Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ - Honda-Tech

Fuster_Cluck · 06-13-2008, 07:01 AM

I am looking to purchase my first lens within the next day or two. I'm still really new to the photography scene. Since I don't have 3 grand to drop on several lenses at one time, I want to reassure I am making the right decision for my first purchase.

50mm f/1.4

I decided against the 1.8 due to the complaints of it's "cheap plastic body / feel". Also, it seems the 1.8 is a step below with the quality of the pictures.

Just curious to what HT's favorite "general" lens is / the one mounted to your camera most of the time. I know we all share the interest in shooting cars which it seems the 50 is great for. Not to forget portraits which I can't wait to shoot my daughter

Blazin Si · 06-13-2008, 07:47 AM

I like the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens ($489.95) for "general purpose" duty. They have the 3rd gen image stabilization and cover a good focal length. Then you can buy a nice telephoto zoom like the 70-200mm f4 or 2.8 and not have much overlap.

There's also the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens ($960.00), but that's more money than I would want to spend.

timberSi · 06-13-2008, 07:55 AM

I assume you shoot Nikon.

My absolute favorite right now is my Nikkor 17-55 f2.8. I also like my 50 f1.8! Don't just listen from people on the internet and see for yourself in person how they differ in build quality then make the decision if the price difference is worth it.

dr_spock · 06-13-2008, 08:05 AM

I have a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 on my camera most of the time. How old is your daughter? Shooting little kids is challenging since they don't stay still very long and they may not pose the way you want.

Import Driver · 06-13-2008, 08:09 AM

Sigma 30mm F/1.4 I love it. It is the equivalent of a 50mm on a film camera which is an awesome focal length. Plus it's pretty sharp 1.4 so me likey.

I am not a fan of 50mm on a crop body. But that's probably just because it doesn't fit my shooting style. If I had a full frame camera such as a film or a Canon 5D then I no doubt would have a 50mm F/1.4. I do have a Canon 50mm F/1.8 and it isn't very sharp at 1.8 but sharpening in photoshop does help to some extent.

I also spend a fare amount of time with my Sigma 10-20mm on the camera. I love this lens. Truth is if I could only keep one it would be the 30mm.

Machinehead115 · 06-13-2008, 08:17 AM

so far the one I have on the most is my Nikon 18-70mm

Egg-weezy · 06-13-2008, 09:24 AM

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 is one NICE piece of glass!! It's my only glass that I own and I sold the Nikon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 17-35mm f2.8, Sigma 10-20mm, Nikon 55-200mm, and my Nikon 18-55mm because these lenses weren't ever used once I got the 28-75.

Fuster_Cluck · 06-13-2008, 10:53 AM

Thanks for all the feedback so far

Quote:

Originally Posted by timberSi

I assume you shoot Nikon.

Actually, Canon XSi

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_spock

How old is your daughter?

My daughter is 10 so I do not have that problem

Matter of fact she loves being in the spot light

'95 BA8 · 06-13-2008, 10:56 AM

New to photography, why drop $400 on a 50mm 1.4 when you can get a 50mm 1.8 it's great lens, sure it's like a toy, but for 80 dollars I wouldn't really care if it stops working in five months. From what I read it's actually a great lens for the money, something that will get you settled for portraits.
If you like the lens and you feel you need to upgrade then do so.
But spread your lens arsenal before dropping so much money.

I'm not saying you should always go for the cheapest lens because that's not how things are, but in this case, the 50mm 1.8 is a go.

Btw my 50mm 1.8 is on the mail it should arrive Tuesday if you wish you can wait and I'll get you some sample shots.

GreenD · 06-13-2008, 11:03 AM

Canon 17-55 2.8 IS. Sold a Tamron 28-75 for it, which was a great lens for the money, just not wide enough.

xjohnx · 06-13-2008, 11:13 AM

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L or Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

pworld2 · 06-13-2008, 11:24 AM

tamron 17-50 for me. but i have a feeling when i get my 50 1.8 i wont take it off very much. when i had nikon that was the story.

Neebs · 06-13-2008, 12:29 PM

The 18-200mm VR and 85mm f/1.8.

KOREAN · 06-13-2008, 12:32 PM

18-200 vr

only lens i'll be using for a while...

DJ MURDOK 818 · 06-13-2008, 12:32 PM

18-250mm, 50mm 1.4, 70-210mm im always alternating lenses.

eL · 06-13-2008, 12:53 PM

I used the Canon 35mm f/1.4L for a week and I didn't want to give it back.

I wouldn't mind having a 50mm 1.4 but personally I need something wider. Having both would rock though lol.

canuckr · 06-13-2008, 12:53 PM

17-55 2.8 or (mostly) 70-200 2.8 VR

TangJianYu · 06-13-2008, 01:10 PM

Canon 85mm 1.2L 80% of the time and Canon 16-35mm 2.8L 20%

60% of the time it works all the time.

