CANON 50MM F1.4 USM AUTOFOCUS HIGH SPEED LENS

I'm a newbie with my first SLR D30. I have a Tamron 28-300mm f3.5 . I want a lens to shoot bands at clubs in low light situations. B/H has a Canon 50MM F1.4 USM AUTOFOCUS HIGH SPEED LENS listed at $294.00. Is this a good deal? I never bought anything off of eBay and would like it to be new anyway. Any help would be appreciated. Peace MJEXP

a new 50mm/1.4 under $300? that sounds like a good deal. bh usually gives the best prices to begin with. if you feel you need it, go for it. just make sure 50 is the focal length you need, and not, say, 30mm. or 85mm.

whatever you get, enjoy the prime! primes are great!

That's a good deal and a great lens, one of my favorites.

When you mentioned focal lenght, that would be how much zoom is attained?

I just bought the lens....you'll love it...but maybe for bands in clubs you should consider the 85 1.8 which is similar in price and quality.

But the f1.4 would let more light in than the f1.8? Like i I said I'm a newbie. MJEXP

MJEXP wrote in post #2183599
But the f1.4 would let more light in than the f1.8? Like i I said I'm a newbie. MJEXP

Yes, it would. It's a "wider" or "brighter" aperture.

MJEXP wrote in post #2183576
When you mentioned focal lenght, that would be how much zoom is attained?

there is no zoom on a prime.
unless you are referring to field of view.
30mm will get more of the scene than the 50mm given the same distance from the subject

if it's a foreign import, eg. hong kong, you may want to beware.

This is a great lense and I have gotten some great lowlight shots with it. The main issue like everyone has been saying is whether or not 50mm will be long enough. This will depend on how close you can get to the subject, in this case the bands. You have a Tamron 28-300mm f3.5 so set it around 50mm and see if thats getting you close enough to the action if it doesn't then try 85mm or even 100mm. If you have been doing some club work already go back through your shots and see what focal length your usually shotting at, that should help you make a decision.

Cheers
Josh

unix04 wrote in post #2183533
a new 50mm/1.4 under $300? that sounds like a good deal. bh usually gives the best prices to begin with.

Jaetie wrote in post #2185339
if it's a foreign import, eg. hong kong, you may want to beware.

That includes the $20.00 Canon rebate. B&H price $314. It's the U.S. version.

MJEXP wrote in post #2183599
But the f1.4 would let more light in than the f1.8? Like i I said I'm a newbie. MJEXP

The difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is VERY small.

You have to consider the distance you are away from the bands in regards to the focal length you will need... Also f/1.4 will help you achieve focus quicker but if you shoot at f/1.4 the depth of field (how much is sharp front to back) is very limited...

Thanks that is a great idea. I'm going to check that right now. Peace MJEXP

unix04 wrote in post #2183533
a new 50mm/1.4 under $300? that sounds like a good deal. bh usually gives the best prices to begin with. if you feel you need it, go for it. just make sure 50 is the focal length you need, and not, say, 30mm. or 85mm.

whatever you get, enjoy the prime! primes are great!

Shop around. I find B&H to be often selling high and often at list price. Other good places to buy from are: Digitalfotoclub.com, Buydig.com beachcamera.com focuscamera.com.