Need help picking lens

[YokotaS13]

ok
so my current lineup of lenses and stuff consts of
*on order* 50 f.18
Kit 18-55
Canon Ultrasonic 55-200 1:4.5-5.6

old ass flash, but it works for what i need it to
1gb card
256 card
UV filter
ND2 filter
random hoods, and other stuff

Basically, im debating on my next lens
Not really sure what i want
i was looking at the 75-300 canon with IS
mainly for actino shots at the track
or maybe the 70-200 f2.4

any other ideas?

[A.P. Photography]

Really depends on your budget. Not sure what they go for over there but here you can pick up wht 70-300 IS for around $400. This lens works great for action shots with enough light (I use the non IS version). The 70-200 F2.8L over here goes for $1200 without IS but is one of the sharpest lenses in the cannon line up, plus the F2.8 allows you to shoot in lower light with a decent shutter speed.

[Nemesis]

"All in one" type lenses like 18-200 / 70-300, generally suck and reproduce soft images. Your prime lens will eventually become your most valuable lens in your bag if you know how to use it. For automotive photography, in my opinion, IS and VR type crap suck. I tried an 70-200 Nikon VRII and I didnt like it at all and couldnt see a difference in images when fully cropped. Nothing that would be detectable anyways.

Either way id look into a Canon 70-200L glass or maybe even a 130mm Prime if you guys have one. Im sure yall do.

[YokotaS13]

my budget is around 900 bucks, its a christmas gift
I have the all in one with a 55-200 adn i hate the images it produces.
i can get the 70-200 for aroudn 650 new with is
250 without IS
i can get the 70-200 2.8 for around 750-900 on ebay for a pretty new one.
I just want to make an investment in the right lens, sub 1000.00 and do it right the first time.

[A.P. Photography]

you can never go wrong with a F2.8L glass. If you can score one in your budget range I would get that. Hands down.

[YokotaS13]

what abouta f/4 is that a bad glass?

[A.P. Photography]

An F4L is not a bad glass but will limit you in the light that you can shoot. An F2.8 will be ideal if you plan on doing any sports shooting in lower light, otherwise if you "think" you are going to be shooting with ample light then the F4L will be great.

[Nemesis]

Almost any type of glass that you shoot with at f/2.8 or lower will generally produce sometimes soft images. I use the term soft loosely, because to the general masses the pictures might seem sharp, but some can tell. Most car events youll shoot will have good daytime lighting.

What youll generally find also is, a price of a lens is not always determined by how much you can bump an f stop down either. My 12-24 Sigma was around 700 however it only bumps down to f/3.5. It produces nice images at that stop, but extremely razor sharp clarity at f14. Basically what im saying is, do a little research in google to find reviews for your lenses. Or hit up Pbase for sample images that other people are taking in real life.

[QuickBrick]

The 70-200 F2.8L over here goes for $1200 without IS but is one of the sharpest lenses in the cannon line up, plus the F2.8 allows you to shoot in lower light with a decent shutter speed.


Either way id look into a Canon 70-200L.

Agreed. If your going to shoot mostly motion and want a fast crisp lens grab the EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM. The feedback is great across the board for this glass. I believe Jamie has one if you want some local feedback…

George also stated a prime is a good way to go (actually it is the best) but there are a couple of draw backs to primes when shooting motion and car events, often you’ll miss that shot you really wanted because you had the wrong prime on the body or couldn’t change it fast enough, and the other is the contamination element of changing a lens in the open…

T

[YokotaS13]

well so far, as long as everything goes as planne
I will end up with a 70-200 2.8 non IS (i cant see spending that much money on a lens, and i can always have one fitted)
and then tax returns gets me a 380ex flash and a 11-22 2.8 i believe is het fstop

i believe ill have a good round of lenses, and will be pretty happy

[Jaimecbr900]

I'll echo what everyone else has already said.

The 70-200 F2.8L is a very good lens. Just about anything in the L series is great.

Prime lenses will offer the sharpest pics, but the least flexibility. Depending on what you're shooting, will depend on how flexible your lens needs to be or how many you need. Primes are great for portraiture and landscapes. You can usually shoot in extremely low light, which also lets you crank down on you ISO to avoid grain and noise.

If you are only buying one lens, the 70-200 2.8 L is the way to go. IF you wanna fill your bag, then you may have to opt for a prime and a non-L lens.

[YokotaS13]

well
ill have a 50 1.8
kit
55-200
10-22
adn the 70-200

i think my bag wil be pretty full as it is

[Jaimecbr900]

well
ill have a 50 1.8
kit
55-200
10-22
adn the 70-200

i think my bag wil be pretty full as it is

Let me ask you something though....why would you need the kit lens and the 55-200 if you get the 70-200 2.8?

[YokotaS13]

becuase i already have them

[Jaimecbr900]

becuase i already have them

I understand, but if you have the 70-200 and a prime 50mm lens you'll only need to get something really wide maybe and maybe a couple of other midsized primes to have just about all you need. The kit lens and the other zooms you could sell to finance the newer purchases. Unless you want them as backup or something.

If you get the L lens, you'll likely not ever shoot with the other zoom again unless you just want it as back up. The same with the kit lens. If you get you like a 28mm prime or even wider, and already have a 50mm, you won't have much use for the kit either.

Just a suggestion.