Spec me (my first) decent Canon prime

2StepSteve

2StepSteve

2StepSteve

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I've owed the Canon 50mm 1.8 for 6 years and we've had great times together.

However, after a recent upgrade it feels quite wrong to be sporting a nifty fifty on a body such as the 5Diii, I feel like I should be hung for doing so. The nifty fifty's AF speed makes a mockery of the 5Diii. :eek: sharpness at and around wide open also isn't great.

So im after my first decent prime lens. Which new prime would you all recommend? Im after wide aperture, fast focusing, sharpness at wide open and nice bokeh.

Budget isn't huge so something like the Sigma 85mm 1.4 is out of the question. I'm thinking perhaps the Canon 85mm 1.8 or maybe a nicer 50mm. I am swaying a little to the 50mm focal length more than anything, but I am open to all suggestions.

Help me retire my plastic fantastic. :p

Thanks
 
Have you been using a crop body until now? If so and you enjoy 50mm on a crop then go for the 85mm on full frame

Although it entirely depends what you want to use it for tbh , 85mm on ff is great for portraiture
 
Sigms 50 1.4, or save up for the Sigma 35 or 85.
If you settle for less than the above, then your going to lose money as it won't be long before you get an upgrade itch, the Sigma's cost more than Canon entry primes, but they are worth it.
 
An Exception said:
Sigms 50 1.4, or save up for the Sigma 35 or 85.
If you settle for less than the above, then your going to lose money as it won't be long before you get an upgrade itch, the Sigma's cost more than Canon entry primes, but they are worth it.
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Second this, I don't think the Canon 50mm f1.4 is enough of an upgrade you will like the focusing but the bokeh is as 'bad' as the nifty. The 85mm f1.8 is great but if you've splashed that much cash on a body you will quickly tire of it's purple fringing and non round aperture.

The sigma primes are a great middle ground bettween canon's decent but not fantastic entry level primes and the incredibly expensive world of the L primes.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Second this, I don't think the Canon 50mm f1.4 is enough of an upgrade you will like the focusing but the bokeh is as 'bad' as the nifty. The 85mm f1.8 is great but if you've splashed that much cash on a body you will quickly tire of it's purple fringing and non round aperture.

The sigma primes are a great middle ground bettween canon's decent but not fantastic entry level primes and the incredibly expensive world of the L primes.
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i have to say i think the Canon 50mm f1.4 is better than the sigma ,the sigma was designed very much for smooth out off focus bokeh with a sharp centre

but on all the copies Ive seen the edge/ overall sharpness is better on the canon and the centre isn't that far behind the sigma .don't write the canon off just because its an older lens .there both quality glass .
there is some questions on the strength of the canons motor but a lot of people seem to own them for years with no problems .its luck of the draw
 
niko said:
i have to say i think the Canon 50mm f1.4 is better than the sigma ,the sigma was designed very much for smooth out off focus bokeh with a sharp centre

but on all the copies Ive seen the edge/ overall sharpness is better on the canon and the centre isn't that far behind the sigma .don't write the canon off just because its an older lens .there both quality glass .
there is some questions on the strength of the canons motor but a lot of people seem to own them for years with no problems .its luck of the draw
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The biggest deciding factor for me is the aperture shape on the canon, great wide open but as bad as the nifty when you start stepping it down for a lens in that price range it's poor and I'm sure it will be corrected eventually (no doubt doubling the price).

Everyone has different priorities when buying a lens so it's good to see differing opinions!
 
a1ex2001 said:
The biggest deciding factor for me is the aperture shape on the canon, great wide open but as bad as the nifty when you start stepping it down for a lens in that price range it's poor and I'm sure it will be corrected eventually (no doubt doubling the price).

Everyone has different priorities when buying a lens so it's good to see differing opinions!
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i don't mind seeing the shape of the blades at all and know its not the latest in thing but i find the shape pleasing still,
a new canon 50mm is rumored to appear at the beginning of next year and no doubt your correct in your pricing prediction .
 
JBuk said:
Have you been using a crop body until now? If so and you enjoy 50mm on a crop then go for the 85mm on full frame

Although it entirely depends what you want to use it for tbh , 85mm on ff is great for portraiture
Click to expand...

To be honest I found the 50mm to be too close on a crop for my intended use which was indoor shots.

I was eyeing up the Sigma 50mm, but as mentioned above the corner edge performance is quite poor even when stopped down.
 
The new Sigma 35mm seems like a nice piece of kit. It's definitely worth investing in good glass, otherwise your 5D is wasted.
 
Sigma 35/50/85 1.4

Whichever focal length best suits your photography.

Talk to Robbie about this, as I'm pretty sure he now owns all three? (Might be missing the fifty)

kd
 
shez said:
The new Sigma 35mm seems like a nice piece of kit. It's definitely worth investing in good glass, otherwise your 5D is wasted.
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I hear you. The spending definitely isn't done yet, my wallet is killing but I plan to invest in decent glass incrementally over the next few months.

It's just what to purchase now to get me away from the plastic fantastic, for £300 max. I think a 50mm is within reach, it's just which one to choose. The Canon 1.4 hasn't got the greatest bokeh and the Sigma has not great performing edges.
 
2StepSteve said:
I hear you. The spending definitely isn't done yet, my wallet is killing but I plan to invest in decent glass incrementally over the next few months.

It's just what to purchase now to get me away from the plastic fantastic, for £300 max. I think a 50mm is within reach, it's just which one to choose. The Canon 1.4 hasn't got the greatest bokeh and the Sigma has not great performing edges.
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Personally corner sharpness is something I don't worry about when shooting with a 50mm at 1.4, it's about isolating the subject and the bokeh, hence why I went for the Sigma. However my main gripe is it's size compared to the Canon, it's pretty heavy and not very discreet.
 
shez said:
Personally corner sharpness is something I don't worry about when shooting with a 50mm at 1.4, it's about isolating the subject and the bokeh, hence why I went for the Sigma. However my main gripe is it's size compared to the Canon, it's pretty heavy and not very discreet.
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How do you find the focus accuracy with the Sigma 50 1.4? I've read a few comments regarding unreliable focusing, especially so in low light.
 
I have the 5D MKIII and the Sigma 50mm F1.4, had the nifty fifty, but as mentioned, did feel silly on the 5D and i wanted to step up and invest in something a little better.

Focus is great with the sigma and 5D, no complaints at all.

I was in the same position about the right focal length to choose, as i have the 50mm on a 40D and was close, but great for portraits etc...
The 50mm on the 5D though is a whole new ball game. I was only in a position to purchase 1 prime at the time, and decided the 50mm was the best of everything.

I chose the sigma over the canon for 2 reasons;
1) it looks nicer, and i like the large front glass - silly i know, but its me that uses it and looks at it so why not?
2) the canon's front element actually moves and sticks out of the casing when focusing, i didnt want this as i felt it offered dust more of an opportunity to get into the lens, and there was more of a chance of damaging the lens.

I just thought I would offer my thoughts into this debate.
 
Thanks Z that was very helpful.

After what people have said here, reviews, comparisons and pixel peeping some images taken with the Sigma 50 1.4 I have ordered one. :)

Should be here some time next week. Sexy bokeh here I come ;).
 
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