Prime lens set and 1 zoom

For arguments sake let's say you are building a new camera outfit on a beer budget. You want prime lenses but don't have champagne money. What would you get as far as glass? For starters I would get the nifty fifty. What would you recommend and why? Autofocus is a must due to failing eyesight. The zoom lens is for kicks I would love to have a 150 to 500 for birds and other wildlife. I already have a 60mm Tamron macro.

I agree with your choice of the nifty fifty. I'm assuming you have an APSC camera. If you want to stick with primes I'd also recommend Canon's EFS 24mm 2.8. That's good for tighter spots and is around 150 dollars. If I only had one zoom, for me, I'd take the Canon EFS 18-135mm. That covers about 90% of the area that I am concerned with. If you're more concerned with distance I'd think about the Canon EFS 55-250mm for your zoom lens.
-mark

Depending on what you shoot most- 24/50/100 or 35/85/135 are the most common prime setups for general use. If you are shooting with a canon crop body, I'd go:

24 STM- $150
50 1.4 (sigma) - $300
100 f2 - $325
Bird/wildlife lens that won't break the bank- look for a tokina 80-400, sigma 50-500 or sigma 150-500.

You could replace the sigma with the nifty fifty- but for the cost of the other lenses in the list, I'd spend a few more bucks and get the better lens.

For the 35/85/135- it's a little more pricey. You could replace the 35mm f2 with a sigma 30mm non-art for around $250 used.

35mm f2 IS- $500
85 1.8- $300
135 f2.8- $325

Given that we are talking budget here how about the new Yongnou 50mm f/1.8.

Doesn't it matter whether the OP is talking crop sensor or full-frame in regards to lens recommendations?

Ed

Sorry I should have specified crop sensor I guess. Although I do like the suggestions. No idea why I am thinking about doing this but I am. I guess it would force me into a different mindset as to how I view things and hopefully improve my photography.

No problem. With the 60mm Tamron macro aren't you a bit close to the 50mm mark? I mean, we're talking only 10mm difference. But, the nifty-fifty *is* a bargain. Maybe something to put a little more distance between the 60mm would be the 40mm pancake?

I would look at the long zoom that you're craving and then maybe for a wide prime...something in the 28mm-35mm range for landscapes and close-quarters shooting. Maybe even something like the 14mm Rokinon/Samyang for kicks?

A great quality prime that would put you in the 135mm range would be the EF 85mm f1.8. Very good image quality, fast, and fast-focusing.

Just rookie thoughts.

Best wishes,
Ed

Well, I own the Canon 17-40L, Sigma 30 Art and Canon 85L.
I would easily recommend the:

Canon 10-18 (for wide angle),
Sigma 30 Art (50mm equivalent walk-around lens, fantastic colors),
Canon 50 & 85mm (for distant shots and portraiture).

If you want a long zoom I'd look at the 70-300 IS non-L. It's a pretty good deal but I don't like the build quality myself.