Need ideas for more lenses!

Yodaman

Yodaman

Hey guys,

So I bought the T3i a while ago because of the problems with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (which, a month later they fixed every issue... of course! :P ), and so far I've still only got the 18-55mm kit lens.

I'm wondering what other (Canon) lenses I should get that are general-purpose?

For example, I want a decent general-purpose lens that offers better, sharper quality than the kit lens, a good wide-angle, and a good lens for low-light situations. Granted, I won't be able to afford them all at once, but I'd at least like a few opinions so I can shop around a lot more efficiently!

Any and all opinions/suggestions are welcome. Thanks guys!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Ooh, that Tokina looks really very nice... that may very well be the first new lens I get. :D

I will take a look at those others as well! Thanks Will!

EDIT: Actually, I think I'll go with the Rokinon 14mm Ultra Wide Angle, since some of the new work I want to do this Spring involves a lot of landscape shooting and other wide-angle shots. That seems like a better investment at the moment.

Now, silly question, for close-up, low-light shots, would a regular Macro lens work, or is there something specific I should look at as well?

Again, thanks for the help!
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yodaman, the tokina is only about $100 more than that rokinon 14mm and gives you not only wider, but a range of options for focal length. Pretty sure it's also a sharper lens.

But if you want to go really wide, Rokinon makes an 8mm ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yeah, I'm going to get the Tokina afterall - somehow the Rokinon 14mm is a fisheye, while the Tokina isn't. Plus the Tokina, as you said, gives you a bit more options!

And 8mm lens would be kinda fun, though! :P
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nikola Damov said:
Rokinon 14mm is not a fisheye lens.
Click to expand...

Not technically, but if you look at the pictures/videos people have taken with it, it has a VERY similar look to a fisheye. In other words, it's only good for faraway landscape shots, or for adding a really unique look to some videos.

What I meant to say in my last post is that somehow, it has a fisheye look, while the Tokina doesn't.

And yes, the Tokina is definitely the better choice. :)

So now that I've got a good idea for a wide-angle lens, what about one for close-ups that still have a fairly wide aperture so that I can get some good close-up footage of, say, people around a fire at night?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You could do a close up with a wide lens, just move the camera closer.

I could see the Rokinon 85mm being a good choice for a close up too though, depending on the situation and desired feel for the shot
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I dunno I was looking at one the other day that was fixed at f/2.3 I think.. perhaps I misread the spec on the thing I was looking at. Also note the time I posted that -- 2:27am, I think I was half asleep. lol

Anyway, get good ND filters. :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yodaman said:
Not technically, but if you look at the pictures/videos people have taken with it, it has a VERY similar look to a fisheye. In other words, it's only good for faraway landscape shots, or for adding a really unique look
Click to expand...

Rubbish. ...I own the samyang 14mm (same as rokinon just different branding) and it's not fish eye at all in photos or video I sjoot on a 600d and have no issues and the fact that it has follow focus pitch already applied to the lens is a deal breaker for film work. Plus everyone knows that in most cases primes are sharper than zooms - the samyang/rokinon is no exception.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Will Vincent said:
You could do a close up with a wide lens, just move the camera closer.
Click to expand...
Getting a closeup with a wide really distorts faces. I've done that when intentionally distorting things, but your talent will have to be briefed as you'll be only 1-2 feet away and right in their faces.

A 50mm is enough to do a good closeup without much facial distortion.

I use a 77mm variable ND that goes from about 2 to 8 stops. It can do just one stop, but you can get artifacts at the lower levels. I have some step up rings for the smaller lenses.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
I suppose I could just use my kit lens for close-ups... problem is that when it's zoomed in at 50-55mm, the lens is also then at f/5.6, so the image is then considerably darker. Really bad, since I already don't have professional lighting. :P
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You might want to take a look at the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as an upgrade/replacement for your kit lens. It's the fastest zoom available (significantly faster than the kit lens), has a constant aperture, and is incredibly sharp - competing well with primes in it's range. It would cover 2 of your needs ("better, sharper quality than the kit lens [...] and a good lens for low-light situations") leaving you just needing a second lens for really wide stuff.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yodaman said:
I've heard lots of good things about Sigma. That lens looks really good! That'll be the lens I get next then. Wide shoots can always wait a bit longer. :)

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The newer sigma lenses are extremely good. They've put out only great lenses the past couple years.

The older ones had a lot of crap with a few gems.

The 18-35 is on my wish list, although I really wish it worked on full frame since that's what I generally use.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Not compatible for full-frame?

That's a bit of a shame, since I eventually want to upgrade to the 5D MK III (or MK IV probably, by the time I can afford it :P ). Regardless, I still think the Sigma would be a really good lens to start off with!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top