Best Inexpensive Lens For A T3i/T2i In Low Light (Suggestions?)

[Charter]

I used my T2i for video only.
Among other lenses, I also have a L series Canon 70-200 mm F4 zoom = $700. I brought a USED, CHEAP, OFF BRAND 80-200 mm zoom = $75 a few weeks ago. The Canon is better, but NOT by a mile.
Video don't need sharp lenses as much as still photography do. Not a doubt, better lenses look better. But I paid 10 times more for 10% better image quality at wide open (F4) otherwise not much difference after F8.
That being said, the built quality and user experience form the Canon L series lenses is TOP NOTCH! Hands down!
Looks like you appreciate good quality, then go for Canon L series. Always rent first, then slowly built up your collection.
At the start go rent some lenses. After enough field experience then decide what to buy/keep/sell.
For example I learned that the EF 28-135 has good photography quality. So I paid $25 to rent one for a paid shoot. Afterwards I learned from real field experience that the image quality is very good. I can mixed it with footages from the Canon L series lenses. But the variable max aperture is a NO NO NO for video - like everything goes a step darker when you zoom in and when you zoom out everything goes brighter again. And also the zoom ring is not as smooth as the L series. This is another deal breaker cause I need silky smooth zooming when shooting the show.
See sometimes you need to use it to know how it suits you.
Color difference in lenses is a non issue cause you can always CC your footage. But of cause better lenses are always better. Just how much you want to paid for "better."



Lenses I use with my T2i (other then my HVxxs):
Wide:
Canon 18-55 mm kit lenses. Good image quality but NOT for low light. Built is CHEAP. Really low price. I just use it for the wide end.
Standard:
Canon 50mm F1.8, Good image quality. AF is super fast. Built is CHEAP. Really low price is good.
Pentax 50 mm F1.4. All metal, good image quality for low light. Focusing is a joy, smooth like butter. Cheap, like $50.
Tele:
Canon 70-200 mm F4 (non IS), use on tripod all the time. Built is TOP NOTCH!
Pentax 135 mm F2.5(m42) really good image quality for low light.
Off brand "Albinar" 80-200 mm F3.5. All Metal, Built like a tank. I think this guy WILL out live me for sure. Good image quality except at wide open like F3.5. Step down to F5.6 then it's no problem. Not a huge different in outdoor shoots when compare to the Canon L series, because video is really low res by comparison to still photography.

[cheetah]

Very good advice.

Get to know your camera first before heading out for more accessories.

HD....

For right now you're going "overboard" in your quest. Use and get used to the "kit" lens while you get familiar with working with the camera. I also have the 55-250mm you were looking at, it's fairly inexpensive and picks up in telephoto where the "kit" lens leaves off.

But I rarely use it. If you're into "long reach" stuff like wildlife it is a fair way to get into that sort of thing.

If you are looking at doing a lot of low light, marginal light work I cast a vote for the EF 28mm f1.8. It does cost but you get a "normal" perspective (the 50mm will have you backing off more than you want in some situations but even with the price increase we just saw it is still an affordable purchase), not wide not telephoto but a good general purpose prime lens for video work.

Should you wind up with the 28mm f1.8 and the 50mm f1.8 you would have the following capabilities: 18mm end of the "kit" lens for wide angle (you can do more than you think with f3.5), the 28mm f1.8 for "normal" in close and good working perspective PLUS the low light capabilty in a lens that won't "cramp" you much for working perspective, and the EF 50mm f1.8 for "portrait" perspective and that in low light, too.

I'd go something like that before spending a "ton" on zooms before you really understand what you're into. Learn using the T3i THOROUGHLY before buying a "boatload" of stuff.

I have that EF 28mm f1.8 and LOVE it. I go to a video project with EF 24mm f2.8, the 28mm, and an EF 50mm in the working bag along with either the "kit" 18-55mm or the EF 17-40mm f4L in case I need a wider angle than the 24mm. I like working with the primes and they give me good clean video.

Good luck,

Bruce Foreman

[Shaunp007]

The lens that I tend to just leave on the T2i is my Sigma 28mm f/1.8. Its a great lens for around the house and in low light. If you need to go wider but maintain decent low light capability you could spring for the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. Its a great lens. The build quality of the Tokina is definately pro...very smooth, and it does alright in low light.

[Janke]

Or, a Tamron 17-50mm if you want a more "normal" range, and f 2.8 is good enough.

(I have one, it's pretty sharp, even though it had a problem at first, warranty service fixed a misaligned autofocus - it's OK now.)

[SineadD]

Lenses that perform well in low light are generally more expensive than kit lenses. For example. This lens works well in low light: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

[drapeama]

Lenses that perform well in low light are generally more expensive than kit lenses.

I've picked up an old Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 for 50$. All manual, but still, f/1.8 and perform quite well. but as Janke said, f/2.8 is quite good too, without breaking the bank.

[Bif]

You'll like that Nikkor. It's a very good performer, clean and sharp, and wide open retains it's quality with just a bit of flare which I liked. Enough to just add some mood but not enough to degrade or cause real quality loss.

I liked it a lot, kinda wish I'd kept it, wouldn't mind using it on my GH2's.

Bruce Foreman

[liverpool 1]

Sold my tamron 17-50 vc and bought 17-55mm 2.8 canon and what have i been missing..... Oh yes, a different ball game... 17-55mm 2.8 canon with is, my sigma 30mm, my 100mm f2 canon on my crop.. thats it, no more spending, oh wait my nifty fifty but better 50mm 1.4 better focus ring... Hfg10 though i must say gives a wonderful bokeh look when you get it right, and that is with ease...Ahhhh bliss

[Janke]

Sold my tamron 17-50 vc and bought 17-55mm 2.8 canon and what have i been missing...

The OP said "inexpensive lens"... how much was that Canon?

[cgbier]

That 50/1.8 is sharper wide open than the 1.4. It loses out later though. For the price it is a great lens. The 50mm is the only Nikkor I've kept when I went digital. It is still a great portrait lens on my Olympus.

[liverpool 1]

The OP said "inexpensive lens"... how much was that Canon?

The lens was £645, bargain new, janke its an amazing lens i gotta tell ya

[Janke]

£645

Not bad at all - comparing to this: http://www.supplysale.com/Item.aspx?...17d312d319d315

I wonder if anyone will fall for that?

[liverpool 1]

Not bad at all - comparing to this: http://www.supplysale.com/Item.aspx?...17d312d319d315

I wonder if anyone will fall for that?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EF-S...item256fdb011f
do you not trust me oh actually gone up by £5. dohhhhhhh