mom2rtk. Is that lens available for the Canon DSLR'S? Also is it in the same under $500 dollar price range as the other 2?

Thanks again for the info.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's currently available in a Canon mount for $489 at B&H:

http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381615-REG/Sigma_300101_30mm_f_1_4_EX_DC.html

 

[Donald Duck888]

Thank you for the link mom2rtk. I also want to thank you and everyone else that has posted on here for helping to further my photography education. I have learned alot today.

The point about the field of view is a very good one, I tried out what cpb suggested (thanks) with the zoom lens and 50 is a bit narrowed in. So now I have decided I should probably look in the 28-30mm range and have been looking at 2 lenses in this range.

The 1st is the Sigma 30mm f1.4 that was suggested by mom2rtk(thanks). and the other is the Canon 28mm f1.8.

If I may ask are there any problems with using a non branded lens on a Canon Rebel xs (or any Canon) than anyone has experienced?

I ask because I am leaning toward the Sigma based on reveiws, price and what I will use it for but I am a bit leary of it not being Canon.

Also one other quick question if I may, How would a 28mm f2.8 compare to these lenses? I would assume they would not be as good in low light but how much less good? I have been using a zoom lens that starts at f 3.5 so I would assume even the 2.8 would be an improvement.

Thanks again to all for all the great info

 

[mom2rtk]

Happy to help. Spending someone else's money is so much more fun you know....

No problems at all with the Sigma brand since you'll be buying it in a Canon mount.

I really don't think you'll be disappointed with this lens. I bought the Canon 50mm f/1.8 before buying this. I might as well sell the Canon, but it's an inexpensive lens to start with.... but I rarely use that one. I prefer the 30mm and having 1.4 as an option is a win/win.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You won't be disappointed with the Sigma 30. It has been called the 'gold standard' for that focal length. I have three other Sigma's (28-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 and 100-300 f4) and am pleased with the results they produce. The customer service I received when I did have an issue was beyond outstanding.

 

[cpbjgc]

I also have the Sigma 30mm F1.4 that I have used on my Rebel XTi and my 50D and I have always been pleased with the results. The image quality is very good with excellent colour rendition and sharpness. It also has great bokeh (the appearance of out of focus areas) which makes it great for portraits or other times where you use selective focus on your subject.

As for the difference between F2.8 and F1.4, the 1.4 lets in twice the amount of light that an f2.8 opening does (what is normally called a full stop of light), so that can make a very big difference in low light scenes.

If you can visit a camera store where they have the lenses you might want to take you camera down and ask to try them out before making a decision. The local stores here have let me do that, and I find it really helpful in making decisions on choosing a lens.

 

[SrisonS]

Since you seem to be willing to spend $500 or less, I would go for the Sigma 30mm. Sigma is a trusted brand for 3rd party lenses. So nothing to worry about there.

You could also try to snag a used version somewhere. But there aren't too too many used ones out there (at least there weren't when i bought mine last year). But there's a Marketplace section of the Canon Forums at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php that you can try. I bought mine from there for around $350(?).

Also, earlier today, I bumped up the thread on here called Sigma Fast Lens Club, where people post sample pics from that lens.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Ok I am back looking for more advice.

Yesterday I was pretty much decided on going with the Sigma 30mm f 1.4 lens. I still may go that route but I was having a hard time justifying the cost (approx $500), especially since i am about to spend a week at Disney lol.

So today I was doing a bit more looking around and found a Canon 35mm F2.0lens for a bit over $300 dollars. Does anyone here have any experience with that lens?

I was looking at f 1.4 or f 1.8 but this is not all that far off of the 1.8 and it is alot cheaper, (i know one gets what one pays for) but I am looking for improvement from kit lens (with min f 3.5) so the 2 should be a pretty good step up, yes? No?

Also has anyone ever bought from PC Nation? I was going to buy through Amazon but they listed the seller as PC Nation and if I go direct through PC Nation I get better shipping costs.

Thanks again to everyone for all the help.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I have had the opportunity to use the Canon 50mm F/1.4 and the Canon 50mm F/1.8.

Like most people have stated the F/1.4 is a much larger, heavtier lens. The F/1.8 is great for the price differential though.

