Reading mode: Light Dark

Wanted: portrait lens w/ wider angle than 50mm 1.8

Go to last post
O

ocmama

New member
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
CA, US
I'm looking for a lens to supplement my cheap but great 50mm 1.8. I love it, but it gets annoying when I have to step back 5 paces to get a picture in. I don't take out the kit lens anymore (18-55mm) b/c it seems so mediocre after using the 50mm 1.8.

I'm looking for a slightly wider angle lens but still stay within good portrait range. Feedback please? budget for now: $300's. Things to consider: good low light taker and of course razor sharp images! Good portraits & closeups. I have an XS (1000D).

Top 3 choices so far:

EF 60mm f 2.8 USM $395 I saw a wide angle conversion lens for $25. (I don't know anything about conversion lenses but sounds like a good option to supplement)

EF 35mm f 2.0 $300

EF 28-105mm USM $390

I welcome your advice! Thanks. I'm going to make this purchase this week.
 
If you can wait, there's rumor that Canon will be releasing a 35 f/1.8 at the end of next month, and shipping after that probably. So you might be able to get the 35 2.0 cheaper, or a better lens in the 35 1.8.

You don't want to be using a wide-angle converter if you are concerned about image quality.
 
If you want a wider-angle lens than the 50mm you have, why are you considering lenses with a longer-then-50mm focal length? I'd say the 35mm f/2 is the one. I like mine a lot and any shorter/wider would be too short for a portrait. Even with the 35mm (effective 56mm), you can get a "large nose" if you do a head-and-shoulders of one person which is why the 50mm lens (or longer) is better for that type of shot.
 
Consider the possibility that you have one of the best "portrait" lenses already for under 300 dollars. You are asking a lot for "sharp", "low light" and under 300 dollars. Also... most people don't want their face/skin sharp as a tack but softened up a bit.

Consider using the 300 dollars on lighting...... just another opinion.

--
My Flickr Photostream Slideshow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33755787@N03/show/

My Blog:

http://esfishdoc.blogspot.com/
 
For studio portraits, you should be able to get away with the kit lens, but it sounds like you're working outdoors a lot and therefore want pretty creamy bokeh.

You're going to lose bokeh as you get wider angle, so as little wider as possible is probably best - I echo the 35mm f/2 as a good option.

In terms of bokeh (blur disc size), 35mm f/2 = 50mm f/2.8.

And for the record, the kit lens is actually sharper than the 50mm f/1.8 - it just can't render bokeh because it has a small aperture. It can be a very compelling landscape lens.
 
Save up another $1000 above your $300 and get the Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L . This will be a lifetime lens or there abouts....

John
--

Feel free to use any of these additional letters to correct the spelling of words found in the above post: a-e-t-n-d-i-o-s-m-l-u-y-h-c If you find any extra letters, please place them here for future use...
 
Shorthand said:
And for the record, the kit lens is actually sharper than the 50mm f/1.8 - it just can't render bokeh because it has a small aperture.
Click to expand...
Where did you get this idea? At f8, the 50/1.8 (even on FF) is as sharp as it gets. The kit lens is nice, but it loses detail in the corners, has much more CA, and distortion can be incredibly obnoxious. From f2.8 on the 50/1.8 is near flawless optically.

To the OP, the only lens that fits the bill is the 35/2... but focus can be a problem on the older crop cameras (1000D still uses the 10D generation focus sensor, and it does not play nice with this lens)

--
-CW

よしよし、今日も生きのいい魂が手に入ったな
 
Thanks everyone for your great and varied advice. I'm still in the early stages of my photo-hobbyist development! My questions probably reflect that.

I guess I am asking for a lot for $300 - I think I will get the 35mm f2. Would you say it functions ok as a versatile walkaround lens too? (except for distant focus points)

I do want another alternative to my 18-55 kit lens too. I think Christmas time... Geez, I think this hobby will have a never-ending want list!
 
