Which lens for reception type photography?

[Goatsmilkuk]

I posted a thread not long back in that I am looking to get more involved with my photography.
Well up to now I have purchased a couple of lenses, but have still yet to upgrade the EF-S 18-55 kit lens that came with my 300D, I am looking to practice taking shots at a few events as I have a friend who is a professional magician and has said I can go along with him to various from wedding receptions to corporate events (after asking all those involved), I now feel it's time to ditch the kit lens and get something a bit better, I'm not looking to go for L glass just yet, anyone use or recommend any lenses that would suit this type of photography?

I have had a look at the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4, also wondering if the 17mm on a crop at 27mm would still be wide enough, I like the range the 18-50mm kit lens gives but it's very soft.

I can see me upgrading my camera along the lines of a 30D at some point when it's needed,I think a new lens is more important at the moment.

Thanks

Stu

[Ian]

I posted a thread not long back in that I am looking to get more involved with my photography.
Well up to now I have purchased a couple of lenses, but have still yet to upgrade the EF-S 18-55 kit lens that came with my 300D, I am looking to practice taking shots at a few events as I have a friend who is a professional magician and has said I can go along with him to various from wedding receptions to corporate events (after asking all those involved), I now feel it's time to ditch the kit lens and get something a bit better, I'm not looking to go for L glass just yet, anyone use or recommend any lenses that would suit this type of photography?

I have had a look at the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4, also wondering if the 17mm on a crop at 27mm would still be wide enough, I like the range the 18-50mm kit lens gives but it's very soft.

I can see me upgrading my camera along the lines of a 30D at some point when it's needed,I think a new lens is more important at the moment.

Thanks

Stu

Stu - I'm surprised your post has gone un-answered this long!

The question is - have you found the 18-55 kit lens restricting in terms of focal length; either at the wide or the tele end? A 17-70 is almost a direct replacement. The f/2.8 means a brighter finder and more latitude in low light without flash, plus a bit more background blur at the tele end, if needed.

Ian

[Goatsmilkuk]

Thanks for the reply Ian, I do feel at times I would like more on the long end (don't we all :D) but the 18mm end on the EF-S mount lens is fine, it's just that the 17 would like a 27mm that got me wondering will I struggle to get groups around tables and groups that may be in a smallish room, in the shot?

I think it will be an idea to try them next to each other in a shop to see the difference in coverage, but saying that I may even go mad in the not so distant future and go full frame so the 17mm will be wider than on the 300D and will be a 17 -70mm lens, but then again I may stick with a crop camera, decisions decisions! Even Mandy seems happy with me going for a 5D or maybe even a 1d (not the s mind) just depends if I am going to progress further with my photography, which I really want to do as if I'm not taking shots I'm looking at them, reading about them and revising techniques, oh and boring friends with.

Stu

[Stephen]

Thanks for the reply Ian, I do feel at times I would like more on the long end (don't we all :D) but the 18mm end on the EF-S mount lens is fine, it's just that the 17 would like a 27mm that got me wondering will I struggle to get groups around tables and groups that may be in a smallish room, in the shot?

I think it will be an idea to try them next to each other in a shop to see the difference in coverage, but saying that I may even go mad in the not so distant future and go full frame so the 17mm will be wider than on the 300D and will be a 17 -70mm lens, but then again I may stick with a crop camera, decisions decisions! Even Mandy seems happy with me going for a 5D or maybe even a 1d (not the s mind) just depends if I am going to progress further with my photography, which I really want to do as if I'm not taking shots I'm looking at them, reading about them and revising techniques, oh and boring friends with.

Stu

Stu, having done more 'table shots' than I care to remember, I can tell you a 17mm lens with a 1.6 crop camera is plenty wide enough still. TBH its too wide if you want the best result, because of the potential distortion at the sides of the frame.

In my experience, it can be the best policy, if its possible, to ask the people on the nearside of the table, to move and stand behind the peole on the far side. It makes for a better composition, less table mass, less flash drop off, and less distortion. Of course its not always practical to do this

[Patrick]

I posted a thread not long back in that I am looking to get more involved with my photography.
Well up to now I have purchased a couple of lenses, but have still yet to upgrade the EF-S 18-55 kit lens that came with my 300D, I am looking to practice taking shots at a few events as I have a friend who is a professional magician and has said I can go along with him to various from wedding receptions to corporate events (after asking all those involved), I now feel it's time to ditch the kit lens and get something a bit better, I'm not looking to go for L glass just yet, anyone use or recommend any lenses that would suit this type of photography?

I have had a look at the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4, also wondering if the 17mm on a crop at 27mm would still be wide enough, I like the range the 18-50mm kit lens gives but it's very soft.

I can see me upgrading my camera along the lines of a 30D at some point when it's needed,I think a new lens is more important at the moment.

Thanks

Stu
With Focus at the NEC coming up in a week’s time, why not visit the Sigma stand? They will let you try the lenses, and they will have every lens they make on show. Not forgetting their helpful advise.

Patrick