Prime lens - 50mm or 70mm?

Lynton

Lynton

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Lynton (yes really!)
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Hi,

Have been doing a bit of research online and think I may have the answer, thought i'd run it past you much more knowledgeable folks........ before I run off and spent best part of £400 on some nice "fast glass."

Have been asked to do some photo's at a Christening - at which I am to be a godfather (would it be rude to turn up in a T shirt saying "The Godfather"), and also some friends getting married later in the year - not doing the wedding - god no way near experienced or good enough- but was asked if I could do (attempt) some nice portraits, for them as well.... I think mainly of the groom/bm prior to wedding as the pro will be at brides house.

So given my current bag of lenses consists of 18-55,50-200,70-300, 120-400, and 500 refrector (that one soon to go, as well as the Siggy 70-300), I was looking at 70mm Sigma 2.8 as a Prime lens.....

However still toying with the 50mm Siggy as well -

Things that tempt me towards the 70. Can be that bit further from the subject (so not so in the face) and looking on pixeleeper, all the 50 shots are landscapes, and all the 70's are portraits (as in subject not orientation!!)

By the way will be a Pentax fit for a K-m


Any thoughts much appreciated.



Thanks
 
With the "crop multiplier" you might find the 50mm a better value.

You could try setting your zoom to 50mm and seeing whether THAT is the ideal or alternatively try the zoom at 70mm.

Having just done a christening I used a 50mm and the 18-200mm but mainly the prime.
 
I'm on Full-Frame and recently shot a Christening; I used an 85mm prime throughout and it worked perfectly for all shots.

Your best bet is to get yourself along to the venue and see what kind of shots either a 50mm or 70mm focal length would get you.
 
Pity you werent looking for a 50mm last week as I sold a beautiful Pentax-F 50mm f1.7 for a reasonable price. Anyway, for portraits I would go with the DA 70mm f2.4 and if you are quick there is one on Ebay HERE for an excellent price.

Nothing to do with me but please buy it as I have been back 3 times and my finger has been on the BIN button each time .. the only thing stopping me is that I already have too many lenses (plus the fact I am thinking hard about either a D300 or a K-7).

Meant to add, the Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro is probably one of the sharpest lenses out there and would bring out every facial flaw there is on a portrait shot.
 
Cheers guys, some good points there - particularly using the zoom at 50 and at 70...... D'oh why didn't I think of that.

Will have a play tomorrow......

Mike - damn too bloody late as usual! TO be honest don't really check the for sale bit on here too often as 90%+ is Canon/Nikon. Sorely tempted by that Pentax, but also like the macro function idea of the Siggy..... hey 4 months into DSLR, got the bug - , I've tried landscapes, sunsets, airshows, wildlife, few portraits with what I have - just need a close up of a bug/insect on a straw bale at sunset with a dramatic sky and bingo!!!

(Have also signed up on a one year Adult Education Digital Photography Course...... which is NCFE accredited - now not fussed about the accreditation as a qualification, but am sure will learn a thing or two......)


Forever learning.
 
Ah well if you want macro as well then the Sigma 70mm is a cracking lens although maybe a little short for bugs. If you are thinking insects then 90/100mm would be better as you want as much distance as possible between you and your subject as they tend to scare easily and run away :lol:

Actually I have a mint Sigma 50mm f2.8 macro I may get rid of if you are interested.
 
oh don't tempt me so easily..........:lol:

one minute you're trying to flog me a 50mm, after 2 secs earlier telling me need 100mm for bugs.......... maybe the 50mm and a tube of superglue to keep them in place would be the solution? (That is a lighthearted joke before anyone flames me and reports me to RSPCA or PETA...;)

Will have a play tomorrow with zoom at 50 and 70 and see what difference it makes. If I decide on a 50 - will be in touch......

Thankfully the 50mm doesn't take a 1.4 converter which obviously = 70 - if it had would have been biting your hand off there and then.......

Roughly what are you looking for, for it...........
.....
 
Lynton said:
oh don't tempt me so easily..........:lol:

one minute you're trying to flog me a 50mm, after 2 secs earlier telling me need 100mm for bugs.......... maybe the 50mm and a tube of superglue to keep them in place would be the solution? (That is a lighthearted joke before anyone flames me and reports me to RSPCA or PETA...;)
Click to expand...

Thats what I think, 50mm is too small for bugs .. just giving you the option though as you originally said you were considering 50mm :)
 
Mike.P said:
Thats what I think, 50mm is too small for bugs .. just giving you the option though as you originally said you were considering 50mm :)
Click to expand...

You could put some extension tubes on the 50...:thumbs:
 
How many and what lenghts, would I need to make it bug friendly? :thinking::)

Seriously am tempted by the 50 though.............
 
Mike.P said:
Tubes increase the magnification (by allowing you to focus closer) which would be the opposite of what you need.
Click to expand...

opps - missed the bit about being further away :nuts:
 
just to pick up on something you said earlier - if you're Godfather you won't have time to take photos. Godparents are much more involved in the ceremony then say a best man is in a wedding


Hugh
 
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