1st "none kit lens", which to buy for portraits?

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tonikeys

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Toni
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Current kit is....

Canon 400d with a standard kit lens, EFS 18-55mm.

I'm wanting to dabble in portrait photography, just a home setup, starting with a few backdrops and an eBay studio flash kit.

Question is, which lens?

I'm on a VERY limited budget so was looking at the "niffty-fifty"

Am I correct in thinking that this is the lens?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EF-50mm-f-1-8-II-AUTOFOCUS-LENS-f1-8-50-mm-/300457027254?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN

If it is, how much of an improvement will I see? Is there anywhere where i can see comparison shots?


Also, what's the difference between that lens, and this?....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EF-50mm-f-1-8-II-AF-f1-8-50-mm-MK2-MM-2-LENS-/110576354514?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN

besides price of course.
 
If you are on a very limited budget, and are just going to "dabble" around; save your money and use what you have. It will do fine.
 
As far as i can see, the above lenses look the same! Maybe i'm missing something though! The price is stonking on the second one though! :(

Have a search for 'Kerso' on here, he does Canon stuff at reasonable prices!

The nifty fifty is a very good choice for people on a budget, i'm sure a quick search will provide you with sample qualities.....Another common choice is the 85mm 1.8......not sure how much they go for though.....
 
On the other hand a fast prime will give that shallow depth-of-field look that is often used with portrait photography. For that the 50mm f1.8, especially if bought 2nd-hand, seems like an obvious choice not least becasue you'll be able to sell it on for what you paid for it.
 
50mm all day, every day. well - for portraits that is ! and if not in studio and if it's not a headshot.
 
Yeah, I had a look through that thread earlier, looks like Sigma may of been faulty.
 
tonikeys said:
Current kit is....

Canon 400d with a standard kit lens, EFS 18-55mm.

I'm wanting to dabble in portrait photography, just a home setup, starting with a few backdrops and an eBay studio flash kit.

Question is, which lens?

I'm on a VERY limited budget so was looking at the "niffty-fifty"

Am I correct in thinking that this is the lens?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EF-50mm-f-1-8-II-AUTOFOCUS-LENS-f1-8-50-mm-/300457027254?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN

If it is, how much of an improvement will I see? Is there anywhere where i can see comparison shots?


Also, what's the difference between that lens, and this?....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EF-50mm-f-1-8-II-AF-f1-8-50-mm-MK2-MM-2-LENS-/110576354514?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN

besides price of course.
Click to expand...

No difference on the lenses, just the crazy price of the 2nd one! £300+ for the 50mm 1.8 II! Yikes!
 
tonikeys said:
Yeah, I had a look through that thread earlier, looks like Sigma may of been faulty.
Click to expand...

no, it's just out on my camera, after a microadjustment it looks like the lens is performing much better. my 50mm 1.8 though is still superb and you can't go wrong with it in my opinion, some people wuld tell you it's poor wide open, but i think if you look at the end of that thread you'll see they need to get some glasses! :lol:
 
joescrivens said:
no, it's just out on my camera, after a microadjustment it looks like the lens is performing much better. my 50mm 1.8 though is still superb and you can't go wrong with it in my opinion, some people wuld tell you it's poor wide open, but i think if you look at the end of that thread you'll see they need to get some glasses! :lol:
Click to expand...

Oh, I see [note to self, read to the end of the thread] :D
 
gnom said:
If you are on a very limited budget, and are just going to "dabble" around; save your money and use what you have. It will do fine.
Click to expand...

om nom gnom is on the money. your 18-55 towards the 55 end, at a lowish f/ number will be good.
 
Just get the 50mm 1.8. It's a great lens, great fun. It's obviously not perfect, it's quite hard-work sometimes, but definitely worth the money.

trencheel303 said:
om nom gnom is on the money. your 18-55 towards the 55 end, at a lowish f/ number will be good.
Click to expand...

Towards that end its lowest is 5.6. That isn't low.
 
trencheel303 said:
om nom gnom is on the money. your 18-55 towards the 55 end, at a lowish f/ number will be good.
Click to expand...

You can't get a lowish f/ number on the kit lens at 55, thats the biggest issue, minimum aperture at 55 is 5.6.

you'll see much better results from the prime.
 
But shooting with studio flash the OP will be using f8/f11 at which I'd imagine the kit lens will be fine. I reckon thats what the other posters meant
 
paul_g said:
But shooting with studio flash the OP will be using f8/f11 at which I'd imagine the kit lens will be fine. I reckon thats what the other posters meant
Click to expand...

right, missed that bit.

I've never tried the kit lens at f8 against the prime, I wonder how different things would be
 
That's why I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison. Does a comparison using strobe even exist?
 
Is the 50/1.8 a good lens to use out and about or is it restricted to certain photography subjects etc?
 
Gigabyte, not really the best for out and about, unless if you want to keep moving around to correctly frame your subject. Ideally you'd want something with a range of focal lengths for a walkabout lens, i.e. 18-105mm
 
How big is your home studio setup? 50mm might be too tight on a crop body
 
Y15HAL said:
Gigabyte, not really the best for out and about, unless if you want to keep moving around to correctly frame your subject. Ideally you'd want something with a range of focal lengths for a walkabout lens, i.e. 18-105mm
Click to expand...

But i am thinking of buying one to use in the home, garden and on hols with the family.
 
The beauty of the nifty is that you will be able to use it in available light as well as the home studio, it just increases your options, and lets face it, it's as cheap as chips and will fit in your pocket easily.
 
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