Confused but excited!

AndyWest

AndyWest

Messages
8,400
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
No
I sold my Canon 40D a good 4 months or so ago for various reasons and bought a Compact (Panasonic TZ6) which is great but has a fair few shortcomings compared to what DSLR's can do.

I have now bought a used Canon 400D and Canon 18-55 IS (both from this Forum) and am glad to be back with a DSLR. The compact i will use for buzzing about where i don't want to carry all my gear and use the 400D for dedicated days out and holidays etc.

I have kind of decided to concentrate on Street and candid photography aswell as interesting stuff that i just happen to come across. I also love B&W so to this end i am after suggestions for a good lens for this type of photography.

As said i have the Canon 18-55 IS which will probably be a general walk about lens but i want to buy a good quality lens for the more dedicated street/urban stuff. i am leaning towards prime but not sure what focal length to go for.

I did have a Nifty on my old camera which was great but i don't know if there is anything out there that would be better for image quality or even if i should go for a zoom.

I have a budget of £250-£300 and have been looking at the Canon 50mm F1.4 which is hugely more money than the nifty. I know the build quality is better but is the IQ that much better. Should i go 35mm or 85mm or save my money and just get a Nifty again?

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks

Andy
 
If you're unsure as to 35mm, 50mm or 80mm, maybe get a 2nd hand zoom that will cover all this range, then after a couple of months, analyse which off the primes would be best suited.
 
I will be able to do the 35mm & 50mm with the kit lens but not 85mm.

I guess with candid it's better to be a fair distance from the subject so a zoom would help here.

Priority is image quality. I would rather buy a quality prime at say 35 or 50mm now and a 100m or larger later if needed. I do feel primes would suit me better..... i think???? :D
 
Well get the 85mm 1.8 then. One of the best non L lenses.

Though having said that zoom lenses come into their own, when you don't know what is going to turn up next.

I had a 17-85mm IS which though not of L quality, was a big step up from the kit lens. You can find them for ~£200 secondhand.
 
Yes the 17-85 IS does seem to be a fave with just about all who own them! Maybe worth a look!

Cheers

Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top