Prime 50 mm for my new 60 D

[Alex_B]

I love it when people ask for opinions, then receive a unanimous opinion from several forum members, yet do exactly the opposite of what people suggest.

It just warms my heart... and makes me bash my head against my desk.

But that is totally OK ... a personal decision is not democracy. You receive the input from others, and then you have to weight it against the financial pain it will cause.

and as people said, the 1.8 is not a bad lens. and in terms of value for money it is very good. yes the 1.4 is better in many respects as pointed out here, but on a tight budget it might not be the best option.

BTW, we have the 1.4 and the 1.8 for many years now, and even the 1.8 is still alive and has not broken yet

What point does asking what you should do with a $100 lens vs a $360 lens, if you are already financially limited to the $100 lens? She's not going to be able to resell it for $100. Probably between 70-90. So the f/1.4 version will now cost 380-400 bucks when she wants to upgrade.

You're right, personal decision isn't a democracy. However disregarding everyone's opinions and deciding on the less expensive of the two, regardless of all the benefits of the higher priced one is frustrating to watch.

I do not really consider this disregarding. If everyone had said the 1.8 is a terrible lens, then she might have decided in favour of the more expensive one. Financial limitations are not always hard limitations, but a question of how much pain you are willing to endure and in what other fields you will have to limit yourself if you spend all your money on one field. Thus a decision is made based on the personal situation and preferences plus external advice/experience.

For us as the externals, such a decision will often not be transparent, since we cannot judge that other person's situation, needs and limitations.

 

[Diffuser]

I love it when people ask for opinions, then receive a unanimous opinion from several forum members, yet do exactly the opposite of what people suggest.

It just warms my heart... and makes me bash my head against my desk.

But that is totally OK ... a personal decision is not democracy. You receive the input from others, and then you have to weight it against the financial pain it will cause.

and as people said, the 1.8 is not a bad lens. and in terms of value for money it is very good. yes the 1.4 is better in many respects as pointed out here, but on a tight budget it might not be the best option.

BTW, we have the 1.4 and the 1.8 for many years now, and even the 1.8 is still alive and has not broken yet

What point does asking what you should do with a $100 lens vs a $360 lens, if you are already financially limited to the $100 lens? She's not going to be able to resell it for $100. Probably between 70-90. So the f/1.4 version will now cost 380-400 bucks when she wants to upgrade.

You're right, personal decision isn't a democracy. However disregarding everyone's opinions and deciding on the less expensive of the two, regardless of all the benefits of the higher priced one is frustrating to watch.

Don't be frustrated ;-) There are many more reading this and make decisions. So it's good it gets discussed, whether OP takes the points or not, many others value the opinions.

Really funny that I just this evening have read a lot of reviews on the 1.4 vs. 1.8. Now checking new posts on TPF and this question pops up.
The answers were all more or less inline with what I've read this evening elsewhere already. But post 5 from BigMike (and confirmed by llamatina in post 7) about the Sigma was great and adds another angle to look into.

 

[fotomumma09]

I'd recommend purchasing the canon 50mm 1.8, and if you love the distance, investing in the sigma 50mm 1.4. While I do think that the canon 50mm 1.8 is a good lens, especially for that price, I would save up for a used sigma 50mm 1.4 (I got mine for $400 shipped).

I currently have the sigma 50mm 1.4 on the 60d. It's sturdy, well-built, quiet, and great in low light (especially concerts).

Good luck!

Thank you

 

[fotomumma09]

I love it when people ask for opinions, then receive a unanimous opinion from several forum members, yet do exactly the opposite of what people suggest.

It just warms my heart... and makes me bash my head against my desk.

Dude if my choice in a lens upsets you so, I'd suggest keeping opinions to yourself if that's possible!

 

[o hey tyler]

So my next lens will be a 50 mm, but unsure if I should get the 1.8 or save a little longer for the 1.4. I've read some reviews that say the 1.4 does not out perform the 1.8 enough to spend $300 or so more. Any thoughts?

I love it when people ask for opinions, then receive a unanimous opinion from several forum members, yet do exactly the opposite of what people suggest.

It just warms my heart... and makes me bash my head against my desk.

Dude if my choice in a lens upsets you so, I'd suggest keeping opinions to yourself if that's possible!

Dude! You asked for opinions in your post. You overwhelmingly got opinions from several forum members to go with the 50mm f/1.4.

