[Paxter]

Okay guys this is where I need your help. After much soul searching and debating I have purchased a second hand Canon 10d. It doesn't come with a lens. Now, here is the $64m question. I intend to take mostly portrait and sports photographs. Which lenses would you recommend? I was thinking of a 28 - 90 for the portrait (canon MkII) and something like a 100 - 300 for the sports photography (mainly football). Please help with some recommendations.

By the way what about CF cards? 1Gb or 2 x 512mb and whast make?

[tomson]

The 28-90mm isn't a great lens at all. If i were you I'd look at a 28-105mm (make sure its the f3.5-4.5 rather than the f4.5-5.6 though). There are plenty used ones on ebay.

[RimBlock]

What sort of Portrait (face, shoulders & head, waist up, full length) ?

Depends on available space (as I have found out ).

I use a 50mm prime f1.4 for half body shots, a 85mm f1.8 prime for head shots. I also use the 28mm - 135mm IS which I find surprisingly good for this. It is also a great walkabout lens. Examples can be found in my 'sticky' thread on page 2.

Sport usually requires a long fast lens so look for large focal length with a small fx.x number. Others will be able to advise better on this as it is not an area I have much interest in.

Regards
RB

[Paxter]

Thanks for the replies. Most of my portraiture will be of the head & shoulders type. I think I will purchase a 50mm prime for this, but my main quandry at the moment (as funds are limited), is, should I go for a 70 - 210 F4-5.6 or should I push the boat out (and the credit card) and go for an f4 throughout... this means buying canons own lens. It's been a while since I used a Sigma lens, but I believe they are quite good at present.... Any views?

[RimBlock]

depending on cash, you can pick up the nifty fifty 50mm f1.8 (i think) for around £60. The 50mm f1.4 I use is around £300. Is the difference worth it...... no idea, have never tried the f1.8 but there are loads of rave reviews of it.

As for the longer length lens I am afraid I cannot help. There are a number of sites out there with lens reviews though.

Cheers
RB

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by Paxter

Thanks for the replies. Most of my portraiture will be of the head & shoulders type. I think I will purchase a 50mm prime for this, but my main quandry at the moment (as funds are limited), is, should I go for a 70 - 210 F4-5.6 or should I push the boat out (and the credit card) and go for an f4 throughout... this means buying canons own lens. It's been a while since I used a Sigma lens, but I believe they are quite good at present.... Any views?

I can recommend the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO HSM...it would be ideal for sports and can be picked up at a good price second-hand on eBay...that's where I got mine.

[Paxter]

Originally Posted by JayCee

I can recommend the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO HSM...it would be ideal for sports and can be picked up at a good price second-hand on eBay...that's where I got mine.

What would you call a good price

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by Paxter

What would you call a good price

Well I bought mine for 275UKP.
As a rough guide expect to pay £270-£330UKP depending on condition.

[Paxter]

Thanks Jaycee. I will keep my eyes open. I have noticed that some people on ebay are paying more for lenses than you can buy them new. Makes it hard to get a bargain!

[ush flynn]

for portraits and still life shots i would wholeheartedly recommend the sigma 24-70 DX 2.8 lens, its fairly bulky but stopped at 5.6 or smaller its pin sharp and almost no chromatic abberations. new they are 300 on the net about 230, a superb all round lens my friend good luck