50mm F1/4 ..Is It For Me ???

[Glorsclaws]

I think I have decided on what lens to get with my new DSLR...but as a nervous noob I thought I would run it by here before I leave in about an hour.
Im getting the Canon 5D & have decided to start out with the 50mm F 1/4 lens.
I take pics of nail art/hands mainly and want get into portraits...do you guys think this is the right lens to be staring out with?
Any last minute advice would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[LaFoto]

If you don't really want it, I'd happily take it !!!

 

[Digital Matt]

Is it the right camera to be starting out with, is the question. You really want to spend over $3000 on a camera, if you are a "nervous noob"? Why not look at a 350D, and save yourself a LOT of money. Get the 50mm f/1.8 and save even more money.

That's my advice.

 

[usayit]

The 50mm f1.4 is a very nice lens. Very sharp, well built and pleasant bokeh. Its "cousin", the 50mm f1.8, also produces nice results at a fraction of the cost ($60-$90). Something to consider.....

I'm no expert in nail art and how it is photographed but I'm guessing you might be better off getting a macro lens of some sort. The Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro might better serve you for producing pictures of objects up close. The same lens is also known to be an excellent lens for portraits.

 

[usayit]

Is it the right camera to be starting out with, is the question. You really want to spend over $3000 on a camera, if you are a "nervous noob"? Why not look at a 350D, and save yourself a LOT of money. Get the 50mm f/1.8 and save even more money.

That's my advice.

I'm also in agreement... A 5D is a pretty darn expensive camera for a self proclaimed "noob". If portraits and nail art is your focus, your money is best spent on lenses and lighting. Perhaps a ring light flash to go with the macro lens I recommended? Don't get fooled into spending the big bucks on a high count megapixel camera.... there's a lot more to be considered.

 

[Glorsclaws]

Hi thanx for the advice so far guys.
Ive been supplying pics to a nail art bizz for a year now, their buisness is growing & so is my interest in photography. My pics are used in the nail art product catalogue & its now being suggested that we do some posters & maybe next year a 'How to' book. Im excited because this is coinciding with my interest in photography.
Ive been on some shoots as the model as well as the artist but all Ive ever wanted to do was get behind the camera.
The 5D is being bought as a combined Chrimbo/Birthday present...I reckoned as it was being offered...why not! I figured Ill grow into it where I couldnt see myself affording to upgrade to it any time soon.
Id thought take the camera, learn as I go & add the glass as my needs grow...so you guys thinks this is not such a cool idea?

 

[markc]

The 5D is full frame, so the 50mm will be a "normal" lens on it. It will see things very close to how the eye sees them. You won't be able to get very close to the nails, so you might have trouble filling the frame with the hands. Even on a 350D it will be similar to a 80mm, which is still probably not going to do it. As said above, a macro lens would probably be a good choice. It would allow you to get close to the nails so you can actually see what's on them.

What are you using now to take the pictures?

 

[ShutteredEye]

I do think that's way too much camera for you. Tell you what I'll do, I'll trade you straight up for my 350D, I'll even toss the 50mm 1.8 in for free.

I'll just pm you my address......


If the camera was a gift, I wouldn't turn it down. It's a really nice camera, and may be more difficult to learn on given its target audience is the already seasoned pro. I'm sure you'll be able to muddle through.

The 50mm 1.4/1.8s are great lenses for portraits. But as recommended above I'd get a 100 2.8 macro in addition.

Or, if the camera hasn't been bought yet, maybe a rebel 350d or 20d + more really nice glass could be an alternative too.

 

[markc]

I agree with the others as far as a camera goes. If you are worrying about needing to upgrade and don't want to go with the 350D, I'd get the 20D. I have the 10D which I bought to replace my EOS5 and A2e. Those are considered to be just into the pro level, and I found the 10D to be almost a direct replacement. The only thing I had to get used to was the crop factor.

I'd love to get the 5D, but I certainly don't need it. The 10D is serving me well and will continue to do so. The 20D is a camera you can own for years and years and not need to upgrade. Other than the full-frame sensor, the difference between the 5D and the 20D is going to be something only a hard-core photographer is going to notice.

Do you really need:
50 ISO, or will going down to 100 ISO be fine?
0.3 EV steps instead of +/-1.0
96% frame coverage in the viewfinder instead of 95%
interchangable focus screens

These are things that some pros would be interested in, but for most of us, they are just parameters we work within.

 

[Glorsclaws]

Thanx again for the advice, Ill do a bit more research/reading before going ahead with the purchase.
Mark, Ive been using my G5 for taking the pics, these are a couple of old ones but they give an idea of what I do.

 

[markc]

Very cool!

Yeah, you'd need a macro for that second shot. You might have trouble with the 50mm on a 5D for the first, but it should be okay on a 350D or 20D. Another lens to consider would be the 85mm 1.8. Another wonderful lens. You could use the price difference to get both lenses.

Because of the construction of the G5, you can get in close like the second pic. You can't do that with most SLR lenses. They have to be made as a macro lens.

I'd go to a shop and try the various combos out before you decide.

 

['Daniel']

i don't think any camera is too big or complicated to get. It just takes a bit of time and effort. If you learn on a harder camera then you will find easier ones simple.

Run before you can walk and then walking is just easy running.

 

[Rob]

Although it's a great camera and a great lens, I would, in your situation spend the money differently.

Nobody's mentioned lighting, and lighting is very important for close-up and personal work. Ideally two table-top soft box things to cast a nice even bright white light over your work.

Macro lens has been mentioned, but with work this good (and those nails are fab btw) you'd be silly not to fill the picture with it.

So, I'd personally recommend a 350D, 50mm f1.8, tripod, two soft boxes, macro lens such as the one mentioned and probably a clever Canon flash. I'm pretty sure that lot would come in at the same money and give much better results.

Even if you do go straight for the camera with the f1.4, it's great and you can always buy the other bits later... those nails have to be expensive right??

Rob

 

[usayit]

Sorry Daniel... don't necessarily agree with that statement.

Its like putting me on a set of skis ( I've never been on them ) and pushing me off on a double black diamond..... In hopes that I'll find everything else easier later on... that is if I don't.. A) not get fustrated and B) not kill myself.... I'm just being sarcastic....

Yes... there's nothing really overly complicated about the 5d. Its just a matter of spending the cash on the proper equipment for the best results.

Canon 5d + 50mm f1.4 = $3600. You'll have a kick ass camera and a good lens but you won't be able to obtain the close ups nor the flexibility you require.

Canon 20d + 50mm f1.4 + 100mm f2.8 macro + Twin ringlight flash = $3070. You'll have a nice flexible system with two very nice lenses. One of which is a macro for close ups and the flash for those close ups. You still have about $600 bucks still left over for other goodies.... a zoom perhaps?

 

[hobbes28]

I can see both sides of this coin. On one side, it seems like you're going to be doing a lot of these images and your purchase will be a personal and business one. I can see why you would want to have the best camera to do so straight out of the gate. I do also agree that you would want a macro lens and some good lighting like Rob suggested. One thing I do think, though, is that if you really want to get the 5D over any of the other cameras out there, just get it. Life's too short to regret anything. If it were me, I would go with usayit's second option there with the 20D, but it's not me. If the camera is something you're that ready to spend the money on, go spend it. You can always justify spending less money on a camera, but they wouldn't be able to sell it for the higher price if it wasn't worth it.