Which Lens?

[Cuzzy]

First off I love this forum, great people from what I have seen. So my question, I have a 60D 18-135mm IS kit lens and a tax return of 800 and I am looking for a new lens. I am looking at the following,
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.8
100mm 2.8 IS macro
For an amateur photographer just starting what would be my best bang for the buck between these(or others, open for suggestion) to shoot mostly portraits/weddings. I'm heavily leaning toward the 50mm for the bokeh but i'm worried about not having the IS with it. Also I think on the APS-C the 100mm would hinder my shots to much(but would love it for the ring pictures) If I go with the 50mm or 85mm I could also pick up a flash so that is also a plus. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!

 

[Cuzzy]

Bump with sample picture from my only wedding for a friend.

 

[tirediron]

If it's only those three choices, I would suggest going with the 50mm since it's the fastest of the three (and in weddings speed counts!). The 85mm is, IMO, an awkward length on an APS-C body, and the 50mm will give you approximately an 80mm effective focal-length. I wouldn't spend the money on a macro lens just for ring shots; that's a lot of money for one frame per wedding.

I would suggest looking at wider, faster glass; perhaps the Canon equivalent of Nikon's 17-55mm f2.8.

 

[Cuzzy]

I was looking at the 100mm for the sharpness but at 160mm effective on my camera I think it would limit portrait shots, but out of the 3 it does have IS. My passion is nature photography so it fit the bill in that aspect. I'm more worried about losing IS, but I guess what i'm asking is moving to a 1.4 will it be able to produce steady shots without IS

 

[D-B-J]

What about the canon 70-200 F4 L. I have heard good things about this lens (but im a nikon user, so wait for a canon user to confirm). It sells for about 600 on adorama. The 70-200mm range is great for weddings and general portraiture (head shots and upper body shots).

Regards,
Jake

 

[D-B-J]

I was looking at the 100mm for the sharpness but at 160mm effective on my camera I think it would limit portrait shots, but out of the 3 it does have IS. My passion is nature photography so it fit the bill in that aspect. I'm more worried about losing IS, but I guess what i'm asking is moving to a 1.4 will it be able to produce steady shots without IS

But at such a wide aperture the DOF will be very shallow.

Regards,
Jake

 

[Cuzzy]

DOF at 25 feet with the 100m is about 2 feet, plenty for ceremony shoots. What I am looking for is a lense with great bokeh for the closer shots and shooting low light for the reception without flash. I dont think the 100mm can give me all I want, but I'm worried about camera blur with the 50mm. Also I want to stick with a prime for the sharpness. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[D-B-J]

DOF at 25 feet with the 100m is about 2 feet, plenty for ceremony shoots. What I am looking for is a lense with great bokeh for the closer shots and shooting low light for the reception without flash. I dont think the 100mm can give me all I want, but I'm worried about camera blur with the 50mm. Also I want to stick with a prime for the sharpness. Thanks for the help guys!

What do you mean by "camera blur" with the 50?

Regards,
Jake

 

[Cuzzy]

Sorry, new to the lingo. Camera shake.

 

[D-B-J]

Sorry, new to the lingo. Camera shake.

If anything, you would be more likely to have camera shake with the 100mm lens, as it is longer and larger.

Regards,
Jake

 

[Cuzzy]

But the 100mm has IS thats the only reason it in the mix for consideration, that and its an L lense.

 

[o hey tyler]

Yes, but how often are you going to be shooting wide open with a 50mm at less than 1/50th of a second? You really don't need IS, photographers got along without it just fine up until now. And you'll be hard pressed to find a 50mm prime lens with IS or VR. It's just not useful on that short of a focal length. If you were going to get the 70-200L and you were debating over the IS vs the non IS, that would be different.

 

[craigm]

Go with to 50mm! With f/1.4 you don't need IS.

 

[Ryan L]

I vote 50mm 1.4, I love it.