First prime lens for Canon

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craiglamb

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Craig
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Hi there,

I have been using my Canon camera for the past few years as a design student and have been getting by with my 18-55 kit lens and Tamron 70-300 telephoto zoom.

I have graduated now and have my first full time job and am wanting to get myself a nice fast prime lens from my pay.

I have been looking mostly at 50mm f1.4 including the Canon and Zeiss lenses and am aware of the price difference but think the difference in quality would make up for it.

Anyone have any opinions/ other options I hadn't thought of OR anything similar which they are selling please give me a shout I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers

Craig
 
What about the Canon Nifty fifty 1.8? Cheap, plastic, but brilliant IQ apparently!
 
Yeah had thought about the 1.4 would rather something with a bit better build quality (metal preferably) as I'd like it to last a good while.
 
Not looked back from my canon 50 1.4 but am looking at my 4th new lens now it's like Pringles once u pop u just can't stop :lol:
 
Nice one. Yes I think whatever lens I get here will be followed in the coming months by a standard zoom of some description to get rid of my 18-55 kit lens which has been fine but would like something a bit better.
 
Just order 17 40 f4 l lol and got a bottle of wine here glug glug as when wife gets in it will be what the what the **** u got another lens lol w8 till she sees the bill for new body lol
 
Ok so I am thinking 50mm f1.4

• Canon
• Sigma
• Zeiss

Which one?!
 
I see you're using an APS-C camera so maybe the Sigma 30mm f1.4 might be something you could think about? If you must have a 50mm here's a challenge for you... see if you can find a review that places the Canon 50mm f1.4 ahead of the Sigma :D I haven't read one yet.

I have the Siggy and it's a good lens and by many accounts has more accurate focus at wider apertures than the Canon, plus you get a hood and a case with the Sigma.

IF you are not too bothered about f1.4 maybe you could think about getting a f2.8 macro something between 50 and 100mm? At least then you've got a dual use lens as you can use it for macro and general/portrait shooting.
 
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My telephoto actually does a pretty amazing macro ( from the other side of the room) so I really am looking for something I can use wide open to get a good depth of field and bokeh (when I want instead of when my 18-55 wants).
 
Ok, but for ref your tele doesn't do macro. Macro is 1:1 or greater and with a macro lens you can also often focus closer than you can with a non macro lens.
 
Yeah I was aware that was the case but for the rare occasions that I do shoot macro it's fine.

I have been looking all day online when I should have been working...and I am now wondering whether I would be better off with the standard zoom lens now!?

Aaaaarrrrgggggghhhhhhh! Why is buying camera equipment so difficult?
 
Aaaaarrrrgggggghhhhhhh! Why is buying camera equipment so difficult?..
it shouldn't be really if you know what you need and what you can afford ! good luck
 
I know what I need...and know my budget but now can't decide whether I want a prime or standard zoom first!!
 
If you can get the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 then get it. Hands down better glass than the Canon
 
sigma 30mm, sigma 50mm (or canon f1.4 50mm if you want something smaller), canon f1.8 85mm, canon f2 135mm...best value primes i reckon.
 
I can get it. Would have enough money and can get one here where I live but am just wondering whether or not it is worth the extra money for not having the auto features!
 
I just want something I can put on and snap away with and get nice crisp shots and nice lens effects!
 
You might consider what I have just bought which is 35m f2, this is the equivalent of a 50m on a full frame and normally classed as good walk about lens. Street Photography you need a nice wide lens from around 14-24m.

I think somebody said above you might find the 50m to much crop for indoors unless you stick to shoulder and head shots....this is very true.

Best thing todo before you part with you cash is drop into Jessop's and ask for a test run....

let us know what you get...
 
Image Quality (IQ) wise you won't go wrong with any of the primes said here. If you are looking at getting the 50 1.4 try walking round with your 18-55 at full zoom. If you like that focal length get the Canon 50 1.4, if its too long get the sigma 30 1.4 or if you want something longer get the 85 1.8. Personally i love the sigma 30 1.4. It's super sharp, has HSM and is a stop brighter than the Canon 35mm
 
craiglamb said:
Ok so I am thinking 50mm f1.4

• Canon
• Sigma
• Zeiss

Which one?!
Click to expand...

Is the Zeiss not manual focus only? Will that make a difference to you?

