FAST PRIME LENS URGENT HELP PLEASE

[tatamkinophoto]

Hi,
I am about to upgrade from my Canon 550D to a Canon 60D camera body and was interested in buying a relatively fast prime lens to go with it.
I currently have a 18mm-55mm kit lens and a 55mm-250mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens.
The 60D being a crop sensor, I was looking for a relatively fast, stander prime lens. I will mostly use it for travel and street photography and a little bit of portraiture.
The lenses I have currently looked at are the:

• Canon 28mm f/1.8
• Canon 35mm f/2
• Canon 40mm f/2.8
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4

Which of these would you recommend for my use?
By looking at reviews on the internet, I like the Sigma but it can only be used on a crop sensor so if I upgrade in the future I will need to buy a new lens.


I also heard many people saying I should get a 50mm lens like the Canon 50mm f/1,4 but is it good for a crop sensor like the 60D as it becomes 80mm?
Do you think I should look at other lenses as well? Which ones?
I do not want to spend too much because I am also buying my 60D soon so I don't think I can afford L lenses unless I get a bargain somewhere.


Thanks so much for your help in advance,
tatamkinophoto

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

50 1.4

 

[Robin_Usagani]

40 mm so you can do macro shots too

 

[kathyt]

50 1.4 hands down. Out of all of my high dollar "L" lenses I still use this one all of the time!

 

[Dao]

Maybe skip the new body and get the L lens that you want.

 

[jaomul]

Maybe skip the new body and get the L lens that you want.

Ya the 60d wont really benefit you for travel street or portraits. Id buy an 85 f1.8 and upgrade the kit lens to something like a tamro n 17-50 2.8. Just an opinion

 

[IByte]

40 mm so you can do macro shots too

...Schwetty?Oo

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

For street photography, go with the 28mm f/1.8. (or the Sigma 30mm ). If you had a full frame I would say to go with the 40mm (or a 50mm f/1.4). You want to be close in street photography.

 

[tatamkinophoto]

50 1.4 hands down. Out of all of my high dollar "L" lenses I still use this one all of the time!

Isn't it to much of a zoom lens (80mm) on a crop sensor for street and travel photography?

 

[kathyt]

50 1.4 hands down. Out of all of my high dollar "L" lenses I still use this one all of the time!

Isn't it to much of a zoom lens (80mm) on a crop sensor for street and travel photography?

What do you mean? A zoom lens and a prime lens are two different things. If you are looking for "fast" prime then I would highly recommend sticking with an aperature close to 1.4. Maybe rent a 50mm and a 30mm for a weekend and try them out. There will be a big difference.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I have a 35mm f/1.4L and even that is a bit tight at times on a crop sensor 7D. (I do own the 50mm as well which is a great lens if its added as part of your tool kit, but if you are looking for an all purpose lens I don't think the 50mm would be as great of a choice. As Kathy said, if you have the cash, rent each of them and take them out shooting. (shoot street with them, don't just take generic shots because you won't really have an understanding of how they will perform for your intended use ).

You will get a more shallow DOF effect using the 50mm than a 28mm simply because the longer the lens, the more that it compresses a scene. In most cases though, you would want to include some of the surrounding environment (which is a big part of street photography ) so shallow DOF/fast lens, isn't always needed (although the wide aperture will still lend itself to the AF system.) If you are on a budget, you may have better luck picking up a 17-50 f/2.8 Tamron lens. Its light weight and will give you more flexibility.

 

[swiftparkour94]

Isn't it to much of a zoom lens (80mm) on a crop sensor for street and travel photography?

I will testify against that, find my thread I posted asking for opinions on my candid street shots. I use it mostly to get peoples faces

 

[swiftparkour94]

I have a 35mm f/1.4L and even that is a bit tight at times on a crop sensor 7D. (I do own the 50mm as well which is a great lens if its added as part of your tool kit, but if you are looking for an all purpose lens I don't think the 50mm would be as great of a choice. As Kathy said, if you have the cash, rent each of them and take them out shooting. (shoot street with them, don't just take generic shots because you won't really have an understanding of how they will perform for your intended use ).

You will get a more shallow DOF effect using the 50mm than a 28mm simply because the longer the lens, the more that it compresses a scene. In most cases though, you would want to include some of the surrounding environment (which is a big part of street photography ) so shallow DOF/fast lens, isn't always needed (although the wide aperture will still lend itself to the AF system.) If you are on a budget, you may have better luck picking up a 17-50 f/2.8 Tamron lens. Its light weight and will give you more flexibility.

I was going to suggest that! VC and USM or whatever they call it lol I forgot. It's MTF charts show it's better than Canon's!

 

[swiftparkour94]

Isn't it to much of a zoom lens (80mm) on a crop sensor for street and travel photography?

Wait....I don't know what happened to the thread! Forget that, sorry. But I take great shots at 80mm, if you're in a crowded place then a short wide is a must!

 

[johncam]

sigma 30mm