Advice Regarding A Subtle Walkabout Lens

68lbs

68lbs

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I'm thinking of adding a new lens to my arsenal! Canon... arsenal... geddit? :coat:

"Why do you need a new lens?", I hear. And a valid question. I suppose part of it is "why not" and "I'm addicted", but this is my thinking based on my current collection...

Sigma 10-20 - Love this lens. Completely impractical, but wouldn't be without it for the effect it has on cloudscapes. Can't see me replacing this lens as it does everything I need it to.

Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro - It's a macro. Purchased for that reason, and used accordingly. Not bad low-light, so can't see me ever replacing it.

Canon 70-300 IS - Purchased as a cheap telephoto for Sunderland airshow. It's not really had much use to date as this sort of length doesn't interest me as much. It does what I need, when I need it.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 - My stock lens. Lives on the camera, copes with most things and isn't bad low light with f/2.8 throughout the length. However, it is what I call quite large and heavy and hardly inconspicuous.

So, I am thinking of getting a nifty fifty. Not the usual 1.8 though, but the 1.4! My idea is that a small 50 will be light to carry around on the camera, is 'relatively cheap', will be my widest aperture to date so excellent low light. I'm looking at the f/1.4 as from what i've read is far better bokeh, better construction, obviously even better low light, etc. The plan is that this lens will live on the camera when i'm 'just out with the family'. And I would hopefully use it to try street and candids. As well as it being handy for low light indoors and lots of fantastic limited DoF stuff! :D

Does this sound like a decent enough plan?

Does the 1.4 auto-focus quickly? Not wanting to get thumped by people in the street, I would want to walk around with it in AV and raise camera, AF, shoot, move on - all as quickly and smoothly as possible.
 
you wont regret it i much prefer prime lenses

everyone should have a 50mm in there kit its so versatile

its my most used lens
 
I must ask the question that other than the DOF how much use will a f1.4 be outdoors ?.

I've got the horrible feeling you'll buy it then go walkabout muttering "too short, too long, wish I'd put the 24-70 on"
 
I want to upgrade my 1.8 to the 1.4 but i have to improve on some of my other lenses first!

as like you i like it for its compactness and its not to threatening at family gatherings etc. I am not a big fan of how the 1.8 souds feels and handles.
 
i find with a prime you consider the shot more

and it helps you to focus [pun intended:thinking:]

mines a 1.4 for night work but ide be happy with a 1.8 dureing the day
 
mrgubby said:
I must ask the question that other than the DOF how much use will a f1.4 be outdoors ?.
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Not a lot at that aperture. It's the 'subtlety' that I'd want for outdoor use. I feel awkward pointing the 24-70 at people I don't know.
 
ditchdigger said:
mines a 1.4 for night work but ide be happy with a 1.8 dureing the day
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Again, my thinking with the 1.4 is purely based on reviews and comments regarding bokeh and build quality, noise, etc. Obviously the extra 2/3 stop will be useful for low light too. And I dont see the point buying a 1.8 if I'm just going to want to upgrade it.
 
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is a lovely lens. Much better built than the f/1.8, decently quick and silent focussing, lovely picture quality.
 
Isn't the f/1.2 even better though?
 
HUUUUUUGE jump in price though! Isn't it an L?
 
Missed the :tongueincheek: smiley out in that post.
 
StewartR said:
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is a lovely lens. Much better built than the f/1.8, decently quick and silent focussing, lovely picture quality.
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What he said :)
 
68lbs said:
Again, my thinking with the 1.4 is purely based on reviews and comments regarding bokeh and build quality, noise, etc. Obviously the extra 2/3 stop will be useful for low light too. And I dont see the point buying a 1.8 if I'm just going to want to upgrade it.
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go for the 1.4 you will not regret easy to sell on as well

should you wish....
 
So, do people think what I am saying makes sense?

I dont really feel that knowledgeable and don't want to buy something that's likely to sit and not get used... bit like my 70-300!

Edit: Cheers Ditch, I thought resell was quite good, so that kind of ansers my concerns if I dont get on with it.
 
68lbs said:
So, do people think what I am saying makes sense?

I dont really feel that knowledgeable and don't want to buy something that's likely to sit and not get used... bit like my 70-300!

Edit: Cheers Ditch, I thought resell was quite good, so that kind of ansers my concerns if I dont get on with it.
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you cant sell it to me though ime mr.nikon....:lol:

final advice if you feel you want it you wont be satisfied untill you have it belive me...BUY IT:thumbs:
 
I really don't understand everyone's preoccupation with 50mm lenses.

Okay, on 35mm cameras where the whole focal length standard was generated, they represented a versatile, all-round focal length, but on a Digi SLR, unless it's full frame, it's like walking around with a 75mm zoom on a film camera - bonkers!!

The 50mm f/1.4 is a nicea lens but why not get a decent 28mm f/1.8 (like the Sigma EX) or a Canon 35mm f/2 that will allow you to get that wider field of view for a reportage feel, plus allow you to do that low DOF work you want?
 
The 50 1.4 is my favorite lens and it's a cracker for portrait work. It's on my camera all the time, but bear in mind that on the 400d it's a short telephoto so it's not really in the classic Street focal length.
If you're really looking for street/general stuff you might want to look at the Canon 28mm f1.8 or the Sigma...


Edit: doh! should have posted it when I typed it, rather than leaving it 20 minutes!
 
Thanks for the advice. I will have a look at the 28 and 35. I might set my Sigma at 50mm for the week first :)
 
68lbs said:
I might set my Sigma at 50mm for the week first :)
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You could always buy a 2nd hand 50/1.8 (Dods usually selling one ;)) and give it a real life test then spoil yourself with the 1.4 when you're happy with the length :thumbs:
 
I took this the other night with my Nikon nifty. I like it for low light landscapes.

Andy

Elton-Flash-Sunset-1.jpg
 
I'm really glad I packed the 50mm f1.4 for my shoot at the weekend, it is pretty much my go to lens for low light snowboarding shots...
 
specialman said:
I really don't understand everyone's preoccupation with 50mm lenses.

Okay, on 35mm cameras where the whole focal length standard was generated, they represented a versatile, all-round focal length, but on a Digi SLR, unless it's full frame, it's like walking around with a 75mm zoom on a film camera - bonkers!!

The 50mm f/1.4 is a nicea lens but why not get a decent 28mm f/1.8 (like the Sigma EX) or a Canon 35mm f/2 that will allow you to get that wider field of view for a reportage feel, plus allow you to do that low DOF work you want?
Click to expand...

Totally agree here, Ive done some walking around with my 50 and find it to be too long as a walkaround lens on a crop sensor.

I agree with people when they say it makes you work for the shot more, but having to move way back just to fit your subject into the frame isnt the fun part of "working for the shot".

maybe try someones 1.8 50mm and decide for yourself but Im starting to wish mine was a 35mm
 
Ok, I've been having a play and it seems that anything from 24mm to 35mm is going to be far better on my 400D than a 50mm. The whole point of this though, was that I wanted a 'cheapish' subtle lens for walking around with the camera (like when shoppin with the missus etc).

The 50mm 1.4 really appealed as it is nice and subtle, excellent quality, great max aperture so I can play at some interesting DoF stuff too, and not much over two hundred quid.

So... is there anything that still meets my requirements but focal length anything from 24mm to 35mm. Most I can find are either much more expensive, or much smaller max aperture so I am going to have to either compromise 'fun aperture' or budget. And budget isn't budging! If I cant find anything useful, I just wont take the camera out on all occassions :(

Suggestions?
 
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