have a question in regards to purchasing a new lens next month. a little berfmas present to me, if you will. the problem is, i'm on an extraordinarily tight budget. so... it can't be anything more than $200. willing to buy a used lens but don't know enough on how to go about making sure i'm getting a quality purchase.
my question to you is, i've got a Canon Rebel xTi... with $200 as your limit, what lens would you think about purchasing?
any ideas/thoughts/suggestions/feedback regarding is most appreciated.
@jinximages thanks, jinx... that's the one i actually had my eye on but then a friend told me not to bother since it's pretty much the same lens as the standard lens that came with my camera. is this not the case? hrmm...
Nothing like it. The 50mm is a prime lens (no zoom function) and very "fast" at f/1.8 (wide aperture, for depth of field effects). It is also much sharper than any of the kit lenses you could have got with your camera. It is arguably the best-value-for-money lens in the Canon lineup. That's not to say it is the best lens, but I can vouch that it outperforms lenses five times the price in terms if image quality and fine depth of field control. If the lack of zoom isn't a stumbling block for you, it could well become your favourite lens.
Just to add to that, I spent three weeks in Japan with a 20D and nothing but a 50mm f/1.4, and did not regret for one moment that I did not have a zoom lens. The f/1.4 is about $500 or so, but only marginally better in terms of image quality (less CA with backlit shots, etc). Most people would be hard-pressed to tell a photo taken through the f/1.8 lens as opposed to through the f/1.4 lens - if you had the money for the f/1.4 it would be a no-brainer, but you won't feel like you're missing out by "only" having the f/1.8.
@jinximages Thank you for the review. My hard headedness is still set on the f/1.4. I've just heard too many good things about it to sell myself short. So, I'm gonna continue stashing pennies....
@mandyj92 If you can afford to wait, you'll be happy. The 1.4 is sturdier (not plastic) and just that bit sweeter than the 1.8 - most noticeably on full-frame bodies. Koshi (my wife) originally had the 1.8, but I gave her my 1.4 when I decided to switch to the 85mm f/1.2 (at the same time I went to a full-frame camera), and the 1.4 is still her favourite lens. I think the 1.8 is the better way to go for those who haven't owned a prime before and are testing the waters, or just want one option for fine DOF control and portraits without spending a lot on it. The 1.4 is a bit more serious, and more for those who already know how much they'll love it, not that most people can see the difference in the results.
@grecican Hi Tina, I have the same camera as you! I love love love my
50mm f/1.8 lense. It really is the lens I use 90% of the time! I am a beginner to photography but I feel this lense has helped me improve and have more control over my shots.
I can vouch for the 50mm, a great budget lens and an excellent way of disciplining yourself to work on composition, instead of relying on zooming all the time.
However if you are happy with the kit lens you might be able to get the 55-250mm canon lens, as it's a decent companion to it and gives you a much broader focal range.
I got my 50mm for my birthday last year and it's pretty much been on the camera ever since, it's fantastic and for the price you really can't go wrong. And with the money left over from it you can get some little extras like some close up filters for you new lens.
I love my nifty 50. It can do things my kit lens doesn't. It's great for portraits and playing with a tighter aperture. What do you want your new lens to do? that makes a diff in recomendations
I don't know if Canon make a f/1.8 35 mm lens (I was only able to find references to a f/2.0 version), but to be honest, I think using the 50 mm on a cropped sensor camera defeats (in part) the purpose of the old "nifty fifty". On film cameras and full-frame cameras, the 50 mm is definitely the way to go for a good multipurpose prime lens. Otherwise...
I shoot Nikon (a cropped sensor D300s) and recently bought the Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 as replacement for a broken 50 mm... Now I'm finally back the the "feel" I get on my old Minolta Maxxum 5000i film camera with its 50 mm lens and am so much happier with the results.
I would ask myself: What is it I want to do with the new lens that I cannot do with the lens I have? Do I want to shoot sweeping vistas? Do street photography? Portraits? Close-ups? Wildlife? When you know what you want to do you can start looking for the right lens.
