Lens recommendation - wide, indoors

[Snurk71]

Curious if anyone has any recommendations for an indoor use lens. I have an XT and the following lenses:

Sigma 18-125mm, 3.5 - 5.6
Canon 50mm, 1.8
Canon 85mm, 1.8 (I think it's 1.8)

I use the Sigma as the general, walkaround lens. But when inside, the 3.5 doesn't let in a lot of light to avoid using the flash. I use the 50mm occasionally indoors in trying to avoid a flash (don't have an external flash, so it's the onboard or nothing), but there are a lot of pictures that 50mm on a 1.6x body is too tight and I would like something wider.

So, any recommendations that won't break the bank?

Thanks

 

[MarkBarbieri]

My recommendation is that you consider a prime. Wide angle zooms still aren't all that great, even quite expensive ones.

 

[BorisMD]

I have the EF-S 10-22 from Canon, and if you want wide, it's got it.

The USM focusing is spot on. It only goes down to 3.5, but at that wide of an angle, you can get away with a slower shutter speed and still hand hold.

A very fun lens, if you like the wide angle distortion (especially with close ups).

Regards,

Boris

 

[MICKEY88]

I'll be the odd man out as usual..

I'd put the money into a good external flash and use the 18-125 indoors..

 

[Master Mason]

If you shooting where flash is allowed, I would agree with Mickey.

If your shooting where flash is not allowed, then I belive there is a sigma 30mm prime that is wide that wouldn't break the bank.

I use a canon 24-70 f/2.8 but that is a little spendy, the sigma version is pretty well thought of and is about half the cost but still not cheap.

 

[Anewman]

I would consider the Canon 35mm F/2.0, it is just over $200.

Also Sigma and Tamron have some F/2.8 lenses in the 18-55mm ranges.

 

[BorisMD]

Here's another thought, if you are not too worried about cost, Canon came out with a EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS lens. With a 2.8 aperture and IS, you could probably do most of your indoor shots flash free.

I think it's around $1000, so not too cheap.

Regards,

Boris

 

[Groucho]

F2.8 is the best you'll do with a zoom (unless you use Olympus), so if you want better, you have to go with a prime. The big companies have OEM 35mm F2.0s that are generally considered to be pretty good, there may be one or two fairly pricey wider OEM primes, and Sigma makes a 20mm, 24mm, and 28mm F1.8 and a 30mm F1.4, though none seem to be really spectacular.

I wish there were more options, I'm stuck looking at a pretty pricey lens to fill my urge for a fast wide lens... the Sigmas would be great but I just am not impressed enough by the reviews.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If the 18-125 meets your needs except for the amount of light it lets in, then a good flash would be a good option. Make sure that you get one that allows you to bounce the light. That generally creates a much nicer looking light for indoor shots.

 

[MassJester]

I'd look at Sigma's 10-22mm if you are set on a zoom. However, if you are interested in a prime there are some good choices. I'm very interested in getting my hands on the Canon's new 14mm.

 

[BorisMD]

I think the above suggestions are good ones. I think the idea of a better flash is also a great idea. That would be money well spent.

I've used both the sigma 10-20 and the Canon 10-22, and I favor the canon. The focusing and sharpness were superior to the sigma.

So many choices, so little cash...

Regards,

Boris

 

[DueyDooDah]

Now, if the reason you want this lens is for things like real estate, then a lens is not your best solution. You might just want to go with a small, point & shoot, "real estate" camera. There are many on the market and it will be cheaper than going with a nice lens. They typically have a wide apeture of about 22mm to 23mm (equivalent), minimal distortion, and go from 640x480 shots to about 5M pixels. Some have zoom and one has two lenses.

 

[Snurk71]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.

I'm mainly looking for a general indoor lens - one that is wide and fast enough that I can grab and take quick/easy photos of the family (bday parties, holidays, everyday goofiness). The Sigma doesn't quite get it done indoors without a flash, and I'm chicken of using an external flash (plus, DW would complain every time she takes a picture because she'd have no idea what to do).

I'm not afraid of primes (have a 50mm and 85 mm), so I'm not stuck on a zoom. I might have to take some shots around the house at 35mm to see how the Canon 35mm 2.0 for only $230 might work out. I can usually swing that level of cost without hearing too much about it.

 

[Master Mason]

and I'm chicken of using an external flash

While admiting I am still learning to use my external to its fullest, or even it's half in my case... why are you afraid of it? Even if you just stuck it on and made no adjustments, it would still work better than your internal flash

 

[MICKEY88]

While admiting I am still learning to use my external to its fullest, or even it's half in my case... why are you afraid of it? Even if you just stuck it on and made no adjustments, it would still work better than your internal flash

I agree, newer flashes are much easier to use than flashes from the past,

a good flash that allows bouncing, used in full auto will deliver pretty good results