Buying faster lenses vs. more light

[atomick]

This is a broad topic but this seemed to be an apt place to start a discussion about this...

I just wrapped my first shoot with a Canon 5D. Went well, overall, but I was shooting f/4, ISO 400 at 1/60. I really want to push my ISO down for the next one, and we're moving to the 7D (owning instead of renting Ye Olde 5DMkII), bringing a smidge less photo sensitivity.

If I want to get to ISO200, I need to reclaim a stop of light somehow. I have maybe $1K-$2K budget to do so. There are two clear ways to do this: buy faster glass for the 7D, or buy more lighting firepower (or, of course, rent the same).

It seems to me like lenses are a better investment, but this would generally raise ambient light overall...which could be good or bad, and I already have a Pelican case full of canon L glass varying from f/2.8 to f/4. Buying more light lets me put more light where I'd want it, for aesthetic control, but frankly even just the added bulk and power draw is more hassle than just having a faster lens, y'know? :) But, getting some Flo's or other CFL banks would serve great double-duty as softlights and as greenscreen light elements, and an extra fresnel wouldn't hurt. But then again, those faster lenses are great for still shots too...you clearly get the sense of my mental merry-go-round on this. :laugh:

Any fellow DSLR shooters have thoughts on this? How have YOU tackled the faster-lens vs. more powerful lighting fixtures thing?

[Cassius]

This decision should be decided by how much control you want over depth of field. Also be aware that lenses tend to operate at peak sharpness a couple stops less than the maximum openness. Ideally you'll have both. Also, if you are a still photographer with reason to shoot in the dark you'll find those open lenses to be quite useful on many occasions, making them a better investment. Really depends on your needs. The power of lights should also be considered in terms of lighting ratios, in case you use practicals regularly.

I've gotten to be a bit of a minimalist in lighting, so I'm really pushing towards less light whenever possible.

[PerroneFord]

I always buy the fastest glass I can find for a number of reasons:

1. Shallower DOF if desired.

2. THey allow you to use LESS light or no light. Instead of lighting to get ambient levels up and THEN crafting the light on the talent, you can usually dispense with the ambient lighting, and just focus on lighting the talent. This saves time and effort on set, saves in generator costs, reduces the instruments and stands on set, etc.

3. Faster glass is often BETTER glass. So you get better resolving power, better coated optics, less distortion, etc.

4. Resale value should you want to sell or trade is MUCH better.

5. Big glass looks cooler! :)

[morgan_moore]

I reckon if you are using light (and there fore carting it about) use more light

Wide aps are soft and hard to pull focus

of course if you are recording reality and cant light then more F is the only way to go

everyone should own a 50 1.8 of course - best bang for $$$ ever

S

[atomick]

Thanks for all the input, folks. Much appreciated. I think, then, that I should go the faster glass route, and will pick up a set of fast primes (probably 35, 50, and 85). I'll have a good amount of overlap with my current lenses, but they're mostly zooms and will still be used on my 5D (mark I) for stills all the time. Although lighting rentals look more expensive than lens rentals, well, a 50mm f/1.4 lens takes up less room than a Kino Diva in my small home studio. :)

[jonE5]

The good thing about nice primes is that they are usually a lot cheaper than their zoom counterparts but the optics are just as good. Just have to move your feet a little more.

A nice 50mm 1.8 (nikon or canon) can be had usually for under $100, and go from there.

I picked up a 28mm 2.8 (not super awesome but pretty decent) that ive been shooting with a lot lately, since its a good bit wider than my 50mm. (also got for less than $100). These 2 lenses can manage a whole lot really, and are a good starting place IMO.

jon!