a decision about lenses

[satyr]

This week I'm going to pick up a new lens, Unfortunately it's not the Canon 16-35L like I was hoping I'd be buying thanks to radiator and water heaters going out in the same week. That will have to wait till around Xmas I guess.

So instead I'm trying to decide whether to fill the focal gap in my lenses which currently go no wider than 28mm.

To fill out that gap I'm thinking the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8. It gets decent reviews for the most part. But I'll probably sell it off when I can finally afford the 16-35L (I know someone who'll be in the market for it by then)
I need the f2.8 to be good though I shoot a lot of concerts.. so f2.8 is the most used fstop some days I think.

The other lens I really want is the Canon 50mm f1.4.. I know I have the 50mm f1.8 already and a Tamron 28-75mm that covers 50mm but, I keep borrowing J's 50mm and man it's a wonderfully fast and sharp lens. Some of the best shots I've gotten have been with that lens. I hate having to give it back every time I borrow it. I'm going to buy one before long but trying to decide if I should fill a gap or go for a lens I know I love.

Anybody have some advice?

[h00kemh0rns]

Based on what you wrote I would go after the 50 mm 1.4. Sounds like you'll be happiest with this immediately.

Alternatively, save your money for the 16-35. Do you have the immediate need for a wide angel? If you buy the sigma and go and sell it off you're going to lose money on the transaction. Why the rush to get a lens?

[Abel]

satyr... youre mainly shooting at the meridian right? i found my 50 f1.4 being too long for that venue when shooting from the pit and wished i had a wider f2.8 lens at the time...

in there i shot my 50 f1.4 at f2 or so and still had to bump up the iso to 1600 or even 3200! ive only shot there once so maybe the lighting for that one shows was just difficult... who knows.

btw, id love to have a 16-35 f2.8 as well!!!

[satyr]

I shoot there a lot. conditions vary, some shows have better lighting, some have the barrier. I bought the 30mm for the shows where the barrier is in place.

I never know when I may need the wider then 28mm is the problem. This weekend I shot my cousins wedding.. (my respect for those that do weddings goes up a few notches btw) I borrowed J's 16-35 and it was great for that. And I do also shoot "socials" or parties and a couple of times we've shot fashion shows. So the need for is real enough but I never know when I'm going to need it. And if J is shooting the same event or he's shooting period that day I can't scam his 16-35mm :)
As for taking a loss on getting the 18-50 and selling it in a few months, well I probably won't take too much a loss since the lens will only be a couple of months old (hopefully). And I'll be selling it to my best friend at that point. And who knows maybe I'll be so happy with that lens I won't feel the need to buy that Canon 16-35L after all (hehe yeah right)

So yeah Axel I shoot mostly concerts right now but I'm trying to expand my abilities and capabilities into more lucrative areas. well maybe not weddings though.. what a nightmare those can be.