Lens for Canon 400d

[amyferguson]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a new lens for my canon 400d (I currently mainly use the kit 18-55mm). I would mainly be using it for fashion and portrait shoots outdoors. I'm not sure what I want yet so I was wondering what you guys are using for such shoots?

I'm still deciding on how much I want to spend so feel free to mention any no matter what the cost I know this is an incredibly vague question but I am just interested in seeing what other people like to use.

[anglefire]

Very vague and I shall give, in the absence of anyone else saying anything, an equally vague answer!

Well, not vague as such - just look here. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/C...rait-Lens.aspx

Lots of suggestions, but for outdoors, then his suggestion of the 70-200f2.8LIS is a good one.

[flake]

Yes very vague indeed! Personally I look at the digital picture from time to time, but it really is a biased site in favour of Canons own brand lenses to the exclusion of everything else, and it also seems to find many lenses better than others do.

The 70 -200mm f/2.8 IS L is due for a replacement immenently so I'd avoid that until it's launched and the price falls, but there is the rumour of a 100-200mm f/2 IS L which will definitely become the portrait & fashion photographers lens of choice. You didn't mention a price but I expect that this lens will be just a little outside your budget!

For a cheaper alternative look at the 85mm f1.8 or the 100mm f/2 If you want a dual purpose there's the 100mm f2.8 Macro

[anglefire]

I knew you would say that Flake. But then I forgot that you believe all the other sites you read.

[Andyjack]

Hi Amy,
I too have the 400D, and most of my shots are of my little boy getting up to his tricks, so outdoor portraits are a good chunk of what I get up to.
As a cost effective all rounder, I bought a canon 60mm f2.8 macro, and it's never off my camera! A reasonably fast aperture, great for dull days and wide enough to throw out a background, it gets you close without being on top of your subject (90mm equivalent), it's short enough to handhold, and I find under-exposing slightly with it helps most shots and gives a slightly faster shutter speed. In my personal experience, I can't speak highly enough of this lens. At 350 pounds I think it a bargain, especially when you throw in it's macro ability, which I'm having great fun experimenting with at the moment.
Yes, you can get longer, faster lenses better for portraiture, but they are way out of my price range and wouldn't get used anywhere near as much as this one.
I progressed to it from the kit lens too, the difference is quite something.
I don't have much experience of other similar lenses, but if it sounds like it fits the bill it might be worth a look

I love it.
Regards
andy

[cosmicma]

iv'e been toying with the idea of picking up a canon 60mm macro myself for a while i allready have a sigma 105mm macro the canon would replace it
i imagine the sigma 105 on a full frame sensor would make a wonderfull portrait lens but on a cropped sensor it doesn't quite make it in my book ( thats why iv'e been looking at the canon 60mm macro )

as a walk around lens i think the canon 24 -105mm f4 L IS is ideal for most situations although much more expensive than the 60mm macro

[flake]

Don't buy a 60mm macro just yet, it's about to be replaced by an IS version with the same unit in the 100mm IS L macro. Either the existing lens will be cheaper or you will be able to buy a better spec'd version.

[cosmicma]

thanks for the heads up

[anglefire]

Flake I assume you are referring to the Camera Rumours site - The one you refer to is listed as CR1 - for those that don't know, basically a report from a new source to that site.

Not saying it won't happen, but the 60mm macro is stunning lens as is and is not that old. Having said that, there have been a lot on the Canon Ebay shop for sale.

[amyferguson]

Thanks everyone! I know it was kind of hard to answe,r considering it was a very general question, so I appreciate you taking the time to respond