I second that.
85 1.8G will be your best friend for close-up portraits while 50 will be more versatile but still awesome for potraits.

Nice choice on the 400AW. That's the bag I have and it will allow you to bring a lot of stuff. Actually, I can put all my photography stuff in it. But it's not very practical for trekking or any other sport activity. I might add a lowepro Sport 200AW sooner or later.

Ooh such expensive passions ...

I love the 180mm f/3.5 for portraits too. Macro lenses are ultra sharp, so when not used for just macro, it's really nice. Still get the background blur due to the focal length, but all of the face will be in focus, which is really the one downside of an ultra wide lense in the 1.2-1.8 f stop.






http://www.flickr.com/photos/goshzilla/sets/72157605832820920/

We also picked up the 50mm f/1.8 lens recently. Very nice intially for being able to take great indoor shots without need of the flash. It's also served in letting me know that I don't know how to operate the camera very well yet.

That are some nice shots Dann. Those are both taken with the 180mm lens?

finally grabbed a lens with more distance on it. Nothing spectacular, but it worked fairly well for my daughter's softball tourney 2 weeks ago...still playing with settings and such...especially the aifocus and servo...

here's a few of the shots from far left field..

Just decided to look into some filters. As this summer I will do a lot of outdoors and outdoor photography. Looking around a bit I think a polarizing filter can be quite a good addition to what I have. I also saw ND filters, but don't really feel the need for them yet...

I've never used them personally, but the only advice I can give, is to buy ones that match the quality of your lens. No sense buying a nice piece of glass and then putting a low quality barrier in front of it.

I was told by my wedding photographer who does a ton of outdoor shoots to avoid the polar filter. She said simply because it drops the light coming into your lens. I can understand that one, but was thinking in situations of great outdoor shooting and tons of light, where there also would be tons of glare, it would be helpful. I have no experience outside of that. On mine, I use B&W UV filters and that's all. Damn pricey, but highly praised

Hmm, that's interesting. What I have heard about UV filters is that when digital photography was not yet mainstream they actually served a function. But nowadays that they are just expensive options that doesn't really serve a function but adds another layer of air/glass/air to the lens and that they might just protect the lens.

What's the reason that you use them? I am quite curious.

Polarizing filters help glare and they can also create deeper colors in an image that you cannot easily pull out of an image in post.

UV filters are reported to help eliminate "UV haze" that can be seen in the atmosphere. They do indeed work great for protecting your lens. I had one splinter and didn't even notice it until I got home. I kept on shooting with it after it cracked, and it didn't affect the images, but I was sure happy to have it on that day.

yeah, that crack there, that is a purpose well served by that filter lol. cheap insurance..

alright...I have joined the ranks and dove into the deeper section of the pool. Sold the 70-300mm USM lens (made a few bucks on it even) and bought a 70-200mm f/4l non is lens. Yah yah, it's not 2.8, and yah yah, it's not is, but it is an l lens, it will let me get the hang of using something like that much better, and I can always move up haha.

Bit by the L bug I see. You know there's no turning back now.

yes...already looking at a walk around or possibly prime more for my site pix and day to day usage

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_24_70mm_f_2_8l_ii_usm

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_100mm_f_2_8l_macro_is_usm

You already have good pics of your stuff. You don't really need that 105macro for this.

Go 24-70 2.8. It will complete your 70-200 perfectly :P

I concur with Francios.... go the 24-70mm . It's my go to lens for sure. I also have a 105mm Macro which i wanted to shoot my collection with but ended up using the 24-70 for all of them.
the 105 mm kinda just sits on the shelf looking nice.... currently trying to sell it so i can fund a 14-24mm.

My Macro does tend to get the last use. There was a time I found it to my my most versatile lens though, so I forced myself to take it out recently. Not sure why I don't use it more, since it just works so well.

Okay, so at the suggestions of our resident photo gurus (Mike and Dann), I played with some settings to achieve some results. Below are 4 pix of the Splice I completed yesterday. Each one with a change in the f stop, and all shot in live view mode on a 2 second timer. What I have just figured out is this: I like the f/22 best out of the bunch by a long shot. I found out fast using the f/4 was limiting the pix more than helping.

F/4 ISO100 109mm 1/4sec Shutter


F/10 ISO100 109mm 1.6sec Shutter


F/14 ISO100 109mm 2.0sec Shutter


F/18 ISO100 109mm 3.2sec Shutter


F/22 ISO100 109mm 5.0sec Shutter

Nice to play around like that :)

Today my polarizing arrived. I went for a B+W MRC F-Pro Circular Polarizing filter.
And now I got to learn how to use it correctly ;-)

nice choice. I have b&w on my 28-135mm lens. albeit just a uv, but the damn thing was pricey...german glass isn't cheap

Everything german isn't ship ^_^

B+W is the only choice from what I've heard.

Thats awesome Josh...... the f22 looks fantastic. I now find myself looking all over and exploring the frame because everything is in focus.
I can now see more detail of the fine work you are doing. yes it takes longer to do the shots but they look so so much better.

Everything german isn't ship ^_^

I have recently upgraded a lot of my work tools to the German Brand FESTOOL ...... made in Germany = $$$$$$

But after using these tools who cares about the $ the enjoyment is worth it.


Jules : I have the B+W ND10 Filter and the quality is Impressive, but everything Schneider Optics does is.
for my Polarising filter i have the Hoya HD another amazing filter.

Yah Mike, has me a bit bummed that I didn't use those settings all along...But now coupled with an L lens and a bit more distance from the subject, they really pop! I am going to re-take many pix of what I currently have and see how I like them. Now if I can only control lint and dust lol. Much less post processing time when I want perfect pix. Next up, Monster Dog Patriotic pix...