Keep kit lens and get 30 1.4 or get Tamron 17-50 or 85 1.8 ?

Hi Guys- what makes the most sense in the near term given my situation:

- I use the Canon t2i and don't intend to go full frame any time soon
- shoot some video but 90% stills with t2i
- shoot mostly kids and family outings probably 50% indoor and 50% outdoor lots of sports
- the largest % aperture used in my photo library was shot at 28 mm (the low end of my 28-135 lens)
- just got 70-200 f/4 L IS and other lenses are 50 1.8, 18-55 IS, 28-135, 75-300 (some of which I'll sell to finance the new lens)
- looks like I don't have anything besides the 50 1.8 for indoors (otherwise I'd opt for Canon 15-85)

Does it make the most sense to keep the kit lens for now and get a Sigma 1.4 or sell the kit lens and get the Tamron 17-50? Or does it makes sense to keep the kit lens and get an 85 1.8? Which do you think would yield the highest number of keepersof these combinations?

You are in a similar situation I am/was in.

I just sold my 18-55IS/28-135IS/55-250IS lenses. I am trying to go mainly primes as I just love the speed and bokeh. I bought a used 70-200 f/4 and I am buying the Sigma 30mm f1.4 and will be here shortly.

The kit lens is good, but obviously you can do better. So I have my 50mm 1.4 and will add the 30 1.4 along with the 70-200 f/4. I think for now, that is a great setup (I also have the 10-22.) Next year or maybe sooner I will possibly go to the 100mm macro for some macro type shots. It would either be that or the 135.

So I think you can sell the kit and get the 30mm and even keep the 28-135 if you want. But the Tammy 17-50 I heard is nice. Either way, you will make it work!

I would get the sigma 30 1.4 that with your 70-200 will be AWESOME!

Honestly, it is a toss up between the Sigma and the Tamron. Decide if you want to have two lenses to cover that range, or one kinda fast one. I have the 30mm and 18-55 and it is great combo, but there are times where I think it would be nice to just have one fast-ish zoom instead. So I could go either way. If you need f1.4 at times, then only the Sigma lens can do that.

I would not get an 85mm unless you shoot indoor action like basketball, etc. For family portraits and candids, the 70-200 will do just as well and 85mm will often be too long indoors.

30 1.4 & 70-200IS-- You probably won't ever use your kit lens, and you've got the 50 1.8 if you really need something inbetween.

Well all alternative make sense...
The 30 1.4 definitely makes a nice normal lense. Keep in mind it's not a great portrait lens (30mm...) and not a stellar prime wide open (softness, distortion, and vignetting). On the other hand it's opening at 1.4 and just this beats all the zooms.
Overall I've been quite happy with it since I bought it (very nice built quality for the price). Another alternative ( I know, not helping would be a Canon 28 1.8.

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Nice shots!

Given that I have the 2ti and can't do micro adjustments in case of focus issues.... is that a big deal... or is the whole focus thing with the 30 1.4 overblown?

mules wrote in post #10424984
Given that I have the 2ti and can't do micro adjustments in case of focus issues.... is that a big deal... or is the whole focus thing with the 30 1.4 overblown?

It's overblown because you only see/remember people complaining of an issue, but their Q/C isn't as good as it should be, so it is somewhat of a concern.

mules wrote in post #10424984
Given that I have the 2ti and can't do micro adjustments in case of focus issues.... is that a big deal... or is the whole focus thing with the 30 1.4 overblown?

My Sigma was great out of the box. You do hear of 17-50 focus issues and softness problems as well, so it is not really going to be any safer of a choice. (Not saying either are really that risky)

if 50% of your shots are done indoors...i'd get a flash first...

mules wrote in post #10424984
Given that I have the 2ti and can't do micro adjustments in case of focus issues.... is that a big deal... or is the whole focus thing with the 30 1.4 overblown?

Mine was right out of the box, didn't need to do any micro adjustments.

I had a Tammy 28-75 and a 70-200 f4. Since I got the 30 (perfect out of the box) I never carry the Tammy anymore Haven't touched it in a month.

DreDaze wrote in post #10425039
if 50% of your shots are done indoors...i'd get a flash first...

+1.

mules wrote in post #10424741
Hi Guys- what makes the most sense in the near term given my situation:

- I use the Canon t2i and don't intend to go full frame any time soon
- shoot some video but 90% stills with t2i
- shoot mostly kids and family outings probably 50% indoor and 50% outdoor lots of sports
- the largest % aperture used in my photo library was shot at 28 mm (the low end of my 28-135 lens)
- just got 70-200 f/4 L IS and other lenses are 50 1.8, 18-55 IS, 28-135, 75-300 (some of which I'll sell to finance the new lens)
- looks like I don't have anything besides the 50 1.8 for indoors (otherwise I'd opt for Canon 15-85)

Does it make the most sense to keep the kit lens for now and get a Sigma 1.4 or sell the kit lens and get the Tamron 17-50? Or does it makes sense to keep the kit lens and get an 85 1.8? Which do you think would yield the highest number of keepersof these combinations?

for me the Tamron 17-50 2.8 made the most sense - it's great indoors and out!

here's one with the Tamron 17-50 at f2.8 - 17mm ISO 800 (XSi)

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