Started shooting again and looking for lens suggestions.

LennyOne · Jun 19, 2020

Hey all,

Very new to these forums and wanted to find a community where I could ask some questions regarding the following; I was recently gifted my grandfathers old EOS 5 (A2/A2e) and I wanted to pick up some lenses and equipment! I'm currently in the process of refurbishing it. I've shot with a Canon 40mm and 50mm lens before although no longer possess them. Most of the photos I take are when I'm out and about with friends, nice buildings, skateboarding and I like documenting events I attend. I would like to get into landscape at some time, but not currently. I was just wondering If anyone had any suggestions, budget would be about €1000-1200 in total as I'm only a student. I Have no desire to buy the flashiest equipment just whatever will allow me to document my adventures I suppose!

Thanks In advance

Ai Print · Jun 19, 2020

Making photographs....you started making photographs again, not shooting. It's time we got rid of that term for photography, really.

Donald Qualls · Jun 19, 2020

Ai Print said:
Making photographs....you started making photographs again, not shooting. It's time we got rid of that term for photography, really.

Which has nothing at all to do with the question.

As well, professional photographers have used the term "shoot" as both a noun and a verb to refer to "making photographs" since I was a pup, if not longer. "Shot" to refer to the actual image.

LennyOne · Jun 19, 2020

Ai Print said:
Making photographs....you started making photographs again, not shooting. It's time we got rid of that term for photography, really.

Thanks for your input, even though it has nothing to do with my questions and everything to do with your personal beliefs. What a wonderfully warm welcome for ones first experience here. I don't even disagree with your reasoning but you certainly didn't have to address me in such a condescending manner. Hope whatever it is that's ruined your day gets a little bit better my man, and if you have any suggestions with regard to my original query please let me know!

LennyOne · Jun 19, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
Which has nothing at all to do with the question.

As well, professional photographers have used the term "shoot" as both a noun and a verb to refer to "making photographs" since I was a pup, if not longer. "Shot" to refer to the actual image.

Thank you, no point arguing, some people just wanna find something to give out about.

M.A.Longmore · Jun 19, 2020

.
Welcome Home Lenny !
{ Some of us older folks can be quite irascible }
Luckily, he didn't catch you on his lawn . . .

~ Ron

Auer · Jun 19, 2020

A short Zoom would be my first choice, followed by a 28 and 55mm prime.

Donald Qualls · Jun 19, 2020

I wish I could actually answer your question, but I can give some general suggestions. I'm going to go against the zoom -- a "nifty fifty" -- normal focal length, faster than f/2 -- is commonly the best lens available from any given SLR manufacturer. After one of those, I'd tend to get the fastest 35mm I can afford (if you can't beat f/2.8, you may need to get a second job) -- and when those become limiting, then look for a zoom, preferably in the 70-200 region.

jimjm · Jun 19, 2020

Hey Lenny - welcome to Photrio!
Never used EF lenses myself, as I only have older Canon FD bodies. For the subjects you've described, I'd go for a few reasonably fast (f:2.8 or 2) wide-angle primes, like a 35mm and a 24mm would give you a good range of coverage. The fast zooms are great, but much heavier and probably a lot pricier. For skating, I used to use wide lenses and try to get close to the edge of the ramp or pool for dramatic shots. If it's street skating, you may not need the wide lenses as much. The 35mm would be a good length for documenting events and casual shooting, and just as a general walkabout lens.
Longer zooms are great for portraits, or sports and wildlife from a distance, but the compromise is size, weight and lens speed. For longer lenses, a good 85mm or 135mm may be all you need.
Cheers!

GregY · Jun 19, 2020

Lenny, that's a fine gift to receive. Canon made some spectacular special lenses ( Lseries) & the standard line are excellent. I'd suggest the EF 50mm 1.4, and the EF 35mm f 2. Since you mentioned skateboarding, my son did a lot of skateboard and bike photography & one of his favourites was EF 20-35 L series zoom. If i could offer a suggestion, buy a lens or two at a time and decide which focal lengths you really like. You have a large budget considering the age of this series of camera.... you won't need to spend it all.

Paul Howell · Jun 19, 2020

Ai Print said:
Making photographs....you started making photographs again, not shooting. It's time we got rid of that term for photography, really.

