Should I buy this?

I currently have an all zoom lens line-up. I have the 10-22, the 17-55 2.8, and the 70-200 F4L. I am starting to do some natural light portraiture and found someone who will sell me a 50mm 1.8 Mk1 for $185 pp'd and shipped.

Is this a lens that I should buy> Is is actually going to make any difference over my 17055 2.8. I know it is faster, but only one stop (Is that right?).

Is the 50 1.8 mk1 better for portrature? What would you do?

Thanks for your advice.
Brian

MD Steelerfan wrote in post #5796029
I currently have an all zoom lens line-up. I have the 10-22, the 17-55 2.8, and the 70-200 F4L. I am starting to do some natural light portraiture and found someone who will sell me a 50mm 1.8 Mk1 for $185 pp'd and shipped.

Is this a lens that I should buy> Is is actually going to make any difference over my 17055 2.8. I know it is faster, but only one stop (Is that right?).

Is the 50 1.8 mk1 better for portrature? What would you do?

Thanks for your advice.
Brian

About 1.5 stops

Even with a crop body you have to get fairly close to someone with a 50mm, and there often is a distortion making the head look too large. Many people use the 70-200 2.8 for portraits and fashion shoots. But then we are talking big$$$. Try your 70-200 f4. I have one and the only problem it gives me is that the white lens makes people nervous. I really wish Canon made it in a black color.

By the way, I checked out your website, why are you asking for advice? Your shots are great already.

Thanks for the help and the comment about my images from the the web site. I just didn't know if anyone thought that the 50 1.8 would have some better bokeh or any other reason that I should spend the money on it. I really am just getting started doing shoots for money and once I have some paying jobs coming I I could justify spending money on a few better primes. I just thought I could use the 50 1.8 and I have heard that the mk1 is better than the cheap mk2.

Are you sure your not talking about the 50mm 1.4? The 50 1.8 is only like $90.00 brand new!

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …eveSku&IC=CA501​82EF&Q=&O=

Spend some more and get the 85 1.8. I've had mine for about a month now and still blown away by the portraits I'm getting...night and day from my old 50 1.8.

Oh.. I didn't realize you were talking about the mk1... I have the 50 1.4 and absolutely love the lens! Primes are very cool....

Do you like the 85 1.8 better than the 50 1.4 on a crop body?

From what I've read, the MkII has the same optics, just the cheaper plastic mount. Is that worth $100 to you?

I've read several reviews where the people swear that the mk1 is a better lens optically and build wise. After reading what people here are saying though It might make more sense for me to use what I have and hold out for the 85L once I have a few paying shoots under my belt.

MD Steelerfan wrote in post #5796215
Do you like the 85 1.8 better than the 50 1.4 on a crop body?

Don't have a 50 1.4 so can't compare.

ccookdo wrote in post #5796104
Even with a crop body you have to get fairly close to someone with a 50mm, and there often is a distortion making the head look too large. Many people use the 70-200 2.8 for portraits and fashion shoots. But then we are talking big$$$. Try your 70-200 f4. I have one and the only problem it gives me is that the white lens makes people nervous. I really wish Canon made it in a black color.

By the way, I checked out your website, why are you asking for advice? Your shots are great already.

What? A 50mm on a crop body will not lead to perspective distortion for portraits.

MD Steelerfan wrote in post #5796134
Thanks for the help and the comment about my images from the the web site. I just didn't know if anyone thought that the 50 1.8 would have some better bokeh or any other reason that I should spend the money on it. I really am just getting started doing shoots for money and once I have some paying jobs coming I I could justify spending money on a few better primes. I just thought I could use the 50 1.8 and I have heard that the mk1 is better than the cheap mk2.

get the 50 1.4. i've owned all three and it's the best. you can get a 50 1.4 refurb for about $250 from adorama.

ed rader

Great site for super in depth lens reviews: The Digital Picture

MD Steelerfan wrote in post #5796215
Do you like the 85 1.8 better than the 50 1.4 on a crop body?

I really like both lenses; they are both extremely sharp and produce great bukah! The 85 is too long for me sometimes even on a 5D. So on a crop body it could be a problem.

First shot used bounce flash, and the second was natural so there should be no "flash-freezing-sharpness"

50mm @ 1.4:

Thanks for the feedback. Since I am really looking for a portrait lens the 85mm is probably not an issue due to the crop body. I am talking about setting up on a tripod or walking around someone posing mostly in natural light situations. You don't really need to be right on top of someone for that and most models or family's etc would probably be more comfortable if you were not right on top of them. That's just a guess.