Going for my first prime

Hey everyone. Before we get into this let me give you some background info. I have been shooting for 3 months and I have a few extra bux laying around. I have up to $1,000 but would rather not spend it all or spend it all but get two lenses. I have a 60D so this will be on a crop body.

My Flikr is in my sig if seeing my shooting style would help. I have done some research and have see the question most ask is "What do you dislike about your current lense?" Here is my answer of what I dislike about my kit 18-135:
1. Lack of sharpness
2. Lack of performance in low-light

For these two reason I have decided it is time for a fast prime. I am mainly looking at the 30mm, 50mm and 85mm focal lengths. What I want is the biggest bang for my buck. I am not a professional (still a hobbyist at this point) so I don't need L lenses per se. My main concern is sharpness, followed close by the low-light situations as winter is approach and I work a lot so daylight shoots won't happen much.

Questions:
Which focal length?
Factors: I like street photography as well as landscapes. Ideally if I shoot people I don't want to have to get super close (i.e. "urban candids" from a small distance is want I want) For that reason I lean toward the 85mm. However this may be too long on a crop so maybe a 50 or even a 35 would be ok for this.

How much difference is there between 1.2/1.4/1.8/2 etc.?

Which brand?
Factors: I want sharp and good low-light performance. At this point I am happy buying 3rd party/cheaper lenses as it is a good way for me to expand into areas to see what I like. If I decide I really like a certain focal length I can invest in higher quality glass later.

pay attention to what focal length you use the most on your 18-135mm. then decide which prime to get

sigma 30mm 1.4
50mm ( lots of choices here)
canon 85mm 1.8

Yep, what Kevin says. Also maybe try to go out with your 18-135 and set it to 30mm, shoot for an afternoon or whatever, then repeat the process through 50mm and 85mm. Personally with a crop body the prime I used most was 30mm. It was great as a walkaround and full portrait. Back it up with a 50 and you have a good combo.

I know you're leaning towards a prime, but on a crop I'd say the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is really tough to beat and can do most of what you are looking for. The only area it is lacking is it is not the low light king, but it's pretty darn good. Excellent lens for both landscapes and street.

If I had to get one prime on a crop, it would probably be something in the 24mm - 50mm range. My vote is for the Sigma 30mm 1.4. 50mm is a little long on a crop, IMO, but then again you did say you want to be further away from your subjects so maybe that one will work for you. I have both the Sigma 30mm 1.4 on a crop and the 50mm 1.4 on full frame (same equivalent field of view) and these lenses live on my camera for street photography/low light. Not so much for landscape.

I have the 24 2.8, 35 2.0 and 50 1.4 on a crop body and the one I use the most is the 30 even thought I dont use it all that much at all. I have a 17-50 2.8 tamron that I end up using more unless I want the smallest package I can carry or I am specifically shooting something.

How about selling the 60d and kit lens and apply your funds toward a full frame w/ 50mm? This will give you the low light performance you are looking for. Not a knock on crop, but just another option you should explore.

With your budget? Happy days!

Sigma 30 1.4 + Canon 50 1.8 + Canon 85 1.8 = @ $968 (all new)
Canon 35 f2 + Canon 50 1.4 + Canon 85 1.8 = @ $1037 (all new)
used will save you more of course.

BrickR wrote in post #15010765
With your budget? Happy days!

Sigma 30 1.4 + Canon 50 1.8 + Canon 85 1.8 = @ $968 (all new)

Perfect!

Check EXIF of your favorite shots to see what you use most. My guess is 50 from your Flickr. 50 1.8 will suffice but you will probably appreciate the 50 1.4 for thinner DoF, better low light, and if nothing else, better AF.

Just got my second copy of an EF 50mm f/1.4 cause I missed my first one so much. Its a great lens, found a used copy for $300 bucks right here actually. 50mm is a good length, not too tight on a crop body and you can still shoot long enough and get a decent crop out of it. I think 85mm would be too long for you and 30 might be too wide, will have to get somewhat close even on a crop body.

Canon 85/1.8

Canon 28/1.8 or Sigma 30/1.4

* I think the Canon 28/1.8 is the USM right?

I'd say 28mm 1.8 / 30mm 1.4 for versatility and 50mm 1.4 / 85mm 1.8 for portraits.
Can't go wrong with any of them.

Sounds like a 35 would be good for you. Unfortunately that means you'd have to go for something ~24mm to achieve a similar FOV as 35mm on full frame, and there's nothing cheap that is good at that FL. The Sigma 30 never felt quite right to me.

Not sure why, but when I use my 24-70 and I look down at my zoom ring, it is almost always set to exactly 35mm. It just feels "right" on the 5D2. It even feels more "right" with the Zeiss 2/35...

benji25 wrote in post #15010372
Hey everyone. Before we get into this let me give you some background info. I have been shooting for 3 months and I have a few extra bux laying around. I have up to $1,000 but would rather not spend it all or spend it all but get two lenses. I have a 60D so this will be on a crop body.

Spend it all and a bit more on 50L; you will never look back

When I'm choosing which lenses to travel with I'll swap zooms, but I will take the 28/1.8 every time. It's small and a great focal length for walking around, social situations (relatively low profile compared to a zoom) and does a nice job in lower light situations.

In contrast I find I use the 85/1.8 very little, although it's a beautiful lens.