Best Pub lens for canon?

Tbiafore · June 26, 2009

Doing a trip in Scotland and England and was thinking of buying a new lens. Wanted to get some of your thoughts on what you think would be the best lens to take shots in a pub?

We are going to be spending a lot of time indoors and in pubs so I wanted to make sure that area is covered.

I have a 5d Mark ii

Thanks!

--Thor

Blurmore · June 26, 2009

Budget high? 50mm f1.2
Budget Low? 85mm f1.8

Don't get drunk and lose your camera.

LiquidAir · June 26, 2009

Personally I'd mostly shoot wider than 50mm in a pub. I'd choose either a 28 or a 35. If you don't want to shell out for lthe 35/1.4L, I'd suggest looking either the 28/1.8 or the 35/2.

Tbiafore · June 26, 2009

I have a 16-35L 2.8 now and it seems to do well, but never had a lens that went down to 1.2 or 1.4 so not sure how much of a boost in low light situations I will get. Maybe its not worth investing another $1,500-$1,800 for another lens...

--Thor

rainbow · June 26, 2009

f/2 will halve the shutter speed that you get at f/2.8. f/1.4 will halve the shutter speed again (over f/2). You will get shallower depth of field as you open the aperture.

ziggy53 · June 26, 2009

I don't know about the best lens for a pub, but here is the best pub lens shade:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm297/brotulix/Image173.jpg?t=1246051345

Toshido · June 26, 2009

I would suggest the 50mm f/1.4. used it in a bar not long ago and did a great job catching candids of people at tables, the stage show and even a tight group shot of 4 lovely young ladies.
Of course this was also on a 50D. I also used flash but at a -2 FEC. That kept the ambient light mood still in the shot as well.
For examples...

http://tag-photos.smugmug.com/gallery/8363473_m9r5G#550466109_a2JMK

Tbiafore · June 26, 2009

Toshido actually seeing the lens in action really helped. I think its performance in low light is exactly what I would need, however the only downfall I can see from the images you have posted is that being a 50mm focal length, it may not be wide enough to get a good section of a pub which is partially what I would be using it for.

Thanks, it helped me a lot!

--Thor

rainbow · June 26, 2009

ziggy53 wrote:

I don't know about the best lens for a pub, but here is the best pub lens shade:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm297/brotulix/Image173.jpg?t=1246051345

Looks like it's covered by a "Mack" warranty, too

rainbow · June 26, 2009

Tbiafore wrote:

Toshido actually seeing the lens in action really helped. I think its performance in low light is exactly what I would need, however the only downfall I can see from the images you have posted is that being a 50mm focal length, it may not be wide enough to get a good section of a pub which is partially what I would be using it for.

Thanks, it helped me a lot!

--Thor

Take your zoom into a bar and set it at 24 and 28 and 35 and see which of these lengths meets your needs for what you have in mind. Then look at your options at those focal lengths that please you.

If you use a flash to supplement the shots, then your 16 - 35 should do fine.

MT Stringer · June 26, 2009

rainbow wrote:

Take your zoom into a bar and set it at 24 and 28 and 35 and see which of these lengths meets your needs for what you have in mind. Then look at your options at those focal lengths that please you.

If you use a flash to supplement the shots, then your 16 - 35 should do fine.

Are you planning to use a flash? If so, a 17-40 would give you a wide angle for close ups. Think wide angle.

Check out this link. The setting was the grand opening of a biker bar.

All pics were shot with a 40D and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

Toshido · June 26, 2009

I also have a 17-40 F/4L. I choose the 1.4 first because I was going to try it without flash. i wa still scared of high ISOs though.
Secondly I wanted to keep as much of the background in as possible. I was worried that the light would fall off too quickly for the F/4, and also I would need too much flash to get a decent picture.

The flash was all over the place for those shots, Bounce and direct, no modifiers.

BigAl · June 27, 2009

Personally, I'd use the kit lens. If it got full of beer, you can turf it without too much remorse

I agree with those saying you need a widish lens. My experience is that my Sigma 24-135 is wonderful for such occasions.

Jekyll & Hyde · June 28, 2009

Tbiafore wrote:

Wanted to get some of your thoughts on what you think would be the best lens to take shots in a pub?

J: If I were to select Canon's (best) lens for myself for that purpose, it would be the 35mm f1.4L.

H: I prefer ambient light shooting, and that would be the most useful focal length (for me).

Have fun BTW!
J&H

Pindy · June 28, 2009

Jekyll & Hyde wrote:

J: If I were to select Canon's (best) lens for myself for that purpose, it would be the 35mm f1.4L.

+1

Second, would be the 50 f/1.4

Tbiafore · June 29, 2009

Thanks for your input, after everyones discussion I figured I would purchase two lenses to cover a couple indoor needs.

I got the 35mm 1.4L and the 85mm 1.2L

Thanks for everyones feedback!

--Thor

Manfr3d · June 29, 2009

Anyone know a good lens shooting puberty? Seems like none of my lenses are accepted by anyone undergoing puberty ..

Village Idiot · June 29, 2009

The OP could probably still shoot at f/11. He's got a 5d MKII after all.

Canon 15mm f/2.8 Fish is a fun lens.

rainbow · June 29, 2009

Tbiafore wrote:

Thanks for your input, after everyones discussion I figured I would purchase two lenses to cover a couple indoor needs.

I got the 35mm 1.4L and the 85mm 1.2L

Thanks for everyones feedback!

--Thor

Those are two of Canon's best lenses! You should enjoy them immensely. Have a great trip and share pictures of these pubs when you return.

Pindy · June 29, 2009

Tbiafore wrote:

I got the 35mm 1.4L and the 85mm 1.2L

Doesn't get any better.

cdub · June 29, 2009

I don't think I could get away with, "Honey, I'm going out to spend $4 K on lenses before we leave for England."

Just a bit jealous...

Congrats - the 35 is on my list... Looking forward to seeing your shots.

Best Pub lens for canon?

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