Stuck with a 1.8/Nifty Fifty. HELP

Love the fact that my nifty fifty can give me that amazing depth of field, but I had my roommates mom ask me to come take some shots of the shop today.

Nifty fifty absolutely didnt get the job done. I didn't take in to account that I mostly do close up portraits, and didn't realize the distance I was from the clients in her shop.

Looking for a decent zoom, but a lower aperture, but doesn't a carry a $1400 price tag.

Help. Please.

Thanks shutterbugs.

Stop down, and there you go.

???

Lower aperture = more cash, no way around it. However, I have had good luck with my Canon 28-135 IS. It has a relatively lower price point and they can be found all over Craig's List for around $200-$250, that's an affordable zoom. You won't get the DOF like you get with your Nifty, but that's the adictive magic of primes.

Good luck with your search and happy shooting!

Wait... was the 50mm too long or too short for your needs?
In any case, I'd recommend either a Sigma 30mm F1.4 or a Canon 85mm F1.8, dependant on whether you were too close or too far away.
I am assuming you are using a crop body.

Or, alternatively, you could do something completely insane and just use your feet.

What kind of focal length are you looking for? Sigma 17-50 OS is around $650; if you need longer, the Canon 70-200 f/4 non-IS can be had for around the same price, but you have to either keep your shutter speed up or use a mono/tripod to avoid camera shake.

Ohiodude: I think we need to know what you want to spend to help you

Ohiodude wrote in post #13252331
Love the fact that my nifty fifty can give me that amazing depth of field, but I had my roommates mom ask me to come take some shots of the shop today.

Nifty fifty absolutely didnt get the job done. I didn't take in to account that I mostly do close up portraits, and didn't realize the distance I was from the clients in her shop.

It's not clear what the problem was. Can you post examples or describe it better?

Sounds like you need the 85 1.8

so no actual problem mentioned other than that the OP is wanting to go for a zoom rather than prime i think.

im not sure how its possible to be stuck with a thrifty 50, when used properly its an amazing lens for the price

Ohiodude wrote in post #13252331
Love the fact that my nifty fifty can give me that amazing depth of field, but I had my roommates mom ask me to come take some shots of the shop today.

Nifty fifty absolutely didnt get the job done. I didn't take in to account that I mostly do close up portraits, and didn't realize the distance I was from the clients in her shop.

Looking for a decent zoom, but a lower aperture, but doesn't a carry a $1400 price tag.

Help. Please.

Thanks shutterbugs.

Couldn't just move in closer?

If not, the cheapest fast zoom that might fit your needs is the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 or Tokina 50-135 f/2.8

Next up the line would be one of the 5 versions of the Sigma 70-200 2.8

A used Canon 70-200 2.8 (non-IS) can be had for about $850.

calvinjhfeng wrote in post #13252357
Stop down, and there you.

I'd go here. If the focal length was okay, stop down to a smaller aperture to increase depth of field. If your shutter is too slow as a result, use a tripod.

If you have a focal length issue, you need to weigh your options...too wide and you'll battle distortion, too long and your images may start to look flat.

I don't the exact distance created between you and you're subject in the studio compared to what you're used but, assuming you're using crop, 85mm is the best fl for many reasons. I think the 1.8 can had for less than $500. Otherwise all the 70-200 2.8 zooms areall going to be in the $800 and up range

Ohiodude wrote in post #13252331
Love the fact that my nifty fifty can give me that amazing depth of field, but I had my roommates mom ask me to come take some shots of the shop today.

Nifty fifty absolutely didnt get the job done. I didn't take in to account that I mostly do close up portraits, and didn't realize the distance I was from the clients in her shop.

Looking for a decent zoom, but a lower aperture, but doesn't a carry a $1400 price tag.

Help. Please.

Thanks shutterbugs.

Not sure what your problem was? If it is depth of field, then stop down the 50mm. Not sure why you would need a zoom in a shop, zoom with your feet if that was the problem, my guess it was depth of field .

Only one post by the OP with any information and 11 posts by forum members trying to figure what the issue is.