Do i go for a prime lens??? please help....

[mellie]

Hey guys,

I am fairly new to photography, but loving it and getting to grips with things quite quick ......My main interest I think is going to be doing a lot of outside portrait work, using shallow depth of field.....

Therefore from what I have read a prime lens would be my best shot??

What do you guys think? and what prime lens is best? I have a canon 500...

Thanks

 

[PeteMo]

Hi Mel, plenty of choice for you. If you could let us know your budget you'll get better advice.

Having said that, most will say the 50mm f1.8 "nifty fifty" is as good a place as any to start with.

Best of all, you can get a one for £60

 

[pooley]

Another vote for the nifty fifty. Another good option is the 85mm f1.8 - a cracking lens for the money but some will argue a tad too long. It will come down to your personal preferences and budget

 

[mellie]

thanks guys, well budget wise it depends really, prob £80 to £90 max!

The main criteria for me is that it will give me crisp clear portrait pics, inside or outside, whilst using a very shallow depth of field!?!?

 

[Brian Sayle]

yeah defo 50mm 1.8 comes in well for the budget you got to play with

 

[pooley]

Only one option then, but no prizes for guessing which one........

 

[big soft moose]

I love my tamron 90mm f2.8 for portraits (strictly speaking its a 1:1 macro lens but it does great portraits as well) but thats well outside your budget

as others have said nifty fifty is the way to go - you can get one new from kerso for £75 but they are often available second hand for about 50 notes

 

[mellie]

Thanks guys! Looks like ill be on the hunt for a nifty fifty prime then!! ;-))