Which Prime? (Canon)

MJ Stebbings

MJ Stebbings

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Mike
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Hi

At the moment, i'm going through a drastic change in kit, upgrading all my stuff and getting the best i can for what i can afford.

Now, i want to look at getting some prime lenses, because i want some nice sharp shots for the portraits and weddings that i do. However, i'm a little in the dark about which is best and what would really satisfy my needs.

Currently, i pretty much shoot everything on my Sigma 24-70 F2.8, and i use my 50D pretty much exclusively. I will be getting a 5DmkII next year, but thats a different story for a different day

Can anyone advise me on which would be a good lens for portrait and wedding work? Was looking at the Canon 85mm f1.8 but knowing that i shoot most things at 70mm or under, would this be too much reach? Is there anything that would fall somewhere between the 50mm and 85mm thats any good?

Erm..... help? :P

Mike
 
Portraits.. 85/1.8 or 135/2. I have them both and they're both lovely. 85 is better for crop, 135 is better for full-frame. Nothing really between 50 and 85.. Go with the 85 or 135 for headshots and a 35 or 50 for the half/full body.

For weddings, 24-70/2.8L & 70-200/2.8L IS II .. sorry :)

The 85/1.8 is a very very good deal although highlights tend to purple fringe wide open.
 
I'm slowly making the switch to primes as well, although my 24-105 is on for most of the day! I've got the 85 1.8 which is a lovely lens, sharp too although I haven't noticed too much pf, I may need to look closer!!

I'm interested in the upgrade to the new Siggy 85 if not then it will be the big bucks 85L although I'll wait until they release the upgrade to mkiii.
 
sigma 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 are your best options on the crop. Also a 30mm 1.4 sigma is amazing for your crop too,
 
I've used a Canon 50mm F1.4 on a 550D for portrait stuff and got decent results but if you're going full frame in the near future you are better off with the Sigma. This has been designed to minimise vignetting at F1.4 on full frame cameras. The Canon gives its best results at much tighter apertures - around F7 to F8, I believe.
 
Not looking to spend too much as i'm looking at how i get on with them and also want to upgrade the zooms to L series and then look at getting a 5DmkII, so dont want to go splashing loads on L series primes and then have no money and not get on with them either :lol:

So, people think the Sigma 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F1.8 for portraits then?
 
One other thing, should i get a 50mm F1.8 (Ye old Nifty) and see how i get on with that?
Had one, never used it, sold it :lol: but that was because i wasnt really shooting any portrait work.

I dont want to feel let down by the Nifty and be put off primes for it :p
 
yep get the 50mm 1.8 if you like, you can sell it the next day and only lose twenty quid so it's not a high risk. the bokeh in it is horrible, but the shaprness and IQ is great.
 
Is the sharpness really that good on the 50 1.8?
I'm not too fussed about the Bokeh with it really, its more the sharpness and IQ i'm after testing.

Mike
 
Mike, the 1.8 is as sharp as a lens ever needs to be. It really is outstanding for it's price - any price really. I still use mine on a 1DsII and it shines.
 
Is this sharp enough?
5142724820_bc886de3e7_b.jpg
 
Hmmm, could be sharper :lol:

Nah, seriously, thanks mate, might invest in one to have a muck about with.

But as far as the others go, is it the 85mm 1.8 that everyone is saying would be a good one to grab (if i get along with the nifty first)?
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Hmmm, could be sharper :lol:

Nah, seriously, thanks mate, might invest in one to have a muck about with.

But as far as the others go, is it the 85mm 1.8 that everyone is saying would be a good one to grab (if i get along with the nifty first)?
Click to expand...

It's sharp as a sharp thing at 100% :)

The 85mm is another brilliant lens - better on FF I'd imagine though.
 
loved my 85mm on my 7d but it really did come to life on my full frame and i use it much more now
 
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