best portrait lens for canon 450d (beginner)

daydreambeliever

daydreambeliever

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Hi, I'm very much a beginner and I'm looking for a decent (but not expensive) lens, I mostly enjoy portraits and there's a family wedding coming up and I've been asked to take some pictures. Just have the basic lens kit with my canon 450d and after much experimenting I feel I'm ready to test the water with a new lens as I've reached my limits. Any suggestions?

Think I'll buy 2nd hand...budget about £100.
 
buy a 50mm f1.8 new for less than that.
Matt
 
For that budget the 50mm f/1.8 is an obvious choice, and a good one too.
 
daydreambeliever said:
Okidoke! Thanks peeps! My, that was quick. I've contacted Kerso! :)
Click to expand...

You wont be dissapointed with the results.
At f1.8 or F2 it will be slightly soft, after that its as sharp as a very sharp thing, which has been sharpened.

Build quality is awful and it feels light and plasticky but the image quality it delivers for that price is amazing. I have an 85/1.8 and a 100/f2.8 macro, both cost close to £400 neither is sharper than the 50mm (or the nifty 50 as its also known).
At f1.8 its a fast lens and the image will appear brighter in the viewfinder also.
All round its the best value for quality lens in the range.

Matt
 
Have to agree with Matt. The 50mm has a very cheap feel to it, but don't let that fool you. Hard to beat for the price.

I've got some great portraits with the 100mm though. And I find I'm not so 'in yer face' as I am with the 50mm.

Once you get used to zooming in and out using your feet, you'll be fine!
 
Oh yes definitely a nifty. It'll feel very odd at first, when you're used to a zoom (did for me anyway) but it's my favourite lens these days and lives on the camera most of the time.
 
go for a 50mm 1.8, you can get one from kerso for cheaper than the shops
 
Would never sell my nifty.:D:thumbs::)
 
MatBin said:
You wont be dissapointed with the results.
At f1.8 or F2 it will be slightly soft, after that its as sharp as a very sharp thing, which has been sharpened.

Build quality is awful and it feels light and plasticky but the image quality it delivers for that price is amazing. I have an 85/1.8 and a 100/f2.8 macro, both cost close to £400 neither is sharper than the 50mm (or the nifty 50 as its also known).
At f1.8 its a fast lens and the image will appear brighter in the viewfinder also.
All round its the best value for quality lens in the range.

Matt
Click to expand...

To expand on this, you can definitely tell when this lens has been used at f/1.8. CA is present, and the picture gets a sort of 'dreamy' look. It sharpens up properly at around f/2.5 to f/2.8 and a couple of stops beyond that it is incredibly sharp. I try not to use it below f/2.2 because that's when the abberations properly show.

The build quality is shocking and the MF/AF switch feels like it's going to break something, but it's one of those love/hate relationships, the IQ more than makes up for its shoddy build.
 
trencheel303 said:
To expand on this, you can definitely tell when this lens has been used at f/1.8. CA is present, and the picture gets a sort of 'dreamy' look. It sharpens up properly at around f/2.5 to f/2.8 and a couple of stops beyond that it is incredibly sharp. I try not to use it below f/2.2 because that's when the abberations properly show.

The build quality is shocking and the MF/AF switch feels like it's going to break something, but it's one of those love/hate relationships, the IQ more than makes up for its shoddy build.
Click to expand...


*Absorbing*...:thumbs:
 
Here is some examples...

This was taken at f/1.8, and ISO 1600 :gag:

IMG_8358_sb.jpg


You can clearly see the abberations around the red letters (and general softness), but its still a usable image and if it wasn't for the f/1.8 I wouldn't have the shot.

This, on the other hand, was taken at f/8:

InverkipPSsunset.jpg


And is substantially sharper, although, compressing to JPEG and uploading have lost some of that. Even 100% crops at f/8 are actually perfectly usable.

The out of focus background at wide apertures, even when your focus point is several metres away, is remarkable. Look here:

IMG_8381_sb.jpg


Couple the lens with something like a Sigma 10-20 (for me) and you have an unbeatable combination!
 
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