Opinions - What Lens to Save For

[jml79]

I am looking for my next lens. I shoot a little of everything but I make a little money shooting profile portraits and business locations for websites and also shooting animals and their owners. My first pro-grade lens should be for these purposes so I am thinking a good prime or a good standard/walking lens. So here are my questions for your input.

1. Do I need to get a prime lens if I get a good, fast standard zoom (either 17-50 or 24-70/28-75 all f/2.8)
2. Of the zoom lenses (Tamron and Sigma) would a 17-50 or the 24-70/28-75 be better. I am leaning towards the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 macro.
3. Is a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 any better than a 50mm f/2.8 macro. I realize it is faster but is the trade-off for macro worth it and the IQ much different between the 3.

I currently use my 70-210 most of the time for portraits wide open @70mm f/3.5. I use my 28-105 as a walking lens. It can also be used for portraits but is at f/4 wide open at 50mm. The only time I mount my 18-70 kit lens is if I really need the wide end of it. It is sooooo slow at anything but 18mm.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[inkista]

1. Some folks are just prime shooters, others are zoom shooters. It depends on you and how much framing versatility you need vs. how much max. aperture and your willingness to run around more with a prime. I'm a prime fanatic, so I'd say you need a prime, but others would disagree. A lot of portrait pros use a 24-70/2.8 and a 70-200/2.8 for most of their work.

2. Again, depends on your personal style and preferences for framing and working distance. If you like doing full-length and environmental portraits or working in close, then go for a wider lens. If you prefer headshots, or working farther away from your subject, then go for a longer one. Longer lenses (≥50mm) are typically less prone, though, to distortion, which can be a factor with portraits if you're going for a more "classical" look.

3. Whether you go with the macro or not is again, going to be a matter of personal taste. But you also need to know the f-number scale to really judge just HOW much faster those other two 50s are. The f/1.8 is not just "1" faster, it's a stop and a third faster, which means about 2.5x more light. The f/1.4 is two stops faster, which means 4x more light. That equates to using iso 200 instead of iso 800, or a shutter speed of 1/200s instead of 1/50s. Little f-numbers can mean big differences.

Also, and this is a matter of personal taste, macro lenses tend to be the sharpest in the bunch. This may not be a good thing for portraits: having every nose hair, pimple, pore, and wrinkle rendered in razor sharp focus may not be a good thing. And having to deal with it in post for every shot can be time-consuming. With portrait primes, part of the consideration is not just the sharpness and the speed and length, but also how it renders bokeh and out of focus highlights for a blurred background. A good portrait prime typically delivers something smooth and creamy.

Now, I'm nuts. I'm a sucker for a fast prime and even more of a sucker for Zeiss glass, so my recommendation, cost no object, would be to get either the ZA 135/1.8 or the ZA 85/1.4. Because one of the most-used lenses in my bag is the Canon 135/2. But that's me. You still have to figure out what's best for you.

My real recommendation would be to try out a prime lens and see if you like it. Borrowing or renting a high end prime is one choice, or just going with a low-cost 50mm f/1.8 first would be another. You could also look into the old Minolta AF lenses. The old 50mm f/1.7 is highly praised and around $100 on the used market.

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by inkista

My real recommendation would be to try out a prime lens and see if you like it.

What I started and wanted to know if primes were for me I went out for a shoot and set my 18-55mm to 50mm and did not touch it. Did the same thing another time with 35, and so on.

Today I use both zoom and primes but when I use a zoom I choose my focal length before even putting the camera on my eye based on the result I want than I move if I have to. I don't know exactly why and when I started doing this, but I compose better this way (...at least I think...hehehe).

[jml79]

I don't own a prime but I borrow a 50mm often. What I haven't shot is a fast zoom. Nobody I know has one. Can I get the same quality out of one that I can out of the 50mm f/1.8 prime.

I use my 70-210 like a prime all the time while portrait shooting. It's a little to long to use indoors but it is the fastest and sharpest lens I have and the 70 f/3.5 is the best combination I can get out of my gear for a nice shallow DOF. It also makes a fairly decent bokeh. I don't mind the prime for working but for a walking lens I really like my 28-105. I would like to get the quality upgrade that a good lens offers and also have the most flexible setup. I am sure one day I will get a 50mm f/1.4 but I can't get both a fast zoom and a nice prime right now. Gotta settle for just one.

[inkista]

Problem is most of us are Canon/Nikon shooters, so we can't tell you about the quality or character of Sony's lenses. Right now, I'd say lensrentals.com might be your best answer.

LensRentals.com - Rent Sony > Lenses

[jml79]

Originally Posted by inkista

Problem is most of us are Canon/Nikon shooters, so we can't tell you about the quality or character of Sony's lenses. Right now, I'd say lensrentals.com might be your best answer.

LensRentals.com - Rent Sony > Lenses

Awesome link but unfortunately I don't live in the US so by the time I ship the lens here, I have almost bought a used lens. I'm actually not looking at sony lenses at all. I am looking into used Minolta and Sigma or Tamron. Might stay away from the Sigma right now because they are not compatible with the latest SLT camera's. I am going to see how the upgrade goes on my 70-210 before thinking about another Sigma.

[Glenn72]

You might want to check out Welcome to Photozone! as they review Sony lenses as well and I find their reviews accurate. Hope this helps you in your decision.

[Evening]

You could hire in your own country perhaps?

[jml79]

Originally Posted by Evening

You could hire in your own country perhaps?

I have been on the phone calling all over to do just that. I live in a country that is HUGE in area and tiny in population. I have found nowhere within 1000Km that rents Sony lenses. I think I might just save up and buy some. Start with the 50 f1.7 and go from there. Likely get a few other older primes and a 28-75 when I have the money.