would this be more versatile than the 50mm 1.8 on a rebel t3i? I am worried the 50 will be too zoomed in (sorry, amateur here). Suggestions? Advice?
2054211
The 50mm is actually more "zoomed out," and is therefore probably more functional for indoor family stuff. The 85 is awesome but isn't going to give you anything other than close-ups if you are standing inside of 15-20 feet from the subject.If versatility is your goal, I would strongly suggest something like Sigma 17-35 zoom. I think that's about F/1.8 as well. Same price range. That gives you the flexibility of zooming way out for wide-angle group shots and then back in for relative close-ups.
2054212
The 85mm is more zoomed in than the 50. You may want to look into getting a 35mm lens.
2054213
The 85 has an even tighter angle of view than the 50. It's a great portrait lens, as in you can get a good head and shoulders shot and put the background nicely out of focus, but I suspect you want to get more in your pictures, not less. The lower the number of a lens's focal length, the wider angle of view it has. Didn't your camera come with an 18-55 zoom? If not, look for one on eBay. That's the normal "kit" lens for cameras with the Rebel's sensor size. You can find them for under $100 there. Make sure you get one with the "IS" designation. That means it has image stabilization which will help keep shots sharps during hand-held exposures. The 85 has an even tighter angle of view than the 50. It's a great portrait lens, as in you can get a good head and shoulders shot and put the background nicely out of focus, but I suspect you want to get more in your pictures, not less. The lower the number of a lens's focal length, the wider angle of view it has. Didn't your camera come with an 18-55 zoom? If not, look for one on eBay. That's the normal "kit" lens for cameras with the Rebel's sensor size. You can find them for under $100 there. Make sure you get one with the "IS" designation. That means it has image... » Read More The 85 has an even tighter angle of view than the 50. It's a great portrait lens, as in you can get a good head and shoulders shot and put the background nicely out of focus, but I suspect you want to get more in your pictures, not less. The lower the number of a lens's focal length, the wider angle of view it has. Didn't your camera come with an 18-55 zoom? If not, look for one on eBay. That's the normal "kit" lens for cameras with the Rebel's sensor size. You can find them for under $100 there. Make sure you get one with the "IS" designation. That means it has image stabilization which will help keep shots sharps during hand-held exposures. « Show Less
2054214
I would say that prime lenses are all about "foot focus", moving back and forth to achieve your wanted composition. 85mm means you can be a little further away from your subject.
2054215
The best way to answer your question is to ask what you're using it for. If you are using it for portraits of family members, I prefer this over the 50mm. However, if you are looking for point and shoot lenses, this is not the one for you.
2054216
The 50mm is actually more "zoomed out," and is therefore probably more functional for indoor family stuff. The 85 is awesome but isn't going to give you anything other than close-ups if you are standing inside of 15-20 feet from the subject. If versatility is your goal, I would strongly suggest something like Sigma 17-35 zoom. I think that's about F/1.8 as well. Same price range. That gives you the flexibility of zooming way out for wide-angle group shots and then back in for relative close-ups.
1922083
The 50 is probably more often referred to as a "standard" lens and works great. The 35 is slightly wider and often used for portraits of more than just one person (when you need to fit more people in the frame). Keep in mind that if you have a camera with an ASP-C sensor (or a "crop sensor"-- this is the Rebel line of Canon canons as well as the 7D, etc), the 50mm is closer to a (1.6 x 50 =) 80mm due to the smaller sensor and a 35 looks closer to a (35 x 1.6=) 56mm lens. What I would suggest before dropping a lot of money on the 35L or 50L is to see what range you use more or what looks better on your camera. Most Canon cameras come with an 18-55 or 24-105 lens. Zoom that lens to the 35mm mark and use that for a day and see how it works. Then do the same thing with the lens at the 50mm mark. If you find that 50 is too narrow or 35 is too wide, there is no sense in dropping $1000+ on a focal length you aren't likely to use.
1609776
Thank you for the excellent reply PD. What do you guys think about using the 70-200 lens with a camera that does not have a full sized sensor? I have a rebel XT and I think thats almost half the size of the 1d sensor. Still a good focal length?
2031864
I bought it to put on my 52mm because it is a 58mm MACRO lens which gives you the best in a short distance shot that you want at least 180 degree view, which you can do with a bit of manual adjustment to your digital. Disclaimer: I am not a professional photographer, but I want to be so I READ! You can take certified tests and actually become someone that can be a consultant but not a professional photographer, a consultant regarding equipment, quantity, what fits what, and how to avoid buying cheap things that do not fit. I just bought the MACRO and put it on a Canon Digital REBEL and it fit fine. Write me back and I will send you pictures taken with 52MM and the same picture taken with a 58MM MACRO fit on to a 52MM, okay? Thanks for the question. I enjoy photography but as I stated, I'm only an enthusiast who reads and experiments which is maybe a great way to learn to be a "consultant" on expensive, collectible equipment for various manufacturers of the digital era, now!
