*OFFICIAL* general photography conversation thread

[TimZ]

Should i get a 50mm f1.4 lens for my canon t3i?? I'm having difficulty choosing between that or just saving up to get a better lens. Right now i have the stock kit lens, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by TimZ

Should i get a 50mm f1.4 lens for my canon t3i?? I'm having difficulty choosing between that or just saving up to get a better lens. Right now i have the stock kit lens, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6

It depends on what you like to shoot. The 50mm f.14 is a great lens. (I have one.) Very sharp and works well in low light, plus it gives awesome bokeh. But it is limited. If you want a good walk-around lens, you might be better off with a mid-range zoom. The 17-40mm F4L is a sweet lens, but it will cost twice what the 50mm f1.4 will cost you. Try renting one for a few days or a week. It's not that expensive and it'll give you an idea of how it fits your style. I've rented a few lenses that I thought about buying and then decided not to because of my experience while renting them.

Try borrowlenses.com or lensrentals.com. Both have nearly identical prices and service. I've used them both with no issues.

[TimZ]

Originally Posted by M_Six

It depends on what you like to shoot. The 50mm f.14 is a great lens. (I have one.) Very sharp and works well in low light, plus it gives awesome bokeh. But it is limited. If you want a good walk-around lens, you might be better off with a mid-range zoom. The 17-40mm F4L is a sweet lens, but it will cost twice what the 50mm f1.4 will cost you. Try renting one for a few days or a week. It's not that expensive and it'll give you an idea of how it fits your style. I've rented a few lenses that I thought about buying and then decided not to because of my experience while renting them.

Try borrowlenses.com or lensrentals.com. Both have nearly identical prices and service. I've used them both with no issues.

I was just about to click the order button for the rentals on a 50mm f1.4 and the 17-40mm that you suggested. The prices were pretty great but damn I couldn't justify the price of shipping!! I'm going to pick up a 50 f1.4 tomorrow from adorama.
I took a lot of pics at a wedding with the basic lens and man do they suck with quality

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by TimZ

I was just about to click the order button for the rentals on a 50mm f1.4 and the 17-40mm that you suggested. The prices were pretty great but damn I couldn't justify the price of shipping!! I'm going to pick up a 50 f1.4 tomorrow from adorama.
I took a lot of pics at a wedding with the basic lens and man do they suck with quality

The shipping is not that bad considering it's UPS Second Day. But it does add to the total cost by a good amount. When it comes to per-day costs, more days cost less per day than fewer days. It's actually considerably less per day to rent for 4 weeks than it is to rent for one week. Still, when you're talking about a $350 lens like the 50mm f1.4, it's hard to justify a $100 rental bill. I rented a 50mm and the day after I got it, a good deal showed up on the local Craig's List and I bought it. So I sent the rental back after only two days.

I envy you for living in NYC and being near two great camera stores. B&H is well worth a visit as well. I love that store. I just walked up to the Canon counter last visit and asked if they had a good used 85mm f1.8. Bigger than shit, they did. I bought it right there. Another great lens.

[TimZ]

Originally Posted by M_Six

The shipping is not that bad considering it's UPS Second Day. But it does add to the total cost by a good amount. When it comes to per-day costs, more days cost less per day than fewer days. It's actually considerably less per day to rent for 4 weeks than it is to rent for one week. Still, when you're talking about a $350 lens like the 50mm f1.4, it's hard to justify a $100 rental bill. I rented a 50mm and the day after I got it, a good deal showed up on the local Craig's List and I bought it. So I sent the rental back after only two days.

I envy you for living in NYC and being near two great camera stores. B&H is well worth a visit as well. I love that store. I just walked up to the Canon counter last visit and asked if they had a good used 85mm f1.8. Bigger than shit, they did. I bought it right there. Another great lens.

Do you think there is a huge difference between buying used and new with those lenses??
I might go to B&H actually if i don't feel lazy, I been there before i bought my nikon film camera from there, a FM10.

[M_Six]

I have no problem buying used, especially from someplace reputable like Adorama or B&H. Most of my lenses are used or refurbed. I always test them first, though. I bought a 50mm f1.8, a 35mm f2, and a 10-22mm wide angle off the local Craig's List. I was able to have the seller come to my office so I could take a few shots and look at them in Photoshop to check for focus and dust spots. With the 85mm f1.8 I bought from B&H I had no way to test on my camera, but they have a decent return policy and I tested it as soon as I got back to my hotel room. I also have a 24-105mm F4L I bought refurbed. I swear it looked like someone just returned an unwanted gift unopened. It was flawless.

[Chewy734]

used is fine as long as you buy from a reputable source (e.g., B&H, keh, adorama, canon direct). Most of my lenses are used from the canon direct store, and several of them look brand new. The others are flawless optically, with only some minor wear on the lens hoods.

[The1]

I feel for the most part, people tend to look out for their lenses if they were not kit lenses.

it's pretty rare you'll find someone trying to rip you off, but I always take my camera with me before looking at something, that way i can test on the spot. Always listen to the sounds it makes when auto-focusing and if there's a weird sound, run away.

[M_Six]

Go to B&H. Ask them what they have used. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[kamek]

Give lensprotogo.com a try.

[Activ]

From EEEEK


To pretty nice I would say

Lights and stuff by Trevor Thompson, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Nice save, Trevor.

[HelenOster]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I have no problem buying used, especially from someplace reputable like Adorama or B&H.

Originally Posted by Chewy734

used is fine as long as you buy from a reputable source (e.g., B&H, keh, adorama, canon direct).

We really appreciate the feedback, thanks so much! BTW I'm always happy to be contacted for after-sales support or advice with any order from Adorama: Helen@adorama.com

[kamek]

Originally Posted by Activ

From EEEEK


To pretty nice I would say

Lights and stuff by Trevor Thompson, on Flickr

All you did was drop the temperature and raise the exposure...

[M_Six]

Canon refurbs are 15% off again. $5 shipping. Wish it wasn't two weeks before Christmas.

[The1]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Canon refurbs are 15% off again. $5 shipping. Wish it wasn't two weeks before Christmas.

what would you get?

[M_Six]

The 70-200mm F4L IS is under $1k and the 7D is under $1200. Although by the time they add on 8.75% sales tax for this state, it brings both pretty close to a the new price.

[rodi]

[The1]

Originally Posted by M_Six

The 70-200mm F4L IS is under $1k and the 7D is under $1200. Although by the time they add on 8.75% sales tax for this state, it brings both pretty close to a the new price.

both decent options

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by The1

both decent options

I waffle back and forth all the time. Still leaning towards the 7D, though.

[The1]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I waffle back and forth all the time. Still leaning towards the 7D, though.

remember, lenses retain value, camera bodies don't

that being said, you would really like the faster autofocus and the thumb ring for aperture.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by The1

remember, lenses retain value, camera bodies don't

that being said, you would really like the faster autofocus and the thumb ring for aperture.

So I hear. But the 7D has been out for quite a while and the price hasn't dropped much.

Yeah, I'm looking for the focus advantage. I'm also going to have a focus screen put in the T1i and make it a dedicated MF body.