It then appeared that you disregarded what everyone else said, asked no questions, and went with the cheaper option without a second thought. To me, that's frustrating... Because what reason does one have to survey opinions of people, and choose the less popular opinion (by a large margin)? Unless of course that means that you had your mind set on the cheaper option to begin with. Which lends me to ask, why pose the query in the first place?

 

[fotomumma09]

Dude! You asked for opinions in your post. You overwhelmingly got opinions from several forum members to go with the 50mm f/1.4.

It then appeared that you disregarded what everyone else said, asked no questions, and went with the cheaper option without a second thought. To me, that's frustrating... Because what reason does one have to survey opinions of people, and choose the less popular opinion (by a large margin)? Unless of course that means that you had your mind set on the cheaper option to begin with. Which lends me to ask, why pose the query in the first place?

As I recall from previous posts many stated it's a decent lens that will get me by...nuff said. If you don't like my decision don't give your opinion on that alone. You misunderstood!

 

[fotomumma09]

Also, as I am not a pro the 1.8 is a perfect fit for me. Plus I could care less if you don't approve of what lens I buy.

 

[memento]

Tylor is an angry guy. Sometimes it's hard but you just have to try to ignore him.

 

[fotomumma09]

Tylor is an angry guy. Sometimes it's hard but you just have to try and ignore him.

I figured as much, thanks

 

[belial]

From personal experience I wish I'd have gone with the 1.4. I got the 1.8 and while I don't fully regret the decision I find that I use the focal length more than I thought I was going to. I was very new to photography when I got the prime and not knowing my style yet figured for the price why not. But although I sometimes wish my 1.8 was the 1.4 when I do upgrade it'll be nice to have a spare lens. Sort of a throw away that I'm sure I'll still get use out of

 

[belial]

Dude! You asked for opinions in your post. You overwhelmingly got opinions from several forum members to go with the 50mm f/1.4.

It then appeared that you disregarded what everyone else said, asked no questions, and went with the cheaper option without a second thought. To me, that's frustrating... Because what reason does one have to survey opinions of people, and choose the less popular opinion (by a large margin)? Unless of course that means that you had your mind set on the cheaper option to begin with. Which lends me to ask, why pose the query in the first place?

I think the op was kind of leaning for cheaper and wanted to know the advantages of going the more expensive route so he could weigh the advantages versus the price. Guess it just didn't weigh out or him. Sort of for a first taste if prime lenses there's nothing wrong with the 1.8. For those that don't like the taste they're only out $100. For those that live the taste $100 for a sample wasn't a bad waste.

 

[FSJeffo]

From personal experience I wish I'd have gone with the 1.4. I got the 1.8 and while I don't fully regret the decision I find that I use the focal length more than I thought I was going to. I was very new to photography when I got the prime and not knowing my style yet figured for the price why not. But although I sometimes wish my 1.8 was the 1.4 when I do upgrade it'll be nice to have a spare lens. Sort of a throw away that I'm sure I'll still get use out of

x2 ...me too. Fun lens to try, but as a newb I find I'm spending a lot of time learning/working on DoF and wish I didn't know that my bokeh with this lens is going to be sub-standard, even as I try to create bokeh, lol

My solution was to add the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM macro lens to my kit when I found a good deal on it a few weeks ago. As a bonus it's supposed to be a super-sharp portrait/walkaround lens. I'm pretty sure in the end I've got the low light/macro/walkaround/portrait bases covered for a little less money with the thrifty 50/60 macro combo than I would have with the 50mm f/1.4 and 60mm macro.

...of course as stated - I'm a newb, so YMMV

JM

 

[fotomumma09]

x2 ...me too. Fun lens to try, but as a newb I find I'm spending a lot of time learning/working on DoF and wish I didn't know that my bokeh with this lens is going to be sub-standard, even as I try to create bokeh, lol

My solution was to add the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM macro lens to my kit when I found a good deal on it a few weeks ago. As a bonus it's supposed to be a super-sharp portrait/walkaround lens. I'm pretty sure in the end I've got the low light/macro/walkaround/portrait bases covered for a little less money with the thrifty 50/60 macro combo than I would have with the 50mm f/1.4 and 60mm macro.

...of course as stated - I'm a newb, so YMMV

JM

How do you like the 60?

 

[belial]

I live the idea of supplementing with the 60mm macro. Only hesitation is that it's an efs lens. But it's a neat idea. The lenses aren't an identical focal length so should still complement eachother. I'll consider that for my own kit.