Opinions on 50mm 1.4

skygod44 wrote in post #9130665
No worries, and take a look here --> 50mm 1.4 link for more reasons to buy this lens. Also, I have a 30D and it's a great body. Not too many pixels to play with when you're learning about post-processing, great features, good weight, great build quality (just ask POTN's KenjiS who dropped his 30D in the snow last winter, with no problems afterwards!)
But back to the 50 1.4 and yes, as has been mentioned, many will say to buy a different lens, or a zoom, but I'm with you on this. A good, fast prime will get you thinking more about the shot before you lift the camera to your eye - which, IMHO, is a "better" way to get more from your gear.

"Buy as little as possible" is my advice.
Instead, get your holding technique perfected - and save the money from a tripod (that'll just gather dust) for a better lens after you know what you need it for.
Buy a modest sized bag (my Lowepro EX160 is great) that'll hold your camera and 50mm 1.4, and then a flash/longer/wider lens when you get one.
And go from there!
Cheers for now,
Simon

Thanks for the comment! I will definitely use all of that advice.

msowsun wrote in post #9130800
Agreed, for your one and only lens, 50mm on a crop is too long indoors, and too short outdoors.

A Sigma 30mm 1.4, or Canon 28mm or 35mm would be better if you are only going to have one lens.

I understand where you're coming from. Good points. Although I want to just get one lens at a time and learn all I can about it before I get a new one, it shouldn't be that far out before I decide to make a purchase on a nice lens, most likely zoom. I'll decide when the time comes.

Thanks for everyone's comments and opinions! It really helped!

kMayer wrote in post #9130935
Thanks for the comment! I will definitely use all of that advice.

I understand where you're coming from. Good points. Although I want to just get one lens at a time and learn all I can about it before I get a new one, it shouldn't be that far out before I decide to make a purchase on a nice lens, most likely zoom. I'll decide when the time comes.

Thanks for everyone's comments and opinions! It really helped!

You're welcome, and I couldn't disagree more with the opinions that 50mm is an odd length for a cropper. It's 50mm. Your job is to fit around that, just like owning a 35mm prime would need working around, or an 85mm prime would need working around. You take advantage of it's best features, and deal with the (few) drawbacks.
For a "walk-around lens" - which to me means "out there, in the city/country/streets/p​arks etc" - it rocks! And with f/1.4 to play with, the bokeh and control of what's in the frame is tremendous without the cost of the 50mm L, or the lack of DoF control from a wider-angle lens.
Go for it and don't look back, my friend! You'll love it!

Then..........decide what you need next. If you want to sell the 50, you can (though I won't say goodbye to mine until it dies!) and get a good chunk of cash back.

skygod44 wrote in post #9132645
...I couldn't disagree more with the opinions that 50mm is an odd length for a cropper. It's 50mm. Your job is to fit around that...

To a certain extent, one needs to "fit around" with any lens, especially so with primes. That doesn't mean one should select any focal length and make it fit, sometimes it just doesn't fit. A single lens, and a prime at that? Would not one that best mimics the human eye's prospective be best? This is how the OP has seen the world ever since. I think the OP will be more comfortable with a 28 or 35mm prime than a focal length somewhere between 'normal' and 'short telephoto'.

While i agree that 50mm is almost the "perfect" focal length, you are putting it on a crop camera.

Therefore i feel you'd be better with a 35L or 30mm f1.4 Sigma.

I have both crop and full frame cameras. The 50 doesn't get used on the crop cameras at all really...

An effective focal length of 80mm (which is what you'll end up with on a crop camera) is too long for "general" stuff. Unless you want it specifically for portraits, and don't intend to use it too much in small spaces...

My 2c.

