opinions on a lens choice

[jimim]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking everyones opinion on a new lens choice. I have a chance to get the sigma 35 1.4 DG. THe new one. I shoot on a crop so I would be up in the 50mm range then.

Why I want it is for dark rides. I know we have talked about this a lot but will I be able to shoot with it in pretty much every popular dark ride or do I need to be looking at something wider like the canon 28 1.8?

I'm also looking at it for shooting the parades more often at night without flash and especially for the halloween party this year cause it's my kids first year and thought it would make my life easier having a lens that i can open up more if need be.

Thanks!
jim

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have and used the Sigma 30 f1.4 on the dark rides. However, the lens that is on my radar, is the new Sigma 18-35 f1.8. It just received an excellent review at dpreview.com. The cost of the 35 is similar to the 18-35 and you get the wider option. From what I have read, the 18-35 may just be the best dark ride lens currently on the market.

 

[jimim]

I have and used the Sigma 30 f1.4 on the dark rides. However, the lens that is on my radar, is the new Sigma 18-35 f1.8. It just received an excellent review at dpreview.com. The cost of the 35 is similar to the 18-35 and you get the wider option. From what I have read, the 18-35 may just be the best dark ride lens currently on the market.

I totally hear ya with the new sigma but I really want to go full frame this upcoming year and the new 18-35 is for crop body only. I forgot to put that in my post. I was all over it when I first heard about it but I just don't want to sink money into crop only lens anymore. I really really wish this wasn't for crops only.

Jimi

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[jimim]

I have and used the Sigma 30 f1.4 on the dark rides. However, the lens that is on my radar, is the new Sigma 18-35 f1.8. It just received an excellent review at dpreview.com. The cost of the 35 is similar to the 18-35 and you get the wider option. From what I have read, the 18-35 may just be the best dark ride lens currently on the market.

Will 35 mm be too wide you think?

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[HPS3]

35 is definitely not too wide for rides especially on a crop body. I have a 43mm and know its not wide enough on some rides.

 

[wiigirl]

35 is definitely not too wide for rides especially on a crop body. I have a 43mm and know its not wide enough on some rides.

 

[jimim]

cool thanks guys!

jimi

 

[mom2rtk]

35 is definitely not too wide for rides especially on a crop body. I have a 43mm and know its not wide enough on some rides.

Agreed. I use the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. If anything I'd want something a little wider, but it's a far better focal length than the 50 prime.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

THe 30 for me was definitely more useful as an all around lens, but I felt that I couldn't get close enough with it on the dark rides, sure there were some places where the 30 was better, but I sure missed my 55 where I liked it was for interior shots, not that I got many, I was too busy keeping up with a 9 and 5 year old!

 

[mom2rtk]

THe 30 for me was definitely more useful as an all around lens, but I felt that I couldn't get close enough with it on the dark rides, sure there were some places where the 30 was better, but I sure missed my 55 where I liked it was for interior shots, not that I got many, I was too busy keeping up with a 9 and 5 year old!

Isn't it funny how different everyone's opinions are on focal length? I like my 30, but wish it was wider. But there just aren't wider fast options. I'm actually considering going the opposite direction this time and trying an 85 for some close ups. Why can't someone just make an 18-105 or so 1.4 lens? Oh, and I'll need a volunteer to come along and carry it for me.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Why can't someone just make an 18-105 or so 1.4 lens?

Full frame, right?

 

[superdisneydork]

I did my trip last year with a rented 16-35mm on my Rebel (crop) and I think the 16mm was enormously helpful, on the crop. I've since gone full frame, and borrowed a friends 16-35mm for the day, and it was... weird. It was fun, I enjoyed it, but wow is that wide. My 24-105mm feels much more normal now. I'd say on a crop you want at least 24, if not wider for the rides, but I'm a wide shooter. The f/4 on my lens is a bit of a limitation, but I have a 6D now, and the ISO performance is amazing, so it's quite alright, I like having a wider DOF too.

Have you considered renting for your trip? It's very affordable and totally worth it, I can highly recommend BorrowLenses.com, top notch service, decent prices, good equipment.

Matt

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I love going wider, but how the rides are set up is different than the stage areas and outdoors. Rides they want you to focus on something specific, or at least an area, outside everything is part of the stage, that's why the 12-24 was constantly on one of my bodies. Going with the Samyang 85 f1.4 would be a fun experiment!

 

[jimim]

I love going wider, but how the rides are set up is different than the stage areas and outdoors. Rides they want you to focus on something specific, or at least an area, outside everything is part of the stage, that's why the 12-24 was constantly on one of my bodies. Going with the Samyang 85 f1.4 would be a fun experiment!

I'm deff taking my 85 f1.8 with me more this upcoming trip but figured it was way too long for in rides. i think I can actually get away with it for character pics too. I was going to try a day with just the 85 and if i get the 35 in my bag. i'm reading up on the canon 24 L right now but i just don't think i can dump 1800 on a prime after just buying the canon 24-70mm 2.8

jimi

 

[Animagic!]

