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Thread started 24 Sep 2012 (Monday) 18:51
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Upgrade zoom or start prime collection?

 
The ­ Dark ­ Knight
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Sep 24, 2012 18:51 |  #1

Currently have 60D with 18-55, 50 1.8, 70-300.

Shooting mostly portraits/ candids. All the focal lengths I need are covered with those 3 lenses.

At this point it's about wanting some more IQ.

I can save towards a kit zoom upgrade like the 17-55 or 15-85.

OR

I can start towards the primes I want. I ideally want the 85 1.8 and the 35 f/2. I think if I have a 35, 50, and 85, it will cover most of the situations I shoot with.

And honestly, the 50 1.8 already covers about 80% of what I shoot fairly well. Additional lenses would be for more flexibility, convenience, and/or IQ improvement.

Thanks!




  
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coirchlid
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Sep 24, 2012 19:36 |  #2

If you shoot mostly with your 50 already then id say go the prime route. You also might want to consider upgrading your 50/1.8 to the 1.4. I've owned the 1.4 and now own the 1.8 and I'll say I'm a little dissapointed. While I generally recommend the 15-85 or 17-55 for all around use, prime lenses will be able to better isolate your subjects. Subject isolation IMO is a top priority in candid shots of people. I'd pick the 35/50/85 prime combo anyday for candids but thats just me. I could totally understand the argumemt of choosing zooms over primes for flexibility and convenience (and not to mention IS). In that case I'd go with the 17-55.


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BrickR
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Sep 24, 2012 19:44 |  #3

I used to be a zoom shooter but have really begun to switch to like primes in more situations. If I can only take one lens, of course I grab the zoom but I have changed over recently the past year to wanting the 35/50/85 combo in a bag now. So much so that only a 70-200 vc zoom interests me in zooms now. The 85 is on my list next.
So my vote goes to starting the prime route :-)


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The ­ Dark ­ Knight
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Sep 24, 2012 19:53 |  #4

Thanks. Another factor for me (that may or may not make sense) that may favor primes is that I only find myself using my 2 zooms in situations where I "want to get the shot" but where IQ isn't really the highest priority. So if I'm playing tourist or something, I don't mind using the 18-55 and I am content with the results.

In a situation when I want to "take pictures" and get some solid results, I just take the 50 1.8. So that's why I figured maybe primes are better...

So if I do go the prime route, which should I go for first? Although the 50 1.4 has IQ advantage, I think at this point I'd like the focal length diversity a bit more... so maybe 35 or 85...




  
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DreDaze
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Sep 24, 2012 20:00 |  #5

it sounds like you're leaning towards primes...so go that route...although i'd consider the sigma 30mm f1.4 for the wide end...i like my 35f2...but i can see myself going to the sigma if i ever have a few spare bucks around


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The ­ Dark ­ Knight
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Sep 24, 2012 20:04 |  #6

DreDaze wrote in post #15037788 (external link)
it sounds like you're leaning towards primes...so go that route...although i'd consider the sigma 30mm f1.4 for the wide end...i like my 35f2...but i can see myself going to the sigma if i ever have a few spare bucks around

Yea, going wider the Sigma would be right in consideration as well...




  
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kenwood33
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Sep 24, 2012 20:07 |  #7

Go prime, esp for candid - 85 1.8 will be my top choice


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Liquid ­ Dark
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Sep 24, 2012 20:15 |  #8

ok, you seem to want to go the prime route, that is my favored route as well. I have the 50 and 85 1.8 and they are quite good, especially for the money. That was some time ago. I upgraded to 24mm 1.4 L Mk II and ....omg, now that is IQ. I have never really used my 1.8 since then (will sell if anyone interested). I know the 24mm is very expensive but there is a super secret stealth lens hardly any one knows about that simply blows the doors off for the price. It is the Samyung/Rokinon 35mm 1.4 and it is freakishly sharp and the color and contrast are to die for, all for a mere $499, it is something that Canon would sell for $1500-2200. Search this forum for the lens name and see the photos it has produced. breath-taking.

if you don't do that, and can't afford 85 1.2 then I suggest the 24-105 f/4 or 70-200 f/4 both for less than $1000 (they are included in a lot of kits so people sell them cheap). they are excellent IQ and the range is nice. Don't forget that shooting at 200mm in portraits gives great "compression" view that can't get in small FL primes.

here is amazon link for Samyung/Rokinon:
http://www.amazon.com …&sprefix=samy%2​Caps%2C228 (external link)


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amfoto1
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Sep 25, 2012 12:37 |  #9

Portraits and candids....

Primes are nice for those purposes.... They can be relatively compact and unobtrusive than a big, fast zoom, as well as offer larger apertures than any zoom for more control over background blur when you want it, not to mention lower light shooting. Going to the extent of L-series, nice as they are, sort of defeats that. They aren't small or unobtrusive.

Plus you'll most likely need several primes. For the price of one of the L-series lenses, you can put 3 of the "lesser" models in your camera bag.

If you shoot fast, USM lenses are nice. It's generally faster and more accurate than micro motor lenses. Also, as a rule, Canon only puts USM on their mid-grade and premium lenses. Sigma HSM is similar to Canon USM. Tamron is starting to offer a similar USD drive, too, but has only put it on a couple lenses so far.

