Which 50mm (or other)

[asyouare405]

Hi,

I've decided that my 18-70 lens just doesn't have a low enough f/stop for me, so I was thinking of getting some other. Based on the photos I've taken so far a 50mm fixed would cover most of the pics i've taken so far. Which lens would everyone recommend? I seem to be doing a lot photos in museums so I think 50mm would be good, right?

 

[kathyk]

For lower light shooting, you could try a 50/1.7 ($100ish, probably less) or a 50/1.4 ($200ish), they are both nice lenses and produce good results. A bit wider is the Sigma 30/1.4, but also costlier.
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-Kathy

 

[ILikePhotography]

Hi,

I've decided that my 18-70 lens just doesn't have a low enough f/stop
for me, so I was thinking of getting some other. Based on the photos
I've taken so far a 50mm fixed would cover most of the pics i've
taken so far. Which lens would everyone recommend? I seem to be doing
a lot photos in museums so I think 50mm would be good, right?

The other member got the lenses and price ranges right, I went for the 50mmf:1.7 and it is very sharp.

You need to ask yourself what you want to do because this lens is effectively a 75mm and should make for excellent portrature, a 28mm=42mm which is much closer to the true Normal angle lens. 20mm=30mm and closer to wide angle than super wide. If available light is what you want then the f:1.4 is the fastest I have seen available so for.

--
Paul Cassidy
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Portfolio: http://actiniclight.smugmug.com/
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. . . dragons in the pasture!

 

[asyouare405]

Most of what I do is take photographs inside museums. In the NYC area I'm lucky enough that some of the bigger museums let you take photographs for personal use, but don't let you use a flash. I'd say the available light is normally on the darker end what people would consider normal indoor lighting.

 

[Gregory King]

Sounds like you may need a Sigma 1.8 lens. Comes in 20, 24, and 28mm flavors. Or the 30mm 1.4 mentioned.

Greg

 

[maurus_e]

Using your kit, you will be able to guess which focal length suits your needs best. If it's indeed 50mm then both the Min 50/1.7 and the Min 50/1.4 are very good options. For photographing rectangular objects (such as paintings) you will also wish to have a lens without significant (barrel) distortion. This is usually less of a problem with the longer lenses such as the 50's and more of a problem with wider lenses such as the above-mentioned Sigmas (20, 24, 28). In sum, if 50mm is the right focal length your problem is easily solved.
Cheers, Maurus
--
http://www.pbase.com/maurus_e/

 

[MicheleP]

I love my little cheap Minolta that I bought on Ebay for $85.00. Low light, no problem !! Snappy and quick.

Here is a little example.



--
Michele
Sony Alpha 100
Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom Lens
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG
Minolta Normal AF 50mm f/1.7
HVL-F36AM Flash

http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[asyouare405]

I remember i was looking a while ago at the forum and I can across thread that mentioned that some of the 50mm lenses are prone to a blueish area in the center, which ones?

Just to confirm i understood you, at 50mm the barrel effect is minimal where as at lower sizes it is noticeable?

 

[maurus_e]

may have sensor reflections in some situations showing as a blue spot in the center.

But probably these are fairly special situations. Never heard or experienced this about/with the 50/1.7

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http://www.pbase.com/maurus_e/