Personally I like wide angles and even wider apertures. I use the Sigma 30mm 1.4 a lot in the parks for low light stuff. I even use it as a general, walk-around lens sometimes. If you're using a crop sensor then I'd recommend staying in the 30sih range for dark rides. I've tried a nifty fifty on dark rides and I think the 50mm is too tight. Plus I'll take f/1.4 over f/1.8 any day.

I love the idea of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but even if I owned that lens I would still throw on the 30mm f/1.4 for dark rides. It would also be my choice for the night parades.

But that Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG would be pretty sweet.

 

[ronfin]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking everyones opinion on a new lens choice. I have a chance to get the sigma 35 1.4 DG. THe new one. I shoot on a crop so I would be up in the 50mm range then.

Why I want it is for dark rides. I know we have talked about this a lot but will I be able to shoot with it in pretty much every popular dark ride or do I need to be looking at something wider like the canon 28 1.8?

I'm also looking at it for shooting the parades more often at night without flash and especially for the halloween party this year cause it's my kids first year and thought it would make my life easier having a lens that i can open up more if need be.

Thanks!
jim

Not a great lens for low light. A lot of people complaining about focusing issues. Read HERE


What kind of camera are you using? Depending on your ISO range, I'll have a better idea of what to recommend. I used a 17-55mm f2.8 with a 7D last year, and it was wide enough for Disney, and the f2.8 is L quality glass but $1k cheaper. This past year I shot with a 5DIII with a 24-105mm that was only an f4 at it's biggest Aperture, and was able to grab shots like below because of the ISO boost.

 

[jimim]

Not a great lens for low light. A lot of people complaining about focusing issues. Read HERE


What kind of camera are you using? Depending on your ISO range, I'll have a better idea of what to recommend. I used a 17-55mm f2.8 with a 7D last year, and it was wide enough for Disney, and the f2.8 is L quality glass but $1k cheaper. This past year I shot with a 5DIII with a 24-105mm that was only an f4 at it's biggest Aperture, and was able to grab shots like below because of the ISO boost.

Huh, I never noticed that thread over at dpreview.com I have to check that out. I actually own the canon 28-70mm 2.8 version II. It's my newest lens. I love it. It's my everyday lens. I just wanted something a bit more open so I can not shoot with such a high iso on my 7D. It would deff make parade nights much easier.

Thanks for that link. I thought the new 35mm from sigma didn't have the old focus issues.

guess i have to read a bit more.

jim

 

[jimim]

Personally I like wide angles and even wider apertures. I use the Sigma 30mm 1.4 a lot in the parks for low light stuff. I even use it as a general, walk-around lens sometimes. If you're using a crop sensor then I'd recommend staying in the 30sih range for dark rides. I've tried a nifty fifty on dark rides and I think the 50mm is too tight. Plus I'll take f/1.4 over f/1.8 any day.

I love the idea of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but even if I owned that lens I would still throw on the 30mm f/1.4 for dark rides. It would also be my choice for the night parades.

But that Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG would be pretty sweet.

I've never owned a 1.4 lens. 1.8 is the lowest i own. is it pretty hard to get an accurate focus point when open all the way up. at 1.8 i have issues on the occasion but have gotten better with using it as time has passed.

jim

 

[jimim]

Not a great lens for low light. A lot of people complaining about focusing issues. Read HERE


What kind of camera are you using? Depending on your ISO range, I'll have a better idea of what to recommend. I used a 17-55mm f2.8 with a 7D last year, and it was wide enough for Disney, and the f2.8 is L quality glass but $1k cheaper. This past year I shot with a 5DIII with a 24-105mm that was only an f4 at it's biggest Aperture, and was able to grab shots like below because of the ISO boost.

I just read through that link u gave me and it seems like it is a nikon issue wit the flash. it doesn't really provide enough solid evidence that the lens will hunt in low light situations. i'm going to look a around a bit more on dpreview to see what else i can find. i've used the lens at b&h for a bit and didn't have any hunting issues but again that was in the store. I can always get it home and really monkey with it before my next trip in oct cause i have some time.

jimi

 

[ronfin]

I just read through that link u gave me and it seems like it is a nikon issue wit the flash. it doesn't really provide enough solid evidence that the lens will hunt in low light situations. i'm going to look a around a bit more on dpreview to see what else i can find. i've used the lens at b&h for a bit and didn't have any hunting issues but again that was in the store. I can always get it home and really monkey with it before my next trip in oct cause i have some time.

jimi

What about the 28-70mm you have now? That's a great range for Disney, although the lack of IS might be an issue in dim lighting, I'd still go with that as your go-to lens. You can just bump the exposure compensation, or shoot in Av around f3.5, shoot RAW, and just correct exposure and highlights in post. I think that lens on a 7D will be perfect! I shot with the 17-55mm f2.8 last year on the 7D, and it produced great low-light captures. Examples with the 17-55mm f2.8 which isn't as good as your 28-70mm below:

I think your 28-70 would kill it in low light. It's better than the 17-55mm f2.8