Canon XSI Lens Selection

[Golddragoner]

I was wondering what flash would be good to use. I'm going to a wedding in Feb and want to take a few pictures but will probably require a good flash for it. I was thinking something like the Speedlite 430EX, but its a bit expensive (I want a diffused flash rather than a straight on one. Also, going to be using just the 18-55mm lens that the camera came with (can't afford a better one )

Edit: Got the 430EX II but was looking at "L" lenses now. Which would be better - a 70-200 f/4L or a 24-70 f/2.8L  (keep in mind I'm going to be doing a wedding and don't exactly want to be in their faces, but is the 70-200 too high for general photography?)

[Matsuda]

the 430ex should be fine, you wouldn't want to have it pointed it straight forward anyways, you want to point it up so the light will bounce off the ceiling that way you don't get that deer in headlights look

[Golddragoner]

Was just looking, I saw that broadway camera has the 430EX II for $360 where as the 580EXII is on sale for $430...can't help thinking that the $70 is well spent...(plus if I use best-buy's price match guarantee (of that price +10% of the difference) it adds up to it only being $413+tax = $462...hmmmm makes getting the 430 seem like not much of a saving.

And wtf...there is a $12,000 lens? who in their right mind would spend that or even need a 800mm lens...

[Matsuda]

pro wildlife/sport photographers use long lenses and would probably be the ones purchasing it..

[Ice-520]

L lens are supposed to be professional equipment anyways

it is like you are complaining a professional race car is expensive...
just because entry level products are affordable doesn't mean everything should be made affordable to anyone

[Golddragoner]

ended up getting the 430EX II for $300taxes in

[DKaz]

You could possibly find a good used lens for a decent price in the new year.

[Golddragoner]

You could possibly find a good used lens for a decent price in the new year.

Would a 24-105mm lens or a 70-200mm lens be better for photographing at a wedding? I'm leaning more towards the 70 because I don't like to be in people's face trying to take pictures.

Also, I'm guessing an IS lens would be a lot better than the non-IS for this as it will mostly be indoor and I do sometimes want to use it with no flash

[DKaz]

A 70-200 probably, but try the two different lenses and see what works best from you. At most you may be 20 feet away from your subject? IS is probably a good idea. Also in indoor situations, an f/2.8 lens would be a lot better but they're also pricey. You have flash for the reception so that's ok. You may need to up the ISO for low light shots without a flash as more consumer level lens are at least f/3.6-5.6.

But again I'm just a newbie at all this myself. lol.

[Golddragoner]

Yea, I want to get the IS lens, but the $700 price difference is making me think otherwise. Its nice, but I don't think its that nice...I would go for the 70-200 f/2.8L, but that's out of my price range right now

I.E:
$710 for the 70-200 f/4L
$1400 for the 70-200 f/4L IS
$1400 for the 70-200 f2.8L
$2500 for the 70-200 f/2.8L IS

Out of curiosity, why are the IS lenses double the price?

[ReD~DrAgOn]

Image stability built into the lens.

[IMASA]

Those are pro lenses, unlike consumer lenses, they're don't just take a regular lens and slap IS on.

Example:  70-200 F4 non IS
The optical construction is made of 16 elements in 13 groups, including 1 CaF2 and 2 UD elements.

70-200F4 IS
The optical construction is made of 20(!) elements in 15 groups, including 1 CaF2 and 2 UD elements.

More elements = more complexity = more $$$
IS also can add up to 4 extra stops (at the expense of shutter speed), so you gotta pay to play.

[DKaz]

I concur.

Oh photography, the more you know the more expensive it becomes.

[Golddragoner]

I'll probably have to start with the 70-200 f4L then move up from there. Can't afford over $1000 for a lens - the camera didn't even cost that much...

[Matsuda]

lenses always cost as much or more than the bodies, the better the lens, the better the quality of photos

[IMASA]

More often than not, the camera is going to be one of the cheaper things that you buy

If you just need a telephoto for a wedding, you can try renting lenses.  I believe Beau photo rents them out, usually $30-50 per day.

[Golddragoner]

Well, its not just for the wedding. I want to use it on vacations and for other things also, but the wedding is a good reason to buy a better quality lens

[DKaz]

You can get the 70-200 for other purposes and rent a good lens for wedding day.

I want this coveted 50mm f/1.4 lens everyone is talking about.