Kit lens "Yea or Nah"

[J. Odoms]

Ok I'v been thinking about this kit lens, I need help

Being that the 7D multiplies the lens, the kit lens (28mm-135mm) would become a (50mm-216mm F3.5-5.6) and for $200 thats a wide range but alas its not very fast, which I would only assume it has a horrendous low light performance.

So my question is should I save my $200 and put that towards a faster lens say a Sigma 30mm F1.4 which will give me my 50mm lens, and add more lenses later.

Or should I get the Kit lens, being that it's a zoom lens it covers alot of bases, but its slow as dog pee, and Winters right around the corner so I'm imagining alot of indoor shoots inorder for me to just testing out the camera.

During taxes I will most likely add some more glass, which will give me a broader range, such as the Sigma 50mm F1.4 I(80mm F1.4) and so on, but I was just wondering what you guys would suggest.

Oh and i almost forgot I'll be using this rig just for Video, and almost never for stills, as I don't really do that, but I might in the future.

I've already placed my pre-order with Best Buy and it doesn't get to me until the 15th anyway, so me altering my pre-order won't change the shipping date so thats not a concern, so what would You suggest.

[Perry Wilson]

from the vids I have seen with this lens and for $200 I couldn't resist...

[MikeWilkinson]

I ordered one. I shoot plenty of stills, and a versatile zoom lens is nice to have. I spent 10 days in Morocco with a 5dm2 and shot thousands of stills and plenty of video using a similar 28-135 lens. I was pleased with the results.

Keep in mind, I plan to get a fast 35, and a wide angle. For $200 I won't turn down a versatile lens; when I'm running around during the day and taking photos, and I can only take one lens, guess what I'm taking?

[J. Odoms]

I actually can't remember any vids which informed us that they were infact using the kit lens. Everyone of Blooms vids stated either a Nikon or Tokina lens. Then there's the one guy who had the video of the carnival, which was a whole set of diffrent lenses. And the most recent vid of the another night in Bejing video also had diffrent lenses, so IDK, I just can't remember, but that price is ok, because that lens is actually a $400 lens, so thats not bad 50% off, but if it didn't come with one would you have bought it.

Also I went to a camera shop here in Chicago yesterday and was shown an entirely diffrent kit lens setup for the 7D. For another $100 so $1999 you would get a 18-85mm or something like that. Which is a way better choice, but he didn't have an eta for that one so I wouldn't get it anyway, but it made re consider this kit lens.

[Rakesh Jacob]

I'm not too crazy about that lens my self (especially for video, useless indoors in available light) but for $200 it's not a bad starter telephoto to have around just in case. But you will definitly use that sigma a lot more I think.
And dogs pee pretty fast, not sure if that's a good analogy :)

[J. Odoms]

when I'm running around during the day and taking photos, and I can only take one lens, guess what I'm taking?

Thats just my point, I won't be only doing day time shots, or even doing only stills. i imagine I will have more shoots indoors, and possibly at night, which makes for a lower light setting, but thats why i'm petitioning suggestions, because I'm undecided.

[MikeWilkinson]

For another $100 so $1999 you would get a 18-85mm or something like that. Which is a way better choice, but he didn't have an eta for that one so I wouldn't get it anyway, but it made re consider this kit lens.

Word to that. I noticed the 18-135 after I already ordered. It would be nicer to have, especially at only $100 more, but with no ETA I'm not going to wait.

Also, I would probably not buy this lens for $400. But will for $200 :)

[J. Odoms]

And dogs pee pretty fast, not sure if that's a good analogy :)

LOL I see what you did there.

[J. Odoms]

I would probably not buy this lens for $400. But will for $200 :)

You know thats funny because thats exactly what the camera salesman said. He was like it's funny because Canon has a butt load of these lenses just sitting around, and they package them with the new camera on the block so they can get rid of inventory. And he was like at least for this camera they could have made a different kit lens to package with it seeing that the 7D is a multiplier because of the APS-C.

It kinda opened my eyes a little.

[mhood]

I went with the kit. Why not for $200? IMO, you might think about the 50mm 1.8 Prime ($100) for your indoor low light work. Why not for $100?

