Good value portrait(ish) lens??

Prize78

Prize78

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Hi folks

I dare say this has been asked a thousand times, but I could go some advice regarding portrait lenses.

I have a Canon 550d and took it round to see my niece (10 months old) and thought that my 50mm1.8 would be a good shout, given the low light I was in....plenty fast, but too long for the type of shot I like, so I switched to my 17-85' much better focal range, but not quick enough, so had to resort to flash, which to be fair was much better, but it got me wondering.....Canon 35mm f2 perhaps, but then the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 seems very well reviewed, and would invariably be more useful in different situations.
My current lenses are

17-85 usm
18-55 kit
28-135 usm
55-250 is
50mm 1.8

Obviously my lenses are on the budget end, and I can't justify big money on L series glass, as much as i'd like to, so would the Tamron be my best option do you think. The Sigma 30mm looks good too, but again, money is going up to get to that. Any thoughts anyone?
 
I've always been uninspired by my 17-85IS kit lens, but to be fair to it.. when I give it some off-camera flash it's a very capable portrait lens. It's perhaps worth investing in a flashgun, off-camera trigger and a modifier or two and working with what you have.

Saying that.. the Sigma 30mm is my favourite lens.
 
You could try the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM is pretty sharp and at 2.8 not too bad in poor light.

Personally I prefer the Canon 85mm, but on a crop its pretty much a head shot lens.
 
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is a stunning lens for the money. I used one for a week and the shots it created were so sharp! I've also heard good things about the Canon 35mm f2.0
 
Samyang 85mm 1.4, I LOVE mine, its truely is a really nice lens.
 
Thanks for the replies folks. Maybe a look at the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is on the cards. Is the Sigma generally regarded as better than the Canon 35 f2??
 
Prize78 said:
Thanks for the replies folks. Maybe a look at the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is on the cards. Is the Sigma generally regarded as better than the Canon 35 f2??
Click to expand...

No! Canon is the daddy. Although sigma it's pretty good too the canon will do a number on just about anything else.
 
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Samyang 85 is great but is MF only, so if you can live with this it is great glass for the cash.

Alternatively, the Sigma 85f1.4 is a hell of a lens if you get a good copy particularly for tight portraits.
 
Sorry to muscle in on this thread, but I'm interested in the type of photography, i was thinking of the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, how would this compare to 35mmf2 or 85mmf1.8. I just don't know what to get...
I already have the 50mm f1.8 and like the OP I find it restricting at times

I'm using a 550d too
 
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Prize78 said:
Thanks for the replies folks. Maybe a look at the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is on the cards. Is the Sigma generally regarded as better than the Canon 35 f2??
Click to expand...

The Sigma, in my opinion, is in a class above the Canon 35mm f/2 (which is still a nice lens). The Canon's AF is relatively noisy and slow compared to the Sigma. Plus, with the Sigma you get an extra stop (twice as much) of light and shallower depth of field.
 
Before I got my Canon 24-70 F2.8L, it was my 50mm F1.8, which I used on my Canon 40D. It is said that on full frame the 85mm is the daddy, so taking into account the crop factor the 50mm is the one to have.
 
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