$500 to spend

[rbat]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market to purchase a new lens, my front runner is the Canon 50mm f/1.4. Is there anything I'm missing? Would love to hear what others have.

I have a 450D & 100mm f/2.8.

Thanks in advance.

[PH005]

It all depends. Horses for courses and all that. What are your interests ? If the 100 is the only lens you have then you are in need of more scope. Tell us a bit more about what you want to do.

Cheers, Paul.

[rbat]

Hi PH005,

I do have 2 kit lenses also, sorry I forgot to mention them. I have EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. The 55-250mm can produce some nice images around f/7-8 but am pretty unimpressed with the 18-55mm. I think also that my photography skills have moved on from them in terms of me seeking more clarity and using manual focus.

I am interested in macro hence the 100mm macro lens but I also like taking portraits, particularly of my family and friends. I find that at parties etc, the 100mm is too narrow and I can't get the shot due to space restrictions (the 18-55 I own is terrible in low light). Outside, it is perfect for portraits and many other things also but in close quarters, not so much.

I have also been thinking about the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II LD Lens however didn't know whether to ask that here, being the Canon sub-section.

[PH005]

I went through all the " which lens " dilemmas. I think we all do. My advise would be. Sit down and write out what you think you would like down the track, in terms of lenses. ie. Will you want an Ultra wide angle. Then you can go about sorting which lenses will cover your desired fields without overlapping too much. It will save you a lot of money in the long run, believe me. Tamrons are a good aftermarket option, and I would also recommend the Sigmas. I have 3. The 10-20 UWA, 24-70 f2.8 and my new Beast, the 120-400. Also have a " nifty fifty " 1.8, and a Tamron 90 macro. In the future I may weaken and get a Canon 70-200 F2.8. So when you have your " List " done, go to work on the Net and search all the reviews you can. It is time consuming but well worth the effort. Best of luck.

[Robbo7D]

I have the Canon 50mm 1.4. Great for portarits & exc for low light indoor photography. I have also recently purchased the Sigma 10-20mm UWA, which would also suit your requirements.

[smylie]

PH005 gives some good advice. I have the 50 f/1.4 - sharp as a tack and great in low light (but you already know that). I have tried when I have bought a new lens to consider what I want to shoot and the other lenses in my bag and tried not to get too much of an overlap from one to the other, focal length wise. Since I also like landscapes I have considered the use of filters etc and the size of the screw on at the front element. All of my lenses at the moment are 77mm, except the 50mm f/1.4. If you are shooting low light or natural light portraits then the 50 f/1.4 in combination with your 100mm makes an excellent start. The only draw back is you have to use your feet as the zoom and sometimes that is restricting.

I did have the 28-135 IS USM for sum time and got excellent results for portraits from that but I believe I was lucky as I have read some poor reviews about that lens but worth considering is your budget is limited - and who's isn't

[ausguitarman]

I have the Canon 50mm 1.4. Great for portarits & exc for low light indoor photography.

Only lens I put on for low light indoor pics. Just brilliant .

[fabian628]

You might enjoy an ultra wide? eg sigma 10-20mm is abotu 500 second hand i think.

[41jas]

Keep saving...The list will always grow.

Sorry had to say that!

[41jas]

You might enjoy an ultra wide? eg sigma 10-20mm is abotu 500 second hand i think.

AGREE!!!!

[wheellathe]

Sorry I'm a bit biased, get any thing of the nikon shelf and you wont go wrong.

[Roosta]

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8, Awesome lens, I got mine brand new in Perth (Not import) $399.00

I have some posts just tonight in Night Astro using this lens in low light/night exp.

Can't go wrong.

And get the 50mm 1.8 with the change, seek your local pro camera shop and work a deal.

[rbat]

Thank you for all the advice everyone. I think the 10-20mm would have very limited use with me as it isn't the type of photography I do at the moment, I would rather be further back with portraits particularly. I decided to get the 50mm f/1.8 for now and keep saving for a wider zoom lens. There are so many lenses to choose from, can be very confusing sometimes.

[screamer]

I do a lot of candid type portraits on a 40D and the lens' I use most, in order are the Canon 24-105mm L IS f4, a Tammy SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR - non IS version and the Canon 50mm f1.8.

I find the 24-105 to be sharp as a tack and very versatile, for both indoor and outdoor shots. The Tammy is better in enclosed rooms due to its wider angle and can handle lower light. It's also a fine lens. I find it is just a little soft a f2.8, so I shoot at f3.5 where I can.

The Canon 50mm f1.8 is flimsy, plasticy but very sharp and is great in low light! You may find the 50mm a bit limited indoors for candid type portraits (as opposed to formal) due it effectively being around an 80mm equivalent on the old 35mm scale. I certainly agree that a 50mm f1.8 is a good buy - and there are heaps very cheaply on eBay.

[twister]

Can i suggest the Sigma 50mm f/1.4? apparently it has a better build quality than the canon 50mm f/1.4

[rbat]

Thank you, will keep that in mind.