I'm actually going to purchase a new lens for my trip to Hawaii. And I think I'll probably grab the 50mm 1.8.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have reviewed your posts and you started out in the 50mm focal length and then after some discussion, you were looking at the 28-35 mm focal lengths. If you are looking at some low light improvement over the kit lens, yes it will be better. Because your camera does not have the ability to use higher ISO's (the limit is 1600, as is mine), you will get modest improvement, but don't expect to get real good lowlight images on the dark rides at WDW. If you had the ability raise your ISO higher, then I would say," Go for it." Since you can't, I would recommend that you review what you want this lens to do and think about it. The phrase that keeps popping up is, " The most expensive lens is the one you buy twice!" Meaning if the 35 f2.0 doesn't do the job you may end up purchasing the Sigma 30.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Meaning if the 35 f2.0 doesn't do the job you may end up purchasing the Sigma 30

Thank you for the info. I have thought about that exact thing actually. Do you feel the F1.4 sigma would give really good images on the darker rides? is there that large a gulf between 1.4 and 2.0?

I guess what I am looking for most is a good general purpose lens that will take sharper images than the kit lens does and also allows me to do a bit more in inside environments witout having to use flash. I am also hoping to take some night shots of the castle/fireworks but I would assome with either of these lenses a tripod would be needed for that anyway.

Thanks again for the advice on this a really appreciate it.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thank you for the info. I have thought about that exact thing actually. Do you feel the F1.4 sigma would give really good images on the darker rides? is there that large a gulf between 1.4 and 2.0?

I guess what I am looking for most is a good general purpose lens that will take sharper images than the kit lens does and also allows me to do a bit more in inside environments witout having to use flash. I am also hoping to take some night shots of the castle/fireworks but I would assome with either of these lenses a tripod would be needed for that anyway.

Thanks again for the advice on this a really appreciate it.

It will be better. As far as fireworks, that is a different animal. Depending on how close you are you may want to use the 18-55 kit lens at 18mm to get as wide as possible. Yes, you will need a tripod, remote control or use the delayed shutter mode (I use wireless remote with the camera in the bulb mode), lowest ISO (I think your camera is 100), f8-f11, manual focus out to infinity and then back it down slightly. That should work. You will have to experiment with the shutter speed to get the look you want. I'm usually at 2-4 seconds, but that can vary. Her's a couple taken that way.


Dessert Party FW by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


MK Castle Orange FW by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[Donald Duck888]

As far as fireworks, that is a different animal.

Awesome fireworks pics, If mine come out even near that good I will be psyched.

Also thank you for the settings advice, I will have to try that. All this using the DSLR on other than auto setting is still pretty new to me. It seems the more I learn the more i find out i need to learn lol. I have been doing lots of experimenting though as well as getting as much knowledge from others as I can, it has been alot of fun learning all this stuff actually.

Thanks again

 

[bob100]

Sorry for all the questions. I am hoping to really get good use out of my camera this Aug on Disney trip and right now I only have 2 lenses, (the one that came with the camera (EF 18-55mm F 3.5-5.6) and a longer range zoom lens (EF 55-250) I purchased with the camera as well).

Thanks so much for any info you can provide.

you should get good shots, including fireworks, with the 18-55IS
The Sigma 30mm 1.4 is one of the better large aperture primes for crop models

 

[Donald Duck888]

I just wanted to update my lens quest with the very fortunate (for me at least) conclusion to which it has come to.

I actually was able to obtain the Canon 35mm f2.0 lens I was looking at for a very nice price .

A friend of my wife heard I was looking for a new lens to use on my upcoming Disney trip and sold me a 35mm f2 for virtually nothing. It seems his Canon had met with an untimely accident a while back and he ended up replacing it with a different brand camera.

So he sold the lens to me at a very nice price.

I have been playing around with the lens for a day or 2 so far and I have to say i really like it. Still learning the ins and outs of it but having a good time with it.

On that same note of having fun with it I have really been having a blast learning all about using the DSLR. The other day just for fun I set up and had my daughter run across the room and I would snap a pic. Then I would have her repeat it and I would slow the shutter speed by a couple of clicks. I kept repeating it and with each pic she looked more and more like a "ghost' until finally she was just totally gone.

I know, kind of geeky but I had fun with it.

Thanks again to all who gave advice to me on here. Hopefully I can get some picks this trip that may be worth posting when i get back.