Taking all these factors into consideration, among Canon lenses it sort of narrows down to: 20/2.8, 28/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, and 100/2 (I'm not including the 24/2.8 and 28/2.8 STM/IS lenses because of cost and smaller max aperture). You might also consider Sigma 30/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.4, though the 50 and 85 in particular tend to be pretty large and heavy compared to the closest Canon equivalents.

You say that the 50/1.8 covers about 80% of what you like to shoot, but only have that one prime so can't really say if you'd find other primes equally useful. But apparently you like to shoot with primes, so I suspect you'd enjoy using them.

I also think it would be good to upgrade from the 50/1.8 to either the Canon or Sigma 50/1.4. I prefer the Canon for the size/weight, but the Sigma is a little sharper wide open (I tend to stop the Canon down to f2.2 when I want to insure sharpness, but I'll use it wide open without too much concern if needed). Either one... the Canon with USM (though it's "faux" USM) and the Sigma with HSM... will give faster, more accurate and more consistent AF than the 50/1.8. Quieter too!

Yes, the 50/1.2L is superior in a number of ways... but it's also tons more expensive, as well as bigger, heavier and a lot more intrusive.

The 28/1.8 is one of the most compact of the Canon prime USM/mid-grade lens line-up, even with it's lens hood. It also shares 58mm filters with the 50/1.4, 85/1.8 and 100/2... which I believe your 18-55 also uses. The Siggy 30/1.4 is a popular alternative.

Personally I'm not a big fan of 35mm focal length on a crop camera such as your 60D. It's sort of a long standard lens or a very short telephoto. But, again, that's just a personal preference.The 35/2 is a fine lens optically, but it is not a USM lens and its build quality is only a notch about the entry level such as the 50/1.8. I'd rather have the 28/1.8 or 30/1.4. I left the 35/1.4L off the list, even though it's a wonderful lens (especially on full frame, IMO), due to price too.

If you like the 50/1.8, which behaves as a short tele/portrait lens on your 60D, I suspect you'd really like either the 85/1.8 or the 100/2. Those are essentially the same thing, but longer and with considerably better build/AF. Both are reasonably compact, with high image quality. The Sigma 85/1.4 is a viable alternative.

Yes, the Canon 85/1.2L is a premium lens alternative with amazing image quality, but very expensive, big, heavy and more intrusive. It's also less of an "all purpose" lens... more of a portrait-specific lens. It's AF is slower than the 85/1.8, by design (due to the large aperture, the focus is "long throw", emphasizing accuracy over speed). That makes it let useful for action/sports or other purposes where focus speed is important.

I didn't include the 135/2L on my suggestion list because of price and, even though it's a wonderful lens and fast focusing, it's starting to get pretty long on a crop camera. It's also bigger, heavier and a bit more intrusive than either the 85/1.8 or 100/2.

So, I'd suggest you look at, consider...

Canon 20/2.8
28/1.8 (or Sigma 30/1.4)
50/1.4 (or Sigma 50/1.4)
85/1.8 (or Sigma 85/1.5)
100/2

One other thing... do you ever shoot macro or want to? If so, you have two choices... use macro extension tubes or a close-up diopter on one of the short tele primes above... or instead get a macro lens that might serve dual purposes. You might consider a 60mm, 70mm, 90mm or 100/105mm macro lens, if you'd have some use for it and it can as a short telephoto. Maybe even a 50mm... though that will put you pretty close to your subjects.

Most macro lenses are slower focusing though. Might be fine for portraits, a little less so but still usable for candids in less stationary situations, and not so great for faster action sports. The Canon EF-S 60mm and 100mm macro lenses have relatively quick focusing USM, but are f2.8 at the largest. Tamron offers the only macro with larger aperture... their 60mm f2... but I sort of doubt it's AF is comparable (watch for a USD version eventually, that's Tammy's new drive system that's more similar to USM/HSM).

At any rate, if you are into primes, there are lots of options.

Have fun shopping!


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kf095
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Sep 25, 2012 12:54 as a reply to  @ amfoto1's post |  #10

I went 35/2 route earlier this year. "Ideally" is not the right word. "If nothing else" would be more adequate.
I also tried 100/2 and ... sold it quick. Colors are nothing to write home about it.
I'm not using my Rebel very often due to 5Dc and film RFs I have now.
But If I would do it with crop body only: 15-85 or any 17-55 range constant 2.8 and any from two 70-200F4 L to have most usable range covered with two good zooms.
And two-three very good primes. One will be Sigma 30 1.4 for me and another - 100L.
Sigma to use as general use fast prime and 100L for close up, product, macro and portraits photography.


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saintz
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Sep 25, 2012 13:13 |  #11

I had a 40D, 18-55, and 50 1.8, much like you.

I upgraded to the 17-55. I still wasn't happy with my results.

I got a 50 1.4 and that became my new default lens. After that I added more primes (35 and 85) and sold the 17-55. I never missed that lens.


Sony A6000 | 18-55 | 16-50 | 50 f1.8

  
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Upgrade zoom or start prime collection?
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