Looking to upgrade my lens (Canon Owner)

[mar1u5]

I really can't see how you're going to like the 50mm f1.4 if you're looking for a lens to cover your portrait, landscape and automotive work. For portraits it's fine, but not exactly what I'd choose if I also wanted to do landscape and automotive..

Take a look at canon ef-s 17-55 f2.8 IS. It's a nice upgrade over your kit lens.

 

[NIVLEKphotography]

I really can't see how you're going to like the 50mm f1.4 if you're looking for a lens to cover your portrait, landscape and automotive work. For portraits it's fine, but not exactly what I'd choose if I also wanted to do landscape and automotive..

Take a look at canon ef-s 17-55 f2.8 IS. It's a nice upgrade over your kit lens.

Will do!

I'm more than likely going to go with the 50mm 1.4 being that most of my work are portraits or people. I see myself shooting friends, family and parties more than anything. So the 50mm 1.4 may work for me just fine.

 

[thingsIsee]

Nice work
you could get just a bit more focal length with 55mm F3.5 with the 55-250 EFS lens. (sister lens to the kit lens) Not an L glass but a very nice lens and you might find use for the 200mm range. Just a thought. I have the 50mm 1.4 and love it, but it will only do so much. If you don’t need the quite as fast of a lens and the DOF this would give you more versatility at about the same price of the 50mm

 

[NIVLEKphotography]

Nice work
you could get just a bit more focal length with 55mm F3.5 with the 55-250 EFS lens. (sister lens to the kit lens) Not an L glass but a very nice lens and you might find use for the 200mm range. Just a thought. I have the 50mm 1.4 and love it, but it will only do so much. If you don’t need the quite as fast of a lens and the DOF this would give you more versatility at about the same price of the 50mm

thank you! :thumbup:

Quick question... How are these lenses on low light or indoors? like bars, clubs, bowling alleys etc?

 

[subscuck]

The 17-55 2.8 would do well in low light, but at just over $1k, it's better than 3 times your budget. The 55-250 is kinda slow, but with IS it might do OK indoors in low light in some situations, but overall, it's not a great lens. Optically, it's nowhere near the 50 1.4, and probably about the same as your kit lens, but the price is well within your budget. It's also a good sized lens, something to consider when walking around a club, bowling alley, etc.

 

[NIVLEKphotography]

Ok... Thanks a lot everyone! I appreciate everyones input!!!!
Oh yeah, I will be ordering a lens TONIGHT!

 

[rikerjc]

Also check out the 85mm 1.8. Very fast and sharp moderate long prime that's great for portraits and indoor shooting without a flash and even indoor sports. It's near L quality at a non-L price.

While I agree it's a nice lens, I own one, on a crop body it's pretty tight. FOV is equal to 138mm on FF or 35mm SLR. That's well into telephoto territory, and also above his budget. It's certainly a nice lens to consider down the road, though.

I think the 50 1.4 is a good choice. If you can get a copy in good shape for your budget, go for it. It's a definate upgrade from the 50 1.8. AF is faster, more reliable in low light, and much, much quieter. Optically it's significantly better as well.

Nice photos, btw. I really like #5.

Yah, well uh if you convert that to medium format its WELL into telephoto. It really bugs me when people compare FF to crop, its really not a huge real... Get a range that works for what you shoot on what crop you shoot... It only really matters if you are used to 35mm, and coming into digital with crops you wonder why you are getting a tighter crop with the same focal length...

I second 50mm F/1.4

You've said you want a large depth of field. So you really won't need a fast lense. Not sure why you would need anything with an aperture larger than F/4. 17-40 F/4L will do give you sharpness and you can pretty much do landscapes with that and whilst its not traditionally a portrait lense no reason why you can't use it for that. Especially general portraiture with no bokeh needed (You want a large depth of field). Either that or use the cheaper EF-S lense 10-22mm F/3.5-5.6.