[Boz]

I vote 'meh.' I'm saving the $200 and using it towards the Sigma 30mm f1.4... but I already have a Tamron 17-200mm for a 'walking around' lens.

[Rakesh Jacob]

I vote 'meh.' I'm saving the $200 and using it towards the Sigma 30mm f1.4... but I already have a Tamron 17-200mm for a 'walking around' lens.
That's a badass walkaround still lens, I got that for my Dad's 30D

[MikeWilkinson]

Thats just my point, I won't be only doing day time shots, or even doing only stills. i imagine I will have more shoots indoors, and possibly at night, which makes for a lower light setting, but thats why i'm petitioning suggestions, because I'm undecided.

Sweet. Sounds like you should totally get a fast lens then. :thumbup:

[J. Odoms]

you might think about the 50mm 1.8 Prime ($100) for your indoor low light work. Why not for $100?

What 50mm F1.8 prime costs $100, links please.

[Michael Olsen]

What 50mm F1.8 prime costs $100, links please.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU


And....go.

[Stephen Mick]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

[MikeWilkinson]

http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html

[Rakesh Jacob]

DUDE the Canon 50mm f1.8 II. I've used it with a 5Dmkii and Rebel T1i, best $100 investment ever!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-GREY/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

EDIT: You get the point, and JINX, JINX, JINX, that 3 diet cokes for me!

[J. Odoms]

R u serious, this lens is only $100, I am soooooooooooooooooooooo buying it right now.

[J. Odoms]

Although it becomes a friggin 80mm on the 7D

[Rakesh Jacob]

Just take 2 steps back and save your self a couple hundred bucks LOL

I havnt had any issues framing but I'm also not crazy about wides or establshing shots, so it may not work for your style maybe???

[J. Odoms]

But how does it perform with a follow focus rig, such as the RedRock Micro follow focus system.

[Rakesh Jacob]

But how does it perform with a follow focus rig, such as the RedRock Micro follow focus system.

I'm not sure it does. It's focus ring is on the lip of the lens and is very thin. I thought it would be hard at first but it was real easy to pull focus by hand.

[sblfilms]

Although it becomes a friggin 80mm on the 7D

No it doesn't. The lens doesn't magically change into an 80mm just because it is on a crop body. The field of view compared to a FF sensor is the only difference, and I'm going to go out on a limb here but I am going to assume if you are buying a $100 lens you probably have never shot full frame anyway so the field of view difference literally means nothing.

[J. Odoms]

I'm going to go out on a limb here but I am going to assume if you are buying a $100 lens you probably have never shot full frame anyway so the field of view difference literally means nothing.

Nah you are right, I have not shot on a FF sensor, but was, apparently, misunderstanding the cropping factor.

So please enlighten me, regarding different lenses.

[sblfilms]

The only thing you need to know is that you aren't shooting on a FF sensor so you don't need to think about it. Your 50mm lens is still a 50mm lens, go make some movies :grin:.

[mhood]

Here we go again. If you want a MCU, you will have to set your 7D two steps (or so) farther back than you would set your 5D using the same 50mm lens on both cameras. Like Johnny said...two steps back.

[J. Odoms]

Thats crazy because of all this talk about it being on the 7D and multipliers. 1.6, yada yada yada, I have passed up some pretty great deals and such just because of my miss understanding, but alas it is corrcted. I'll just have to make due.

But from what I saw with P. B.'s video comparing the rolling shutter of the MK2 and 7D I did see what you mean by taking a couple steps back for the smae lens. But still all-in all that FF feature of the 5DMK2 looked great. Especially when we see him compare the candle. the framing of that shot just looked better than the one with the 7D.

[mhood]

He didn't back up two steps with the 7D. ;-)

The problem is when you are shooting in a small space (like a typical office) and want a wider shot. When you run out of room to move back with the 1.6 crop's 50mm view, you have to go with a wider lens (I have a 28mm for just such an occasion) or settle for a closer shot than you wanted.

[J. Odoms]

See now this makes wayyyyyy more sense. We should attmpt to stop people from posting all of their ho hum thoughts regarding this type of system, because it can confuse people, and when I say people I mean me, LOL.

