Nifty 50 - Noobish question

[Tiger Feet]

Whats the nifty 50 (Canon 50 1.8) like on a crop frame camera ( Canon 7d)..

By this i mean, roughly how far away from i subject would i have to be to do a full portrait or head and shoulders shot.

Thanks

[joescrivens]

7d is what I have it on and it's a 1.6 crop so yourlooking at more like 80mm.

Full portrait it's not ideal for you have to stand quite far back, better if you have a 30mm prime for this. Head and shoulders it is perfect. you are looking at standing 1.5-2m away depending on the size of the persons head :-)

[Tiger Feet]

Thanks - I know alot of people with big heads so best allow 3m :lol:

Hmmm might have a re-think, but then again its a decent lens for not that much £££.

[joescrivens]

don't bother rethinking, just get one now. For £85 quid you can't go wrong and hell if you make a mistake you can sell it for £65 the next day, a £20 mistake on a lens is the only one this cheap you'll ever make.

Also, lots of people use an 85 on a full frame for portraits, it's considered one of the best portraight distances , so seems like it's born to be on a crop to me

[The23rdman]

don't bother rethinking, just get one now. For £85 quid you can't go wrong and hell if you make a mistake you can sell it for £65 the next day, a £20 mistake on a lens is the only one this cheap you'll ever make.

Also, lots of people use an 85 on a full frame for portraits, it's considered one of the best portraight distances , so seems like it's born to be on a crop to me


Until you delve into the wonderful world of manual lenses. :)

[Tiger Feet]

You've gotta point about resale - its got to be worth a bash...

:thumbs:

[Tiger Feet]

Until you delve into the wonderful world of manual lenses. :)

I think i know where your coming from. I havnt actually odered a 7d (That will be next week).. I dont own any lenses so picking some has been a nightmare. Think im going for a EF24-105 f/4L IS and see what happens.

[stephenrapoport]

This is one of the best value lenses on the market in my opinion - it takes great face portraits and can be used on full body shots in a large enough studio. My only complains is that it's not overly sturdy - I'm on my second after dropping the first from a chair and it broke in two!

[Orville]

IMHO 50mm is a little long for general in-door shooting on a crop sensor. I owned a 7D with a nifty 50 and a Sigma 30mm F/1.4. The nifty has just been sold because I never really used it after getting the 30mm.

It is a big jump in price, but if you can afford it try the Sigma 30mm F/1.4. Mine is sharper at F/1.4 than the nifty was at F/1.8 and it is usually easier to step closer to you subjects than stepping back in-doors. The nifty is however very good value and can produce really good results.

[joescrivens]

IMHO 50mm is a little long for general in-door shooting on a crop sensor. I owned a 7D with a nifty 50 and a Sigma 30mm F/1.4. The nifty has just been sold because I never really used it after getting the 30mm.

It is a big jump in price, but if you can afford it try the Sigma 30mm F/1.4. Mine is sharper at F/1.4 than the nifty was at F/1.8 and it is usually easier to step closer to you subjects than stepping back in-doors. The nifty is however very good value and can produce really good results.

I have both these lenses too on the 7d and thought the same as you until recently. I think the 50mm is better for a one person head and shoulder portrait because of perspective. I read some things recently on why the 85mm mark is considered such a good portrait lens and people told me it was due to the perspective. 30mm is quite wide for a standard portrait and since then have looked back at my shots taken with both and the 50mm ones definitely look better.

I now use my 50mm for one person and 30mm for more than one or if I want more of the body in.

[dan_yorkshire]

I had a go with my mates 'nifty fifty' on my D60 and was really impressed with it.

However I opted for the 35mm 1.8 instead for only £155.

You can always walk nearer to your subject, but cant always walk further away.

[B3R]

For £85 quid you can't go wrong and hell if you make a mistake you can sell it for £65 the next day, a £20 mistake on a lens is the only one this cheap you'll ever make.

Or buy one second hand and if you sell you've not lost.

[joescrivens]

I had a go with my mates 'nifty fifty' on my D60 and was really impressed with it.

However I opted for the 35mm 1.8 instead for only £155.

You can always walk nearer to your subject, but cant always walk further away.

I think the perspective thing comes in here again though. The wider the lens the less flattering the images look due to enhanced perspective

[jonnyjogpants]

i love my 50mm 1.8 on my D80 and D300

[Orville]

I guess if the sole use is portrait then 50mm or 85mm is fine. I tend to prefer the flexibility of being able to shoot both group shots and portrait in low light. I understand that 30mm nay include "more background" for portraits, but the background blur is better diffused at same apertures because you will be closer to the subject (I hope that makes sense). Risking £80 on the nifty is a safer bet than risking £260 for the 30mm 1.4. If you cannot try both get the 50mm and see whether that suits.

[Davec223]

I have 3 50mm lenses now, the nikon 50mm f1.8 the nikon 50mm f1.4 and my new Zeiss 50mm f1.4 planar manual lens, I love them all, I have a feeling I am going to be shooting primes a lot more than zooms now and only really use my zooms for convience when out and about with the family.

[joescrivens]

I guess if the sole use is portrait then 50mm or 85mm is fine. I tend to prefer the flexibility of being able to shoot both group shots and portrait in low light. I understand that 30mm nay include "more background" for portraits, but the background blur is better diffused at same apertures because you will be closer to the subject (I hope that makes sense). Risking £80 on the nifty is a safer bet than risking £260 for the 30mm 1.4. If you cannot try both get the 50mm and see whether that suits.

I don't thinks it's so much to do with what the background is like. I think it;s the effects on the face:

see here (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=192133&highlight=prime) for a better explanation than I could give

[shoshone]

I had a go with my mates 'nifty fifty' on my D60 and was really impressed with it.

However I opted for the 35mm 1.8 instead for only £155.

You can always walk nearer to your subject, but cant always walk further away.

False: On cliff edge looking out at seabirds; on harbour wall looking at the boats in the water...well I suppose you could but I don't think you'd survive off the top of Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire or your gear for that matter :nono:

[dan_yorkshire]

False: On cliff edge looking out at seabirds; on harbour wall looking at the boats in the water...well I suppose you could but I don't think you'd survive off the top of Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire or your gear for that matter :nono:

Hey, dont underestimate the lengths I'd go to for a good shot!! :lol: