Choosing the right lens for your SLR

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, the swap I initiated, oh, I don’t know… two months ago, has finally come through. I just got my new Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 ASF DG EX which I’ll be sending the swappee my Sigma 20mm 1.8 for. I’ll be sad to let a prime lens (and that extra stop) go, but I’ve learnt I just don’t feel comfortable at 20mm and sometimes practicality wins out over quality (a prime is sharper than a zoom, but it sucks to have to carry them all).

I’ve been wanting to write a bit about lens choice for a while now. You can get quite lost in glass envy and greed, even if you’re well aware it’s not about the tools, it’s about what you *see*. But once you get past the ‘complete beginner’ stage, you’ll find out that you do need the tools that suit *your* style.

lensswap.gif

A 20mm wide angle distances the photographer from the subject, if you don’t move in real close. As someone who is awkward and shy, moving in real close is a problem for me. And I want to get closer to the world through my photography, not remove myself from it even further.

I start feeling more comfortable at 24mm. At that distance, it’s like viewing the world through your own eyes. It could be different for you. If you can, borrow or rent different types of lenses so you can get a feel for what suits you best. And remember that there’s a huge second hand market out there for sale or swaps – a lens that’s been treated well doesn’t go down in value all that much.

This 24-70 complements my 70-200 nicely. I’ve got the whole range covered now.

Now can I go home please, boss, to play with my new toy?

Focussed

There are too many lenses too chose from, enough to drive a camera enthusiast crazy. But I think I’ve got it narrowed down. I’m looking to buy a 20 or 24mm prime (i.e. a fixed focal length, not a zoom) in New York. It’ll be good to capture the city and should become my standard ‘walk around’ lens. Good zooms (Canon L-series, i.e. not the consumer type) are too expensive for my budget and consumer zooms are too soft for me as I’ve become used to the quality generated by my 50mm and 85mm Canon primes.

These are my options:

Canon 20mm/2.8
| Canon 24mm/2.8 | Sigma 20mm/1.8 | Sigma 24mm/1.8

If it’s all about saving $$, I should pick a Canon lens. The difference between prices here and in the USA is quite a bit more than $100. There’s not as big a difference for the Sigma brand. Around 30 to 80 dollars (though they do come with hoods and tube cases. Canon is stingy on them.). It seems from the many tests and opinions I’ve read that the Sigmas out-perform their Canon counterparts for these particular focal lenghts. I reckon I’ll end up with one of the Sigmas, whichever feels the best on the day. They’re prettier too. Always important.

If money was no option, I’d probably get the Canon 16-35/2.8 L.

Also gots me one of these rapid Sandisk cards.