Next step on from the "Nifty Fifty 1.8"

dav3evans

dav3evans

dav3evans

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4 Jan 2011
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2,186
Hey all,

I've used one of Canon's 50mm f1.8 lenses for a while on a couple of different cameras, and for the price it seems like a great buy.

Just wondering if anyone would have a recommendation on the next level from this? I'd like to do some movie shooting but this isn't necessarily my prime concern, it's more about good quality shots in low light - live bands, stage performance etc.. without a flash gun when required.

I've already seen the Sigma 30mm F1.4, but it's a little out of my price range for now. I was thinking £150 - £200 mark.

Cheers =]
 
It won't help but the 50mm 1.8 was my second lens after my kit lens. Then I bought a 135mm L. People say that you get what you pay for with lenses so my preference was to save up and get something worth having, rather than buying random lenses just to play with in the interim.
 
@Clown - It's a fair point. I'm partly thinking of getting the 1.8 to tide me over until I can afford something a little more expensive and more of an investment.

@3dcandy - I'd not really considered Prime or not, I'm just going on my experience of using and liking the Canon lens, and wondered the best way to move forward on from this, and if there was a worthwhile upgrade for a little extra ££.

I do expect the recommendations that will come in are going to be a little higher, but I'd rather know them now and stick with the Canon 50mm, than risk paying an extra £70 for something that wasn't really worth it.
 
You are just going round in circles at 100-200 mark, the next 'up' would be a 85/1.8 or 50/1.4, both are more than your budget.
 
If he buys a 50mm f/1.4, he wouldn't need the 1.8 anymore, would he? So if he sold it first, the difference isn't really big. If he considers buying a used lens, it might even be in his current budget.
 
Looking about £300 ish to bag one of those, new anyway. Budget aside is the second hand lens market worth the risk? I suppose it all depends where you go really..
 
dav3evans said:
Looking about £300 ish to bag one of those, new anyway. Budget aside is the second hand lens market worth the risk? I suppose it all depends where you go really..
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depends what you call risk. you get more of a history and example shots from the previous owner before buying.

most of my lenses have been 2nd hand, only 1 i was mislead by the buyer and it turned out it had drop damage (it still ended up being a bargain after being fixed).

MPB photographic sell 2nd hand with warranty.
 
Clown said:
It won't help but the 50mm 1.8 was my second lens after my kit lens. Then I bought a 135mm L. People say that you get what you pay for with lenses so my preference was to save up and get something worth having, rather than buying random lenses just to play with in the interim.
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...and what would you say? Was it worth it?
 
I think your post is a little confusing?

Are you asking what is the next best 50mm to move up to from the f/1.8?

Or, as you mention the Sigma 30mm, are you looking for another lens of a different focal length?

If it's the later, I'd ask what kind of camera(s) you are using.

I've got a 50mm f/1.4 and although it's a nice lens, on a crop body it can be long at times. So something smaller would get you closer to how a 50mm should be.
 
Yes the 50mm can be a bit long, but I feel the biggest problem is that bang for buck nothing can touch the lens at the moment...the 50mm f/1.4 is miles better, and 3 times the price.
 
Chiz said:
...and what would you say? Was it worth it?
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Yes. When I see my friends buying lenses for fun because they're cheap, and then hardly using them and selling them for a loss, I think to myself that I made the right decision.

I just don't like buying twice. Get it right the first time around if you can.
 
what would the next lense be if you wanted to go down the focal length, say something around the 17mm that the kit lens does ?
 
I think I want either a 10-22mm or the 24-70mm next. It's likely to be the 24-70 because the wide one is just too niche for me.
 
Nexus said:
I think your post is a little confusing?

Are you asking what is the next best 50mm to move up to from the f/1.8?

Or, as you mention the Sigma 30mm, are you looking for another lens of a different focal length?

If it's the later, I'd ask what kind of camera(s) you are using.

I've got a 50mm f/1.4 and although it's a nice lens, on a crop body it can be long at times. So something smaller would get you closer to how a 50mm should be.
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Apologies for the confusion, my initial concern is more low light performance, in terms of focal length I'll be honest I hadn't considered it at this point so that isn't an issue for me right now.

I could be completely missing something here though. I'm attempting to do as much reading as I can as I lack knowledge in the technical area when it comes to lenses.

The Sigma was mentioned merely because I had seen it in use and I liked the results, including when used for video too.
 
neil_g said:
depends what you call risk. you get more of a history and example shots from the previous owner before buying.

most of my lenses have been 2nd hand, only 1 i was mislead by the buyer and it turned out it had drop damage (it still ended up being a bargain after being fixed).

MPB photographic sell 2nd hand with warranty.
Click to expand...

A lot of my lenses come from a 2nd hand camera shop. Not the lowest prices but it means I just walk in with my camera and test the lens how I would use it with MY camera. This shop provides a 3 month warranty which is plenty of time to thoroughly check over the lens and give you a little protection.
 
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