Great as a camera can be, it’s often the lens that defines what you can do with your pictures. Also, as you grow and develop, it’s the glass, not the camera bodies, that will stay with you. To help you make your lens choices wisely, we asked working pros from a range of photography fields about the lenses that matter the most to them and why.
CLAUDIO BEIER: Portrait Photographer
(www.claudiobeier.com)
A Brazilian native, Beier graduated from the Hallmark Institute’s photography program and moved to Miami, where he specializes in portrait, fashion, and active lifestyle photography. His strengths include sophisticated lighting and large-scale production projects. Whether shooting in the South Beach surf or on the edge of a Brickell Avenue rooftop pool, this Miami portrait and fashion pro looks for three qualities in lenses: They should be built to last a career, with bright maximum apertures, and, whenever possible, offer built-in image stabilization.
Claudio’s Favorite Lenses:
CANON EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM
“If I were to have only one lens, this would be it,” says Beier. “I like its solid build, exquisite sharpness, and people-friendly focal lengths.” Its long end is absolutely perfect for tight headshots, as you can see here, and its wide end is well-suited to full-lengths. Meanwhile, its midrange settings work for almost everything else. “I don’t think you could ask for anything more in a people lens,” he says.
He especially likes being able to easily bracket his compositions with this standard-range zoom ($1,300, street) by zooming in from full lengths to tight headshots. He also prefers working close to his subjects, so that genuine, interpersonal conversations can take place.
What’s more, he’s enamored of the build. “I’ve shot this lens in chest-deep salt water with the confidence that water splashed on it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s really well weathersealed.”
CANON EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
“This incredibly fast lens gives me the ability to explore shallow depths of field, plus it offers good contrast, minimal vignetting, is extremely sharp and fast-focusing,” says Beier.
For defocusing a cluttered or distracting background, as well as romantically drawing attention to a subject—especially to the face—this lens ($1,460, street) is killer.
“Canon has slower, more affordable variants of a 50mm,” Beier says, “but I wouldn’t spend the money until you can buy this one. It’s worth every cent.”
CANON EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Beier suggests this one as a first telephoto zoom lens ($2,270, street) for any serious portrait photographer.
Its image-stabilization system and fast aperture allow for low-light, handheld telephoto shots. And, from the wide to tele ends, the whole focal length range works beautifully for most people pictures.
Ultimately, this may not wind up being your favorite go-to lens. But no doubt it will pay back its cost many times over as a real workhorse, especially for portraitists, wedding and event photographers, and fashion shooters.
Used in this Shot: Canon 24–70mm f/2.8 L USM
($1,300, street)
One of Canon’s superior L-series lenses, this full-framer is sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture, focuses internally, and sports Canon’s fast and quiet USM AF motor. Fairly compact, with a well-damped zoom ring, it lets you flip very easily between full-length verticals and tight, horizontal headshots. It’s sharp, and very fast. “The next generation of this lens, however, must have image stabilization!” Beier demands.
COMPARABLES:
Nikon 24–70mm f/2.8G ED Zoom-Nikkor ($1,700, street) This fast-aperture, well-built, full-frame, standard-range zoom is on the heavy side and lacks stabilization, but is otherwise a must-have zoom for Nikon portraitists and wedding pros.
Olympus 14–35mm f/2 ED SWD Zuiko Digital ($2,300, street) The industry’s fastest standard zoom, it’s dust- and moisture-resistant, with a silent AF drive. Its petal-shaped lenshood offers a finger portal for positioning filters without having to remove the hood. Obviously, it’s digital-only.
Sigma 24–70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM ($900, street) Sigma’s top-drawer standard, full-frame zoom, this lens is quiet focusing, with 1:3.8 maximum subject magnification, and, at 4 inches long, very compact for transport.
Tokina 16–50mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX ($550, street)This digital-only lens scales up to a 24–75mm on most APS-C bodies, is speedy and fast-focusing, and it has a convenient push-pull AF/MF clutch and a special water-repellent coating on its front element.
