advice on a lens

windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
edited August 13, 2006 in Cameras
im going to virginia ( sorry dear people of this magnificent state ). going to visit Luray Caverns ( its dark down there ) and try riding along Skyline Drive.
was thinking of getting a new lens ( im also going to Hawaii in the Spring ).....
what do you think about the canon 35 f/1.4 ( on a 20D ) for these sights..
and is anybody selling one?
troy

Comments

  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    windoze wrote:
    im going to virginia ( sorry dear people of this magnificent state ). going to visit Luray Caverns ( its dark down there ) and try riding along Skyline Drive.
    was thinking of getting a new lens ( im also going to Hawaii in the Spring ).....
    what do you think about the canon 35 f/1.4 ( on a 20D ) for these sights..
    and is anybody selling one?
    troy

    If you don't need the 1.4 then its imo absoutely too expensive.
    35mm isn't that wide an angle and with your 20D you can
    bump up the ISO two stops or use an IS lens with that focal
    length in its range.

    The 35mm/1.4 isnt all that spectacular @ 1.4 and the shallow
    DOF becomes very unattractive when you start shooting anything
    else thats not a flat wall and perpendicular to your focalplane.

    A review of the 35mm/1.4 can be found here:
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_35_14/index.htm

    IS alternatives could be:

    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1755_28/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1785_456_is/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_24105_4_is/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_28135_3556_is/index.htm

    all priced below the 35mm/1.4.
    just my 2 cents
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Manfr3d wrote:
    If you don't need the 1.4 then its imo absoutely too expensive.
    35mm isn't that wide an angle and with your 20D you can
    bump up the ISO two stops or use an IS lens with that focal
    length in its range.

    The 35mm/1.4 isnt all that spectacular @ 1.4 and the shallow
    DOF becomes very unattractive when you start shooting anything
    else thats not a flat wall and perpendicular to your focalplane.

    A review of the 35mm/1.4 can be found here:
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_35_14/index.htm

    IS alternatives could be:

    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1755_28/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1785_456_is/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_24105_4_is/index.htm
    http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_28135_3556_is/index.htm

    all priced below the 35mm/1.4.
    just my 2 cents

    THANX FOR THE QUICK REPLY!!! i do have an unused ( i forgot about it ) canon 24-105 so maybe ( with regard to your advice ) i should skip a new lens right now and use the 24-105......


    troy
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Troy the 35 f/1.4 is a super lens. Sharp at f/1.4 and scalpel-like at all smaller apertures :)
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Troy,

    The only experience I have had with caverens was in Death Valley. The majority of the shots were between 17 mm, and 31 mm, with two at 40 mm. Exposure time was between 4, and 8 seconds, with two at 20 / 30 seconds. ISO was 100.

    This was on a 1.6X Rebel. I was able to use a tripod, but I don't think caverns generally allow tripods. You might want to call ahead and see.

    According to some charts I have, (if I am reading them right) you might be able to get to 1/30 or 1/60 with ISO 800 / 1600 at f2, so maybe that 35 f1.4 L will do it, depending on how big the caves are.

    Good luck.
  • ThusieThusie Registered Users Posts: 1,818 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Troy,

    I have been to the LC and I believe that the 35 would handle it. The caverns are brighter than my dinning room:-) Also at f1.4 you are nicely stopped down at say f2.8.

    Yes it is expensive, but the wow factor is worth it even in my unskilled hands.

    This shot would have never happened w/o the speed and resolution of the 35 L and this is a huge crop

    80839344-L.jpg
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Thusie wrote:
    Yes it is expensive, but the wow factor is worth it even in my unskilled hands.

    I wish one day i could buy lenses based on wow factor :cry
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • ThusieThusie Registered Users Posts: 1,818 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Manfr3d wrote:
    I wish one day i could buy lenses based on wow factor :cry

    I hope you didn't take that the wrong way, please? For me it suits well and I didn't just buy it on a whim to have 'that' lens. However the shots still amaze me right out of the camera..Good thing since my PP skills are about zip.
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2006
    Thusie wrote:
    I hope you didn't take that the wrong way, please? For me it suits well andI didn't just buy it on a whim to have 'that' lens. However the shots still amaze me right out of the camera..Good thing since my PP skills are about zip.

    No not at all!! For me this lens would be a dream to own. And if
    money wasnt an issue I would probably buy it myself - there isn't
    a better lens with this configuation in the canon world. Being an
    university student, it's not exactly what I can affort every day,
    hence the comment. :):
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
Sign In or Register to comment.