50mm question - what would you do?

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so go easy on me. (This is my first post, in fact!)

I have a Rebel XT with the kit lens (EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6.) I'm primarily shooting pictures of the kids (both under 5 years) and pictures from trips, etc. I'm starting to learn more about the creative side of things - I received a copy of "Understanding Exposure" for Christmas, for instance.

At any rate, I'm thinking I'd like to get a faster lens for indoor/lowlight shots and more creative portrait-type shots. I'm leaning towards a 50mm lens. The L is definitely too expensive! I could swing the Canon 1.4. But if I went with the Canon 1.8 I could also get a Speedlite 430EX... Since I'm shooting kids indoors w/ not great light I'm just a bit worried about the AF problems that seem to get mentioned a lot with the 1.8.

So... any advice or thoughts? Things or optionsI haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance.

If you can afford it comfortably...I would suggest skipping the 1.8 and getting the 1.4

From my experience, you will outgrow the 1.8 and want more. It's an awesome lens for the $$, and will teach you a lot...but I feel it's definitely not without it's shortcomings.

I can almost guarantee you will want the 1.4 not too long after shooting with the 1.8 for a while. ....however at the same time, I can almost guarantee you will have fun with the 1.8 and learn a lot very quickly.

Either way you go, I don't think you will make a bad decision. Personally, I wish I would have skipped the 1.8 and just got the 1.4 first. Although, without the 1.8 I may never have known I wanted the 1.4 lol

I vote get the 1.4....

EDIT, oh almost forgot....welcome aboard!

I'm a new owner of the 1.8 and here's my take. I would go with the Speedlite and 1.8 combo, the reason being is the 1.8 is cheap and it holds most of that value, it might cost $80 now, but you'll be able to sell it down the road for probably $50-$60 when you decide the upgrade to the 1.4 so you're not losing that much. That speedlite is really going to help if you're doing a lot of indoor pictures and it will also help outdoors with fill flash, etc.

There is no doubt the 1.4 is the better lens, and yah the 1.8 is loud and it hunts and sometimes misses the focus. But I would rather take that and the speedlite now, and then a year down the road or whatever sell it on the forum, get most of it's value back and pick up the 1.4 then.

But that's just the way I'd play it,
Kurt

I use the 50mm f1.8 indoors shooting showjumping in very low light and my hit rate is about 90% its an excellent lens for the money, and correct me if I am wrong the 580ex has an af assist just below the flash that shines a grid out to help focus. The f1.4 is nice, better built but I think you will learn more and get excellent pictures with the f.1.8 and the flash...imo

I would go to the 1.4 if you can afford it...

I've had really great success with autofocusing the 50 f/1.8 even in tight shallow DOF settings. Both lenses are a bargain, but the 50 f/1.8 is a steal. Mine, by the way, has been to 4 continents and all over the country, been battered and abused, and taken many wonderful shots, and it still has plenty of life left. Not bad for $75.

Thanks for the quick replies - keep them coming!

1.8 and the flash. Best bang for your indoor buck.

go with the 1.4

Meh...hard decision. Flash units are GREAT indoors, I'm not so sure you'd need one w/ a fast lens like the 1.8 though.

I'm going to have to say the 50 1.4....I really dislike my 50 1.8, focus problems for me. the 50 1.4 and a 430EX would be awesome too lol.

IQ of the 1.4 is alot higher than the 1.8 also...at least in my opinion. The bokeh (backround blur) also looks a TON better, check out the Lens Archive threads on them.

Regardless of what lens you get, a good flash is always an asset. Get the flash, a couple of diffusers/bouncers (Omni Bounce, LumiQuest 80/20, Westcott Micro Apollo, et). Then work on another lens.

1.8 + 430EX, the kit lens is even usable indoors with the 430EX its awesome.

The 1.8 is a fine lens, I have one so I speak from experience, but the AF hunts in low light situations. So, I'd hesitate to say that, while the 1.8 being a fast lens, will be good for capturing young kids in low light. Not sure if the 1.4 offers better AF, but that may be something to consider if it does IMHO.

Although Nifty 50 1.8 is very capable, I bought the 50 1.4 first thing and it's wonderful. For $300, it's a bargain!

get the flash then save the extra for the 1.4. I use my 24-105 f4 + flash indoors. never use a wide aperture not enough DOF for my likeling normally