My kids have been driving me crazy all day. So im tuneing them out by spending time online and researching some new camera lenses.
I stopped doing any kind of work when i moved into the condo. But i also got pregnant and got really sick and tired too lol so i dont mind taking some time off. But that dosent stop me from wanting to get back into the swing of things in a few months. In fact i got a job offer 2 days ago. A body paint artist asked if i would do his portfolio shoot. and while i would be willing, i dont have the gear or setup to do a studio shoot. I do natural lighting, with minor fill flash * if needed*. SO i turned him down. Maybe eventually ill buy a setup for studio type shoots, lights and whatnot but not interested now.
Right now, what i am interested in is getting a good lens setup. Its not as simple as just picking a lens out and calling it goo. Lenses can be expensive. VERY expensive. In fact, a cheap lens is around 300ish, the good lenses are in the $1200 range and the best lenses… well you can imagine they get pretty far up there. Im looking at the good lens range, but am really cringing at the price point. At this point, im looking at a lens mostly to take photos of the kids and the occasion shoot i might do. Chances are, im never going to really hit it big in photography. Im pretty good. But its a small town and there are quite a few good photographers in the area.
Right now the lens of the moment is this one.
The canon 24-70 F2.8 L series. The cheapest i can find it online is about $1200 but oh this lens is making me DROOL! I know Tony would be very willing to streach his neck out and get that lens for me, but the truth of the matter is. I wont be willing to spend that kind of money on a lens unless im working with it enough to jusitfy the cost.
Alot of my problem in looking for lenses, is im looking at the L series glass. The top of the line, more expensive, better quality, and good output lens. I have the same issue when looking at bodies too. I want to upgrade my body, but its not a justifiable cost unless im working it. Not just photographing my kids.
I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and look at lenses in my price range. Get something that does good clear photos without breaking the bank. Right now in the more decent price range that i am willing to go to, im looking at the 85mm prime. Im used to working with my 50mm prime. The 85 will get me in closer, but if i go that route, i also will need a wider angled lens. More in the 20 or 24 range as well.
Oh look i just found a cheaper lens, its a 17-85 mm, the range i want, for about $500, which means the quality isnt top knotch but its in my price range. What i DONT like about it, is what i DO like about the L series. The F stop is only 4. My 50mm is 1.8, most of the zooms im looking at are 2.8. Which means they are faster in low light and dont need a high ISO or a flash to shoot in the house… Right now, in good light, near a big window. I just stopped my cameras f stop to 4.0 at 50 mm because its a prime. My first shot was with ISO 100 and it was blurry and slow. I had to jack up my ISO to 800! Ill shoot as high as 400 in the house. But 800! Thats insane! Course my on camera flash can help fill but my off camera unit works better, But the point of having a DSLR for me, is not needing the flash…. So this lens would only do me any good really outside…. It does have internal stablization which means i could probably shoot at ISO 400 and get a clear shot, but is that 100%….. i dont know. i cant test out the lens myself. Sadly.
I dont know. i do need a decent zoom range lens with wide angle… and i cant let myself break the bank…. Ill just have to keep looking.