I have a Canon Rebel and just purchased a new lens last month. I got the Canon 55-250mm zoom lens on Amazon for only $177.00. They offer free shipping so it won't go over your budget of $200.00. What I shoot the most is wildlife and landscapes so it is perfect for me and I'm very satisfied with it. I think you have to ask yourself what kind of pictures you like to shoot the most and then decide on the lens. I hope this helps :-)
P.S. If you want to see the change in my pictures the zoom lens made and how much the quality of the photo improved, look at my shots from September 8th through now to see the difference compared to all of the previous months.
my whole project is shot in the 50mm 1.4, if you want to take a look. i absolutely love it. I agree with David @davidchrtrans in that sometimes i really wish i had a wider lens, even today's photo! And sometimes when i shoot indoors, i'll be against one wall wishing i could back up just one more foot.
50mm 1.8 (nifty fifty) can't be beat for the money just depends on what you are planning on shooting. This is also a great macro lens if you attach an extension tube or reversing ring to it. Good Luck with your decision.
@jinximages I have a question for you. I hear lots of lovely things about 50mm lens but have never played with one myself. I have a 60mm f/2 macro lens which I love for macro shots obviously but it also doubles nicely as a portrait lens. Would a 50mm lens be that much different? I have looked at Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 Lens since they are relatively cheap but I am not sure if it is worth it. Thoughts? Would I be better to go with a 35mm as suggested above?
@autumnseden Not a lot of difference, no - Koshi has both a 50mm portrait lens and a 60mm macro, and uses both, with the 50mm being better for portraits, but in your case I would suggest the 35mm (or something else) as you can always still use your 60 for portraits, like you said. You will find that although the 60 might not be optimal, it is more than adequate.
i buy from BH photo video all the time
its 199.99
right at ur budget mark - but you'd have to pay taxes
I definitely think that would be a better choice for you
you'd notice a huge difference between that and ur 18-55
but don't get me wrong the 50mm f/1.8 is amazing for the money
@jinximages Thank you! I really appreciate your honest feedback! I kind of gathered that you might have more fun with DOF with a 50 but I just couldn't see how it could be much different from my 60. When I look at shots I like that were taken with 50s, the big difference tends to be in the post processing and the person's style. I would really like a wide angle next so I am saving up for that but you reassured me that I don't need a 50. =)
As for my advice, I would go with the 50! I have a 60mm macro and I have an 55-200 lens and I rarely use the zoom! In fact, the 60 rarely ever leaves my camera! It works nicely for macros and is excellent for portraits!
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50mm f/1.8 lense. It really is the lens I use 90% of the time! I am a beginner to photography but I feel this lense has helped me improve and have more control over my shots.
and Sharon, i'm going to go check out your pics now to see what your lens can do! :D
However if you are happy with the kit lens you might be able to get the 55-250mm canon lens, as it's a decent companion to it and gives you a much broader focal range.
I shoot Nikon (a cropped sensor D300s) and recently bought the Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 as replacement for a broken 50 mm... Now I'm finally back the the "feel" I get on my old Minolta Maxxum 5000i film camera with its 50 mm lens and am so much happier with the results.
Just food for thought...
thanks again, everyone. you've all been most helpful.
love this community! :)
I have the 50mm f/1.8 as well
its a fantastic lens or that budget
you'll love it!
way more range, and you'd enjoy it more
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543923-USA/Canon_2044B002AA_EF_S_55_250mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html
i buy from BH photo video all the time
its 199.99
right at ur budget mark - but you'd have to pay taxes
I definitely think that would be a better choice for you
you'd notice a huge difference between that and ur 18-55
but don't get me wrong the 50mm f/1.8 is amazing for the money
already sold on the 50 mm... and my brother said he's buying it for my bday! woohoo... now i can buy myself something else. lol
thanks again, everyone!!!