Primes are good m'kay

Hef, I got both the Canon 28/1.8 (used) and the Sigma 30/1.4 EX (new). While the Sigma had to be sent back for calibration (used to be a problem when the lens was brought to the market, solved now as to my knowledge), I decided to keep the Sigma as it was sharper than the Canon. The Sigma is tack sharp @ f/2.0.

Edit: Oops, just saw your gear list. Get the Canon 28/1.8. The Sigma is a DC (reduced image circle) lens and won't work on your 5D. But I stick to my advice for crop body users. Plus, the 28/1.8 looks, feels and performs very much like the 50/1.4 (ok, mine was not as sharp as my 50/1.4, but great when used @ f/2.5-f/2.8 )

Best regards,
Andy

Andythaler wrote:
However ... a bit later I got the Sigma 30/1.4 EX that's about as good ... but the focal length is even more versatile for me ... now that lens never seems to leave my camera. Warning ... don't try out that lens

Too late! The only way I could get the camera to let go of it was by baiting it with an 85 f/1.8 and a 70-200L IS

just picked up one today also. lovely.

The sigma 30mm f/1.4 will be my next lens - in my hands a 50mm lens is too long on a crop body. I loved it mon my film camera though, and that's why i want the 30mm. Actually, I want the 35L but.....

Hi KCMO Al, i'm bringing 10-20, 24-70 and 50 1.4 i'm off to bed now just got home from work and i've gotta be out of the house in 7 hours

Well, don't forget to visit U Fleku
Going to Prague

Best regards,
Andy

Gotta agree with everyone here, I love my primes. I plan to either upgrade my 50 to the 1.4 version or pick up the Sigma 30 1.4. I'd love to pick up an 85 F/1.8 and the 135 F/2. My next lens will be replacing my Sigma 70-300 and while I'm leaning towards a 70-200 zoom I've been eyeing the EF 200mm F/2.8 and an extender. That'd leave me with the 17-40 as my only zoom and that'd be fine by me!

MrWills wrote in post #1990226
I am ordering the same lens this weekend. I am looking forward to trying it out. It will be my first prime. Post some pics when you get them.

As you wish, both are as they left the camera apart from the obvious resize.

got lucky and picked up a 50mm 1.4 ~$180 w/ 7yr warrenty at norman camera.

picts are clear. dog is mine. just resized, no photochop.

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Hmmm...maybe it's just me, but the only two primes I really learned to like are the 60mm macro and the 300 f/4L, for some reason. The 50 and 85 totally don't appeal to me. However, I only use the 60 macro under controlled conditions, usually for indoor product photography. The 300 sees more outdoor work.

But of those two, I REALLY like what they can deliver. The 60 macro is mind-blowing sharp and the magnification is awesome. They talk about the proverbial grain of rice, well last night I actually had to take a grain of rice to show scale

Primes really are the best. Better IQ than zooms, brighter apertures, better bokeh in some situations (due to narrower DoF), lighter in weight, usually (but not always) cheaper and smaller (cheaper) filters. Of course this all varies between different lenses and grades (L or non-L), etc.

I never really use the nifty much, always preferring the 35mm - on a full frame camera it'd likely be the opposite. I just recently upgraded from the f/2.0 to f/1.4L - but either lens is capable of great IQ. The f/1.4L is better in a few ways optically (smoother bokeh, lesser DoF, brightness).

Primes might not be as versatile as a zoom, but you have two feet - use 'em. You get more of an appreciation for composition with primes, IMO. You get lazy with a zoom.

In some cases a zoom just isn't an option. Fisheyes. Superteles. Tilt-and-shift. Mirror. Low light (<f/2.0).

It all depends on what you're shooting. If you're working a crowd at an event, a zoom is probably a better idea. Certain sports and racing also lend themselves to zooms. If you're looking to cut down on gear for a jaunt in the city, pack a nice mid-range zoom.