The perfect zoom pair. 28-70mm f-2.8
& 80-200mm f-2.8
It wasn't long ago when single focal length lenses with fast apertures were
the only choices for those wanting sharp and fast optics. Zooms were slow
and their quality did not match those of fixed focal length lenses. Lucky
for us, those days are over. Newer zooms are getting faster and sharper at
more affordable prices. Two of the fast aperture zooms with the most widely
used focal lengths are the 28-70mm f-2.8 and 80-200mm f-2.8. No matter what
type of photography you do, these two zooms will definitely help you with
your photography. Portrait photographers can use the 80mm to 135mm setting
of their 80-200mm zooms at f-2.8 for soft background while maintaining sharp
images of their main subject. The 200mm setting is excellent for fashion
photographers working outdoors for the same reason. They can shoot at
a distance and still remove distracting backgrounds at f-2.8 aperture while
maintaining foreground sharpness. The 28-70mm f-2.8 will benefit portrait
and fashion photographers as well. Again, the f-2.8 will create soft
backgrounds for wide or standard shots at closer range and provides extra
speed in low light.
Landscape photographers will love the bright viewfinder of the f-2.8
aperture. Although we rarely use large apertures for landscapes, the extra
f-stops are there just in case we need them, for instance, late in the
afternoon or low light photography. The 28-200mm will cover majority of your
landscape shots.
Indoor and outdoor sports photographers can cover basketball games to
gymnastics and even some outdoor sports such as football or baseball. The
80-200mm f-2.8 provides fast shutter speeds and cropping convenience of a
zoom lens. The 28-70mm f-2.8 does the same for those lucky sports
photographers who can sit behind the line in basketball games or similar
sports.
Wildlife photographers can also benefit from these zooms. Most birds and
mammals require 300mm or longer lenses, but many larger birds and mammals
can be photographed with 80-200mm zooms. Since wildlife photographers also
photograph other subjects in nature, many of them have already switched to
28-70mm f-2.8 and 80-200mm f-2.8 zooms.
Why go with a pair of fast zooms when slower versions provide the same focal
lengths and still produce good quality images? First of all, let me make one
thing very clear. I'm not in any way saying that you should buy a pair of
fast zooms if you want to take quality pictures. I have said it before and
will say it again here that even slower zooms currently made by major camera
and lens manufacturers are capable of producing professional quality images
if used correctly. Same is also true with more expensive lenses. Without
using good technique, both type of zooms will produce poor images. The main
advantage of slower zooms is their size and price. Faster and more expensive
zooms are usually sharper when used wide open. They also provide a brighter
view due to their faster apertures. Their draw back is the price, size and
weight. The decision is really up to you. Do you need the fast aperture of
the more expensive zooms? How often will you use these zooms wide open? The
answer should be easy. Chances are, you already have zooms covering the
focal lengths mentioned here or their equivalent fixed focal length lenses.
How often do you need faster apertures? If you answer only a few times, then
stay with your current lenses. Otherwise, look into the faster models
currently made.
Camera manufacturers versions cost more than generic models. A pair of
Canon, Minolta, Nikon, and Pentax 28-70mm f-2.8 and 80-200mm f-2.8 (Canon
makes 70-200mm f-2.8) will cost you well over $2000. You can purchase Sigma,
Tokina, or Tamron (as of this writing, Tamron does not make 28-70mm f-2.8
zoom) for almost half the price of camera manufacturer zooms and still
provide the fast apertures and maintain high quality. Teleconverters can be
used with 80-200mm f-2.8, but quality depends on the lens and the converter.
Teleconverters generally don't produce good quality images with zooms. With
some models however, you can use teleconverters with 80-200mm f-2.8. Canon's
1.4X and 2X teleconverters for example, will fit the 70-200mm f-2.8 EOS with
very good quality. Other models which cannot be fitted with matched
teleconverters, can be fitted with a generic teleconverter such as Sigma,
Kenko, or Tamron. I can't tell you anything about the combinations, because
I haven't used any of them with teleconverters, except Tokina 80-200mm f-2.8
and 2X Kenko converter. The combination was acceptable, but I prefer my
Minolta Maxxum 200mm f-2.8 and its matched 2X converter. You have to
experiment for yourself.
A pair of 28-70mm f-2.8 and 80-200mm f-2.8 may not be for everyone. Those
who purchase these zooms, will find them their most often used lenses. The
high quality of these zooms at all apertures as well as their fast maximum
aperture and focal lengths make them some of the most popular lenses today.
Both zooms are also professionally built and will last you a long time.
So, what about the 17-35mm f-2.8
lenses? Aren't these a better
alternative to the 28-70mm f-2.8
zooms? It all depends. For general
purpose photography, 28-70mm focal
lengths come in more handy. I'm
talking about those millimeters
between 35 and 70. If you do mostly
landscape photography, then you
might need the wider 24mm or even
17mm focal lengths. Otherwise,
28-70mm will be a better choice. I
will discuss the 17-35mm zooms which
are becoming popular in a future
article.