50mm question - what would you do?

[MntnRnnr]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so go easy on me. (This is my first post, in fact!)

I have a Rebel XT with the kit lens (EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6.) I'm primarily shooting pictures of the kids (both under 5 years) and pictures from trips, etc. I'm starting to learn more about the creative side of things - I received a copy of "Understanding Exposure" for Christmas, for instance.

At any rate, I'm thinking I'd like to get a faster lens for indoor/lowlight shots and more creative portrait-type shots. I'm leaning towards a 50mm lens. The L is definitely too expensive! I could swing the Canon 1.4. But if I went with the Canon 1.8 I could also get a Speedlite 430EX... Since I'm shooting kids indoors w/ not great light I'm just a bit worried about the AF problems that seem to get mentioned a lot with the 1.8.

So... any advice or thoughts? Things or optionsI haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance.

[Miyagi-san]

If you can afford it comfortably...I would suggest skipping the 1.8 and getting the 1.4

From my experience, you will outgrow the 1.8 and want more. It's an awesome lens for the $$, and will teach you a lot...but I feel it's definitely not without it's shortcomings.

I can almost guarantee you will want the 1.4 not too long after shooting with the 1.8 for a while. ....however at the same time, I can almost guarantee you will have fun with the 1.8 and learn a lot very quickly.

Either way you go, I don't think you will make a bad decision. Personally, I wish I would have skipped the 1.8 and just got the 1.4 first. Although, without the 1.8 I may never have known I wanted the 1.4 lol

I vote get the 1.4....

EDIT, oh almost forgot....welcome aboard! :D

[Twitch1977]

I'm a new owner of the 1.8 and here's my take. I would go with the Speedlite and 1.8 combo, the reason being is the 1.8 is cheap and it holds most of that value, it might cost $80 now, but you'll be able to sell it down the road for probably $50-$60 when you decide the upgrade to the 1.4 so you're not losing that much. That speedlite is really going to help if you're doing a lot of indoor pictures and it will also help outdoors with fill flash, etc.

There is no doubt the 1.4 is the better lens, and yah the 1.8 is loud and it hunts and sometimes misses the focus. But I would rather take that and the speedlite now, and then a year down the road or whatever sell it on the forum, get most of it's value back and pick up the 1.4 then.

But that's just the way I'd play it,
Kurt

[Borderfox]

I use the 50mm f1.8 indoors shooting showjumping in very low light and my hit rate is about 90% its an excellent lens for the money, and correct me if I am wrong the 580ex has an af assist just below the flash that shines a grid out to help focus. The f1.4 is nice, better built but I think you will learn more and get excellent pictures with the f.1.8 and the flash...imo

[superdiver]

I would go to the 1.4 if you can afford it...

[DrPablo]

I've had really great success with autofocusing the 50 f/1.8 even in tight shallow DOF settings. Both lenses are a bargain, but the 50 f/1.8 is a steal. Mine, by the way, has been to 4 continents and all over the country, been battered and abused, and taken many wonderful shots, and it still has plenty of life left. Not bad for $75.

[MntnRnnr]

Thanks for the quick replies - keep them coming!

[crn3371]

1.8 and the flash. Best bang for your indoor buck.

[pup]

go with the 1.4

[jcw122]

Meh...hard decision. Flash units are GREAT indoors, I'm not so sure you'd need one w/ a fast lens like the 1.8 though.

I'm going to have to say the 50 1.4....I really dislike my 50 1.8, focus problems for me. the 50 1.4 and a 430EX would be awesome too lol.

IQ of the 1.4 is alot higher than the 1.8 also...at least in my opinion. The bokeh (backround blur) also looks a TON better, check out the Lens Archive threads on them.

[jr_senator]

Regardless of what lens you get, a good flash is always an asset. Get the flash, a couple of diffusers/bouncers (Omni Bounce, LumiQuest 80/20, Westcott Micro Apollo, et). Then work on another lens.

[Pete-eos]

1.8 + 430EX, the kit lens is even usable indoors with the 430EX its awesome.

[radiohead1075]

The 1.8 is a fine lens, I have one so I speak from experience, but the AF hunts in low light situations. So, I'd hesitate to say that, while the 1.8 being a fast lens, will be good for capturing young kids in low light. Not sure if the 1.4 offers better AF, but that may be something to consider if it does IMHO.

[SuzyView]

Although Nifty 50 1.8 is very capable, I bought the 50 1.4 first thing and it's wonderful. For $300, it's a bargain!

[poah]

get the flash then save the extra for the 1.4. I use my 24-105 f4 + flash indoors. never use a wide aperture not enough DOF for my likeling normally

[E-Dude]

I just got the 430EX recently and I have had the 50 1.8 for a few months. It sounds like you will be needing the flash. I found that the 430 really lights up the living room well. You can really see limitations of the built-in flash, but the 430 provides excellent, even light when bounced off the ceiling.

