Best non-L primes? looking for a 1-2 lens combo

Hey guys, after stepping back from shooting professionally, i sadly can't justify the cost of L series lenses for personal use anymore. I'm looking at getting a reasonable combo of lenses that i could get for under $400 each for my 5d2. I know i want a 50mm and i want to supplement that with another lens.

So, what would you guys recommend for the 50mm? Canon 1.4 or Sigma 1.4 in terms of sharpness and bokeh?

as for the 2nd lens, im open to suggestions from you folks. the 50 will handle most of my walk-around/street photography, so im really not looking for any specific focal length. What non-L lenses do you love to use?

well, you can get the 70-200 f4 non-IS for around 500. I know you said no L-glass, but its light, usable, and cheap

as for a wider, I am a big fan of the 28-135 for a cheap lens. It has IS, a USM motor, and a good zoom range, and you can pick it up for around 200-300.

Heya,

The Sigma 35 1.8 might be an option, unless you need more reach. Covers 3 prime lengths, all wide on a full frame, with constant 1.8 wide open, no extending moving parts for the zoom, as it's all internal. Reviewing ridiculously good, better than the primes per review at these focal lengths, being very fast at all lengths, and sharper.

Sigma ART series are reviewing really well and priced well (30mm and 50mm).

Rokinon makes some super wide 8mm and 14mm manuals if you want something inexpensive and very wide for doing landscape or sky/star shoots.

The 85mm and 100mm variants from the major brands are all good lenses too, and fast (1.8). Depends how much reach you want.

Otherwise, there's relatively good zooms, but they're not as sharp as some of the primes you're looking at.

Do you need zoom?

Very best,

I like the 28-135 on my 5D.

EF 50 f/1.4 and the EF 100 f/2.8 are my favourite non L prime lenses

85 1.8?

The only prime I have is the 50mm f1.4. Went through 3 Sigmas that all focused shifted and the first Canon I tried was perfect, so I brought the Canon.

As for a second prime, I'd go for the 85 f 1.8.

50mm & 85mm are too close [Imo] so I'd say 50/1.4 & 100/2 or 35/2 & 85/1.8

I've been keen on a 50mm prime for months now, but I am holding off till Canon announces the rumored 50mm f/1.8 IS USM and/or Sigma re-introduces its 50mm f/1.4 as an Art lens. In the meantime, the 40mm Pancake is my default lens on the 6D.

My favorite Canon non L prime is the 100mm f2. My sharpest Canon non L prime is the 60mm 2.8. The sharpest non L 50mm lens I've ever used is not made by Canon. It's the Contax Zeiss 50mm 1.7.

LeeRatters wrote in post #16374877
50mm & 85mm are too close [Imo] so I'd say 50/1.4 & 100/2 or 35/2 & 85/1.8

This, I personally like the 35 / 85 combo though if you already have your heart set on a 50mm then I guess you could pick that up and a 100.

The Canon 50 1.4 is, for the lack of a better word, unexciting. Sigma Art 50 may be a better option, but no news on that front.

I've used the 28 1.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.8 and the 100 2.8L macro... my favourite of these is the 85 1.8 pretty much hands down. The 100 2.8 produced some really good pictures, but the AF was so slow compared to the 85, which is lightning fast.. the only problem with it is the extreme purple fringing, but if you have time to correct it post-processing, then it's a non-issue.

The 24, 28 and 35 IS versions seems good.

I'm hardly impressed with 35 IS - it's one of my best lenses, i can say that it's on pair with 100L/135L in terms of image quality.

Also, 20/2.8, 28/1.8, 85/1.8 are really nice performers. I'm not a fan of 50/1.4 because of it's built quality, but 40 pancake is a stunner.

I'm in much support of the 35/1.4 and 85-100/1.8-2.0 combo. From my experience quality of the final image will be stunning, as well as the wallet won't be hit that hard. It gives you a nice flexibility to work with variety of lighting conditions, forces you to go away from the zoom mentality (better compositions). It is by far the best compromise and if you are still itching for a 50mm, you can always pick up a used, sharp copy under $100.

On my 6d my favourite go to lens in order are 35 1.4 (Rokinon), EF 50 1.8, 70-200 2.8 IS. My normal length 24-70 just sits around gathering dust being only used as a backup.