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Archive 2012 · Lens Recommendation under $350

  
 
Jeff_Stapleton
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Lens Recommendation under $350


My sister got a Canon T2i for Christmas.

She only has the 18-55is kit lens. They are about to have their first child in February. They want a better lens. She played with my 85/1.8 for a week and really fell in love with it.

I would recommend it, but I really think its too long. I told them about the 50/1.8, but I think they wanted something a bit nicer. That led me to think about a 50/1.4, but I don't have any first hand experience with it.

I'm thinking she wants a prime, because she really liked the bokeh and sharpness, and will need the low-light abilities of a prime over a f/3.5 or higher lens.

What would you say? I also thought about the 35/2.0, but again, I don't have any experience with it.



Jan 01, 2012 at 10:03 PM
JoelWilcox
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Lens Recommendation under $350


They've already tried the 85/1.8 for a week? And they love it? With all respect, I don't see why this is even a question. They want it for the same reason you have it.


Jan 01, 2012 at 10:23 PM
thedutt
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Lens Recommendation under $350


Tough one, if they love 85, and have enough space indoors, 85 may be a really good choice for baby's photos as he/she grows and crawls. 35 f2 would be right up there as well.

To be frank, if she only has the camera & 18-55, they should get the 50 1.8 and use rest of the money on building up a kit including a flash, memory cards, memory card reader.



Jan 01, 2012 at 10:30 PM
csebasti
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Lens Recommendation under $350


I happen to have started a topic similar to this the other day. There are a lot of recommendations on the subject of a good lens for baby pictures. Read through this:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1072325

I was pretty set on the 85 f/1.8 before I posted to the forum. Now I'm not sure sure. I'm thinking maybe the 35 f/2, or just sticking with what I have and getting a flash.

Chris



Jan 01, 2012 at 10:53 PM
mttran
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Lens Recommendation under $350


ef 85mm f1.8


Jan 01, 2012 at 11:41 PM
erikburd
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Lens Recommendation under $350


The 35 f/2 would be a good choice given the price point. The 85 f/1.8 is a great lens, depending if it works for them or not. It might be a bit on the long end, given it would be 136mm FF equivalent.

I would lean more towards the 35 f/2. The 50 f/1.8 is a plastic toy, but it takes good pictures for what it is, and would probably fit their needs. The f/1.4 version has a focus clutch problem that can cause it to stop all together.



Jan 02, 2012 at 12:55 AM
James Taylor
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Lens Recommendation under $350


I don't think they can go wrong with the 35f/2, 50f/1.4, or 85f/1.8. Here is an interesting post from Zack Arias. He uses the 35f/2 & 85f/1.8. Farther down the article he talks about getting a 50f/1.4. If those primes are good enough for him...

http://zackarias.com/for-photographers/gear-gadgets/headline-i-switched-to-canon-world-still-turns/



Jan 02, 2012 at 01:16 AM
ShaneEngelking
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Lens Recommendation under $350


You could pick up a tamron 17-50 2.8 for that price as well. Either that or the 35/2, which is great on a crop, would be a good choice.


Jan 02, 2012 at 03:00 AM
kakomu
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Lens Recommendation under $350


You might be able to find a Sigma 30 f/1.4 for that price, which is pretty awesome.


Jan 02, 2012 at 03:14 AM
Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Lens Recommendation under $350


kakomu wrote:
You might be able to find a Sigma 30 f/1.4 for that price, which is pretty awesome.


Yep nice lens. But on a crop I liked the EF 50/1.4 more .

I will also throw a suggestion of the efs 60 macro . Ok it's 'only' 2.8 but it makes a very nice portrait lens on a crop body.



Jan 02, 2012 at 04:30 AM
Guest

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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Lens Recommendation under $350


Tamron 60/2.
Very sharp, dual service lens (1:1 macro and fast portrait), works well even on APS-H. I would buy one instead of the 50/1.8 II I have but I have different priorities (if any) right now.
Costs a little bit more than $350 of course... but not critically.



