Today’s post is straight up fancy photography talk, but I think anyone who’s considering jumping into the DSLR waters soon will find it interesting. I’m sharing my growing love for a prime lens that is a pretty great price (relatively, when it comes to photography gear), and a valuable and versatile addition to a parent’s camera bag.
I bought this lens 2nd hand from another photographer a couple years ago for about $300, I think. You can get a brand new one on Amazon for $369 (Canon version), and it looks like the Nikon version is going to be about $100 more.
My Sigma 35 1.4 lives on my camera, the Canon 6D, 90% of the time, especially since I shoot so much indoors. It gives me a lot more room to play with, and it’s a focal length I’ve become very comfortable with. In fact, I used my 85 so little last year, that I wondered if I should sell it.
But then we took our family photos for our holiday cards. It performed beautifully (with the help of a talented friend on the other side of the camera).
So I kept it and vowed to use it more… eventually.
Last week, I decided to switch out my 35 for the 85 for the kids’ first baseball & t-ball games of the season, mostly because the focal length would get me closer shots from behind the backstop. In a perfect world, I’d rock a 70-200 at the kids games, but that’s just not a purchase on my priority list right now.
Not only did it give me some great close-up shots at home plate, but I also got some dreamy sideline portraits, too.
It’s still on my camera, and I’ve been forcing myself to make it work, learning to shoot from further away…
Which is allowing me to capture candids of the kids that feel less forced.
I still think my 35 will remain my go-to everyday lens, but this is a solid 2nd choice, and at less than $400 for Canon (less than $500 for Nikon) you can’t beat the versatility, from low-light portraits to sideline shots.
I just purchased the Tamron 24-70 and am excited to work with my first non-prime lens! We’re going to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary the 2nd week of October, and it’s going to see plenty of action there. Can’t wait to share!\
If you’re interested in the settings for each picture, the photo slider below will show you on each photo if you’re viewing from desktop.
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7 comments
I tend to dislike prime’s, I like the versatility of zoom lenses, but these pictures make me reconsider that! My Tamron 24-70 2.8 lives on my 6D 95% of the time. I just bought a Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 since my oldest is just starting out in the sports world (soccer) and honestly, for the price it can’t be beat!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/728341-REG/Tamron_AFA005C700_SP_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_Di.html
(of course now that I look at it, I see that the $100 rebate that Tamron has been running on this lens ALL YEAR LONG is no longer being offered, but I did get it for $350 after rebate over the summer.)
That is a GREAT price! Might have to consider it as I don’t think a smaller aperture would hinder me much at baseball games. So funny, I think photographers either love or hate primes/zooms. It’s like an algebra/geometry preference. 😀
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Hi Jill,
Your images are so crisp & vibrant… absolutely stunning! I tried to find a photo slider that you mentioned above, but am not seeing it. I’d love to see your settings, as I’m always trying to get the best images of our kids in sports, etc. also! (Still using my original EOS Rebel, so that could be part of the problem)
Thank you in advance!
Kelli