fixed 28mm or 28-105?

[Professor 0]

I'm about to get into still photography, and I'm wondering what sort of lens I should get. I've found a fixed 28mm f1.8 for $220, and a 28-105mm f2.8 for $175. This will be the only lens I have for the camera, and it needs to work for tandem, and freefly would be nice. It'd be a bonus if I could use it on the ground, but it's not really important that I can. So, what is the best bet?

Thanks

Ted
Like a giddy school girl.

[quade 4]

And what do each of them weigh?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Canuck 0]

I would say the fixed 28. As has been discussed here before, gnerally the lense quality will be better on a fixed lens, and most likely it is lighter and smaller.

There will be very few, if any, times for skydiving application that you will use the zoom capeabilities of the 28-105.

Spend the few extra bucks.

Canuck

[jdhill 0]

What is the difference in length?

Josh

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

[Professor 0]

Quote

And what do each of them weigh?

fixed: 3.1" long, 17 oz
zoom: 3.3" long, 13.2 oz

so appearantly, the fixed is actually heavier than the zoom, and not much lighter. I'm going to mount it on top of the helmet, not on the front, so length isn't going to be much of a problem anyway. For the money, and the versatility, and weight, it seems like the zoom is a better deal, but now I'm wondering about the picture quality, and durability of the zoom. Seems like it should weigh more.

Ted
Like a giddy school girl.

[alain 0]

check this out for the official specs:
http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/wideangle/index.html
http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/standard/index.html

28mm f/1.8 is usefull only for the darker situation or if you want to play with the depth of focus (isolate the subject from the background: good for flowers closeup's but useless for skidiving ).
the quality of a 28mm f/2.8 vs 28mm f/1.8 will be identical if not better at f/5.6 or f/8, which is what you will the most comonly use for skydiving.
If you want to go for a zoom, consider a 24-85: the 24-28mm range is good for us.
24mm f/2.8 could be a good option to consider as well : great quality up there but you won't use it that much on the ground...

hope this helps...

[Professor 0]

Too late, I already ordered the fixed 28/f1.8

Oh well.

Ted
Like a giddy school girl.