canon eos photography question: light sensitivity lenses
 

Are there lenses availabe for the EOS that are more sensitive to light?

Or is it all about ISO shuttertime and the CCD?

the lens just "gathers" the light, with "fast" lenses (bigger lens openings) have more ability to gather.

it is just physics. the smaller the f/stop the greater the light gathering ability.

and the faster the lens, the heavier, and more expensive.

f/5.6 lets in twice the light as f/8, which lets in twice the light as f/11, etc.

NIce to know.

Damn. I just learned something on GFY

Not entirely true. the quality of the lens has something to do with it as well... not just the size.

High ISO speed very bad for Lowlight.

Finding the compromise is the tough part if opting for low light settings.

I just did a shoot in low light settings.

Its a tough area of photography.

End up with grainer pictures or a blury model if she can not sit still during exposure time.

Thats my Leymans answer.

the optical quality of the lens is not what effects it's light gathering ability, the size of the lens diaphragm is.

f/stop is a light gathering measurement standard, and is irrespective of optical quality, lens manufacturer, or camera format.

it is rudimentary physics.

it is true that faster lenses generally have better lens quality because the marketplace demands it (and they are much more expensive) but a high optical quality lens set at f/8 lets in exactly the same amount of light (on average discounting vignetting) as a low optical quality lens set at f/8.

to answer the original poster's question---yes, buy a fast canon lens, such as
50mm f/1.4 if you want to shoot in low light, with lowest iso.

but slow shutterspeed and tripod could accomplish same mission.

if you want to capture more light get a "fast lens" lower f number = more light captured...
f/2.0 captures more light than f/3.5

OK, you got me.

I bought a very cheap lens (~$100) for my Canon EOS 20D. It's Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Works really good in dim light. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is even better but cost around $350.

As one who does a LOT of low and available light photography, motion blur is the constant enemy. I rarely change the iso to compensate (mostly I shoot at 80iso) - but rely on longer exposures, a sturdy tripod, usually a cable release...and hopefully a model who can 'strike a pose' and hold it fairly steady.

Thank you.. that makes a lot of sense.