Have you compared this lens to a Sigma one? I have been looking into buying the Canon but would prefer to buy a few extra things if the Sigma would perform the same way, please help. Thanks
"We asked four pro photographers what there go to glass is." I think you meant "their", not "there".
Before you buy that Sigma, be advised that there are a tremendous amount of comoplaints about the Sigma Lenses Syncing up with the Canon Camera Bodies. There are errors messages alot.
I almost bought a Sigma until I heard all the rukus.
I like Tamron myself. They have a 6 year warranty and the shots I get are great. Haven't had any issues with it. I have a 28-300mm and that is what I leave on my camera. Look at a Tamron!
The six year warranty offered by Tamron is a joke. I purchased the Tamron 28-300 lens and after 5 months of light use, the focusing barrel locked up. They refused to honor the warranty. I had been a
Tamron customer for 20 years, but never again will I buy one of their lenses. I buy Canon lenses exclusively now; they are well constructed and never give me a problem. Tamron may offer a six year warranty but they do not honor it.
I bought a Sigma 18-200 DC OS for my Canon 50D and am disappointed in the results. Focusing doesn't track well and when shooting at 18mm to about 100mm the focus is soft. Maybe there is something to the complaints that Sigma lenses don't sync up to Canon cameraCreiosbo No bodies though I never had an error message.
Typing error. That's "Canon camera bodies"
Rebecca:
I have several L series lenses for my Canon 5D and 5D MK II. I have the Canon 70-200 F4 L series but was given a new Sigma 70-200 F2.8 about a year ago by my wife and I love it. I had the same Tamron mentioned above a few years back and the barrel came apart when it was about 6 months old. They fixed it but I gave it away as the image quality was to soft for my commercial use.
The Sigma however is every bit as sharp through out the entire zoom range as my Canon. I don't even carry the Canon in my bag anymore when on location. I use the Canon 24-105 F4 for my studio work and it is probably the one lense I would buy if it were the only lense I could afford. Perfect for portraits and interior work and Tack Sharp at all ranges and F stops.
I agree, the Canon 24-105 is a real sweetheart. It's my every- day walk around lens.
I have the Tamron 28-300 and had the same problem. I called Tamron and gave me instruction on how to send it back and they honored the warranty without any questions. I had another problem that they also fixed without any static or run-a-round. I have three Tamron lenses and they perform well and have never had a problem with any repair work or warrranty being honored. I'm looking at the new series of zooms in the 70 to 300 range with a faster f.stop..
I have the Tamron 28-300 and had the same problem. I called Tamron and gave me instruction on how to send it back and they honored the warranty without any questions. I had another problem that they also fixed without any static or run-a-round. I have three Tamron lenses and they perform well and have never had a problem with any repair work or warrranty being honored. I'm looking at the new series of zooms in the 70 to 300 range with a faster f.stop..
For anyone considering if they should buy the Canon or Nikon lens versus Sigma and others....the resale on the Canon (and I believe the Nikon) lens is MUCH better. I have some Canon L glass. I sold a 24-70 f2.8 L for about 90% of the new price....i don't see that type of resale for sigma lenses...check ebay auctions and watch what they sell for versus new. That will give some indication.
The photo of the model taken with the Canon 24-70 lens, to me, is not as good as one would be taken with a Kodak point and shoot. Look at the fuzzy ears, and no expression, no life, no class, and no pizzaz. When taking the photo of a bug on a plant, it is nice to fuzz out the background to accentuate the bug, but not when taking a model. There are so many photos that we see "published" in a photo magazine that are just ordinary photos that any one could take. I don't think that Canon would be impressed with the photo and the way it was taken with their lens. With todays cameras and lenses, a photographer has to be more creative and give more exceptional photos to be acceptable.
I find that several manufacturers have big appraises for a selective line of popular lenses with full warranties that are hardly honored when the lenses go bad. I find that Canon EF-S 18-200 standard zoom category feature lens with the most popular focal length,from wide-angle to telephoto, and a variety of apertures is possibly the most perfect walking-around lens ever made. It covers all the most common focal length you need day-to-day.