Mr Fatty · 06-13-2008, 01:39 PM

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 for me

SilverDc2 · 06-13-2008, 01:54 PM

I'm planning on upgrade my 50mm 1.8 to the 1.4...

seems like canon's 17-85 is a good all around lens especially for the money.

pworld2 · 06-13-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangJianYu

Canon 85mm 1.2L 80% of the time and Canon 16-35mm 2.8L 20%

60% of the time it works all the time.

85 1.2 L!! *drooool*

dFreezy · 06-13-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Import Driver

Sigma 30mm F/1.4 I love it. It is the equivalent of a 50mm on a film camera which is an awesome focal length. Plus it's pretty sharp 1.4 so me likey.

Amen on that one. I completely agree with not liking the 50mm focal length on a crop. It stinks too because I love my 85/1.8 so when I go full frame I'm afraid it'll get neglected.

jokercykoe · 06-13-2008, 08:45 PM

Nice to see a lot of people shooting primes!

JakeB. · 06-14-2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

06-13-2008, 07:01 AM	#1
Fuster_Cluck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: ATL to SAV to ORL, USA Posts: 7,478	Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ I am looking to purchase my first lens within the next day or two. I'm still really new to the photography scene. Since I don't have 3 grand to drop on several lenses at one time, I want to reassure I am making the right decision for my first purchase. 50mm f/1.4 I decided against the 1.8 due to the complaints of it's "cheap plastic body / feel". Also, it seems the 1.8 is a step below with the quality of the pictures. Just curious to what HT's favorite "general" lens is / the one mounted to your camera most of the time. I know we all share the interest in shooting cars which it seems the 50 is great for. Not to forget portraits which I can't wait to shoot my daughter __________________ Gripped XTi & XSi ♥ EF-S 10-22mm ♥ EF-S 18-55mm ♥ EF 50mm f/1.8 ♥ EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 2006 Accord LX sedan + TSX HID retrofitted

06-13-2008, 07:47 AM	#2
Blazin Si Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Charlotte,, NC Posts: 1,708	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (Fuster_Cluck) I like the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens ($489.95) for "general purpose" duty. They have the 3rd gen image stabilization and cover a good focal length. Then you can buy a nice telephoto zoom like the 70-200mm f4 or 2.8 and not have much overlap. There's also the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens ($960.00), but that's more money than I would want to spend. __________________ '97 2.2 CL - Daily Driver '92 Civic Si - Nine Thousand RPM '86 Regal T-Type - WH1 Pkg.

06-13-2008, 07:55 AM	#3
timberSi Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA, USA Posts: 375	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (Blazin Si) I assume you shoot Nikon. My absolute favorite right now is my Nikkor 17-55 f2.8. I also like my 50 f1.8! Don't just listen from people on the internet and see for yourself in person how they differ in build quality then make the decision if the price difference is worth it. __________________ 2000 <FONT COLOR="blue">[b]EBP[b]</FONT><FONT COLOR="red"> Si</FONT> - stolen <FONT COLOR="red">HT Insomniac</FONT>

06-13-2008, 08:05 AM	#4
dr_spock Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 344	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (Fuster_Cluck) I have a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 on my camera most of the time. How old is your daughter? Shooting little kids is challenging since they don't stay still very long and they may not pose the way you want.

06-13-2008, 08:09 AM	#5
Import Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: IA, USA Posts: 1,198	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (timberSi) Sigma 30mm F/1.4 I love it. It is the equivalent of a 50mm on a film camera which is an awesome focal length. Plus it's pretty sharp 1.4 so me likey. I am not a fan of 50mm on a crop body. But that's probably just because it doesn't fit my shooting style. If I had a full frame camera such as a film or a Canon 5D then I no doubt would have a 50mm F/1.4. I do have a Canon 50mm F/1.8 and it isn't very sharp at 1.8 but sharpening in photoshop does help to some extent. I also spend a fare amount of time with my Sigma 10-20mm on the camera. I love this lens. Truth is if I could only keep one it would be the 30mm. __________________ Guns are like women; you want one of each but you know you can only shoot one at a time. My Flickr stream

06-13-2008, 08:17 AM	#6
Machinehead115 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 983	so far the one I have on the most is my Nikon 18-70mm __________________ .:99 Honda Civic Sedan Nikon D50\|50mm f/1.8\|18-70mm\|70-300mm VR\|SB-600 Flickr \| My Website

06-13-2008, 09:24 AM	#7
Egg-weezy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: madison, wisconsin, us Posts: 2,403	Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 is one NICE piece of glass!! It's my only glass that I own and I sold the Nikon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 17-35mm f2.8, Sigma 10-20mm, Nikon 55-200mm, and my Nikon 18-55mm because these lenses weren't ever used once I got the 28-75. __________________ D200 w/Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, 7500dx flash XBOX 360 gamer tag: iLLest Shotz

