Next step from Nifty Fifty?

condra

Hi all.

I got a 50 1.8 Canon lens for my Rebel about a year ago and love the improvement in image quality over the kit lens.

I'm hoping to improve on that again and was hoping someone could recommend a lens in the 200-500 euro price range, that would improve on the image quality of the 50 1.8.
Ideally a prime lens between 28-85mm.

Here are some lenses I've seen in this price range (new and secondhand)

Sigma
30 1.4

Canon
35 f2
85 1.8 2
50 1,4
24 2.8

At the moment I'm considering the 35 f2, which Conns have second-hand for 199, as it looks like it has great IQ, and would also compliment my 50 in terms of giving me more choice for wider shots.

I'm just a hobbyist, mostly shoot portraits, but for now I'm looking for the best IQ I can find in my price range, regardless of focal length.

Perhaps I'm being optimistic, and a jump in IQ from the 50 1.8 would require much more than 500 euro?

Thanks for any replies.

magicbastarder

is image quality really going to make a difference?
i'd say the biggest change to the quality of your photos will come from the different demands a different focal length will make on you. given that the 50mm is a short telephoto on the rebel (which is a DX sensor, yeah?), i'd go wide rather than long. maybe the 24mm?

Effects

If I were you I'd go for the 24mm. I have both the 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 and I just prefer the 85 so the 50 rarely gets used. I'm thinking of selling it and getting a wider prime instead. I'm shooting full frame which is slightly different to your set up.

ImagenEstilo

I'd be leaning more towards the 85 1.8 which is a top lens with lovely bokeh. If you are primarly a portrait photographer this would be the text book lens (well bar the 1.4 version which is triple the price).

The 24 is good for environmental portraits. Not something that I am wildly into to be honest. I am presuming you made a mistake when you said 24 2.8. It is 1.8 isn't it??

I've an 85mm on full frame and its my favourite low light portrait lens. The results have more of a WOW factor to them.

My tuppence worth at least.

Ben D Bus

condra wrote: »

I'm just a hobbyist, mostly shoot portraits

Then you'd be wanting a longer focal length. The 85 would be the choice. I'm conveniently ignoring the comment about IQ regardless of focal length as it doesn't compute. If you're doing headshots with a 24mm lens, wonderful IQ will be far outweighed by big noses and tiny ears

If you're doing full length environmental portraits then it's a different story of course!

Edit: I somehow didn't read the previous post before I jumped in with my contribution. So I could replace my observations with a simple +1

Brian

50 mm on an APS-C sensor is already an 80 mm equivalent, though.

Gumbo

I'm in roughly the same boat.
Have the 18-135mm and canon 50mm 1.8.
For the last 6 months or so, the 18-135 has sat at home and I only carry the camera (550d) with the 50mm on it, but it can be very restricted.

I'm thinking of selling both to fund a wider fixed lens like either the 24mm, 28mm or 30mm. I think the 35mm will be that tiny fraction too short IMHO.

This would be a dream http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=7070

But realistically it could be http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=617

Brian

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=678&setcurrency=gbp wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Hogzy

Brian wrote: »

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=678&setcurrency=gbp wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Just avoid that shop.

Gumbo

Brian wrote: »

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=678&setcurrency=gbp wouldn't be a bad choice either.

I've considered it, but the F4 is throwing me a bit, especially as it will be my only lens.

Hogzy wrote: »

Just avoid that shop.

Why? I've bought many times from them and received everything within 10 days. My purchases include :

Canon 550d
Nikon 5100
Canon 50mm
Nikon 35mm
Nikon d7000

All at various times throughout the previous 2 years.

ImagenEstilo

The f/4 would throw me as well. Low light quality would be average enough even if it has IS on it.

I've always steered away from simplyelectronics because it seems hit or miss as regards the reviews I have read. I'm glad to hear they have served you well as they are probably the cheapest out there.

challengemaster

50mm is ~70mm on crop.
35mm on a crop body will be pretty much what a 50mm is on full frame.


So if you want "true" 50mm, 30 or 35 isn't a bad choice.

Other lenses I'd be looking at are 85mm and 135mm

zerohamster

Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Great lens and much better build than the Canon 50mm f/1.4 which I get in for repairs all the time.

Gumbo

Just to update this thread, although I didn't start it, it pushed me to do what I've be meaning to do for ages!

Sold the 50mm and 18-135mm on adverts and ordered the Canon 28mm f1.8.
Can't wait for it to come now...especially that I've no lens to use at present

anonjoe555

Check out the samyang range. http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/photography/lenses/201/q_samyang/
And if you want to look at old lenses check out
http://top35mm.com/helios-44-2-2-58mm-russian-lens-canon-eos-af
http://www.rockycameras.com/m42-screw-24-c.asp