What prime?

Hi,

I've been slowly learning a bit about photography with my EOS 350D over the past six months and I'm going to upgrade to the 400D in a months time. When I do so, I was thinking of trying out a prime lens.

My budget's fairly tight so I was looking more towards the EF 50mm f/1.8 or the EF 28mm F/2. Just wondering what peoples' opinions are of these and what I should go for?

Well, the first question would be, what do you want to shoot? 50mm is very versatile...not so with the 28...yet it is a nice landscape mm size. You'd get a bit of distortion with it if you tried to use it for a portrait (aside from the fact that you'd have to practically be in the person's lap... ). It really depends on what you hope to do with it.

agree with permagrin, but instead of "sidegrading" why not pick up some better lenses? Better than the 50 1.8.

The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens to start off with as far as primes go, it'll really give you an idea of what you want out of a lens without breaking the budget.

I think you may mean 35mm f/2.0 though... or 28mm 2.8 or 28mm 1.8.

Gottdammerung wrote in post #2079250
Hi,

I've been slowly learning a bit about photography with my EOS 350D over the past six months and I'm going to upgrade to the 400D in a months time. When I do so, I was thinking of trying out a prime lens.

My budget's fairly tight so I was looking more towards the EF 50mm f/1.8 or the EF 28mm F/2. Just wondering what peoples' opinions are of these and what I should go for?

my first questions would be, why are you upgrading to a 400D, there really isnt that much of a difference, if you are on a tight budget, id hold that money for some more equip or hold it for a 30d-5d...

i dont know alot, but it really depends on what you shoot..

Yeah, I meant the 28mm f/2.8 - early morning typo.. lol..

No, I tend to do more in the way of urban photography this now, graffiti and shots round the city. I'm also beginning to look more into night shots as well as I've found some cool places round London with unusual illumination, though I still feel a complete beginner regarding night stuff this now as I still have to get a grip with balancing the exposures with different light sources.. (either that or I'll have to start cheating a bit more with photshop and making composite images from bracketed shots.. :P )

irhxcbcziuzxs wrote in post #2079335
my first questions would be, why are you upgrading to a 400D, there really isnt that much of a difference, if you are on a tight budget, id hold that money for some more equip or hold it for a 30d-5d...

i dont know alot, but it really depends on what you shoot..

Probably because I'm wanting to start saving after the new year for my planned travels in a year's time (which on my salary means very little spare cash..) and want to get something that won't lose it's value just as much in that time ( I'm banking on Canon taking at least 2+ years to come up with a replacement for the 400D).

The deal I have with my friend that's buying the camera means I can get the 400D and have about £100 spare, so that's what I have for a prime to try out. The 1.6x conversion factor isn't too much of an issue as I have a EOS 300 kicking around my box should I want to try it on a 35mm frame.

Gottdammerung wrote in post #2079346
Probably because I'm wanting to start saving after the new year for my planned travels in a year's time (which on my salary means very little spare cash..) and want to get something that won't lose it's value just as much in that time ( I'm banking on Canon taking at least 2+ years to come up with a replacement for the 400D).

The deal I have with my friend that's buying the camera means I can get the 400D and have about £100 spare, so that's what I have for a prime to try out. The 1.6x conversion factor isn't too much of an issue as I have a EOS 300 kicking around my box should I want to try it on a 35mm frame.

ok gotcha, though id prefer the 350d over the 400 , but you know, maybe im wierd. Enjoy the 400d when you get it , i still have to get my first dslr

Gottdammerung wrote in post #2079346
Probably because I'm wanting to start saving after the new year for my planned travels in a year's time (which on my salary means very little spare cash..) and want to get something that won't lose it's value just as much in that time ( I'm banking on Canon taking at least 2+ years to come up with a replacement for the 400D).

The deal I have with my friend that's buying the camera means I can get the 400D and have about £100 spare, so that's what I have for a prime to try out. The 1.6x conversion factor isn't too much of an issue as I have a EOS 300 kicking around my box should I want to try it on a 35mm frame.

I can see where you're coming from with the 350D being worth less than the 400D in a couple years but the 300D is still going for £200-£250 on fleabay and that is the model before the 350D, the 350D was going for ~£375 at the end of it's life. If that continues when the 400D is replaced in 2 years you're only looking at a ~£125 price difference between the 350D and 400D, if you pay £100 to "upgrade" to the 400D now that £125 difference is only really £25 in 2 years (even less if you take into account inflation, a pound in your pocket now is worth more now than it will in X years )

Bodies lose value much faster than lenses, if you're worried about securing your investment in a more stable product price wise glass is the place to put it.

Col
(pseudo finacial adviser)

Don't get a 400D if you allready own a 350D, unless you want a second body. The 400D has nothing over the 350D making it worth the money spent. Spend the money on glass, accessories or travel instead. That's just MHO off course...

Get the nifty-50 (50mm f/1.8). Its cheap, its a great lens, and it will work well with what you are shooting.

René Damkot wrote in post #2079630
Don't get a 400D if you allready own a 350D, unless you want a second body. The 400D has nothing over the 350D making it worth the money spent. Spend the money on glass, accessories or travel instead. That's just MHO off course...

Ditto. 100% agree.

I have the 350D, and my aim is to upgrade next year the body to the next gen if it´s available (40D, 7D, 5Ds, or whatever it will be called) but with real best specs.

The best advise is try to get the best glass you can afford it, that is going to be kept. Bodies changes faster than glasses !!!.

I think you should go for the glass instead for the 400D.I am doing it for over 2 years and I am happy.With the difference you could propabil go for the 50 1.4.

Like they say Canon 50mm f/1.8 is the most affordable lens with good quality but on crop body, I find to narrow for my taste. I recommend you to try out a 28mm, 35mm or maybe even the Sigma 30mm f/1.4