I took your Mastering the Manual class in June, and you mentioned that you would be open to making lens suggestions via email. I’ve been researching, and I’m still at a loss. I would appreciate any suggestions you have.
I’m a complete beginner (the manual mode class was terrific!).
I have a Canon R-10 with two lenses: 18-45mm (standard kit lens) and 55-210mm f5-7.1
Two primary areas where I’d like to use my Canon (rather than my iPhone camera).
– High School Marching Band – shooting often in evenings or in gymnasiums/stadiums in low light, quick movement. I’d love to focus on the kids (with bleachers and backgrounds blurred out) and catch movement of the Band and Guard. I’m also doing a lot of candids (up-close of kids’ faces) in the stands for social media content.
– Work – I work for a nonprofit in communications. We just use our iPhones for most things, but I’d love to start adding better photos with my camera. A lot of group shots of people (mostly indoors, occasional outdoors). We also do a couple of big events in the evening indoors with low light.
Other band photographers are telling me I need the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8. I’m seeing a range of pricing from $2800 to $4,000 for that kind of lens. At my level of photography and my camera, I’m not ready to make that kind of financial investment.
I know from the manual mode class I need a lens with a larger f-stop. Any f2.8 lens that are more reasonably priced that would work for a beginner in the two scenarios above? Ideally, I’d like to spend less than $1,500.
I appreciate any guidance. I’m not sure I’m ready for the Lens class you teach at Precision, but if it’s offered in the future, I hope to register. — Erica
My Answer: Let’s get real on your lens choice.
Canon is putting out a series of moderately priced lenses for the R10 and R7 cameras.
The RF100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS is only $700. That would be great for your band photos.
The RF 24-105mm f4-7.1 is reasonable, too. Only $429.
These two lenses would put you in great standing with your camera. I’ve used both. They are not your top of the line Canon lenses but they are VERY good.
Your R10 has nice high ISO so you don’t need the 2.8 lenses. Those were needed when we didn’t have exceptional high ISO or software to process high ISO.
The reality, too, is you’re never going to blur the background from the bleachers. You need to be down on the field to do that. You can blur the background, though, for your candids of the students in the bleachers during the game. Either lens will do a great job.
In all the photos below, I used a fstop of 5.6.
Kathy Adams Clark 