I had the NIKON AF 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6G VR Zoom-Nikkor, but got rid of it because I wasn't happy with the quality of the images. I much prefer the NIKON 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens, but it is extremely heavy and of course I miss out on the wider shots.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens that takes pictures like the 70-200 f/2.8 but has the range of the 18-200mm for Nikon?
Thanks in advance!
Despite of what some "pros" say about them being too compromised all around lenses are definitely very usefull when you go off road and have to carry camera gear and other things for long times.
It's just that the longer the zoom range (especially when starting from wide angle) the harder it gets to keep all numerous aberrations under control meaning need for very complex and expensive optical designs.
So expecting consumer priced >10x zooms to be optically at same level with premium lenses or lot smaller range zooms isn't very wise.
Besides there's question of manufacturing tolerances which affects even premium lenses:
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2010.03.06/this-lens-is-soft-and-other-f...
For all around travel lens Panasonic Leica D 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6 Four Thirds lens (28-300mm FOV) would deserve to be mentioned. It lacks weather sealing but optically its easily match for Canon EF 28-300mm and very compact&light thanks to smaller image circle requirement.
Pop Photo article on lens use is good but everyone should take the time to read and understand the article on camers and lenses quoted in the post by EsaT on Feb. 5, 2011 by Roger Cicala os Lensrentals.com. I read every word of it and find the article very informative.
I though the article was well written and I had a lot of reinforcement for what I thought was great glass.
I am no bug expert but the feature photo is a dead bug-not that difficult to capture.
Just a note about the Tamron 17-50mm zoom. The older non VC version may have better optics according to the folks at lensrentals.com.
I've had the Canon 24-70L for 6 years and absolutely love it! It's on my camera 80% of the time. Eventually looking to round out my kit with the 70-200L.
For portraits nothing will stand up to a Nikon 85 f/1.4G. No distortion and sharp even wide open.
I COMPLETELY AGREE with these leneses. I have a Canon and love my 24-70 and the 50m 1.2 is unbelievably sharp.
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Have you compared this lens to a Sigma one? I have been looking into buying the Canon but would prefer to buy a few extra things if the Sigma would perform the same way, please help. Thanks
"We asked four pro photographers what there go to glass is." I think you meant "their", not "there".
Before you buy that Sigma, be advised that there are a tremendous amount of comoplaints about the Sigma Lenses Syncing up with the Canon Camera Bodies. There are errors messages alot.
I almost bought a Sigma until I heard all the rukus.
I like Tamron myself. They have a 6 year warranty and the shots I get are great. Haven't had any issues with it. I have a 28-300mm and that is what I leave on my camera. Look at a Tamron!
The six year warranty offered by Tamron is a joke. I purchased the Tamron 28-300 lens and after 5 months of light use, the focusing barrel locked up. They refused to honor the warranty. I had been a
Tamron customer for 20 years, but never again will I buy one of their lenses. I buy Canon lenses exclusively now; they are well constructed and never give me a problem. Tamron may offer a six year warranty but they do not honor it.
I bought a Sigma 18-200 DC OS for my Canon 50D and am disappointed in the results. Focusing doesn't track well and when shooting at 18mm to about 100mm the focus is soft. Maybe there is something to the complaints that Sigma lenses don't sync up to Canon cameraCreiosbo No bodies though I never had an error message.
Typing error. That's "Canon camera bodies"
Rebecca:
I have several L series lenses for my Canon 5D and 5D MK II. I have the Canon 70-200 F4 L series but was given a new Sigma 70-200 F2.8 about a year ago by my wife and I love it. I had the same Tamron mentioned above a few years back and the barrel came apart when it was about 6 months old. They fixed it but I gave it away as the image quality was to soft for my commercial use.
The Sigma however is every bit as sharp through out the entire zoom range as my Canon. I don't even carry the Canon in my bag anymore when on location. I use the Canon 24-105 F4 for my studio work and it is probably the one lense I would buy if it were the only lense I could afford. Perfect for portraits and interior work and Tack Sharp at all ranges and F stops.
I agree, the Canon 24-105 is a real sweetheart. It's my every- day walk around lens.
