Purchased a 70D body is it unwise to buy just a prime and which one?

Peppermint · Nov 19, 2014

Please can I get some advice on the best prime lens options out there?

I’ve just purchased a 70D and the choice is overwhelming as far as primes go, there is much speculation about the 50mm 1.4 Sigma Art lens is it a good one?

How much should I invest – can I get by with just the prime for now or should I split my funds and buy two cheaper lens to get me started?

I want to shoot people primarily in a studio and outside

Also any recommendations on insurers (I should protect my investment right)?

Cheers

Mark B. · Nov 19, 2014

Peppermint said:
Also any recommendations on insurers (I should protect my investment right)?

Cheers

If for a business, get business insurance. Otherwise add the gear to your home insurance as a separate rider.

photosen · Nov 19, 2014

Since you have defined your subject, that defines your lens, which seems nice, so it's not at all crazy; other people who are not sure about their subjects would do well to start with zooms until they make up their minds.

In a studio you're shooting with controlled light and at small apertures (say f8) so a fast (1.4) lens usually isn't used that much, however much bokeh worshipers would like to; it can be useful outdoors, but again you don't want to limit your photography to blurry backgrounds.

Kaso · Nov 19, 2014

Peppermint said:
Please can I get some advice on the best prime lens options out there?

There is no absolute best. Also, what's best for my shooting needs may not be best for yours.

Maybe I can suggest a lens that is suitable to your current budget and immediate needs.

Peppermint said:
I’ve just purchased a 70D and the choice is overwhelming as far as primes go, there is much speculation about the 50mm 1.4 Sigma Art lens is it a good one?

It is. So are some of the Canon L and non-L lenses.

Peppermint said:
How much should I invest – can I get by with just the prime for now or should I split my funds and buy two cheaper lens to get me started?

Don't. Commit to one lens, and work hard and deep on it -- for a few months.

Or, if you want flexibility, consider the inexpensive and pretty good 18-55mm IS STM to get you started.

Peppermint said:
I want to shoot people primarily in a studio and outside

50mm on crop sensor is often used for this kind of photography. I sometimes use 85mm and 135mm. But 50mm is perhaps most versatile in this particular case.

I've been quite happy with a Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX HSM (pre-Art). Less expensive, similar performance, very nice bokeh. A fast lens is always good for AF speed and precision. Also, the ability to step down from f/1.4, stop by stop, to f/8 offers you flexibility and creativity. Virtually every lens performs well at f/8.

Peppermint · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks for this, any particular one you would recommend? I currently have no home insurance.

The camera is the only thing worth nicking!

Peppermint · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks for your response, are there are specific lenses I should be going for then?

BlurredLines · Nov 20, 2014

After much research, I feel like the 17-55 2.8 is a great lens on a canon crop sensor, if you can have just one. I don't own the lens yet, so this is based only on research. That being said, it will be the first lens I buy.

Peppermint · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks, I'm still a little confused to be honest I guess I was hoping for a absolute answer, buy a __ to get you started.

I think I will go for a single lens - I would rather have one good quality item than two lesser.

I'm still undecided as to which lens to go for.

Pritzl · Nov 20, 2014

If you are not shooting tightly cropped head shots then the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 Art might offer the best of both worlds. It is as sharp as a prime, not super expensive and a bit more flexible in outdoor situations because of the 2x zoom. It's cheaper (and lighter?) than Sigma's 50mm 1.4 Art you are considering but will not fit full frame cameras.

Kaso · Nov 20, 2014

Peppermint said:
Thanks, I'm still a little confused to be honest I guess I was hoping for a absolute answer, buy a __ to get you started.

I think I will go for a single lens - I would rather have one good quality item than two lesser.

I'm still undecided as to which lens to go for.

To get you started, buy a Canon 18-55mm IS STM.

Inexpensive, convenient, minimal "remorse" factor.

From your initial experimentations, you'll know better about the prime(s) you want -- and I continue to recommend the Sigma 50mm EX DG HSM.

NancyP · Nov 20, 2014

It's tiny, it's cheap, and if its optical quality is like the full frame 40mm f/2.8 STM, it is a great lens. If you would rather stay on the long end of normal perspective, get the 40mm f/2.8 STM instead. If you want portraiture prime, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro does excellent double duty.

Rakumi · Nov 20, 2014

Is the canon 35mm 2.0 IS lens. Better focal length on a crop than 50mm and has a fast aperture with stabilization.

Mark B. · Nov 20, 2014

Peppermint said:
Thanks for this, any particular one you would recommend? I currently have no home insurance.

The camera is the only thing worth nicking!