Remember, its 35mm-film-effective focal length on these cameras in 56mm, very close to the 50mm that used to be called the "normal" lens. It's good for many things (not excluding distant focus points; the distance to the subject has nothing to do with whether the lens is suitable). I find it's a good "social situation" lens. It's also very small and light.
ocmama said:
I think I will get the 35mm f2. Would you say it functions ok as a versatile walkaround lens too? (except for distant focus points)
Click to expand...
 
I've never had a problem with focus with my 35mm f/2 on my XSi. I do always use the center focus point. I find it very sharp from f2.8, not as sharp at f/2 (I've read others saying it's very sharp at f/2, but mine isn't). But for me, I find the depth of field so small at f/2 that I prefer f/2.8 or f/4 anyway.
Chez Wimpy said:
To the OP, the only lens that fits the bill is the 35/2... but focus can be a problem on the older crop cameras (1000D still uses the 10D generation focus sensor, and it does not play nice with this lens)
Click to expand...
 
Ulfius said:
If you can wait, there's rumor that Canon will be releasing a 35 f/1.8 at the end of next month, and shipping after that probably. So you might be able to get the 35 2.0 cheaper, or a better lens in the 35 1.8.
Click to expand...
You know that how?

Cheers
HighPriest
 
seri_art said:
I've never had a problem with focus with my 35mm f/2 on my XSi. I do always use the center focus point.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that camera got the 3x precision w/f2.8 & faster center AF point. I had the XT (same focus sensor as XS) and 20D, and only the 20D was reliable with the wider primes.

--
-CW

よしよし、今日も生きのいい魂が手に入ったな
 
You may keep searching for the elusive 'perfect' lens, but if you can swing it, the Canon 15-85mm is one superb lens that will fill (almost) all your requirements. It's an excellent walk-around with a Rebel, it's got good range, and is perfect for portraiture, whether in (tighter) studio settings or outdoors. At B&H for $720.
 
The lack of a modern (affordable) 35mm prime is a big gaping hole in Canon's line up. Both sony and Nikon have modern affordable 35mm F1.8 leness, but canon only has an ancient lens with OK IQ and an ancient/clunky focusing mechanism..

The only choice is to go off brand such as the sigma 30mm F1.4 (and pray for a good copy), attach a boat anchor from the 90's to our beautiful state of art T2i (35mm F2.0) or drag our feet and wait for Canon to play catch up with Nikon/Sony and release a decent, affordable "walk around" standard 50mm equivalent lens.

Regarding the "big nose": Isn't this easily correctiable with the canon software that comes with the camera?
 
I've never heard of anything like that, so if I've missed something let me know. The "big nose" is caused by the camera being close to the subject, so the ratio of the distance to the end of the nose (closest to the camera) to the distance to the face is less than at further distances from the subject, making the nose appear larger. I didn't know there was a software fix for this effect.
keeponkeepingon said:
Regarding the "big nose": Isn't this easily correctiable with the canon software that comes with the camera?
Click to expand...
 
keeponkeepingon said:
Both sony and Nikon have modern affordable 35mm F1.8 leness,
Click to expand...
Canon tends to play catchup. I wouldn't be surprised to see one (30/1.8) eventually.
keeponkeepingon said:
attach a boat anchor from the 90's to our beautiful state of art T2i (35mm F2.0)
Click to expand...
1980's actually... the lens is probably older than some of the posters on this forum. It suffers from some PF, but is generally pretty sharp even at f2.0. Lack of good bokeh and USM are also points against it, but the lens is the furthest thing from a "boat anchor" IMHO. :p In fact, it is a pretty good balance on the rebel (or even 5D) bodies.

--
-CW

よしよし、今日も生きのいい魂が手に入ったな
 
The Sigma 30mm is also my suggestion. It's a nice lens, but just a little out of the price range going for 430$ or so. Now that's if you want/need a prime, of course.

For a zoom, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 SLD Aspherical DC Optical Stabilized (OS) Lens with Hyper Sonic Motor looks attractive at 200$, but variable aperture.

I use a Sigma 18-50mm ex dc macro and like it a lot, but it's not longer available, but you could find a nice used one in your price range, perhaps. Or a Tamron in the same range used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top