I have the Tamron 28-300 and had the same problem. I called Tamron and gave me instruction on how to send it back and they honored the warranty without any questions. I had another problem that they also fixed without any static or run-a-round. I have three Tamron lenses and they perform well and have never had a problem with any repair work or warrranty being honored. I'm looking at the new series of zooms in the 70 to 300 range with a faster f.stop..
I have the Tamron 28-300 and had the same problem. I called Tamron and gave me instruction on how to send it back and they honored the warranty without any questions. I had another problem that they also fixed without any static or run-a-round. I have three Tamron lenses and they perform well and have never had a problem with any repair work or warrranty being honored. I'm looking at the new series of zooms in the 70 to 300 range with a faster f.stop..
For anyone considering if they should buy the Canon or Nikon lens versus Sigma and others....the resale on the Canon (and I believe the Nikon) lens is MUCH better. I have some Canon L glass. I sold a 24-70 f2.8 L for about 90% of the new price....i don't see that type of resale for sigma lenses...check ebay auctions and watch what they sell for versus new. That will give some indication.
The photo of the model taken with the Canon 24-70 lens, to me, is not as good as one would be taken with a Kodak point and shoot. Look at the fuzzy ears, and no expression, no life, no class, and no pizzaz. When taking the photo of a bug on a plant, it is nice to fuzz out the background to accentuate the bug, but not when taking a model. There are so many photos that we see "published" in a photo magazine that are just ordinary photos that any one could take. I don't think that Canon would be impressed with the photo and the way it was taken with their lens. With todays cameras and lenses, a photographer has to be more creative and give more exceptional photos to be acceptable.
I find that several manufacturers have big appraises for a selective line of popular lenses with full warranties that are hardly honored when the lenses go bad. I find that Canon EF-S 18-200 standard zoom category feature lens with the most popular focal length,from wide-angle to telephoto, and a variety of apertures is possibly the most perfect walking-around lens ever made. It covers all the most common focal length you need day-to-day.
I had the NIKON AF 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6G VR Zoom-Nikkor, but got rid of it because I wasn't happy with the quality of the images. I much prefer the NIKON 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens, but it is extremely heavy and of course I miss out on the wider shots.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens that takes pictures like the 70-200 f/2.8 but has the range of the 18-200mm for Nikon?
Thanks in advance!
Despite of what some "pros" say about them being too compromised all around lenses are definitely very usefull when you go off road and have to carry camera gear and other things for long times.
It's just that the longer the zoom range (especially when starting from wide angle) the harder it gets to keep all numerous aberrations under control meaning need for very complex and expensive optical designs.
So expecting consumer priced >10x zooms to be optically at same level with premium lenses or lot smaller range zooms isn't very wise.
Besides there's question of manufacturing tolerances which affects even premium lenses:
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2010.03.06/this-lens-is-soft-and-other-f...
For all around travel lens Panasonic Leica D 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6 Four Thirds lens (28-300mm FOV) would deserve to be mentioned. It lacks weather sealing but optically its easily match for Canon EF 28-300mm and very compact&light thanks to smaller image circle requirement.
Pop Photo article on lens use is good but everyone should take the time to read and understand the article on camers and lenses quoted in the post by EsaT on Feb. 5, 2011 by Roger Cicala os Lensrentals.com. I read every word of it and find the article very informative.
I though the article was well written and I had a lot of reinforcement for what I thought was great glass.
I am no bug expert but the feature photo is a dead bug-not that difficult to capture.
Just a note about the Tamron 17-50mm zoom. The older non VC version may have better optics according to the folks at lensrentals.com.
I've had the Canon 24-70L for 6 years and absolutely love it! It's on my camera 80% of the time. Eventually looking to round out my kit with the 70-200L.
For portraits nothing will stand up to a Nikon 85 f/1.4G. No distortion and sharp even wide open.
Boston Wedding Photographer
I COMPLETELY AGREE with these leneses. I have a Canon and love my 24-70 and the 50m 1.2 is unbelievably sharp.
Boston Wedding Photographer