Thread: Best Studio Lens for Canon EOS Rebel xT?
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Old 03-15-2008, 07:46 AM
soupman soupman is offline
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Question Best Studio Lens for Canon EOS Rebel xT?
I believe my EFS 18-55mm, F 3.5/22 lens that came with my camera is producing poor quality studio photos when I am in a low-light condition. Since I am a beginner at studio photography, I am guessing. The daylight photos are very sharp and I can enlarge them significantly and crop them with little loss in sharpness. The same goes if I take more hi-key photos in my basement studio. But as soon as I try to take low-key or lower light photos, I am never happy.

After some research, I think I found the lens I would love: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L EF USM Lens. But, it cost more than my camera did. Sonic Camera offers it at an unbelieveable $899. (but thanks to RFS and a post he had in G1, I went to Compare Prices, Store Reviews and Ratings by Real People and read the reviews for them and I think I will skip on their service). So, the real going rate seems to be $1,139 at most of the dealers.

I looked at similar lenses at Sigma and Tamron and their lenses are more than half as expensive as the Canon lens above. I am typically one of those crazy guys who will spend the extra dollars for the quality. But in this case, I am not sure. I do know I am not happy with the low-light portraits I am taking and I want to do something about it.

I found the following lenses:
  1. Sigma Zoom Wide ANGLE-TELEPHOTO 17-70MM F/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus Lens $327-$389
  2. Tamron Zoom Wide ANGLE-TELEPHOTO AF 28-75MM F/2.8 XR DI Autofocus Lens $349-$368
  3. Sigma Zoom Wide ANGLE-TELEPHOTO 24-70MM F/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens $364-$429
These lenses all look like they will perform well in low-key lighting with F/2.8. But, I have no experience with any of these brands. Since I am not a professional photographer and probably will not ever enlarge a photo beyond say 30" X 40", will these lenses work?

Now after writing this I am wondering if I am throwing money at a problem I should be able to fix with what I have? I am pretty sure I am not the only one frustrated with the options.

I appreciate your thoughts and experiences going through what I am considering now.

Thanks
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