looking for advice...

DreDaze wrote in post #16444208
you could just get a cheap 35mm f2 if you're looking for a wider fast prime

Just what my search has stumbled upon. How does the image quality stack up against the new IS version?

Looks like the new is an improvements - but given the good reviews for the old version, I might be happy with the quality there.

Seems there are limited sample photos on this site from either version. Seems a little under loved.

i'm sure the newer IS version is better...it also offers more aperture blades, IS, and USM for focusing

the older version has a few shots here:
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1413​17&page=29

the IS version doesn't have as many, but it's newer, and was introduced at a higher price point that probably kept a few from buying initially, however it's gone down in price now, and i'd expect more to buy it

rounder_09 wrote in post #16441457
Thanks for the kind words - much appreciated!

Yes, what you say is probably true. Only issue is that I only get the green light once every few years... and this credit will be lost very quickly if I don't turn it in to something less liquid than cash. haha

I use my 50mm the most of any of my lenses. I love the focal length, but the focus speed and softness wide open leave me wanting more. Sounds like I may have higher expectations of what the Sigma 50 will provide than I should though.

Then worrying about ff or APS-C lenses is a non-issue.. right? A few years is a long time to use a lens, that may work better on that ff that you can't buy.

I think the 35mm is is going to be the winner. Thanks all for the help

35mm IS?

Great choice. It's the 2nd best value in the entire Canon lineup after the 50mm 1.8. It's a stellar performer in all areas, especially size & weight. I believe the absurdly high launch price ($849) turned a lot of people off and coupled with the release of the Sigma 35 1.4, the 35 IS slipped under everyone's radar. A real dark horse of a lens.

rounder_09 wrote in post #16441457
Thanks for the kind words - much appreciated!

Yes, what you say is probably true. Only issue is that I only get the green light once every few years... and this credit will be lost very quickly if I don't turn it in to something less liquid than cash. haha

I use my 50mm the most of any of my lenses. I love the focal length, but the focus speed and softness wide open leave me wanting more. Sounds like I may have higher expectations of what the Sigma 50 will provide than I should though.

If this is true, how exactly do you expect her to OK a move to fullframe? The cheapest fullframe you can get is a 7 year old 5d classic, and you'll need at least a 400mm lens to shoot the action shots you want to get.

Frankly, in your position I would sell the 17-70 and get a 17-55IS. It is the best crop lens available, and you might find you don't use your zooms as much.

I disagree with LostArk that "Wide and fast primes just aren't good values on APS-C...." Just that they don't give as wide a FOV as when on FF (plus/therefore not the same effect with the wide open aperture compared to on a FF). IMO that is definitely not really a good reason to pass on wide fast primes if one uses a crop camera. Just realize they will not seem as wide and as fast (f-wise) as when compared on a FF.

I wouldn't go to the Sigma 50mm until the come out with one that can be modified with their new dock.

If you want a fast/fast-ish prime wider than your 50mm and are worried about a future FF camera - just don't get the Sigma 30mm. There the Sigma 20mm, 24mm, and 28mm all f/1.8, the Canon 28mm f/1.8 (Canon's is supposedly better - I never used the Sigmas), the old non-IS Canon 35mm f/2 (it will be as slow and noisy focusing as your current 50), or the 35mm f/2 IS (IMO your best choice unless your willing to spend more money - $900 or over ).

I'd sell the 70-200 f/4 and with the allowance money combined with sale of the lens, upgrade to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS version 1.

LostArk wrote in post #16455451
35mm IS?

Great choice. It's the 2nd best value in the entire Canon lineup after the 50mm 1.8. It's a stellar performer in all areas, especially size & weight. I believe the absurdly high launch price ($849) turned a lot of people off and coupled with the release of the Sigma 35 1.4, the 35 IS slipped under everyone's radar. A real dark horse of a lens.

Yes - I love it so far. Need to play around a bit more, but results look great (this NOT one of the sharper shots, but still plenty sharp).

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/matthewfane/10​919918276/

timbop wrote in post #16455983
If this is true, how exactly do you expect her to OK a move to fullframe? The cheapest fullframe you can get is a 7 year old 5d classic, and you'll need at least a 400mm lens to shoot the action shots you want to get.

Frankly, in your position I would sell the 17-70 and get a 17-55IS. It is the best crop lens available, and you might find you don't use your zooms as much.

I don't expect her to... I just have naive hope. Hahah. Thanks for the reco, I will check that lens out. I will still likely replace the 17-70 to get something more in lines with my needs now. Will now need to find a way to fund it without having to sleep on the couch though.

jimewall wrote in post #16456110
I disagree with LostArk that "Wide and fast primes just aren't good values on APS-C...." Just that they don't give as wide a FOV as when on FF (plus/therefore not the same effect with the wide open aperture compared to on a FF). IMO that is definitely not really a good reason to pass on wide fast primes if one uses a crop camera. Just realize they will not seem as wide and as fast (f-wise) as when compared on a FF...

Thanks for the thoughts. 35mm f2 IS it is, and I love it!

dfbovey wrote in post #16456445
I'd sell the 70-200 f/4 and with the allowance money combined with sale of the lens, upgrade to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS version 1.

Version 1 is about $1k? Interesting. Will keep that in mind for future upgrades.

I would like to get more lens in that range. But I find on my crop I don't use the focal range often enough to warrant an upgrade. If I had more budget, I'd loom at some we upgrade for that lens for sure. Don't get me wrong the f4 is a great lens, but that extra apes and IS would be amazing.