The better Lens?

Aod · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:13

i'm in the market for a nice lens for my EOS, and i've decided that Zooms are overrated. i usually set the lens to 30mm (ish) of 50mm (ish) and frame the photo with my legs. i used to use a manual with a 50mm prime, and its just how i work best i guess.

anyway, which of these lenses has the best image quality and build quality:

http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.4-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-30mm-f-1.4-EX-DC-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

anyway, i'm open to suggestions for other lenses, but the large aperture is important to me.

olv · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:18

i would get the canon but only because i've used it and know it's awesome.

really though, the quality and sharpness of practically any prime lens will be more than acceptable.

starscream · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:19

Have used both of them on a 350D and in terms of quality, they are very close. I have heard the quality of the Sigma varies, but mine was excellent, if anything a touch better than the 50mm. I would say the answer depends on the body you are using. On my 350D, the 30mm was a more useful length, but on my 5D the 50mm is better.

Aod · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:20

yer, its a 400D

starscream · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:23

Aod said:
yer, its a 400D

I'd go for the 30mm then, unless you like to get really up close and personal

Aod · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:58

starscream said:
I'd go for the 30mm then, unless you like to get really up close and personal

surely i'd have to get closer with the 30mm than with the 50mm?

divine` · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:04

Aod said:
surely i'd have to get closer with the 30mm than with the 50mm?

Depends what you're using it for...

Portraits, 70mm/85mm would be better for example.

Aod · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:09

50mm x 1.6 = 80mm

but in a comparative view, could we say that these two lenses are roughly equal in image and build quality?

starscream · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:20

Aod said:
surely i'd have to get closer with the 30mm than with the 50mm?

Yeah, sorry didn't explain that very well. I meant the shots would look closer.

starscream · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:21

Aod said:
50mm x 1.6 = 80mm

but in a comparative view, could we say that these two lenses are roughly equal in image and build quality?

Sigma just has the edge IMO and as it's an EX comes with a hood and pouch.

divine` · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:33

Aod said:
50mm x 1.6 = 80mm

Yeah but you still have to get pretty close to fill the frame, maybe unnervingly so for the subject.

robertgilbert86 · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:38

You need both really. Consider the Canon 50mm f1.8 and the Sigma 30mm f1.4 as a good team.

Aod · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:41

robertgilbert86 said:
You need both really. Consider the Canon 50mm f1.8 and the Sigma 30mm f1.4 as a good team.

you're not helping

i can't afford both, and the canon 50mm 1,8 looks REALLY shabby, build quality wise.

robertgilbert86 · 12 Jul 2007 at 10:17

Aod said:
you're not helping

i can't afford both, and the canon 50mm 1,8 looks REALLY shabby, build quality wise.

Yeah the f.18 50mm is built like apiece of crap, it's horrible! But I'd wouldn't just be buying one lens if I was going all prime.

wez130 · 12 Jul 2007 at 10:47

for the F/1.8 50mm, it may be plastic, but you will NOT get a better quality image for the money

Mint_Sauce · 12 Jul 2007 at 11:28

I have the 50mm 1.8 and it's built like a cheap plastic toy, however - I would be very hard pressed to tell you what photos are with it and what ones are with my 24-70 2.8 L!!

And you can get it for £50 delivered!

Aod · 12 Jul 2007 at 15:41

i was in Trafalgar Squar this afternoon, so i gave a popular high-street photographic supplies store a little visit, and played around with the Sigma.

in an unrelated incident, i've decided that the Sigma is the lens for me.