Jan 02, 2012 at 07:05 AM
jay tieger
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Lens Recommendation under $350


The 50mm F1.8 MK I is designed / built like the 35mm F2 and may be an alternative...another is to learn to like the 18-55mm IS kit as a great 18-35mm F4 IS lens that could bettered, for $350, if one F-stop (without IS) is worth $350...

...thinking of the kit as being an 18-35/F4-IS combined with the 50 is a good way to begin building a bag of lenses....



Jan 02, 2012 at 08:25 AM
rongoe
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Lens Recommendation under $350


The 135L on fullframe is well regarded for portraits. The 85 on crop is the same FL. I personally loved the 85 on crop. It was my first purchase to complement my rebel xt kit lens.


Jan 02, 2012 at 09:57 AM
Geofn
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Lens Recommendation under $350


The EF 24/2.8 is a great lens, and would be a very useful focal length on that body.


Jan 02, 2012 at 10:58 AM
timbop
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Lens Recommendation under $350


csebasti wrote:
...
I was pretty set on the 85 f/1.8 before I posted to the forum. Now I'm not sure sure. I'm thinking maybe the 35 f/2, or just sticking with what I have and getting a flash.

Chris


And that's the problem with asking 1000's of strangers for their opinions - as they say everyone will have a different one. I haven't had a 35/2, but have had the 50/1.8, 50/1.4, and 85/1.8. As mentioned, if she liked the 85 that's probably a good starting point. I would suggest the 50/1.4 over the 50/1.8, but as mentioned a flash is very important as well so the 50/1.8 and flash is the most practical imho. What I am saying, is that she needs to weigh the FL and other possible needs to decide for herself. Nobody here knows how she likes to shoot, how big their house is, etc.



Jan 02, 2012 at 10:59 AM
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Lens Recommendation under $350


Geofn wrote:
The EF 24/2.8 is a great lens, and would be a very useful focal length on that body.

The OP indicated that the user already has a kit lens. For a novice user, having a prime in the same FL with only 1 stop of advantage in aperture is probably not the most useful idea. Then, it's an old lens and probably difficult to get rid of.

If my older suggestion is in any way bad, then I'll join up with the chorus saying "85/1.8". That, or a longer macro like Tamron 90/2.8 or Tokina 100/2.8. Both are very cheap.



Jan 03, 2012 at 02:33 AM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Lens Recommendation under $350


I've owned at one point or other all of the following: 20mm 2.8, 24mm 2.8, 28mm 1.8, 28mm 2.8, sigma's 30mm 1.4, 35mm 2.0, 50mm 1.8, 50mm 2.5, 50mm 1.4, 60mm 2.8, 85mm 1.8 and 100mm 2.8 macro.

If I was recommending for a friend of mine that recently had a baby, I'd go for the 50mm 1.4. 85 is going to be too long, and they already have a brother with that lens that they can borrow .

If it wasn't for baby portraits, but more to replace the zoom, I'd go with the Sigma 30mm 1.4.




Jan 03, 2012 at 10:32 AM
leftymgp
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Lens Recommendation under $350


I have the 50mm 1.8 II and the 85mm 1.8. I like both. The 85mm is a better lens, but it's probably a little long on a crop body for much besides portraits/close ups. I love my 50 1.8, great leans, very sharp. The bokeh on the 50 1.8 is a little harsh, but it's got a certain character.

I would probably get a 50mm over the 85 on a crop sensor as it will give you a little more flexibility.



Jan 03, 2012 at 10:44 AM
sbeme
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Lens Recommendation under $350


a vote for the 50 1.4. Much nicer bokeh than the 1.8.
Excellent length on a crop sensor
Even though its a bit soft wide open, the ability to do some low light captures will be a plus
Scott



Jan 03, 2012 at 11:06 AM
khng30
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Lens Recommendation under $350


If she liked the 85 then she would like the 60 macro. Great for portraits, great bokeh and very easy to use. Recommend to two friends with rebel The series and they loved it. Good luck!


Jan 03, 2012 at 11:18 AM
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