Lens recommendation for China trip

I am heading to China next month on a business trip and I will be fortunate to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors. I currently have a 30D with the 17-85IS. I am considering renting some better glass for this trip. I am expecting fairly low light when I see the "Warriors", my thinking is I would be better off with a faster lens with IS, and some zoom capability. I would like your thoughts on renting the EF-S 17-55IS (or any other choice). Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Go Sharks said:

I am heading to China next month on a business trip and I will be
fortunate to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors. I currently have a
30D with the 17-85IS. I am considering renting some better glass
for this trip. I am expecting fairly low light when I see the
"Warriors", my thinking is I would be better off with a faster lens
with IS, and some zoom capability. I would like your thoughts on
renting the EF-S 17-55IS (or any other choice). Thanks in advance
for your inputs.

Click to expand...

Have you considered getting a fast prime lens to complement your 17-85? Something like a Sigma 30/1.4, 50/1.4 or even 35/2.

Cheers
Ryan
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I would second the prime lens notion. My recommendation would be the 50mm f/1.4 (I'm beginning to sound like a broken record on this issue). Its fast, sharp, light, and reliable.

You will need to consider the depth of field when you shoot in low light to get everything you want in focus. The 50mm has a rather short DOF when approaching wide open!

You might want to do a Depth-of-field preview before your trip - shoot a crowd of people from above since that will be the way you will probably see the warriors. That way you will get some experience with shutter, aperture, and ISOin a close-to-reality environment before the trip and that should result in better pictures from China!
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The IS on 17-85 was very helpful when I took this shot:



More China photos with 17-85 in my gallery.
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Richard
http://www.pbase.com/getg3/

Fantastic photo's! I hope I can just even come close to the images you captured here. Question answered, the EF-S 17-85 will suit my needs. I really appreciate your response.

the 17-55 IS will be faster and render better IQ ad for your purposes it will be better than screwing around with primes .

ed rader

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'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous

I have the 17-85/IS and the 17-55/2.8 IS. Of course the 17-55/2.8 is a much better lens ut the 17-85 is fine. IS really helps on the indoors shot. If you want a general purpose lens and only one lens that 17-85/IS is fine.

If you want to lug more lens then a prime can help with the indoors. I have the 50/1.4 which is good.

My photography teacher would say that a new tripod is the best new lens you can buy. May be a monopod?

Fast prime will not work as well as IS lens under this situation. Unless those terra cotta warriers start to move around. 17-55 is defiinitely the best choice. I would think the 17mm wide end is very much needed too.

Bring a monopod probably is better than fast lens. You need DOF for those, and so f2.8 may not always be the best parameter. I think your 17-85 IS at f8 should be great. Get a 70-300 IS or 70-200 f4 for light weight package. You are all covered.

Just my thought.
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Allen

I have been to this place. It is so cool!.

Just about any lens you pull out, you will wish it was wider. The light is VERY low, at least it was the day I was there. Good Luck to you!

one thing you should be preparing for is that the chinese new year is coming, everywhere should be very crowded...don't take too much lenses with you. 17-85 is good enough. by the time there would be some porket pickers on the street. just beware of that, look after your belonging
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cat cat cat