I bought the 50 1.8 instead of the 1.4 because it was so inexpensive. I figured that I would use the 1.8 for a while and when I started to see the limitations of the 1.8 or if it breaks, I would upgrade to the 1.4.

I would say to get the flash, then decide on the 1.4 vs the 1.8 based on the advise provided on this forum. I think you will enjoy either lens - just make sure you know the advantages\disadvantages of the lenses. This forum provides excellect information.

[buckwheat]

Get a 35mm. Forget the 50mm focal length on a 1.6X conversion. The 35mm is the equivalent of a normal 50mm range on a full frame camera. The 50mm on a a 1.6X is too tight too often for indoor/outdoor regular shots. Trust me I found out the hard way when I had a 300D and the30D...all 1.6X cameras.

[Miyagi-san]

Get a 35mm. Forget the 50mm focal length on a 1.6X conversion. The 35mm is the equivalent of a normal 50mm range on a full frame camera. The 50mm on a a 1.6X is too tight too often for indoor/outdoor regular shots. Trust me I found out the hard way when I had a 300D and the30D...all 1.6X cameras.

this is also a good recommendation....

50mm can be a bit long especially on a 1.6 crop indoors. i have a tough time using mine in my living room (it's a pretty small living room though)

[Don Powell]

I agree with the people here that advise getting the flash. When you become accustomed to bouncing the flash with a white card or simular device attached to the flash head, you will be thrilled with the results. You may be able to shoot at f8 ( bounced ) with your kit lens. Most any lens will give good sharp photos at f8. Kids are fast, and when I'm taking snap shots of them, I want more depth of focus, and the f5.6 or f8 will give me that. Shoot at f1.8 or f2 and the depth of focus may be too shallow.

[begovics]

I don't have 1.4 and honestly I never used it, but I used 1.8 a lot. Lens is little loud, but I never had problems with AF on 20D. After looking at tests I can not justify spending 3x more for a little faster lens. If you have money, go with a faster one, it is better built, slightly faster and looks more serious. Sharpness? 1.8 is very sharp lens. This one was taken at f2.8.

[JohnnyG]

1.8 and the flash now and save for the 1.4 later!

[Salleke]

Like others allready mentioned go for the 50 1.4 it's a very fine lens with a much better performance in every way then the 1.8.

Good luck and Happy New Year...

[dave_bass5]

1.8 + 430EX, the kit lens is even usable indoors with the 430EX its awesome.

I agree with that. For kids around the house type shots a flash is much more important as others have said.
I have 100's of shots of my kids doing all sorts, even jumping of things and it makes no difference what lens i used apart from FL and if i wanted narrow DOF.
The way i see it (and i could be wrong here but it works for me) is that with a fast lens in low light you have narrow DOF. if the subjects are moving then its harder to get them in focus. with a bounced flash you dont need to have such a narrow DOF and so its easier to get one or more subjects in focus.
I had the 50mm f/1.8II and loved it but i now have the f/1.4 and its my fav lens at the moment. i even have a 24-105L but find that as my flat is quite small and cluttered i like to throw the background out of focus as much as poss so ill use the 50mm f/1.4 most of the time around f/2-f/3.5.

To the OP. have you looked at the Canon 35mm f/2.0? its cheaper than the 50mm f/1.4 and wider so may be more use indoors. Its a very good, small lens.

[coorz]

My votes for the 1.8 and flash. The first things i got for my setup were a decent tripod and a flash. Indoor with kids and family=flash!

[shaunknee]

Another vote for either of the Canon 35mm. Very good focal length on a 1.6 crop

[sm1rf]

i had the same dilema recently, decided on the 1.4 as it is better built and arguably better AF, bought the 430EX at the same time. very impressed with both for all the reasons other posters have stated. dig deep, buy both and never look back. :)

[nicksan]

Whatever 50mm you get, I would definitely recommend the flash. It will open up new worlds for you...especially indoors.

I used to use my camera only on weekends b/c of work but now that I can shoot with my 580EX and get great results, I find myself torturing my cats for photo ops with the flash.

It's a matter of time until they hate me and pee on my stuff!!!

[Mr. Clean]

An external flash should be the first thing you buy in my opinion. Get the 1.8 and a flash and you will love indoor shooting!

[superdiver]

Ask 4 different photographers and get 8 different opinions....LOL

[canoflan]

also get a good flash 580EX

[nicksan]

35mm vs. 50mm on 1.6 crop body like your camera...just use the kit and dial in at 35mm then 50mm...see how you like it...then decide.

I still say get the flash.

Remember at f/1.8 you need to mind the Depth of Field...at least more so than the kit. The AF is nothing to write home about. But it's cheap and it's a good way to really find out what your camera can do IQ wise...

I still think the Flash is a must...