Best normal prime lens for a Canon EOS 500D?

seta wrote:

Hello,

I own a Canon EOS 500D, together with a Canon EFS 18-55mm f3,5-5,6 kit lens.

I am not happy with the quality of the lens and I was thinking of buying a new one.

May I ask in what way(s) you find it deficient? That's key in finding an appropriate solution here. Inside? Outside? Focusing? Sharpness? Depth of Field? Motion Blur?

What mode(s) do you usually shoot in? How are you focusing? Do you use flash?

I cannot afford having 2-3 lenses, though that would be the ideal, so I decided I would look for one good prime lens. I would prefer a normal prime lens. I don't want a wide angle prime, because I already have wide angle on my 18-55.

Can you narrow down your preferred focal length even further? Rule out some?

I understand that the prime lens would be great for portraits (I take a lot portraits of my kids)

True head-shots? Head and shoulders? Torsos? Any groups? Environmental portraits? Mainly candids perhaps?

Maybe not a very good option for sightseeing and travel, so I 'll have to complement with my 18-55mm for wide angle photos.

That's what I do a lot of the time.

The only 50mm one I found from Canon is an old model: Canon EF 50mm f/1,8 II. But it seems to be discontinued and not very compatible with newer DSLR cameras

Do not get that one. If you're settled on 50mm, then the 50 STM is a much better choice...

50 STM

The other two alternatives are:

Sigma EX 50mm f/1,4 DG HSM the only 50mm lens I found, but don't know if it is any good.

Make sure that whichever prime you buy that it's calibrated well with your body. You do not have Micro Focus Adjustment to compensate for any mis-calibration.  Focus accuracy is especially critical when shooting at large apertures.

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2,8 USM Macro I like this the best - it has a slight telephoto feel and has a macro!

It's a good classic portrait focal length on crop. Might be a bit tight indoors though if you're shooting any groups (even 2 people). Aperture is OK, though you do lose a stop to the 50 STM.

The one thing I don't like about the 60 Macro however for general shooting is that there is no focus limiter, which can be frustrating when shooting kids, esp indoors (it slows the focus waaaaay down at the times when AF is not initially acquired). I just use it for macros myself.

If anyone has a better suggestion, please let me know!!

Depends on how the above questions are answered. You won't find a single lens that will cover all of the bases of course, but there are some darn fine choices out there that will knock your socks off doing what they do best.

Good luck in your quest,

R2