No, I can't really recommend any one insurance. They all have different packages & pricing, which vary from region to region. Get a few different prices from the major insurers. Again, if the gear is for business use you really need to get business insurance.

Peppermint · Nov 21, 2014

Thanks will give it a look over, very helpful

Pacific462 · Nov 21, 2014

I love the EF 28mm f2.8 IS for use as a 'standard lens' on my 70D.

fiddleplayer · Nov 26, 2014

NancyP said:
It's tiny, it's cheap, and if its optical quality is like the full frame 40mm f/2.8 STM, it is a great lens. If you would rather stay on the long end of normal perspective, get the 40mm f/2.8 STM instead. If you want portraiture prime, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro does excellent double duty.

Kaso · Nov 26, 2014

fiddleplayer said:
NancyP said:

It's tiny, it's cheap, and if its optical quality is like the full frame 40mm f/2.8 STM, it is a great lens. If you would rather stay on the long end of normal perspective, get the 40mm f/2.8 STM instead. If you want portraiture prime, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro does excellent double duty.

Click to expand...

If I had to have only one prime lens I would go for the 40mm. It's a very versitile focal length. I have a 50mm 1.4 (on a 70D) and it's great, but I find the field of view more limited - i.e., zooming with your feet, it's usually possible to get closer, but often not possible to get farther away!

A pro (full-time income-earning) photographer once showed me a bunch of lenses arranged neatly on the tabletop and said, "All these lenses are suitable for portraiture. The question is what kind of image you intend to create at this moment." That's why for flexibility (while ensuring high quality), the pros use expensive zoom lenses such as Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L. Some even use Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L. They select different focal lengths in the zoom range in a single session.

Please note that "zooming" with one's feet and zooming with a zoom lens are not the same.

photosen · Nov 26, 2014

Kaso said:
Peppermint said:

Please can I get some advice on the best prime lens options out there?

Click to expand...

There is no absolute best. Also, what's best for my shooting needs may not be best for yours. Maybe I can suggest a lens that is suitable to your current budget and immediate needs.

Kaso said:

I’ve just purchased a 70D and the choice is overwhelming as far as primes go, there is much speculation about the 50mm 1.4 Sigma Art lens is it a good one?

Click to expand...

It is. So are some of the Canon L and non-L lenses.

Kaso said:

How much should I invest – can I get by with just the prime for now or should I split my funds and buy two cheaper lens to get me started?

Click to expand...

Don't. Commit to one lens, and work hard and deep on it -- for a few months.

This is particularly good advice.

Kaso said:
Or, if you want flexibility, consider the inexpensive and pretty good 18-55mm IS STM to get you started.

Kaso said:

I want to shoot people primarily in a studio and outside

Click to expand...

50mm on crop sensor is often used for this kind of photography. I sometimes use 85mm and 135mm. But 50mm is perhaps most versatile in this particular case.

I've been quite happy with a Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX HSM (pre-Art). Less expensive, similar performance, very nice bokeh. A fast lens is always good for AF speed and precision. Also, the ability to step down from f/1.4, stop by stop, to f/8 offers you flexibility and creativity. Virtually every lens performs well at f/8.

Deny · Nov 26, 2014

I own the 70D and Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4, amazing combo, highly recommended. I bought my 70D with the kit lens which I'll admit is more versatile, but the Sigma is in a totally different league, truly incredible IQ. BTW 35mm for APS-C is approximately the same as 50mm for FF.

R2D2 · Nov 28, 2014

Peppermint said:
Please can I get some advice on the best prime lens options out there?

I’ve just purchased a 70D and the choice is overwhelming as far as primes go, there is much speculation about the 50mm 1.4 Sigma Art lens is it a good one?

How much should I invest – can I get by with just the prime for now or should I split my funds and buy two cheaper lens to get me started?

I want to shoot people primarily in a studio and outside

Also any recommendations on insurers (I should protect my investment right)?

Cheers

The reason there are so many different answers is because everyone is well, different.

To think that you will be the same as anyone else here is folly. It's only your own experience that can properly guide you down this (often convoluted) path. Without that you are doomed to spend money on (expensive) lenses that don't suit your own particular style and needs at all.

So my advice would be to start out by shooting with one of the kit lenses for a while (your choice). It'll then become quite clear to you which direction you'll want to go for your next lens. At that point, narrow your options down and seek some more advice. Also look at as many galleries as you can. See what appeals to you.

Have fun with your new toy!

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

Purchased a 70D body is it unwise to buy just a prime and which one?

New member

Mark B.

Guest

Veteran Member

Senior Member

New member

New member

Member

New member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Mark B.

Guest

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Forum Pro

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts