Assistance with choosing a prime Lens - newbie

Hi Guys - new to the forum so hello!

I'm just getting into photography but I think I've managed to pick up a good bit of info in the last few weeks.

Basically, I'm quite interested in astrophotography amongst other things and would like to make an attempt at capturing the milky way. My camera is a 500D and all I've got so far is the 18-55 stock lens and I have also very recently purchased an EF 70-300 mm F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens - it seems like its an older model to the common one, with no lock and only 1 IS setting - still need to try this one out!

Anyhow, I'm after a prime lens with a low f stop so that I can capture more light and my budget isn't very high. I have had a look though the lens PDFs but cannot seem to find what I'm looking for, so I was hoping that someone here could point me into the right direction.

I came across the 50mm prime lens at f1.8 for a very good price, but as I'm on a crop sensor, this will effectively be an 80mm lens. For this reason, I'm looking for something closer to a 35mm lens as I would also like to use it for 'everyday' walking around.

Thanks
Ian

I've used the Sigma 30mm 1.4 on my 70D for a few months and I really enjoyed the usability and quality this lens brings. It's a tank, but it's the best 50mm equivilant next to the Sigma 35mm 1.4, which is double the price but meant for full frame.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ma_30mm_f_1_4_d​c_hsm.html

Thanks Tangolima - that looks like quite a nice lens. Although it costs more than I was looking to pay (really tight budget), there are a few on ebay for the £200 mark (I'm in the UK) which isn't that bad. I'll keep an eye out for one as soon as funds become available!

Do you happen to have any images that you have taken with that lens?

Thanks
Ian

If you can settle for 2.8, there's the 40mm pancake for $200.

+1 on the 40mm "pancake" lens; it's got a lot of good properties. There's also the 28/1.8 - very reliable.

Oh, yeah - there's also the new 24/2.8 STM "pancake" ... nice and cheap.

First off, what is your budget?

For asto photography on a crop camera the tokina 11-16mm f2.8 is a great choice. While not a prime lens many consider it THE option For asto shooting on a crop camera

I think the 40mm pancake may have too much of a zoom on my crop (64mm effectively).

I've seen the 24/2.8 but its almost £500 here in the uk which is a little out of reach for me.

The 28mm 1.8f USM is under £300 new which isn't too far above budget - added it to the list of contenders

I was hoping to spend under £200 which I still may be able to achieve if I look for second hand options.

The tokina 11-16mm looks like a very nice lens. It actual partially fits another lens I was hoping to get down the line which was a wide angle - I was hoping for an 8mm but I guess you cannot have everything

Does the tokina handle astro OK at f2.8?

Thanks for all your suggestions guys.

Check again. The 24mm f/2.8 STM is going for $149 online at B&H and on Amazon.

ianc1990 wrote in post #17159250
Does the tokina handle astro OK at f2.8?

Yes. Like I said, many consider it THE choice for astrophotograhpy on a crop camera. It's wide, fast, has good sharpness wide open, and low coma.

It does however have a good amount of chromatic aberration wide open and is very prone to flairing with bright light sources (a non-issue with astro work)

ianc1990 wrote in post #17157702
"... I'm looking for something closer to a 35mm lens as I would also like to use it for 'everyday' walking around.
Thanks
Ian

You answered your own question. Get the EF 35mm f2. It is a lot of bang for the buck.

they pretty much came out with a lens that is what you're asking for...the new 24mm f2.8 STM for $150 in the US...the only problem is, it's really not going to be great for astrophotography...it'​ll work a bit, but IMO it's not wide enough...so your issue is you're trying to get two lenses in one, and you're trying to do it on the cheap...

I'd say Samyang 16/2 or 10/2.8 for astro on crop.

ianc1990 wrote in post #17157702
Hi Guys - new to the forum so hello!

I'm just getting into photography but I think I've managed to pick up a good bit of info in the last few weeks.

Basically, I'm quite interested in astrophotography amongst other things and would like to make an attempt at capturing the milky way. My camera is a 500D and all I've got so far is the 18-55 stock lens and I have also very recently purchased an EF 70-300 mm F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens - it seems like its an older model to the common one, with no lock and only 1 IS setting - still need to try this one out!

Anyhow, I'm after a prime lens with a low f stop so that I can capture more light and my budget isn't very high. I have had a look though the lens PDFs but cannot seem to find what I'm looking for, so I was hoping that someone here could point me into the right direction.

I came across the 50mm prime lens at f1.8 for a very good price, but as I'm on a crop sensor, this will effectively be an 80mm lens. For this reason, I'm looking for something closer to a 35mm lens as I would also like to use it for 'everyday' walking around.

Thanks
Ian

Heya,

Non-Astro:

EF-S 24 F2.8 (new, cheap, small; can combine with a wide fast prime)
EF 24 F2.8 IS (if you need IS)
EF 28 F1.8 (ideal for what you've described)
EF 28 F2.8 IS (if you need IS)
EF 35 F2

Astro:

Samyang/Rokinon 16 F2 (sharp, wide, fast, perfect for wide field astro)
Samyang/Rokinon 14 F2.8 (as above, but wider, at the cost of speed of aperture)
Tokina 11-16 F2.8 (same as above, but more choices)

If you want both, for cost, the EF-S 24 F2.8 prime and the Samyang/Rok 16 F2 primes would be excellent purchases to do both the tasks you've described.

Very best,

Thanks for all your replies guys.

I think I'm set on one of 2 lenses for now. Either the Tokina 11-16 F2.8 or the Canon EF 28mm F1.8 USM.

Now each have their positives...the Tokina goes down to 11mm which would come in handy for other things, whilst the canon is F1.8.

Would the 28mm Canon be suitable for the occasional astro work or is there too much of a zoom on my crop?
I'm tending to go with this as it would also make a good prime lens, and for the wide angle perspective, I would like to get closer to an 8mm at some point in the future.

Thanks for all your help, it has been very helpful and eye opening!