Lens question: F2.8 lenses that are good for sports, low light, and close-ups

[KMR13]

Hi. I’m shopping a new csmera entry level enthusiast as you know from my recent posts. Stuck between an R10 and an R8.

no matter the camera I buy,  but especially if I choose crop sensor Someone told me I should be sure to get a lens that is an F2.8 lens in addition to the kit lens.— that this lens is good for sports, low light, and close-ups—so would this lens on APS-C body compensate for the smaller size sensor? 

Is full frame going to be obsolete in 5 years? 

 . 

[Waddizzle]

Speaking strictly for myself, I am not familiar with any of your other posts.  Your question lacks context, so I do not understand your question.  As far as I know, full frame cameras have been around for decades, and I see no reason for them to away in the near future.

[KMR13]

Hi. Sorry about black of context. Let’s just go with this:  

Someone told me that no matter the camera I buy, crop or full frame, I should be sure to get a lens that is an F2.8 lens in addition to the kit lens.— that this F2.8 lens is good for sports, low light, and close-ups—so a) is that accurate?  And b) would that lens on APS-C body compensate for the smaller size sensor? 

[FloridaDrafter]

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@KMR13 wrote:

Someone told me that no matter the camera I buy, crop or full frame, I should be sure to get a lens that is an F2.8 lens in addition to the kit lens.— that this F2.8 lens is good for sports, low light, and close-ups—so a) is that accurate?  And b) would that lens on APS-C body compensate for the smaller size sensor? 

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There are several lenses for the RF mount with an aperture of f/2.8 and at this point, if I remember correctly, they are all Canon L series lenses. These are pro lenses and a bit expensive, heavy, weather sealed, and built to last. For the most part, they are for specific purposes and not an "all in one" type lens. For example, if you are shooting sports you might want the RF 70-200mm f/2.8, for landscapes you may want the RF 15-35mm f/2.8, for macro an RF 100mm f/2.8, etc. I hope you see where I am going with this. Now, Sigma makes some fairly inexpensive RF-S f/2.8 lenses that work on the Canon crop sensor (APS-C) cameras, but I think they max out at 50mm, but I could be wrong. So, you have to know what you are going to use the lens for, figure out what focal length you need, and get the lens best suited for that. Sometimes this requires multiple lenses. You will find that light demands a high price, sometimes more than the casual user or enthusiast can afford or is willing to pay.

As to question "b", generally the cropped sensor gathers less light at any given exposure, compared to a 35mm full frame, simply because its photo sites (pixels) are smaller. This is sometimes referred to as "pixel packing" because they cram the same amount of photo sites that are normally on a full frame 35mm sensor on a smaller sensor. So yes, a lens that gathers more light, like an f/2.8 lens, will be more effective.

"Is full frame going to be obsolete in 5 years"

No!

Newton

[March411]

KMR13 looking at both a new body and fast lens.....nice.

In your other thread we were pretty focused on your budget for the body and while I am always a big fan of purchasing fast lenses these can quickly blow out a budget.

A f2.8 lens is great for low light, the faster the lens the better the low light performance. Your question regarding close ups, I am going to assume we are talking portraits, a fast lens is also good to have to create some beautiful background bokeh. 

FloridaDrafter mentioned the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 shooting sports, you at 50mm - 100mm it can also be used to capture some excellent portraiture. The RF 15-35mm f/2.8, landscape and street and another sweet lens and I would add to the list, the RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM or the RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z. And the range for these lenses $2500 - $3000! The RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM is an option @ $1100 and it gets some good reviews.

It sounded like you were leaning towards the R8 in your other thread so full is required. Shorter fixed focal lengths aren't really an option since you want to use the lens for different types of photography but a shorter lens will lack the ability to shoot sports with major cropping and 24 MP at that point will not be your friend.

[KMR13]

Yikes!!! leave it to a pro friend to recommend a particular lens and not tell me the price of it. 

back to budget:  next Friday  I am going to a vendor event at a locally owned cardinal camera. Over told me there will be Demi’s & deeper discounts than he could give me right now. Maybe a giveaway or two. 

I am leaning to the R8 because it seems that (1) since I only have experience with film and DSLR from years ago, it seems to me there will be a less steep learning curve and familiarity with the R8 over a crop sensor camera— and I just found out that we still have the older EOS Rebel lenses from 2006so possibly those will fit a newer full frame camera with an adapter.  I have to get the lens  model numbers 

2. Shooting sports— it’s only 1 sport- swimming. And likely only for an other 2 seasons. So I would not invest in a lens solely for that.  More likely to be doing landscape beach scenes and nature — before I invest in those fancy lenses let me get to know the camera! 

Which kit lens you suggest I get with R8 — if I can afford that? And what second lens should be in my wish list?

if I can’t afford thecR8, then I’ll have to go with the R10— and then I’ll be in the crop sensor camera domain for a while. And which lenses for thevR10? 

3.  Time to chat with the hubby….

[KMR13]

Thanks so very much!
hubby said to go enjoy the vendor event and pick a camera so the R8 is at top of the list for budget and versatility... likely have to start with a kit lens but will keep your suggestions in mind at the vendor event. Appreciate all the great advice and patience with my questions. I'll let you know what happens next with camera body and lenses!

[March411]

The vendor event will be fun, it's always a good time getting to put some equipment in your hands to test. The R8 seems like a good fit and I agree with your thoughts about going full frame.

It's not a fast lens, it may/will struggle in low light but it's got nice range, good IQ, it's very light, an easy all day carry and fast focus, the RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM - $800 New. Also, it offers optical IS (Image Stabilization) up to 5 stops of correction which will be nice since the R8 does not have in body IBIS for stills.

At 24mm it will be nice for landscapes, in the 50mm-100mm you can grab some portraits and at 240mm you would probably be able to grab some decent swimming action and wildlife if you have good lighting. 

Also, take a look at the Canon Digital Photo Professional if you pick up a canon body. It is free and will allow you to do some post production corrections especially noise when you are in those low light situations. The software is a bit slow but a decent place to start. It will also display your focus points to let you know if you were on target. Digital Photo Professional Software 

 And if you go with the R10 you can still go with the RF24-240mm, if you want to match an RF-S to the cropper the RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM - $500 new would be my choice. It is a little faster than the RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM and while it is a compromise in range I prefer to go with a faster lens because I do photograph often in low light. Speed over range is a personal preference and many may not agree.

[KMR13]

Well folks, hubby said to go enjoy the vendor event and pick a camera (within reason), so the R8 is at top of the list unless by some crazy happenstance the R6 falls into my hands! Really prefer not to go crop sensor unless camera body and lens budget truly dictate it once I engage at the vendor event. Appreciate all the great advice and patience with my questions. I'll let you know what happens next with camera body and lenses!

[March411]

Congrats, nothing better than a blank check to go shopping. Enjoy yourself and come back and let us know how it worked out.