50mm 1.4 or 1.8...or not

[dougsturgess]

Are there any good reasons to buy a 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 for portraits if my 24-70 has that range covered? If so, please explain.

[brad.swanson]

For one thing, the incredibly narrow DOF is nice to have with the 50mm f1.4 I have the 24-70L, and I have the 50mm f1.4, along with the 70-200 f2.8 IS, and I wouldn't give up any of the 3. The 50mm f1.4 is a fantastic low light lens. The DOF/exposure flexibility is fantastic. Sure, it's nice to use a 24-70 and get an extra stop or 2 over the f4-f5.6 zooms... but the f1.4 is a whole 'nother experience.
It's not an L. It's not the fastest focusing lens out there. It's also not a distance-reporting lens... so using it with ETTL2 (20D and 580EX flash) is not optimal... but that doesn't mean that it won't work... it just won't work as ETTL2 was designed.

Lastly, here's a fantastic link that covers an item that's rarely brought up with lenses... bokeh.
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

You choose. You have to live with it. Good luck.

[dougsturgess]

Thanks for the great information...but I have one more you may be able to answer. If you're using the 50mm 1.4 taking indoor shots/portraits with the onboard flash, you really don't need a speedlite, do you? If you do need one, is there a another portrait lens that communicates with the speedlite that would be a better investment?

I've heard nothing but good things about both these lenses. I'm starting out with the 24-70. Even though that's almost broken the bank, I'm getting hungry for another lens. Since I know I can't do the 16-35 or 70-200 now, I'm thinking about a good portrait lens.

Thanks for your help.

[tim]

At $70 the 50mm F1.8 is a steal, and gives you a good lens to experiment with small DOF with. Another option is the 85mm F1.8 lens, but that's like $350.

The built-in flash isn't really that helpful except when you're caught without a real flash. A speedlight is a whole different, better, experience. It's one of the best things i've bought for my camera. Yes, it's useful taking portraits during the day, it helps eliminate harsh shadows.

[blue_max]

I would say that if you were considering the 1.4, then the 85 1.8 would be a better option. You would have access to a more telephoto lens than you currently have and it's a cracker of a lens too (but I'm biased as this is my first lens choice). It does move you a little more out of the action, which may be an advantage. People are impressed by the 1.8 50mm because of it's image quality compared to it's bargain price. The 1.4 50 is a slightly better quality and much higher price, but then you need to be sure you actually want a 50mm. The 85 is thought to be better than the 100, so the next step would be the 135mm, which is much more telphoto. Then maybe you should save up for the 70-200l f4, which would be much more flexible. All lenses have their pros and cons, so knowing what is important to you dictates which compromises are least appealing. There are a number of hot lenses that are very good. Selecting them is the hard part!

Good luck with your choice.

Graham

[2goldens]

To answer you first question. I like all the lenses that were talked about, and want them all. Now, I like the 50mm 1.8. But I think the other people have good points about the other lenses and some of them have been shooting pictures longer than me so if you are not in a rush keep asking questions that is what this is all about.

The other question about the flash. BUY ONE then get the lense. I have found the flash on my Rebel 300d sucks. (sorry) I have the 420 and it's great.

[brad.swanson]

I didn't say that the 50mm f1.4 won't communicate with the speedlite. The 50mm f1.4 doesn't do distance reporting. A Canon speedlite will work just fine. It just won't work in the latest flash algorhythm. If I remember correct, I think it reverts to ETTL, something in which the bulk of the Canon world is still happy using.

Yes, you can use it without a flash. But, there are plenty of circumstances where bouncing off of a white ceiling, or using a Stofen Omnibounce or Lumiquest Pocketbouncer will get you a better shot. Weddings. Social events where the lighting is too "moody" to get even moderate lighting on the face. Daylight, with an open window, the 50mm f1.4 is super. But in the evening, you'll want a flash eventually.

If you join shootsmarter.com, (just give them a valid Email address), read Will Crockett's articles. Amongst them is my favorite, picking a flash for a DSLR: http://www.shootsmarter.com/infocenter/wc031.htm

Also, he gives his rundown of which lenses to buy:
http://www.shootsmarter.com/infocenter/wc037.html

[tim]

If I remember correct, I think it reverts to ETTL, something in which the bulk of the Canon world is still happy using.

I read something my Chuck W, a technical manager at Canon, who said ETTL-II never falls bcck to ETTL 1. ETTL 2 works fine without distance information, maybe it works a little better with it, I don't know. There were good links in the flash sticky, if it's still around.