06-13-2008, 10:56 AM	#9
'95 BA8 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: FL, USA Posts: 475	Re: (Fuster_Cluck) New to photography, why drop $400 on a 50mm 1.4 when you can get a 50mm 1.8 it's great lens, sure it's like a toy, but for 80 dollars I wouldn't really care if it stops working in five months. From what I read it's actually a great lens for the money, something that will get you settled for portraits. If you like the lens and you feel you need to upgrade then do so. But spread your lens arsenal before dropping so much money. I'm not saying you should always go for the cheapest lens because that's not how things are, but in this case, the 50mm 1.8 is a go. Btw my 50mm 1.8 is on the mail it should arrive Tuesday if you wish you can wait and I'll get you some sample shots. __________________ 1995 Prelude S - Sold. 1995 Prelude Si - Sold. 1997 Accord LX - DD. Flickr

06-13-2008, 11:13 AM	#11
xjohnx Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,229	Canon 70-200 f/2.8L or Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. __________________ 07 VW GTI (DSG) 88 K-Car, 91 Civic, 91 CRX Si, 93 Prelude VTEC, 01 ITR, 02 WRX, 93 Civic CX, 00 EK-hybrid, 00 ITR, 03 WRX, 02 S2000, 04 STi, 98 M3, 90 CRX, 01 NBP ITR, 96 MX-5, 05 STi

06-13-2008, 11:24 AM	#12
pworld2 Join Date: May 2008 Location: CA Posts: 2,280	Re: (xjohnx) tamron 17-50 for me. but i have a feeling when i get my 50 1.8 i wont take it off very much. when i had nikon that was the story. __________________ Pkasso Photography Done trying to build cars, im building businesses..

06-13-2008, 12:29 PM	#13
Neebs Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 1,161	The 18-200mm VR and 85mm f/1.8. __________________ <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">'98 MR Ej8 Squad #226 retired. Thieves http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthdown.gif</FONT> Nikon D80 \| 18-55mm \| 18-200mm VR \| 85mm f/ 1.8 <FONT COLOR="#15317E">Honda, The Power of Dreams</FONT>

06-13-2008, 12:32 PM	#14
KOREAN is hella epic Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,847	Re: (Neebs) 18-200 vr only lens i'll be using for a while... __________________ flickr

06-13-2008, 12:32 PM	#15
DJ MURDOK 818 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: No...Ho..., CA, United States Posts: 2,707	18-250mm, 50mm 1.4, 70-210mm im always alternating lenses. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/djmurdokphotos http://www.flickr.com/photos/djmurdokphotos/ Hit me up for photoshoots

06-13-2008, 12:53 PM	#16
eL Killarmy Renegade Join Date: May 2003 Location: 215 Posts: 6,653	I used the Canon 35mm f/1.4L for a week and I didn't want to give it back. I wouldn't mind having a 50mm 1.4 but personally I need something wider. Having both would rock though lol.

06-13-2008, 12:53 PM	#17
canuckr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Detr0yit, MI Posts: 1,943	Re: (DJ MURDOK 818) 17-55 2.8 or (mostly) 70-200 2.8 VR __________________ 97 ITR #163 Team-Lazy Yeah Nikon <FONT COLOR="#1b00ff">Go Leafs GO</FONT>... Maybe in my life time..

06-13-2008, 01:10 PM	#18
TangJianYu Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Franpsycho, CA Posts: 530	Re: (canuckr) Canon 85mm 1.2L 80% of the time and Canon 16-35mm 2.8L 20% 60% of the time it works all the time. __________________ rktvision.com \| flickr \| n1concepts.com

06-13-2008, 01:39 PM	#19
Mr Fatty Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 636	Re: (TangJianYu) Sigma 20mm f/1.8 for me __________________ My Photos: http://flickr.com/photos/fanis My Portfolio Site 1998 VSM Civic CX 1995 Honda Civic CX - dead 2000 VSM Acura 1.6 EL RIP http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emsad.gif http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emsad.gif http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emsad.gif

06-13-2008, 01:54 PM	#20
SilverDc2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: snap.snip.bit., CA Posts: 5,200	Re: (Mr Fatty) I'm planning on upgrade my 50mm 1.8 to the 1.4... seems like canon's 17-85 is a good all around lens especially for the money. __________________ Vouch Thread Flickr Lakers! http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthup.gif I buy vintage manual minolta, pentax & vivitar lens. pm if you have any.

06-13-2008, 08:45 PM	#23
jokercykoe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 1,408	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (dFreezy) Nice to see a lot of people shooting primes! __________________ Do not advertise other forums. -Dogginator

06-14-2008, 06:45 AM	#24
JakeB. Photography Pundit Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 4,265	Re: Your absolute favorite general shooting lens is........ (Import Driver) Quote: