Which lens or lenses can't you live without?

[Dave Buchhofer]

Nice pickup Tim, I've been eying that one for a while as a cheap wide, they were going at 300for a while before they magically got more expensive!

[Tim Nelson]

Nice pickup Tim, I've been eying that one for a while as a cheap wide, they were going at 300for a while before they magically got more expensive!

Yeah, I think I got a good deal...the lens and a $70 clear Hoya filter for $380, in perfect shape.

[Dave Buchhofer]

Nice, found a 10-20 basically new on Craigs here for 375.. AKA: New toy! yay.

 

haven't gotten outside with it yet though, looks like it'll be a lot of fun from messing around with it here, Close focus is wicked close!

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Rented a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM lens for the weekend.

 

I took it out to shoot some people for entourage. I really like this lens, but I can't justify the price when I think about how little I actually pick the camera up and use it. But, ...if anyone has the money, it is a nice lens.

 

Here is a free person from the outing for anyone who wants to cut her out, and use her.

http://phase22.com/misc/cgarchitect/_MG_2710.JPG

 

Not perfect, but you need a fast zoom lens when shooting entourage people.

Edited March 7, 2010 by Crazy Homeless Guy

[AJLynn]

Do you really think so? It's a pretty sharp shot, but does have some fringing, and you had pretty good light. I think I could have done almost as well with my 55-200 VR...

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Do you really think so? It's a pretty sharp shot, but does have some fringing, and you had pretty good light. I think I could have done almost as well with my 55-200 VR...

 

I think it could have been better, but I am an amateur, and was quickly shooting so as to not make people uncomfortable. So for me it is a usable shot. I was able to point, focus, and shoot within 1-2 seconds.

 

Maybe in a couple of years I will look back and think it is not usable, but for now I am happy with the result are good for my entourage files.

 

All of the quick photos will be cut out, and used at half to 1/4 the original size.

 

The one thing I learned form the weekend is that a cloudy day is ideal for shooting entourage. I guess I should have learned that by now.

 

I did wind up getting about 220 usable shots. Now I just need to find time to get those cut out.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Crazy Homeless Guy

[AJLynn]

I don't mean to say the photo isn't good, just that you don't need to be scared off by lens price because you can get the shot with a $250 lens and it will be nearly as good as the $2500 lens. When you reduce the resolution you wouldn't be able to tell the difference at all.

[Dave Buchhofer]

Agree with Andy, the expensive lenses have somewhat better auto focus speed, and can deal with low light much better, but for the walk around daytime purpose there should be adequate light that it wont make much difference as you'll be above f4-5.6 usually anyway

 

that said, they are pretty badass.. but they are also pretty damn huge!

 

Newest toy is a panasonic GF-1 with 20mm 1.7 lens. it holds up pretty well so far with the 'bigger brother' nikon, and is quickly approaching the "can't live without" stage

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I don't mean to say the photo isn't good, just that you don't need to be scared off by lens price because you can get the shot with a $250 lens and it will be nearly as good as the $2500 lens. When you reduce the resolution you wouldn't be able to tell the difference at all.

 

Good to know. I am going to rent another next weekend. There is a place in town that gives 40% off after 3pm on Friday's, so that lens was only $21 plus tax for the weekend.

 

I am not sure what one I am going to try and get next weekend. It is limited to what is still available. Here is their rental list for Canon Zoom lenses. Obviously the lower ones are not going to help me, I need a telephoto for what I am doing with entourage. I was trying to stick with one that had image stabilization also because I am not the most steady person in the world.

 

EF Zoom Lenses (Rental Prices)

16-35mm F2.8 II L $30

17-35mm ƒ2.8L $30

17-40mm ƒ4L $25

24-70mm ƒ2.8 USM L $30

24-105mm f4L IS USM $30

28-70mm ƒ2.8L USM $30

28-200mm ƒ3.5-5.6 USM $20

70-200mm ƒ2.8L USM $30

70-200mm ƒ2.8L USM IS $35

80-200mm ƒ2.8L $30

75-300mm ƒ4.5-5.6mm IS $30

100-400mm IS ƒ4.5-5.6 $40

[BrianKitts]

The one thing I learned form the weekend is that a cloudy day is ideal for shooting entourage. I guess I should have learned that by now.

 

actually it looks like you're shooting in my favorite spot.... I've been hitting union square now and then on the weekends shooting people as well. It works well because the tall buildings surrounding the square block direct sunlight, and even on sunny days you can shoot in the shadows to get people for interiors.....with all the bounced light even shooting in the shadows there's a pretty good amount of light.

 

Or if you want people for exteriors that are sunlit you can just move to the other side of the square.....

 

are you renting from gassers or do you have another spot you use? I'm probably going to be renting a tilt-shift lens to take a on a project shoot the week after next and wouldn't mind another spot to check for prices....

Edited March 8, 2010 by BrianKitts

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Yes, Union Square. It is an easy place to get shots because no one wonders why you are taking photos in the first place. I think I am going to hit the Ferry building farmers market next Saturday, and then maybe Mountain View on Sunday, but I haven't decided for sure on that one yet.

 

The thing I like about cloudy days is that the people can be adjusted by adding light for different sun conditions, or there white balance could be changed, and adapted for interior us.

 

I'm renting from Gasser's. I did find one other place that I was thinking about trying, but haven't yet. I can look for the info later today. You may also want to look at online lens rental places.