Newbie question on fix aperture lens

[Kolourl3lind]

I have not had the chance to try a fix aperture lens yet. I just wanted to know if you can still change the aperture from like  say f/2.8 to f/8 or higher.? Or is the only aperture you can f/2.8. HOw does this work?

[ebiggs1]

What lens?  

If it is truly a "fixed" aperture lens, it can not be changed with out a ND filter.

[Kolourl3lind]

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

Something like this. The aperture cannot be changed can it? It is always at f/2.8 right?

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

That is not a "fixed" aperture in that it can not be changed.  It means it is not a "varible" aperture which changes as the focal length changes.  This lens maintains it's f2.8 through out it's focal range.  It can and does have all the f-stops from f2.8 to f22.

This lens is, BTW, the best 24-70mm made today.  There is none better.

[ebiggs1]

If you are interested in lenses of this type and are not scared away by the several zeros in the price tag, the three lenses in my sig (EF 24-70mm f2.8 L, EF 70-200mm f2.8 L, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO) are the best that are available.  There are none better.

Personally, I prefer fixed aperture lenses and tend to shy away from varible aperture lenses.  

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

If you are interested in lenses of this type and are not scared away by the several zeros in the price tag, the three lenses in my sig (EF 24-70mm f2.8 L, EF 70-200mm f2.8 L, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO) are the best that are available.  There are none better.

Personally, I prefer fixed aperture lenses and tend to shy away from varible aperture lenses.  

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Don't you mean to say that you prefer "constant aperture" (zoom) lenses? (As do I, FWIW.) My understanding is that a "fixed aperture" lens is a (prime) lens that lacks any provision for changing the aperture. Like, for example, an astronomical telescope adapted to be mounted on a camera.

Or are there competing definitions of these terms of which I'm not aware?

[Kolourl3lind]

Unfortunely those lenses are out of my price range for now.  However, being a new photographer I never realized that was the case because I have never had the chance to use one of those lenses.  Now that I know, I will save up my pocket money. I was about to get the new 24-105mm stm lens that canon came out with.

[ebiggs1]

The EF 24-105mm f4 L IS is a very fine lens.  It is the best buy in the Canon line.  You can find "white box" versions in the $650 to $750 range.  Brand new!  They are the exact same Canon lens with full Canon USA warranty.  They have just been removed from a camera and lens combo and the buyer didn't want or already had the lens.

[Kolourl3lind]

Ok you got me paying attention. Where can I get these whitebox lenses?

[cale_kat]

kolourl3ind (you're kidding, right?), Any time a manufacturer creates a product, whether it be a lens or camera bundled with a lens, they assign it a product code. If a retailer/dealer were to sell only the camera body from a bundled camera, the lens must be sold as a "white box" item. (I'm not sure if eligibility for the full warranty applies.)

I suppose in many shops the seller would assist the buyer by "buying back the lens".