Need lens recommendations

[jec6613]

Wow, that is really tempting. I can definitely see one of these making it into my collection. I love fast primes, and I know a lot of people don't need stabilization on primes, but I'm one who does much better with it.

I don't usually use stabilization at all, zoom or prime, but if something is moving me (ride vehicle, aircraft, whatever) then it's absolutely very useful to me.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't usually use stabilization at all, zoom or prime, but if something is moving me (ride vehicle, aircraft, whatever) then it's absolutely very useful to me.

I have very unsteady hands. It's been a godsend to me.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Sigma 18-35 1.8 is great for low light and around $799. It is the only zoom lens in the world with f1.8 normally restricted to primes. It's like having three 1.8 primes in one lens 18/24/35

The canon 35 f2iS is a very good lens and one of the only lens on a canon system better than f2.8 with image stabilization. It's around $599 and 35mm is great for your camera.

The 50 1.8 stm is a great lens at a good price but 50 is too tight for indoors and disney rides on your camera. Canon apsc cameras such as rebels, 70d, 7d have a 1.6 crop factor so 50 is 50×1.6= 80mm on your camera (and my 70d)

Some other good suggestions for cheaper are the pancake lenses. They are very small and barely weight anything. Perfect for walking around disney. The 24mm and 40mm stm are both f2.8 but don't have image stabilization. They are around $125 a piece

All around
In short I would recommend:
Canon 35 f2 iS for best all around prime (599)

Or
Cheap
Canon 24 mm f2.8 pancake for best cheaper option (125) f2.8 won't let in as much light as the others for darker rides

Or
Zoom
Sigma 18-35 f1.8 for best zoom (799) and make sure to choose canon mount

Do you think the 24mm f2.8 will work on dark rides at all? I have the same camera as the OP, but don't have $500 to spend on an additional lens.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do you think the 24mm f2.8 will work on dark rides at all? I have the same camera as the OP, but don't have $500 to spend on an additional lens.

A 2.8 lens is typically not fast enough for most dark rides (Maybe IASW, but not most of the others). I would look for a used copy of the original Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It's more than $125 but nowhere near $500. What camera do you have?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

A 2.8 lens is typically not fast enough for most dark rides (Maybe IASW, but not most of the others). I would look for a used copy of the original Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It's more than $125 but nowhere near $500. What camera do you have?

I have a Canon SL1. I've had it for a few months and only have a kit lens. I'm not a serious photographer by any means and only used a P&S on previous trips.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have a Canon SL1. I've had it for a few months and only have a kit lens. I'm not a serious photographer by any means and only used a P&S on previous trips.

I'm not sure how it performs at high ISOs or even how high it goes, but it's probably not good enough to make a 2.8 lens work on most dark rides. I'd be looking for a 1.4 or at least a 1.8.

 

[traylorc]

I'm not sure how it performs at high ISOs or even how high it goes, but it's probably not good enough to make a 2.8 lens work on most dark rides. I'd be looking for a 1.4 or at least a 1.8.

I wholeheartedly agree...

 

[Yzerbear19]

Thank you all for the recommendations so far. I will be looking at all of them. Right now I don't really have a budget since I will be using part of an inheritance from my Uncle on it.

Is this the Sigma one you guys were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-Canon-D...pebp=1441508293833&perid=0B6VQ17553YD4N5VZGR3

 

[jillgunter]

Another vote for the Sigma 30mm (Art) 1.4. I have this lens and it is super-sharp and great in low light. But, make sure you buy it way before your trip and run it through its paces. Some copies are plagued with focus issues that extend beyond what adjustments in your camera can make. So you'll want to give yourself time to exchange/calibrate it if necessary. But once you get it right, it's an amazing lens for a crop.

I have this lens, it's a great lens.

 

[jillgunter]

Thank you all for the recommendations so far. I will be looking at all of them. Right now I don't really have a budget since I will be using part of an inheritance from my Uncle on it.

Is this the Sigma one you guys were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-Canon-D...pebp=1441508293833&perid=0B6VQ17553YD4N5VZGR3

Yes, you can also buy from b and h photo. Same price, but they give excellent service. I buy all my gear from them. I was lucky and got mine for $300 when they came out with the newer style. Don't know what the difference is between old model and new one.

 

[jec6613]

Don't know what the difference is between old model and new one.

Pretty significant, actually - basically the only thing that stayed the same was the name, focal length and aperture, everything else is different, even down to the color rendition.

Do you think the 24mm f2.8 will work on dark rides at all? I have the same camera as the OP, but don't have $500 to spend on an additional lens.

Yes it will at WDW, but not at DL, and it's right on the edge of what will work with a crop sensor camera. You have up through ISO 12800, but you start to lose detail at ISO 3200 and above and you'd need to be at ISO 6400 or higher to use an f/2.8 in most rides - with an f/1.4 you could be at ISO 1600 in the same situations (and ISO 2500 with an f/1.8 lens), giving you much more leeway.

And of course, you could always rent a lens if it's not in the budget and that particular lens is not useful enough to own. The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 or similar is the usual pick when renting (note: it's HEAVY!).

 

[MichelleAMouse]

And of course, you could always rent a lens if it's not in the budget and that particular lens is not useful enough to own. The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 or similar is the usual pick when renting (note: it's HEAVY!).

I was thinking the same thing. I used http://www.borrowlenses.com/ when I was stuck between two lenses the last time I upgraded. You could always just rent a more high-end lens for the trip and get something simpler for your day to day shooting.

 

[bob100]

Yes, you can also buy from b and h photo. Same price, but they give excellent service. I buy all my gear from them. I was lucky and got mine for $300 when they came out with the newer style. Don't know what the difference is between old model and new one.

you can see some of the differences between the Sigma 30mm 1.4 "art" and "non-art" here
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/04/sigma-30mm-f1-4-dc-hsm-vs-sigma-30mm-f1-4-ex-dc