Monday, February 24, 2014

Canon EOS 7D Lens Recommendations?




Katie


I am planning on buying a Canon EOS 7D (with the kit lens-Canon 28-135mm IS f/3.5-5.6) within the next couple weeks, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for some lenses. I just need some recommendations on lenses that I can use as I am getting used to the camera (good to learn with) and that I will be able to use as I progress and be used on possibly a professional basis. I will be using the camera for shooting everything, not anything specific if that helps any.

I'm only 16, but I design web sites so I have a very good income, so price isn't that big of a deal as long as it is worth it. I would still like the prices to be reasonable if that isn't too much to ask... I have been looking for a macro lens, fish eye lens, and a wide angle lens specifically, but I would like to get a wide variety of lenses.

If anyone has any recommendations for anything else that I would need to buy with this camera that would be great. I figure if I'm spending this much on a camera I would like to put it to good use.

Should I get a battery grip?

What kind of CF memory card should I get?

Bag recommendations that can keep everything safe?

I know I want to work on time lapses, so I need a recommendation for a intervolmeter. Any good ones?

Anything else I'm forgetting?

I have an idea on what I need for the last couple questions, but I would like a second opinion.

Thanks to anyone who helps!



Answer
Forget the 28-135, no usable wide angle, if you want a walkaround. Beleive it or not the 18-55 EF-S IS is actually a stonking lens if you can get one for the right cash (split from kit, nearly new on an auction site etc)

I prefer a mix of primes and fast zooms for my 7D:

Tokina 11-16 f2.8. Exemplary lens, head and shoulders above any of the other UWAs.

Canon 18-55 IS (previously had the 17-40 F4L, but was using this lens more often, so sold the 17-40, which is a good lens, but not worth the extra to my mind, having used both on a 7D)

Canon 70-200 f2.8L (non IS version. A lot of lens for the money, optically superior to all but the IS mk2) a benchmark.

Canon 50mm f1.8. Rude not to, great low light or portrait shooter.

Sigma 70mm f2.8 EX Macro. The most sensible and optically the best macro for APS-C type cameras.

Lensbaby composer. Effect lens.

CF card recommendations: Sandisk, Extreme, Just make sure your cam has firmware 1.2.5 installed. If not, install it.

I use an intervalometer I bought on ebay for £20. Works. Can't say much else about it.

For your timelapse its worth getting a lens with a mechanical iris, such as a m42 type with an EOS converter, something like a 28 or 35mm lens would be quite flexible, and as it's a prime, should be optically ok.

Timelapse on an EF or EFs lens requires the lens to be used wide open, or to stop down every exposure, and there are sometimes very minute variations on the lens stop down, even at a set aperture, causing flicker. A mechanical iris lens gets round this. M42 lenses also avoid any complications with back focus etc. Cheap too.

You'll also want an ND filter, perhaps even a variable, though you would only want to use this on moderate focul lengths. Timelapse works best if you introduce some shutter drag/motion blur, meaning a longer exposure. In daylight this will not be possible unless you have additional filtration on the lens. A variable ND, whilst not always optically the absolute best solution, is at least very flexible.

Can I turn off the strobe bursts on the canon 7d when I am auto focusing in low light?




Jayne X


Like in a restaurant in dim lighting, the autofocus works with no strobe to focus when the flash is off but the exposure is too long. I would like to use the flash but without the obnoxious strobe before it...is there a way to do this?
Canon 7d with 28-135 usm lens
I stated that with the flash off it will, in fact, focus with no problems in certain dim situations. The problem is with that length of exposure things will, of course, blur (only with motion of the hand or subjects).

So, I will ask again, does anyone know how to disable this function for such occasions?
If you do not know, you do not have to answer, and definately don't insult my intelligence, like the 1st responder. He was rude and still didn't offer any enlightenment. But I'm all for tips from HELPFUL individuals.
Thanks Caoedhen! You're the only one that actually answered my question. Anyone could go and answer thousands of yahoo questions about electronics by advising them to READ THEIR MANUAL, but is that really an answer or accurate "HOW TO"...I think not.

For others needing a QUICKER more concise answer:

HERE'S THE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
****Go to MENU, SELECT "C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive" SELECT #11 which is AF-assist beam firing and disable from there. Now THAT'S an answer, without the condescending arrogant tone ;-)



Answer
In the Owner's Manual for your camera it should explain how to disable the focus assist. You will then need to turn the AF on the camera and lens to M (for manual focus) and manually focus the lens.

To prevent blur caused by camera movement or subject movement you need a faster shutter speed. Unless you'd like to invest in a fast prime lens such as the 20mm f2.8 or 24mm f2.8 or 28mm f1.8 or 35mm f2.0 or 50mm f1,8 the only way to get a faster shutter speed using your slow, variable aperture 28-135mm zoom is to increase the ISO - probably to at least 1600 and maybe even 3200.

NOTE: Those of us who've been on here a long time like Jim and I know from experience that few people actually read and study the Owner's Manual so right or wrong its usually the first thing suggested. In my opinion Jim wasn't rude.




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