[schneid4323]

Im looking for a lens with a low apture so i can shoot at night

Is there anything in specific you would suggest for automobile pics?

Currently I have a Rebel XTi and I was thinking about getting the canon lens I can get it for a grand from a buddy. Should I hop on that? or what are better options?

[remmib]

That lens is awesome, but it will be quite heavy to hold with the small grip on the XTi.

[LOLrance]

If you dont have it already, get the Canon 50mm f1.4. Its a AWESOME lens and is extremely sharp. This is honestly the best bang for buck lens. If you read the reviews for this lens, you'll see just how much everyone loves it.

And considering this lens can be had for less then $100, i dont see a reason why someone wouldn't get it.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

If you dont have it already, get the Canon 50mm f1.4. Its a AWESOME lens and is extremely sharp. This is honestly the best bang for buck lens. If you read the reviews for this lens, you'll see just how much everyone loves it.

And considering this lens can be had for less then $100, i dont see a reason why someone wouldn't get it.

The 50mm f1.4 for under $100

Or do you mean the 50mm f1.8?

[TurboFan]

Look for something no slower than f/4. You really want f/2.8 in a zoom, or f/1.4-f/1.8 in a prime lens. Are you looking for a wide angle or telephoto, prime or zoom? That's going to affect your repsonses. There's not a whole lot of point in a tele at night, but you can do a few cool things with them to control perspective. Remember too that any lens is going to have a 1.5-1.6 multiplier on the focal length with your camera. An 18mm won't be very wide at all.

You'll also want to get familiar with mirror lockup if your camera supports it. Mirror slap can ruin a long exposure. I don't know much about the Canon, but you may also want to look into something to block the eyepiece as well. Light can enter through the eyepiece at night, and give a haze to the whole photo. Not usually an issue in a modern camera, but if you're shooting exposures over 1 second, or you are around an area with headlights, they can do some harm through the eyepiece.

[schneid4323]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

Look for something no slower than f/4. You really want f/2.8 in a zoom, or f/1.4-f/1.8 in a prime lens. Are you looking for a wide angle or telephoto, prime or zoom? That's going to affect your repsonses. There's not a whole lot of point in a tele at night, but you can do a few cool things with them to control perspective. Remember too that any lens is going to have a 1.5-1.6 multiplier on the focal length with your camera. An 18mm won't be very wide at all.

You'll also want to get familiar with mirror lockup if your camera supports it. Mirror slap can ruin a long exposure. I don't know much about the Canon, but you may also want to look into something to block the eyepiece as well. Light can enter through the eyepiece at night, and give a haze to the whole photo. Not usually an issue in a modern camera, but if you're shooting exposures over 1 second, or you are around an area with headlights, they can do some harm through the eyepiece.

Wide angle-normal works. thanks for the post man

[sambonator]

Unless you're taking pictures of moving cars, you don't need a fast lens. You just need a good tripod and a decent lens, and stopping down on the aperture.

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by remmib

The 50mm f1.4 for under $100

Or do you mean the 50mm f1.8?

LOL sorry, i ment the 1.8. If you can get the 1.4 for under $100, but it and ill buy it from you for $150 lol.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by sambonator

Unless you're taking pictures of moving cars, you don't need a fast lens. You just need a good tripod and a decent lens, and stopping down on the aperture.

I would have to disagree a bit here. The faster the lens, the more options you have. In sunlight it's not as important, because you can more easily make up the difference in shutter speed. At night, when you're already doing a slow shutter speed, the 3-4 f/ stop difference could turn your 5 second exposure into a 20 second exposure. That's a big difference to me.