I completely get it, now, and that was so simple to explain. MHood, you are Legend.

So i'll probably order a

Sigma 30mm F1.4

that Canon 50mm F1.8 that was mentioned earlier

and a Tokina 11-16mm F2.8

coupled with my kit lens, and should be good to go.

Until taxes when my wife releases me to spend some more cash.

[mhood]

MHood, you are Legend.

In my own mind maybe... LOL! Sounds like a sweet set of lenses to me.

I went with:

28-135mm kit lens
50mm EF 1.4 USM prime
28mm EF 1.8 USM prime
Tamron 17-50 2.8 zoom

I couldn't afford the Tokina but I sure wish I could.

[zeke]

For shooting movies, the new Tamron 17-50 seems to be the best all around lens.
The problem you will run into using primes from different manufacturers is your video will look like it was shot with different types of lenses and or cameras, including different color, light, CA and distortion. Have fun in post matching it all up. Just ask people who've used 35mm adaptors on video cameras what many of them went through.

That's one of the reasons why 'matched' primes for professional cinema cameras are so expensive.
Zeiss not only garauntees their primes will match, but their zooms too (intercut between any of them).

[J. Odoms]

For shooting movies, the new Tamron 17-50 seems to be the best all around lens.
The problem you will run into using primes from different manufacturers is your video will look like it was shot with different types of lenses and or cameras, including different color, light, CA and distortion. Have fun in post matching it all up. Just ask people who've used 35mm adaptors on video cameras what many of them went through.

That's one of the reasons why 'matched' primes for professional cinema cameras are so expensive.
Zeiss not only garauntees their primes will match, but their zooms too (intercut between any of them).

Interesting, I actually never thought of that little tid bit. So by your logic if I go with all Canon glass it will be a more evenly dispersed image, than changing lens comp to lens comp. But how about Canon EF lenses vs EFL's, how does that factor in.:huh:

[zeke]

Even among the same manufacturer when it comes to primes. In still photography, this is a non issue. You want lenses that give you distinct characteristics, different from one lens to another. For video, you don't. The Canons will match up better between them, but not as well as ones designed for cinema. A good zoom reduces that problem, and the last couple of years, zooms have gotten quite good resolution wise.

Also, when I referred to Zeiss, I was talking about the cinema lenses, not stills. I don't know how their still lenses match up.

[Michael Olsen]

Even among the same manufacturer when it comes to primes. In still photography, this is a non issue. You want lenses that give you distinct characteristics, different from one lens to another. For video, you don't. The Canons will match up better between them, but not as well as ones designed for cinema. A good zoom reduces that problem, and the last couple of years, zooms have gotten quite good resolution wise.

Also, when I referred to Zeiss, I was talking about the cinema lenses, not stills. I don't know how their still lenses match up.

It actually can happen within the same lens. There are some that are soft wide, then get really sharp, then get soft again, then sharper at the longer focal lengths.

Also, remember, breathing is a factor as well. Many photographic zooms are huffers.

[zeke]

It actually can happen within the same lens. There are some that are soft wide, then get really sharp, then get soft again, then sharper at the longer focal lengths.

Also, remember, breathing is a factor as well. Many photographic zooms are huffers.

Yes, but I didn't want to discourage people too much :).

[J. Odoms]

But with primes this is a non issue correct, no breathing, r am I wrong?

[Michael Olsen]

But with primes this is a non issue correct, no breathing, r am I wrong?

Generally less than on zooms.

[wilcal]

I went with the kit. Why not for $200? IMO, you might think about the 50mm 1.8 Prime ($100) for your indoor low light work. Why not for $100?

IMO lens #1 ( Kit lens ) then lens #2 Canon 50mm 1.8 is a
no brainer. Cheap, easy to use and not a lot of buyers
remorse of you chuck either into the tipsy dumpster
if and when you replace them. It's lens #3 that's the
real challenge. My #3 was the Tokina 11~16 2.8. Cost
almost as much as the camera ( T3i ).

[NormanBates]

I don't think that's going to be very helpful, two years later... but hey, you never know who ends up stumbling into these threads!