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Upgrading lenses, which one?

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SteezyMagee
Posts: 382 - Karma: 828
I'm looking to buy a new lens for my t2i. I only have the stock 5.6 18-55mm one. I'd like to have a lens that has a lower minimum apperature. I don't know if I should buy a wide angle (maybe a tokina 11-16mm) or some sort of a zoom lens (like a 70-200mm). Of the lenses that you've used, which do you find you use more? A wide angle or a zoom lens?
Jun 9 2013 10:57PM
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NE.
Posts: 234 - Karma: 428
it really depends on what you are shooting... It's hard to say whether a long or wide angle lens would be better without knowing what you plan to shoot
Jun 9 2013 11:06PM
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SteezyMagee
Posts: 382 - Karma: 828
I understand. There's been several instances where I've wished for a wide angle, and just as many as I've wished for a zoom. I guess It'll just be which ever presents itself with a good deal ill get first.
Jun 9 2013 11:09PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,994
the wide end of your kit lens is pretty good for most wide-angle stuff. It's effectively a 28mm f3.5 - which is totally useable. It's not awesome, but it really does surprisingly well. (this being from my own comparison between it and my 17mm Tokina prime).

Maybe look into a tokina 12-24 f4 if you want a more versatile lens than the 11-16 tokina and 200 or so cheaper.

Or, perhaps look into a set of vintage primes for video, or a fast AF prime like a 50 f1.8 or a 28 f1.8 or even a Sigma 30.
Jun 10 2013 2:15AM
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SteezyMagee
Posts: 382 - Karma: 828
Thanks, I was also looking into the af 50. I'll see what happens, thanks for the advice
Jun 10 2013 6:34AM
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Jiberfish
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 310
Ive got the Canon f1.8 50mm lense. Its got a low aperture and is really cheap but still nice and sharp. I have a t4i and its great! Great in low-light and portraits
Jun 12 2013 1:15AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
what are you doing, shooting vids or photos? personally i'd say get something longer, you already have 18-55 covered for now.

and if you're just looking for a faster lens, i would recommend a 35 f/2 over the 50 f/1.8, i feel like on a crop sensor, the 50 is just too long for what i like for an all purpose prime.
Jun 12 2013 3:40AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,994
You don't buy the 50 as an all purpose prime for crop canons. You buy it because it's a fast portrait length lens and you can afford it on one day of minimum wage work.

the 35f2 is a pretty sweet lens, but it's so fucking overpriced, especially when Nikon has a fantastic 35 f1.8 that's 200 or less (biggest thing I hate about canon, right here)
Jun 12 2013 3:51AM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 760
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 can be had for around $250 now. On a Canon crop it's roughly the same field-of-view as the 35mm on Nikon. I use both and like the Sigma a lot because it produces very pleasing bokeh compared to the Nikon. Both are really good in my opinion.

If you want to take better photos, a good prime lens is a great place to start.
Jun 12 2013 6:38AM
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SteezyMagee
Posts: 382 - Karma: 828
I'm leaning heavily towards the video side, not a ton of pictures
Jun 12 2013 6:52AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,994
I personally own the Sigma as well, and yeah it's an alright option, especially now that it's dropping in price (I picked mine up for 215) and if you get a good copy, you'll be stoked. Especially if you want some pretty nice bokeh - though your subject won't be particularly sharp - especially below f2.8.

I just really like that for Nikon, the 35 f1.8 is about 175 used, is very much still fast, and works on a full frame without a hitch. The Sigma is good, no doubt, but the Nikon is an incredible deal... and is about 100$ less than the Canon 35f2, which is made worse, and is slower.
Jun 12 2013 8:21AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331

rokinon's cinema primes are pretty legit. like the 14, 24, 35, and 85mm. they all have low apertures and are pretty sharp, great for video.  they don't quite break the bank like most other good primes either.  but still not cheap enough to buy the set. 

really comes down to what you really find yourself shooting more. thats my problem now and im torn between long or wide

Jun 12 2013 2:47PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,994
Just go with vintage primes for those, and get slightly slower options. Rokinon's are cool, but with the ability to adapt, you might as well go old school.

I assembled a 17-28-50-135-200 set of primes for next to fuck all. The 200 was $5. The 135 was $9. The 50 was $25, the 28 was $65 (because it's f2), and the 17 was free (but really, you can find something like it around 200 - if not less)

That's about 300-400$ for a whole prime set.. which is what it would cost to buy just the 35mm rokinon. and you can probably add an 85 or a 90 for an extra 20$ to get a 135mm equivalent.


Jun 12 2013 3:07PM
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