Good fast lens on a budget?

Marc Sabatella · 06-21-2012, 10:18 AM

I've never done the math either, but it's glaringly obvious to me that my DA15/4 is one of my "fastest" lenses, in sense of being able to generate fast enough shutter speeds to stop motion at that AOV. Way more keepers in low light despite needing slower shutter speeds than my f/2.8 and faster lenses, because at that wide AOV, it doesn't take a very fast shutter speed to stop motion.

no694terry · 07-04-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by td186

Thanks for the recommendations everyone, I was actually looking at the DA 35 2.4 but don't know if I'll like a prime (would be my first one) but that tamron sounds mighty nice. It would be mainly for indoor low light shots of kids and family so auto focus is a must. Thanks again!

i just went down this road months ago, even bought the Tamron 17-50 (not much better IQ than kit lense imho, but the 17mm and constant aperature is nice). With the F2.8 i cant get a proper exposed photo any faster than 1/30-1/60 at ISO 800 indoors and you need at least 1/125 to slow down a kid. Many people recommended a flash but i thought flashes were dum only because my only flash experience was the built in pop-ups. What i did on the cheap is buy a manual YN560 Flash ($80ish) and a set of comboy triggers ($40ish), now i just set the flash behind me in the room, doesnt need to be mounted on camera and bounce off the ceiling, with a little practice you wont even tell they are flash photos and all will be properally lit moment stoppers. Just get yourself 8 rechargeable AA's, flash uses 4 but only lasts about 50 pics.

eddie1960 · 07-04-2012, 03:28 PM

gotta say i'm very impressed with the da 35 2.4, rivals some lenses i would have thought to be much better and better at 35 than any zoom i've tried

eddie1960 · 07-04-2012, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

I've never done the math either, but it's glaringly obvious to me that my DA15/4 is one of my "fastest" lenses, in sense of being able to generate fast enough shutter speeds to stop motion at that AOV. Way more keepers in low light despite needing slower shutter speeds than my f/2.8 and faster lenses, because at that wide AOV, it doesn't take a very fast shutter speed to stop motion.

that is the thing with WA lenses you get away with speeds that would be unacceptable on longer FL, i've shot silly slow speeds at concerts with my DA14 2.8 and got a usable shot

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06-21-2012, 10:18 AM	#31
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I've never done the math either, but it's glaringly obvious to me that my DA15/4 is one of my "fastest" lenses, in sense of being able to generate fast enough shutter speeds to stop motion at that AOV. Way more keepers in low light despite needing slower shutter speeds than my f/2.8 and faster lenses, because at that wide AOV, it doesn't take a very fast shutter speed to stop motion.

07-04-2012, 01:12 PM	#32
no694terry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 388	Originally posted by td186 Thanks for the recommendations everyone, I was actually looking at the DA 35 2.4 but don't know if I'll like a prime (would be my first one) but that tamron sounds mighty nice. It would be mainly for indoor low light shots of kids and family so auto focus is a must. Thanks again! i just went down this road months ago, even bought the Tamron 17-50 (not much better IQ than kit lense imho, but the 17mm and constant aperature is nice). With the F2.8 i cant get a proper exposed photo any faster than 1/30-1/60 at ISO 800 indoors and you need at least 1/125 to slow down a kid. Many people recommended a flash but i thought flashes were dum only because my only flash experience was the built in pop-ups. What i did on the cheap is buy a manual YN560 Flash ($80ish) and a set of comboy triggers ($40ish), now i just set the flash behind me in the room, doesnt need to be mounted on camera and bounce off the ceiling, with a little practice you wont even tell they are flash photos and all will be properally lit moment stoppers. Just get yourself 8 rechargeable AA's, flash uses 4 but only lasts about 50 pics.

07-04-2012, 03:28 PM	#33
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	gotta say i'm very impressed with the da 35 2.4, rivals some lenses i would have thought to be much better and better at 35 than any zoom i've tried

07-04-2012, 03:29 PM	#34
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella I've never done the math either, but it's glaringly obvious to me that my DA15/4 is one of my "fastest" lenses, in sense of being able to generate fast enough shutter speeds to stop motion at that AOV. Way more keepers in low light despite needing slower shutter speeds than my f/2.8 and faster lenses, because at that wide AOV, it doesn't take a very fast shutter speed to stop motion. that is the thing with WA lenses you get away with speeds that would be unacceptable on longer FL, i've shot silly slow speeds at concerts with my DA14 2.8 and got a usable shot