topic Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1 in EF & RF Lenses

Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

HeatherJJ19 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:18:02 GMT

Good morning--

My husband got me an old 5D Mark 1 camera in a barter trade. 🙂

However, I am trying to find just a good starter lens for this camera for taking general photos to get some practice and comfort with the camera. Any good recommendations? Thank you so much!

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

RobertTheFat — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:35:04 GMT

How much are you willing to spend? And are you willing to replace it when/if you decide to upgrade to a newer camera?

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

HeatherJJ19 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:41:04 GMT

Hi Bob-- Thank you for your response. I will probably hang on to this camera for a while and when the time comes I would be willing to sell everything together when I am at that crossroad. I am trying to not spend too much for now. Still paying off student loans---- so trying to probably keep it under $500 for now. Eventually-- not now, I want to get back into wildlife photography but, for now am more interested in capturing family moments and military events. Thank you!

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

Waddizzle — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:41:55 GMT

@HeatherJJ19 wrote:
Good morning--

My husband got me an old 5D Mark 1 camera in a barter trade. 🙂

However, I am trying to find just a good starter lens for this camera for taking general photos to get some practice and comfort with the camera. Any good recommendations? Thank you so much!

A good starter lens would be the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. Look for one at a Best Buy.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

ebiggs1 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 17:03:18 GMT

"My husband got me an old 5D Mark 1..."

Actually, Heather, there is no such thing as a 5D Mk 1. It is simply a 5D and it is a great camera well worth it. It will make great shots. I used one for years. About lenses, nothing will dampen your photographic enthusiasm more than getting a prime lens such as the 50mm. First 50mm is just an inconvenient focal length for general use. It is always seemingly too long or too short for what you want. It was only decided way, way back as the same FL as the human eye. Not that it was a good FL to use. A zoom lens such as the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens is far better. Plus it covers that 50mm range. This lens will do just about all you will want as a beginner. It is only slightly more than your $500 budget. It's FL covers a huge range of general photography. Adding a moderate telephoto later one will complete the package.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

ebiggs1 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 17:08:44 GMT

" I would be willing to sell everything together when I am at that crossroad. "

WHat does that mean? Lenses are where it at. Not the camera. My best advice is to buy the best lenses you can. Always! They last. Cameras don't. I know that money is tight but just keep in mind it isn't as much fun if you have to buy something twice. You may and probably will, if the photography bug bites you, want to move up to a more recent camera but there isn't any reason you need to re-buy your lenses. Make sense?

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D

HeatherJJ19 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 18:59:50 GMT

Oh yes! Thank you for the recommendations. I sure appreciate it.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

Waddizzle — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 20:19:42 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"My husband got me an old 5D Mark 1..."

Actually, Heather, there is no such thing as a 5D Mk 1. It is simply a 5D and it is a great camera well worth it. It will make great shots. I used one for years. About lenses, nothing will dampen your photographic enthusiasm more than getting a prime lens such as the 50mm. First 50mm is just an inconvenient focal length for general use. It is always seemingly too long or too short for what you want. It was only decided way, way back as the same FL as the human eye. Not that it was a good FL to use. A zoom lens such as the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens is far better. Plus it covers that 50mm range. This lens will do just about all you will want as a beginner. It is only slightly more than your $500 budget. It's FL covers a huge range of general photography. Adding a moderate telephoto later one will complete the package.

There is nothing wrong with the EF 50mm lens. Ernie has often said so himself.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/General-Camera-Discussion/I-need-a-camera-for-high-school-sports/m-p/264530#M7488

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

RobertTheFat — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 22:59:46 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
"My husband got me an old 5D Mark 1..."

Actually, Heather, there is no such thing as a 5D Mk 1. It is simply a 5D and it is a great camera well worth it. It will make great shots. I used one for years. About lenses, nothing will dampen your photographic enthusiasm more than getting a prime lens such as the 50mm. First 50mm is just an inconvenient focal length for general use. It is always seemingly too long or too short for what you want. It was only decided way, way back as the same FL as the human eye. Not that it was a good FL to use. A zoom lens such as the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens is far better. Plus it covers that 50mm range. This lens will do just about all you will want as a beginner. It is only slightly more than your $500 budget. It's FL covers a huge range of general photography. Adding a moderate telephoto later one will complete the package.
There is nothing wrong with the EF 50mm lens. Ernie has often said so himself.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/General-Camera-Discussion/I-need-a-camera-for-high-school-sports/m-p/264530#M7488

Heather, you've walked into one of the ongoing duels of this forum. Ernie and Waddizzle rarely agree on anything. Let me try to split the difference.