I guess I need to beat the dead horse, I've been a shooter for 55 years, shot in the Air Force in Southeast Asia, worked the wires, freelanced, now for my pleasure, I'm a shooter, will shoot as long as I can. Get over it.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 19, 2020

Given your mention of shooting skateboarding and other similar activities, I'd second the recommendation for one of the wide zooms - they made a 16-35, 17-35, and 17-40. There might also be a 20-35 variant. On the second-hand market you can get most of these for well within your budget. If you get one of the older variants, I'd also look at adding a 28-70 or 24-70 f2.8 L lens to the range. That pairing will get you extremely well covered for options. The ultra-wide zoom will do you well for travel/landscape/interiors/close-up sports. The 24/28-70 will get you general-purpose and light-duty portraits.

Paul Howell · Jun 19, 2020

Should have addressed your question before I got snippy, but agree with the FlyingCamera, a good short zoom, but stay away from Canon Kit lens, lens that were bundled with the camera body. The 24 to 70 L, is as good as it gets, used in your price range.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 19, 2020

For 1000 you could get heck a lot of EF lenses. I honestly don't see any problem to get load of decent lenses for these money.
You could even get 50 and 40 back as NIB and still have enough for used L zoom.
Like 20-35mm f/2.8 L. Awesome lens for groups and indoors, landscapes and such. If you haven't tried L yet, you should. Makes big difference on pictures and in AF.

BrianShaw · Jun 19, 2020

Welcome and glad to hear that your excited about photography!

My suggestion to the “what gear should I buy” is to use what you have and pay attention to images you’d like to capture but can’t. That often makes clear what new gear to buy.

I guess I won’t mention “Nikon”... that’s a fistfight for another thread.

Sirius Glass · Jun 19, 2020

I like the combination of 28mm, 50mm, and 150mm lenses

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!![/cemter]

John Koehrer · Jun 19, 2020

Probably the short zoom for the skateboarding and I believe Canon had a VERY compact 40mm for
the social groups & walkaround things.

ts1000 · Jun 20, 2020

My suggestions would be
1 expensive, good lens , but you would have to be 'baby it': Sigma 35mm F 1.4 DG HSM
And one an 'bay' kit: something like
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-...-75-300mm-Ultrasonic-28-80mm-Lot/283634499449
for $150 (this listing has US shipping free).
So you get 2 lenses + an extra camera body that you can keep the Sigma Art lens on.

With the above, you will have flexibility to use to shoot inside, outside, and 'actions' with those ultrasonic motors.

These lenses, especially the Sigma will produce exceptional results on digital too.

I am not a canon person, so have not used the above -- but have been reading recently about that sigma lens... one day would like to have it...

ColdEye · Jun 20, 2020

You can get the 17-40L pretty cheap. Then add the 50/1.4 if you want some speed.

Ai Print · Jun 20, 2020

Not a Canon user, can’t be of help there.

Just trying to make the world a better place and found it a bit rough to see the term in the headline of your post. My days are great too, I get paid to ummm....make photographs.

Lots of good suggestions from those who know the Canon system, get to making photographs.

Oh and welcome!

LennyOne said:
Thanks for your input, even though it has nothing to do with my questions and everything to do with your personal beliefs. What a wonderfully warm welcome for ones first experience here. I don't even disagree with your reasoning but you certainly didn't have to address me in such a condescending manner. Hope whatever it is that's ruined your day gets a little bit better my man, and if you have any suggestions with regard to my original query please let me know!

Ai Print · Jun 20, 2020

Yep, and many of us pros are trying to get rid of the term. I know plenty who don’t care for it.

Donald Qualls said:
Which has nothing at all to do with the question.

As well, professional photographers have used the term "shoot" as both a noun and a verb to refer to "making photographs" since I was a pup, if not longer. "Shot" to refer to the actual image.

Ai Print · Jun 20, 2020

Who cares, you get over it. It’s a term that needs to go.

Paul Howell said:
I guess I need to beat the dead horse, I've been a shooter for 55 years, shot in the Air Force in Southeast Asia, worked the wires, freelanced, now for my pleasure, I'm a shooter, will shoot as long as I can. Get over it.

Auer · Jun 20, 2020

Ai Print said:
Not a Canon user, can’t be of help there.

Just trying to make the world a better place to and found it a bit rough to see the term in the headline of your post. My days are great too, I get paid to ummm....make photographs.

Oh and welcome!

Still has nothing to do with the OP.

Ai Print · Jun 20, 2020

Auer said:
Still has nothing to do with the OP.

Well that’s life now isn’t it. We can’t always just get ***exactly*** the info we want and none of the periphery now can we.

Auer · Jun 20, 2020

Ai Print said:
Well that’s life now isn’t it. We can’t always just get ***exactly*** the info we want and none of the periphery now can we.

Well shoot, if that aint the truth.

Started shooting again and looking for lens suggestions.

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