Rob

I also think a 35mm f2 should be considered for a crop, for the same reasons as previously mentioned. If you do do end up wanting a 50mm, another lens to consider is the 50mm 2.5 CM. Its not a true 1:1 macro, but will give you great extreme close ups when needed. Edge to edge its a very crisp lens. Plus, its very inexpensive new, and dirt cheap used.

jr_senator wrote in post #9133041
To a certain extent, one needs to "fit around" with any lens, especially so with primes. That doesn't mean one should select any focal length and make it fit, sometimes it just doesn't fit. A single lens, and a prime at that? Would not one that best mimics the human eye's perspective be best? This is how the OP has seen the world ever since. I think the OP will be more comfortable with a 28 or 35mm prime than a focal length somewhere between 'normal' and 'short telephoto'.

OK, this is getting fun! Do none of you guys shoot with both eyes open? If not, I highly recommend you do it, with a 50mm attached to your croppers..............​.it's OK, I've got time.
No rush..........
..........
.....
..
OH WELL BLOW ME DOWN!!!!!
When you look through the viewfinder on a cropper with a 50mm lens stuck on the end, both eyes "feel" completely normal!
"Perspective" is NOT a function of the lens. It's to do with your position relative to the subject.
See this thread - post #36 here - for visual proof that you guys need to do some homework before talking about perspective and focal lengths.

Just wondering. Why do so many ppl praise the 85 focal length on full frame (85 f/1.8 and 85L)...and why do so many ppl complain about the 50mm on a crop, isn't the perspective kind of similar?

50mm and 85mm are very different focal lengths.

DL.Photography wrote in post #9133431
Just wondering. Why do so many ppl praise the 85 focal length on full frame (85 f/1.8 and 85L)...and why do so many ppl complain about the 50mm on a crop, isn't the perspective kind of similar?

I wouldn't recommend an 85mm lens as the only lens for FF.

msowsun wrote in post #9130800
Agreed, for your one and only lens, 50mm on a crop is too long indoors, and too short outdoors.

I have it and I completely agree. Its a wonderful lens in quality and I would never get rid of mine but now im having to look for another lens to make up for the crop factor of my camera

skygod44 wrote in post #9133357
"Perspective" is NOT a function of the lens. It's to do with your position relative to the subject.

Which is affected directly by the lens' focal length, no?

Perspective is affected only by position relative to the subject.
Having said that, in order to fill the frame with your subject you will move forward or backward given your (fixed) focal length, therefore the perspective will be different indirectly.

I have and like the 50/1.4 on a 40D, but would not advise it to be your only lens.

This is really becoming a tempest in a teapot. The OP has indicated that this is a lens he's going to learn with, he's willing to foot zoom, and he wants to get into DSLR photography fairly inexpensively. Will a 50mm f/1.4 work for this? Absolutely. Is it a "good combination," as the OP asked? Again, yes it is. Is it perfect? Well that's a matter of opinion and also a function of his subjects of choice. He's also indicated that this won't be his only lens for very long, so I hope he takes all this advice with a grain of salt and with due consideration for his own needs and desires.

Yep.

jr_senator wrote in post #9133041
Would not one that best mimics the human eye's prospective be best? This is how the OP has seen the world ever since.

skygod44 wrote in post #9133357
Do none of you guys shoot with both eyes open? ...[Snip]...When you look through the viewfinder on a cropper with a 50mm lens stuck on the end, both eyes "feel" completely normal! "Perspective" is NOT a function of the lens. It's to do with your position relative to the subject.

These two comments get at one of the dilemmas - what is 'normal', field of view or size of object? When I think of the first, then yes, the 50 on a crop is a bit narrow, but I personally value the second and that, IMHO is the reason that a 50 on a crop is a good starting point. It forces you to shoot a little tight (and don't we always end up cropping tighter anyway?) but because the object size is similar to the naked eye it is easier to previsualize the shot. Now the photographer can focus on capturing things that the eyes' automatic responses take away from us like exposure, DOF, light & shadow, etc...

...and with that, I think that I have gone away from the OP's original question so I will pipe down.