MyFunCamera

Email Q&A: Camera bodies & Prime lenses

I just got an email asking my advice about a prime lens purchase.

This is a dude that asked my advice on a camera purchase (50D vs Rebel), and I told him to get the 50D because it would be more sturdy for him, wouldn’t feel like a plastic toy in his big man hands (like the Rebel would), and could grow with him as he gets more & more into photography.

Here’s his email:

Hey Carey,

I wanted to purchase my first prime lens and it only made sense to start with a 50mm. I was once again seeking your advice on which lens you prefer. I’ve read side by side reviews and image comparisons between the 1.4 and 1.8, but still am unsure (It drives my wife crazy that I’m so persnickety, but still have the hardest time choosing) as to which is the better choice for me (normally people say you only know whats right for you, but for now I think you know whats right for me lol).

With your previous help, I opted to go with 50D rather than the T1i. It’s the best purchasing decision I’ve made in a long time. Although you would think that it would be an easy decision for me to go with the more expensive, better built 1.4, I’m just not sold on it, although the bokeh is much cleaner to me. I guess the main reason being is that I have my eyes set on better glass down the road. I feel that the 1.8 might have the best bang for you buck out of any thing in the history of electronics, but I’m weary that it may not make it for more than a year or two after regular use.

Am I just thinking about it too much. Should I just spend the extra and get the 1.4? I would put myself in the category that likes the best, well in this case better, but I guess the price difference is so drastic that its making me well, a little hesitant.
Thanks again,
Rob

Here’s my response:

Hi Rob!

I’d say that unless you’re 1) using it professionally and/or 2) using it EVERY SINGLE DAY, the 1.4 is not worth the extra $$$.

I’m not a prime girl myself.  Have you tried prime lenses?  You may love it.  But you may hate it.

I feel hobbled with primes, but I have the 85mm 1.8, and have tried the 1.2L.

I can get by with the 85mm 1.8.  I really like the 1.8 bokeh, and that one is WAY WAY WAY CHEAPER than the 85mm 1.2L version. If I was a prime lovah and if I used it as my primary lens, I’d save up for the 85mm 1.2L, but it’s not worth the $$$ to me.

Now granted, the price difference for those two 85mm lens is a lot more drastic than it is for the 50mm lenses!  From a photographer’s point of view, the 50mm 1.4 isn’t all that much more expensive than the 50mm 1.8.  The price difference for the two 85mm lenses is $1,500 bucks vs just a few hundred between the two 50mm lenses.  But I still think the same principle applies:  if it’s going to be your primary every-day lens, go with the more expensive one.  If you just want to try out a 50mm prime in your lens bag, get the 50mm 1.8 and see how you like shooting with primes before you invest more money.
~Carey

You may be wondering why I didn’t recommend that he consider the 85mm lens that I have.

Here’s why:

I have 5D cameras. He has a 50D.  His 50D camera has a crop factor. The 85mm is already tighter than the 50mm, and on a camera with a crop factor, he’ll feel like he’s looking through a paper towel tube with the 85mm lens.  He’ll get much more out of the 50mm.

Peace out homee.

Email Q&A: FLASHES???

Here’s an email I got today, and I thought it was a great question about flashes, so I figured I post the email & my answer here.

I used my Canon 580EX flash on Christmas Eve, and the results were great! I’ll post some pics when I’m done working on client images from my pre-Christmas Barefoot Memories sessions.

HERE’S THE EMAIL:

Hi Carey!! …
I’m just now really getting to know photography (got two little grandsons that I’m THOROUGHLY enjoying taking picture of!!) and I’ve used many of your tips. We took a fun trip to California back in June and went to Coronado Island, and I used your advice about the reflection photos on the beach. WOW! They turned out great!! I was so excited!! Some of my favorite shots!! Thanks for the tips!

Anyway, I have a question for you. I have a Canon Rebel and I’m looking for an external flash for it. What would you suggest I get? I trust your judgement.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and I hope we get to see some of your pictures of the holidays!

Thanks again for all your help!

Janice

HERE’S MY ANSWER:

Hi Janice,
Thanks for your nice email!
I have a 580EX Speedlite, like the one HERE.
I really like it because I can swivel the head around and bounce the light off ceilings and walls. That softens the light and diminishes shadow a lot.
I recommend sticking with Canon flashes. I’ve tried off-brand flashes, but the “e-ttl” metering (electronic thru the lens) metering that talks from the camera to the flash doesn’t work as well when the camera & the flash are different brands.
There are less expensive Speedlites (like the 430 EX) but I think the 580 is great and worth the extra $$.
I hope that helps!
Carey

What I didn’t put in my email to Janice is that I also use the Stofen Omnibounce to soften the light a little more. It’s compact and not clunky. I’ve purchased bigger diffusers (like the “Fong” things & bigger softeners & diffusers) but the Stofen works really well and takes up very little room. Plus, the people I’m taking pictures of just see a flash with a little white cap on the end.

When I’m using a big diffuser, I usually get “WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!!???” questions out of the kids and adults, which really spoils my attempts at creating candid shots!

Xmas pics coming soon!
Happy Holidays!!

By the way.. here are those video tips Janice was talking about:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Olympus Stylus Waterproof point & shoot

I got this Olympus Stylus point & shoot for our family vacation to Hawaii last year, and IT IS GREAT!
You can take pictures & video underwater, and it’s “shockproof” so you don’t have to worry about the kids dropping it.

5D Mark II

I love my Canon 5D Mark II!
The original 5D is a great camera, too, don’t get me wrong!
If you can’t quite afford the new 5Deux, you won’t regret getting the original 5D, but this new 5D sure is good!

Predecessor to the 50D .. the Canon 40D

The Canon 40D came out before the 50D, and the two cameras are very similar.
The 50D costs a bit more, has a few more megapixels and improved features, but the two cameras are VERY similar.
If you need to save a little money but still want a nice camera, this is a good choice.
If you’re a gearhead & can’t stand to get the older version of anything, go with the 50D.

Mid-range Canon camera — 50D

If you want a bit more “umph” than the Canon Rebel but don’t want to spend the bucks on a 5D or a 1D, go with the 50D or the 40D.
The 50D has more megapixels than the older 40D and features are a bit improved.
If you want to take some savings and buy a lens or two, go with the 40D.
If you want the best mid-range SLR, get the 50D:

Great starter camera! Canon Rebel XSi

The Canon SLRs cameras can be pricey.
If you want a new SLR camera and can’t afford the more expensive 40D, 50D, or 5D, this is a GREAT starter camera!
You can play with all sorts of lenses, just like on the more expensive cameras, and you’ll have the versatility to use custom settings as you learn more and more about what the camera can do.

Canon 5D

Cheesy ’80s love songs play in my mind when I think about how much I love Canon 5D cameras.
I have the Mark II now, but I still LOVE the original 5D.
If I had to buy a new camera & couldn’t spend more than $2,000 to spend on a new camera right now, this would be the camera I’d buy.