Help: Lens

[Humanist]

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I've posted, but I need advice and I always get the best help here.

Sometime soon, my wife will give birth to our twins. I, of course, will take terabytes of photos! However, I'm worried that I don't have the right glass. I own an XTI and a 40d. I love doing portrait work with my 50mm1.8 and, until it broke, my 28mm 2.8. However, I realize that I will often need to get TWO babies in the same shot, which may require something wide. I may also be shooting in dim light, which may require something fast. (to anticipate some comments, I'd like to fire flash as rarely as possible - even with my Fong)


I own the kit zoom lens, 18-55 3.5-5 EF-S or whatever it is. My worries are:
- if I get that perfect shot, the IQ might prevent an enlargement
- a faster lens might help me keep my shutter speed up or my ISO down

Of course, the solution is the expensive 16-35mm 2.8L. I have the money, although it would mean some opportunity cost. OTOH, do I want such a piece of glass close to babies? I also worry that it might be overkill.

The thought of getting the 17-40 f4L has occured to me. It won't help my speed, but it is a good solid lens with good IQ. A friend has dropped hers in rivers and it works as well as when she bought it.

I teach some PS at a local studio and the photographer there suggested replacing the 28mm lens and just getting a 5d so that I get a true 28mm. This is, of course, even more expensive!

I do know that with some planning, good light and luck I'll get decent shots with any equipment. But I have high standards for myself.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks RV ("Thanks ME" just sounds wrong!)
Josh

[tjavery]

Congrats on your upcoming kiddos. That's terrific!

I've been photographing our new son quite a bit lately, and I'm really, really enjoying the 5D + 50mm f/1.4 combo. 50mm on a full frame offers a versatile field of view. Zoom with your feet

I would suggest a lens that's close to the 50mm full frame equivalent and offers decent performance in the f/2.0 to f/2.8 range. It's great having a fast aperture for the no-flash dimly-lit hospital shots.

Canon makes a great 35mm f/2.0 lens that's pretty cheap. I've never used one, but have only heard great things about it. There's also a 28mm f/1.8 Canon. I did have that one once, and it did fairly well although had some focusing issues (many of the recent reviews that I've read indicate that Canon has fixed or improved this lens in the past year or two, and a recent copy should perform quite well).

Sigma makes a 24mm and 28mm, both f/1.8. From all the reviews that I've read, these lenses are pretty good except wide open. They seem to be noticeably soft from f/1.8 until about f/2.8 or f/3.5. There's also a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for cropped sensors that's supposed to be pretty good.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. Good luck with the delivery, and I hope your babies are healthy and happy!

[MurryG]

I am very happy with the Canon 17-40mm f/4L zoom on my 20D which gives the equivalent of 27-64mm range. As far as the maximum aperature being a tad slow it hasen't been a problem for me. The lack of noise at ISO 200 through 800 even lets me shoot indoors without flash using window light, etc. I keep it on the camera most of the time for a super walk around lens and it would be wide enough even for twins Of course when the twins become mobile you'll probably wish you have a camcorder or the new 5DII with HD? Best wishes to you, the wife and the new twins. I'm anxious to see some really cute shots!!

[Humanist]

Thanks guys! Your help and well-wishes are appreciated.

I've been thinking about money and need.. maybe it is true that I won't need to be zooming much until they start moving... and I do like prime lenses. The idea of the 5d keeps comming up no matter where I go too.... and video through an L lens would be cool once the kids start to walk and such.

My tentative plan is this (please critique as necessary)
-buy 28mm 1.8 now. It and my 50mm 1.8 will cover me for the hospital and early months in dim rooms
-buy 17-40 or 16-35 later this year as they are moving enough that I'll sometimes need to be zooming
-save up for a 5d mkII in 12-18 months once they are moving enough that video will be also appreciated.... as well as allthe other goodies. Plus, maybe there will have been a price drop to save a few pennies.

Am I insane?
Josh

[tonebytone]

Sounds like a good plan, Josh. Insane? LOL, no more than the rest of us! Many of us are always reviewing our equipment and wondering what changes, if any, to make.

[Humanist]

"No more than the rest of us," eh? Maybe I am in trouble!

It turns out that the 28mm f1.8 is backordered and could be months, so I'll be working with my damaged 28mm 2.8 and my (just ordered an hour ago) 35mm f1.4L. Due to the cost of the prime, I'll pass on the zoom for now and wait for the 5dII. mmmmmmm....new equipment.

I am hitting the studio tomorrow with some older equipment to shoot my 7month old newphew. It won't be high art, but maybe I'll have something decent to share.

Thanks guys,
Josh