canon 24 -70 mm or just a 50mm lens ?

[mikew]

I need a lens for my 20d and I am not sure on the one I should get. I have the money to buy the 24 - 70 but looking back at what I have used in the past was around 30 - 40 mm. My last fashion shoot I was able to use a 50mm and I just made it in the room I did the shoot in. I like the 50mm canon and I could get buy with it. But I might run into a shoot that I need 30 to 40 mm. What's a photographer to do ? I can't buy both right now.

Mike

[Mr. Pickles]

In the past, you "borrowed" a 50mm? If so, was it 1.4 or 1.8? The 1.8 is a very good lens for $75. One would think if you have used in the 30-40 range, you would again, but that seems wide to me for a fashion shoot, unless you are close and want the whole body.

Can you sacrifice the aperture difference in the 50mms and the 24-70?

[mikew]

Hi,

My space for shooting is not very big. 12 x 23. And when shooting against a paper backdrop my back is just about at the wall with a 50mm. I own the 50mm and used it on a nikon d100. I switched to Canon and I have the 70 x 200 mm but I need to get a lens for doing my fashion stuff for my 20D. Most of my fashion stuff is done 3/4 shots. But when the long gowns come out I need to shoot full length and that is when it gets tough.

Mike

[Rokcet Scientist]

Seems to me you need a bigger studio.
For fashion/people you need less distortion. Not more!

[Mr. Pickles]

Sort of answered your own question on the lens size. As for the Canons, the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 28-70 f/2.8 are both pretty close in terms of performance. The 24-70 performs better in the wide position (both wide and stopped down), but has a tad more distortions from what I remember.

[mikej]

I have the 24-70 2.8L and it's my main lens indoors. I shoot every where from within inches of a subject (or closer with macro tubes) all the way to infinity. I do shoot a lot at the 30 to 40mm range, but I wouldn't give up the fexability of being able to go to 24mm or up to 70mm. I was shooting with a 10D when I got the 24-70 and occassionally I'd shoot with my older 28-105 USM lens when I needed a wider angle. I didn't think the 4mm would make that much of a different in wide angle, but I was very surprised to find out how much of a different it did make for me. I now use the 24-70 with my 1DMKII and it's still as sharp and crisp and the 24mm is just a tad wider now I'm shooting with a 1.3 crop factor vrs the 1.6 of the 10D.

I don't really think it is a valid comparison between a 24-70 zoom and a 50mm prime. While the 50mm will give great shots, it's just to limiting if you need to shoot different perspectives and distances.

Mike

[mikew]

I guess what I ment was the money factor. I am going with the 24 - 70 mm and go from there...I do like the 50mm lens also..

Mike