Help with which lenses

[Willie Xia]

So I just purchased the Canon 80D, but it does not include the kit lens. I want to get the best of both worlds of photography and videography. I'm planning to buy the 50mm f1.8 STM cause that's like the standard lens for portrait photography, but I don't really know what lenses to use for videography... In terms of the video I may shoot, it'll probably be like music videos, or adventure montages and whatnot. Let's say I have a budget of $500 and already have the 50mm f1.8, should I really spend money on a 18-55mm STM kit lens? Which lenses should I buy? Thanks in advance!!

[Daniel Z.]

get that and a nice zoom lens

[19_blackie_73]

I'd probably get the 50mm and then look for a used sigma 18-35mm, its one of the sharpest lenses out there and for example jayztwocents uses this one basically for everything on every camera what i have seen so it can't be that bad for videography either

[xQubeZx]

Try and find a used Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 That is probably one of the best lenses you will get for that price. And that focal length is quite versatile imo. With both some wideangle and the 35mm end will work good for portraits.

[Willie Xia]

7 hours ago, 19_blackie_73 said:

I'd probably get the 50mm and then look for a used sigma 18-35mm, its one of the sharpest lenses out there and for example jayztwocents uses this one basically for everything on every camera what i have seen so it can't be that bad for videography either

 

6 hours ago, xQubeZx said:

Try and find a used Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 That is probably one of the best lenses you will get for that price. And that focal length is quite versatile imo. With both some wideangle and the 35mm end will work good for portraits.

The sigma sure is nice, but it does come with a hefty price... Also a deal breaker for me, is how there is no image stabilization and the fact that it's only 18-35mm so you don't get much zoom. Any other recommendations??

[Willie Xia]

Should I get the Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM?

[cc143]

The price of the sigma is quite good considering the quality, anything other than the 2 you mentioned will come in far more expensive than the sigma.

 

Also, those lenses won't work great for video because of their narrow and variable aperture, making the sigma your best bet. 

 

The Tampon 15-30 2.8 vc and 24-70 vc could also work, but they are more expensive than the sigma and both are slower, 2.8 vs 1.8.

 

For that sort of video work you should look at a gimbal anyway, IS won't do that mich, it makes a big difference in video sure, but still...

[19_blackie_73]

59 minutes ago, Willie Xia said:

 

The sigma sure is nice, but it does come with a hefty price... Also a deal breaker for me, is how there is no image stabilization and the fact that it's only 18-35mm so you don't get much zoom. Any other recommendations??

used they are probably around $300, and this lens is very sharp, nothing else comes close to this one at least in the price range til 1500$. as @cc143 already stated, IS won't help you much, a gimbal will help you more for videography. and you still can get good video with a steady hand.

The 18-135 mm is very versatile, but in no category outstanding. But it is probably a good lens to get started. But it is a slow lens in terms of aperture

[Willie Xia]

On 6/2/2017 at 10:54 AM, 19_blackie_73 said:

used they are probably around $300, and this lens is very sharp, nothing else comes close to this one at least in the price range til 1500$. as @cc143 already stated, IS won't help you much, a gimbal will help you more for videography. and you still can get good video with a steady hand.

The 18-135 mm is very versatile, but in no category outstanding. But it is probably a good lens to get started. But it is a slow lens in terms of aperture

 

On 6/2/2017 at 10:16 AM, cc143 said:

The price of the sigma is quite good considering the quality, anything other than the 2 you mentioned will come in far more expensive than the sigma.

 

Also, those lenses won't work great for video because of their narrow and variable aperture, making the sigma your best bet. 

 

For that sort of video work you should look at a gimbal anyway, IS won't do that mich, it makes a big difference in video sure, but still...

Oh, well I can't seem to find any that are less than $300... I mainly chose the 18-135mm for it's versatile zoom so I can be far from something and get really close without having to move. For example, at one point I may be trying to record someone performing onstage but at the middle/back of the huge auditorium. If you guys have other recommendations for versatile zoom lenses, please mention them. Also, gimbals are way too expensive, so I'm probably going to go for a stabilizer. Which ones would you guys recommend on Amazon? Thanks.

[cc143]

1 hour ago, Willie Xia said:

 

Oh, well I can't seem to find any that are less than $300... I mainly chose the 18-135mm for it's versatile zoom so I can be far from something and get really close without having to move. For example, at one point I may be trying to record someone performing onstage but at the middle/back of the huge auditorium. If you guys have other recommendations for versatile zoom lenses, please mention them. Also, gimbals are way too expensive, so I'm probably going to go for a stabilizer. Which ones would you guys recommend on Amazon? Thanks.

Recording someone on the stage of a large auditorium from the back of the venue will hardly be covered by 135mm if at all.

 

You wouldn't get a sigma art series lens for that little, they haven't managed to depreciate yet unfortunately.

 

I don't know much about stabilisers so I can't recommend one.

 

My advise is save up, get a feel for what you need and start from there. If you are going to buy an 18-55 go for a used one from eBay and get the cheapest one you can find. Then save up for some proper glass once you know what you need.

[19_blackie_73]

52 minutes ago, cc143 said:

You wouldn't get a sigma art series lens for that little, they haven't managed to depreciate yet unfortunately.

at least where I live, i can get them for around 300€ so...

@Willie Xia the 135mm is a nice zoom range for travel photography, but you won't be able to zoom a very far object so far that you can see every detail

 

edit: at least I was able to get one for that price somewhere half a year back, now they are about 500 bucks, which would be still in the price bracket

[xQubeZx]

5 hours ago, Willie Xia said:

 

Oh, well I can't seem to find any that are less than $300... I mainly chose the 18-135mm for it's versatile zoom so I can be far from something and get really close without having to move. For example, at one point I may be trying to record someone performing onstage but at the middle/back of the huge auditorium. If you guys have other recommendations for versatile zoom lenses, please mention them. Also, gimbals are way too expensive, so I'm probably going to go for a stabilizer. Which ones would you guys recommend on Amazon? Thanks.

Used 70-200 f/4 goes for around 400 in pretty nice condition. What version depends on how lucky you are but thats an very nice lens if you want something with reach. However if you want something with a wide angle as well I wouldn't look after anyone that goes beyond 100mm as super zooms from say 18-200 usally have horrible optics.