Sell my Sigma 18-50 3.5 for Nifty 50?

[2112]

Well, someone wants to buy my Sigma 18-50 3.5 which is the kit lens for my XT for the same price as a new Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. I am tempted to do this since I need a good portrait lens right now and the 18-50 is too soft for my taste. However, I will then only have the 50 as a lens until I can get something else. What do you think?

[Outdoor23]

the 50 1.8 is a good lens (though 1.4 is better). are you sure you can live without 18-49??? if you can go for it!!

[2112]

the 50 1.8 is a good lens (though 1.4 is better). are you sure you can live without 18-49??? if you can go for it!!

I don't know. Just because its only 50mm doesnt mean I cant move myself around to get a better photo :lol: zooms are nice but not always neccessary. Ponder this I will.

[tim]

I wouldn't do it unless the 18-50 was crap. The 50mm F1.8 is good value, but it has some shortcomings, like an inaccurate focus motor.

[David1943]

I don't know. Just because its only 50mm doesnt mean I cant move myself around to get a better photo :lol: zooms are nice but not always neccessary. Ponder this I will.
Yes, you'll find that you can sometimes move back to include more of what you wish to photograph but there will probably be occasions when you can't and will wish you'd a wide angle lens available. Also bear in mind that the perspective on an 18mm is different to a 50mm and that is something I'd miss, although perhaps you won't.

[grego]

I don't think you should sell it. Maybe if you were buying the 1.4, but the 1.8 is still a starter lens as well.

With your current lens, you have some versatility. Just save up and make your next purchase for whatever you think you are going to cover.

[condyk]

I think that is called a sidegrade ... if you know you'll only use 50mm and it makes you feel better changing then go for it. If you can stretch a bit you may find you can use the money gained from selling the 18-50mm to get something better and more practical.

[goatee]

I think that is called a sidegrade ... if you know you'll only use 50mm and it makes you feel better changing then go for it. If you can stretch a bit you may find you can use the money gained from selling the 18-50mm to get something better and more practical.

Really Condy - you don't see the increased image quality an upgrade? I'm in the process of trading my 28-80USM for a 18-55 kit lens, and am hoping in a couple of months to pick up a 50mm f1.8 secondhand to complement it, but mainly because I see it as a worthwhile upgrade. Or am I wrong?

[condyk]

I had one and really liked it for what I used it for. I was thinking more 'big picture' which didn't come across. If the OP ONLY wants 50mm then yes, it's a good upgrade perhaps, but you lose the flexibility of a zoom. I thought with a little more cash the OP could keep some flexibility and gain some quality. But the 50mm is a good little lens and no one will regret buying one..

[goatee]

Ah fair enough - yes that would make sense - although I was half tempted to just get the nify fifty, and force myself to be more creative by not having a zoom - didn't quite have the bottle to do it, and also for landscapes, even though you can stitch them, I think the perspective you get with 18mm will do them more justice, than a stitched 50mm panorama.

[cfcRebel]

Well, someone wants to buy my Sigma 18-50 3.5 which is the kit lens for my XT for the same price as a new Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. I am tempted to do this since I need a good portrait lens right now and the 18-50 is too soft for my taste. However, I will then only have the 50 as a lens until I can get something else. What do you think?Hi 2112, if u are based here in the US, the 50 f1.8II won't cost you an arm unless you are thinking about getting the 50 f1.4. I cannot live w/o the 18-50 range because i need the wider side sometimes. So i would keep the 18-50.

[wintoid]

For a while I had only the 50mm f/1.4 lens and found it a very useable focal length for my purposes. I still have problems using zooms, and usually end up at the widest or longest end, which makes them more like bi-primes :D Considering the good photos I've seen from the 50mm f/1.8 I think this could be a good move, and one that will be worth keeping if you buy other lenses in the future, which the 18-50 doesn't sound like.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

It will be a little hard to give up a zoom lens for a 50mm lens. I say this only because the 50mm turns into a Effective 80mm FOVCF. Rather narrow unless you have the ability to stand way back from your subject. I would say forget indoor photography of people (candids), you need to be at least 9feet (2.5 mtrs) away to get more than a head and shoulders shot.

[2112]

Thanks for all the great responses. I only shoot models and this would be for indoor shoots. I practiced on a friend with my 18-50 set at 50mm and found I didnt have to step back too far to get more than a head and shoulders shot, maybe 5-6 feet away. Besides, you dont want to be all up in a models face when shooting, makes em uncomfortable :p I think I will buy the 50 1.8 and use it along with the 18-50 tomorrow and then make a desicion from there. Thanks guys.