I agree with Ernie that for most general photography, a zoom lens is the better choice because of its greater flexibility. In olden days, zoom lenses tended to give much poorer results than prime (i.e., single focal length) lenses, but that's no longer true. But Waddizzle is correct that if you're going to choose a prime lens (for cost reasons or to get a wider aperture), the 50mm f/1.8 is a perfectly serviceable general-purpose starter lens on a 5D.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

ebiggs1 — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 16:30:08 GMT

Robert, I try to avoid anything posted by Wadrizzle, so should everybody, sometimes it is hard to do. If you lived through the olden fime days when the 50mm was king, you quickly found out, although a nice lens, all of the were for the most part, they are difficult to use in everyday life and events. Not impossible just harder. Today we have zooms that are just as good and offer varible FL for the photographer in the single package. Possibly why all the beginner kits come with a zoom lens and not a 50mil prime.

This young photographer needs that same advantage. The ef 50mm f1.8 prime is a fine lens, it is just not a starter lens.

"... one of the ongoing duels of this forum..." Takes two to duel, I don't, won't participate.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

RobertTheFat — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 19:17:34 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
Robert, I try to avoid anything posted by Wadrizzle, so should everybody, sometimes it is hard to do.

Actually, I think Waddizzle tries hard to give sound advice. And I often agree with him.

If you lived through the olden fime days when the 50mm was king, you quickly found out, although a nice lens, all of the were for the most part, they are difficult to use in everyday life and events. Not impossible just harder.

I did live through those days. (I have a few years on you, I'm afraid.) And I had three lenses on my Nikon SP and later on my Nikon F-2: 28, 50, and 135 mm. I found them to be a good combination, and the 50mm served me well as a walkaround lens.

Today we have zooms that are just as good and offer varible FL for the photographer in the single package. Possibly why all the beginner kits come with a zoom lens and not a 50mil prime.

Yeah, but that was then and this is now. Really good zooms at an affordable price were unavailable in olden times.

This young photographer needs that same advantage. The ef 50mm f1.8 prime is a fine lens, it is just not a starter lens.

It's a starter lens if it's what you can afford to start with. And she has a reliable full-frame camera (once a staple of a professional's kit) to use it with. She'll be better equipped than many who just got their first DSLR.

"... one of the ongoing duels of this forum..." Takes two to duel, I don't, won't participate. :smileyhappy:

If the shoe fits, wear it.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

CaliforniaDream — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 21:51:09 GMT

Probably should stay out of this but I am old and crotchity. I started with a Pentax spotmatic and a 50mm 1.4 lens and thought it couldn't get any better. The 50mm is a great lens. It would force you to pay careful attention to compision and figure out how to create the pictures you want. The 28 - 105 is just a better tool but a bit more expensive and not as friendly to low light levels. My thought is if you could afford it get the zoom, but still pay attention to your creative sids.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

ebiggs1 — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 22:45:18 GMT

"And I often agree with him."

Robert you are free to agree or diagree with whomever you desire. But, so do I.

"... my Nikon F-2: 28, 50, and 135 mm."

Hmmm, sorta sounds like a zoom doesn't it?

Robert this isn't the olden days any longer. We don't have to be strapped with a 50mm prime because there wasn't much else. Today in the modern era, there are such great zooms. A zoom is what the OP needs and it is what she should buy. To argue otherwise is just silly. She will be far happier and better off.

This is not a post about the merits or lack of concerning the 50mm but what the OP really needs to add to her camera bag. You know that is the right choice.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

Waddizzle — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 23:58:32 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:

This is not a post about the merits or lack of concerning the 50mm but what the OP really needs to add to her camera bag. You know that is the right choice.

Unfortunately, Ernie, you are the one who shifted the conversation in that direction. I simply pointed out your hypocrisy.

Re: Newbie Lens Question on old 5D Mark 1

Waddizzle — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:24:26 GMT

@CaliforniaDream wrote:
Probably should stay out of this but I am old and crotchity. I started with a Pentax spotmatic and a 50mm 1.4 lens and thought it couldn't get any better.

The 50mm is a great lens. It would force you to pay careful attention to [composition] and figure out how to create the pictures you want.

The [24 - 105] is just a better tool but a bit more expensive and not as friendly to low light levels. My thought is if you could afford it get the zoom, but still pay attention to your creative sids.

That is a very good observation. A prime lens can force you to take the time to think about your shots, which makes you a better photographer. You “zoom” with your feet.

I made the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens recommendation without knowing what budget she was working with. I would still recommend it because the EOS 5D does not have an ISO range that is as wide as its’ descendants. The body lacks a built-in flash. Indoor shooting could become problematic without a flash.

Personally, I like the AOV and DOF of a fast 50mm lens on a full frame body.