I'm an amateur photographer. I took photography for two years in high school, but my Nikon FM10 was very limited and we were doing dark room processing.

I bought a Canon 50D for myself 6 months ago, and it came with a 28-135. I finally bought my new car two weeks ago, and I've begun dumping $$$$ into that. But I want to devote a month's worth of car modifications to my photography gear. I've delayed purchasing better equipment for far too long.

So, I first need help deciding which lens to get. I use my camera to do a lot of food photography, but I mainly shoot my car. I don't know whether to get the 16-35 f/2.8L or the 70-200 f/2.8L. I'm not doing rig shots or rolling shots, so do you guys think the wide angle lens would be better suited for my needs? I'd also appreciate if you guys could post examples of your car pictures with either lens (doesn't have to be the same make).

Thanks for your help! I got 0 responses on my Evo forum, and I didn't bother asking on my Civics forum.

 

No input? Oh well.

 

Take a look at the EXIF of the pictures you have taken and see what focal length you are using most now, and to see if the commonly used lengths are getting you the pictures you want.

Then get yourself the best quality lens that fits that range.

Do you have a good trip and head (I favor ball heads myself) as well?

 

16 isnt really wide enough on a drop sensor lens like the 50D. I use my Sigma 10-20 a lot, I've heard good things about the canon 10-22. I've never personally used it but people have told me they don't think the tokina 11-16 is wide enough so I'd stick with one of the first two if you want a wide angle. Personally for automotive photoshoots I use both my 10-20 and my 70-200 F/4 L the most, not so much my 28-70.

 

Every person has a different style of photography. Some prefer ultra wide, others prefer telephoto.

With food/product photography, since you'll control the lighting & location, a prime would work nicely. Depending on your budget, Canon 35 f/2.0 is a decent budget prime for product photography.

For automotive, I'd suggest several. If you want to go with an ultra wide angle, Canon 10-22. Every day zoom, Tamron 17-50 2.8. Telephoto, any of the Canon 70-200 lenses... depending on your budget.

 

or you can just pick up a few lenses and cover most of the range.

 

If you already know you are not doing rig shots/rolling shots, you dont really need a wide angle lens then. So my advice would be to just keep the 28-135 as your walk around everyday lens. Then pick up the 70-200f2.8IS. You will then have pretty much the range you're interested in covering only.

 

i've never done a rig or rolling shot and I use my wide angle all the time. it's my favorite lens for automotive photography.

 

IMO, cars are better shot long.

gr? amd TYC make good suggestions.

 

I dont disagree. I actually love wide angles on automotive shots, but it's not for everyone. Some people absolutely cannot stand the distortion from the ultrawide angle lenses. I didnt suggest it because he clearly stated he wont be doing rig shots, that pretty much ruled out the ultrawide angle lens since it "wont suit his needs".