1249481
Yeah, Diverhank nailed it - two very different lenses. Important to note that the 50mm 1.4 is NOT a macro lens and that was something you mentioned in your initial post. I used the 50mm on my T2i and absolutely loved it, though I eventually upgraded (and much preferred) the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for the "normal" focal length on the crop-sensor. I now shoot a full frame and primarily use the 50mm but will likely get the 100mm shortly. Be sure to take a look at the Sigma 30mm before buying the 50mm Canon but if Macro is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the 100mm L.
2127846
I don't know that the image will be noticeably sharper. I also have the 50mm 1.8 and was very pleased with the results. I would have gotten a 35mm 1.8 (to save some money) if it was offered but it only came as 1.4. I use it on my D800 and love it!
1848270
The one thing to worry about with the 50D is the crop sensor. Make sure any lens you buy will be compatible with a full frame Canon body (5d, 5dmk2, 1dsMk3, etc...). You don't want to invest in a bunch of lenses that you can't move over to full frame.
1771103
you seem to know alot Technology guy, so im replying to ya about a lens choice. Its the CanonEF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS for a 50D im purchasing but im not sure if its compatiable or will fit should I say, Because the 50D says its a EF mount and the rebels are EF-S mount. but since they say the 50D dont come with a lens that can take the use of the full power of the camera I wanted to get something I can afford and that lens i mentiond above is less than 300 usd. So please let me know if it works on the 50D without any problems thanks.
1647404
no doubt this is a great lens, but it is a little too much zoom for indoor portraits - you have to be rather far from you subject to get proper framing - also don't forget the T3i has a 1.6x zoom multiplier because its not a "full frame" sensor
382374
I have both lenses and they are both pretty good. I probably like the 50mm a bit more than the 35mm. The real question for you to answer is what will I be my primary use for the lens ? Remember, we're shooting with a crop-sensor camera, so the lenses convert from a 35mm to a 52mm, and the 50mm converts to a 75mm lens. My recommendation for General Purpose Shooting would be to go with the 50mm ! A great bang for the buck and terrific bokeh !
1380191
I use this lens with my Canon 3Ti. I had been using the 70-300 mm but wanted to capture more detail on birds. If you can get close, the detail on the 300 mm L lens is much sharper than on the zoom. You lose versatility when you go to the fixed focal length, but your photos will be much sharper. I do love my 300 mm L lens even though it's heavier.
1346885
Yes, I have to agree with Henry. The 50mm f1.4 is more versatile in the long run. The single most useful point being that, depending on your camera model, you have in effect anything from a 65mm f1.4 to an 80mm f1.4. This falls ideally into the portrait lens range. It's a lens that I still use frequently, especially when using a film body. Both are first rate lenses with excellent sharpness & contrast, but I think that you'd find that the 50mm f1.4 would be used more often..
576348
To Tom Martin or anyone who can help, excluding video, why is the EOS 50D 15.1MP a higher quality than the T1i or T2i?I'm trying to decide between the three and when I look at the list of specs for them, they all seem almost identical from what I can tell. I'm sure I'm missing something. Does the 50D have a more rugged build?Thanks to anyone who contributes an opinion on this.
735066
I have both lenses. Are different lenses for different uses. With the 50mm 1.8 you can get a great bokeh to 1.8. (In my opinion the great problem for this lens is the quality of imagen is not good in the edges at 1.8). The 50 mm 1.8 is perfect for begins in the bokeh. Personally, I bought the 40mm 2.8, because is the smallest lens in the market. I can carry my camera with this lens every where. This lens (40mm) has a great quality of imagen from 2.8 to 22. If you look for a lens for portrait, buy 50 mm. If you look for a compact lens with excelent quality, I recomend 40mm.
358175
Generally, it is a personal style/preference depending on the desired effect. If you're looking to up your game with the subject matter you've mentioned, I wouldn't buy a 24. If you're shooting with an aps sized sensor you're gonna have a multiplier effect on your lens making you 50 even better a lens. I would, in your situation, investigate a fast (2.8) zoom lens in the "standard" range (28-80). I love canon's 17-55 2.8is. This awesome if you have an aps size sensor. Good luck!
1163547
Fixed lens are ALWAYS sharper and the 1.8 is great in low light situation. Kit lens are not as sharp and usually slower (3.5 or 5.6) and therefore limit ur shooting possibilites. If u want a zoom spend the money for a fast one (2.8). I never buy kit lens. I bought d3200 body and 50mm 1.8vs and i have used it very often for newspaper gigs recently in a variety of lighting situations. The extra sharpness and speed payed off. My shots were crisp and clear when printed in the newspaper.
1776935
I do not have the 1.2 I do have a 50mm 1.8 and a 135mm 2.8 and I use this adapter with a T4i and the quality is amazing. The FD lenses were made really well. The only thing with a 1.2 the depth of field is so shallow you are likely going to blur out half of your subject. You may not want to shoot that lens wide open. However if you do I am sure the photos will look amazing. I hope this helps you out.