I've just gone from the "nifty fifty" to the Sigma. I'm still in the testing phase at the moment (trying to see if I've won the Sigma 50mm "lottery" and got one that doesn't front focus or back focus) but I am most impressed so far. I'm not quite sure whether it's 5 times better ($540 vs $100) but I have a few weeks to decide (thank you Amazon.com return policy).

On a 7D btw.
 
craiglamb said:
My telephoto actually does a pretty amazing macro ( from the other side of the room) so I really am looking for something I can use wide open to get a good depth of field and bokeh (when I want instead of when my 18-55 wants).
Click to expand...

Er, macro from the other side of the room?
 
odd jim said:
Er, macro from the other side of the room?
Click to expand...
The Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD "Macro 1:2" has a 'faux' macro facility at the 300mm end - it will focus closer (about 6' iirc) but it won't give 1:1. So definitely will need to be used from the other side of a small room :D.
 
Haha yup that's the one! I think it's between Canon and Sigma now to be honest it will leave me with another £200 to put towards a standard zoom next month!

How do I go about 'borrowing' a lens from jessops?! Are they likely to turn me down for being a hoody wearing YOOF?!
 
They should be willing to let you play around with the lenses in the shop, I certainly have in the past and I'm a yoof in a hoody.
I bought the 50mm 1.8 for my canon and it really is great, I use it for portraits mainly and in low light places like concerts/gigs.
The build quality is pretty questionable but mine hasnt broken yet. And tbh I'm sure it will last a couple of years, if it breaks then I can always buy another at £70 a go its pretty disposable!
 
I have recently bought the EF85mm F.18, its really nice. sharp wide open as well, the only thing is it maybe a bit long on a crop sensor body...
 
Awesome I think I'll pop in and have a word with the guys in my local shop!
 
I have read a lot of reviews and opinions speaking about the Sigma 'lottery' as mentioned above. Anyone had any problems with Sigma or Canon?! Struggling to make a decision.
 
The iffy Siggy lens issue does tend to divide people but personally despite having 20mm f1.8, 30mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 150mm f2.8, 12-24mm and 28-300mm Siggy lenses I've never had a front/back focus problem. Buy new and if you do they're under warranty :D and you can send it back or get it fixed. The same is true for Canon of course.
 
Nice one woof thanks for that. Had heard a couple of stories online but I suppose you only ever hear from people if they aren't satisfied with something.
 
I've got a Sigma 10-20 and a 150-500 and I'm happy with both - any softness/focussing issues are down to me:D
 
Cool has anyone had experience of both lenses?! Am interested to hear a few more opinions.
 
Anyone? Out of interest how do the prices in the classifieds differ from the likes of ebay?
 
craiglamb said:
How do I go about 'borrowing' a lens from jessops?! Are they likely to turn me down for being a hoody wearing YOOF?!
Click to expand...

Haha lol! I know what it's like...I've had some funny looks from both wex and Jacobs when I brought my L-glass!..

Anyways...canon 50 1.4 is a nice lens...can't comment on the sigma, but the canon 1.4 is miles better than the 50 1.8 IMO.
 
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Classifieds question seems to have gone down like a homesick mole...

Anyone else have any opinion as to which is better. Sigma or Canon?!?! Come on guys payday is looming haha.
 
craiglamb said:
Classifieds question seems to have gone down like a homesick mole...

Anyone else have any opinion as to which is better. Sigma or Canon?!?! Come on guys payday is looming haha.
Click to expand...

Whatever you get, you'll either be really happy with it or you'll always have a niggling doubt that you should have bought the other one - and it'll probably be nothing to do with the actual lens ;)

People here have declared their satisfaction with both brands - sooner or later the decision has to be your's and the thread suggests that there isn't really a wrong choice - they're all fine lenses.
 
Haven't come across the Samyang at any point. What like?! AF?!
 
Canon 50mm 1.8 is so good. Yes, the build quality is cheap, but, the 1.4 doesn't feel all that great either. IQ wise, the 1.8 fantastic! I own the 1.8 and have borrowed the 1.4, and in everyday use, the only notable difference was the silent focus of the 1.4.

What I'm getting at is; if you get the 1.8 and then you might have enough for another cheap prime. I've heard the 85mm 1.8 is good...
 
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