Tinh Ngo wrote:
I was also thinking about the tamron 28-75 , so the 24-70 on a 1.6 crop will be different.. could i still fit like a whole team in one frame if i step back a few feets?
On the 1.6 crop cameras, (or any camera) the extra 4mm at the wide end makes more of a difference (IMHO).
Given the choice, I would select the 24-70 over the 28-75mm range.
It is sometimes easier to walk forward (closer) to make up that 5mm on the long end than it is to walk back for the 4mm on the wide end.
Especially if you are up against the fence at those games (with people or stands behind you) or in a wedding reception area.
Put another way, you can always crop an image after the exposure, but you cannot add 'width' to the shot after the exposure.
Tinh Ngo wrote:
wouldnth a 17-50 come closet to having 24-70 on a 1.6 crop and a 24-70 would be not wide no more?
Given that you want to do "portraits/wedding" I suggest the 24-70mm as I suggested earlier.
The 17mm end is wider (naturally) but will rarely be used for the "portraits/wedding" typical work you want to shoot.
I used to have a 17-35mm and sold it quickly after determining that it was not the right focal length for most of the shots/situations I wanted to shoot (mostly individuals and small groups). Of course others will feel differently.
There is a big apparent difference. IF you buy the 17mm type lens, you will often find yourself wishing you had more 'reach' and that is where the 24mm - 70 mm is so useful...at the 70mm end.
IF you have $900 get the 24-105 f4.0.....but then you will realize that having a f2.8 lens is vital for most wedding work.
All lenses are compromises. In the case of having one lens that could be used for weddings and portraits (and some of the closeup sports portraits), AND for a reasonable cost (not over $1000) then I suggest you consider the 24-70mm. IF you have $900 you could get the Canon model. At the beginning of your photography "career" I suggest you start with the Sigma and use your funds to get more 'breadth' in your gear to allow you to do more different types of photography.
You will find many discussions of these lenses at the Canon SLR forum here and there are many 'reviews' online and here at this site too.
You've got a good eye for finding and isolating what is important in the scene and contrasting it with the background clutter, one of the more difficult things to do outdoors and something most beginners struggle with. You've also got the knack for capturing the decisive moment, as evidenced by the batting shots, and good technical skills (exposure, focus, etc.)
In terms of constructive criticism, the cropping on the action shots is tight to the point of cutting off the bat, feet, etc. in some and the heads are winding up much lower in the frame than in your more deliberative shots. Its very tough to catch the action and get the most effective crop at the same time. I'd suggest you shoot the action shots a bit wider to allow yourself some flexibility for cropping and composition during editing. Some of the other shots like the dugout shots have the subjects centered when they'd be more effective slightly off center with extra space in the direction the subject is looking towards.
On the more deliberate shots when you have time, once you identify your center of interest (COI) expand the frame outward from it, rather than starting wide and cropping it. As you expand the frame move the center of interest around in the frame to find the best balance. It is easier to spot distraction that way and adjust cropping to avoid them. When you crop out-to-in the tendency is to keep the center of interest where you initially put it, even when distractions in the frame at the edges.
