Shallow DOF lens?
Discussion
I currently use a Canon 60D with Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.
I also fancied getting a 'Nifty Fifty' for playing with bokeh and shallow DOF images. The more reading I did, the more the Canon 50mm f/1.8 got slated for cheap build quality - and the general advice seemed to be if you could afford the Canon 50mm f/1.4 then get that.
Then the more reading I did on the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, the more people pointed towards the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 EX DC HSM instead.
Anyone here got any thoughts on the above?
I also fancied getting a 'Nifty Fifty' for playing with bokeh and shallow DOF images. The more reading I did, the more the Canon 50mm f/1.8 got slated for cheap build quality - and the general advice seemed to be if you could afford the Canon 50mm f/1.4 then get that.
Then the more reading I did on the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, the more people pointed towards the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 EX DC HSM instead.
Anyone here got any thoughts on the above?
For the money you cannot beat the 50mm 1.8. Yes its plasticky and yes the autofocus isn't the best, but its very sharp and amazing value for money.
If you can afford it, the 50mm 1.4 is better in almost every respect, but its three times the price.
The sigma 30mm is quite a different focal length, so I guess it depends whether you want a 50mm lens or a 30mm lens.
I have the 50mm 1.8, and I'm perfectly happy with it.
If you can afford it, the 50mm 1.4 is better in almost every respect, but its three times the price.
The sigma 30mm is quite a different focal length, so I guess it depends whether you want a 50mm lens or a 30mm lens.
I have the 50mm 1.8, and I'm perfectly happy with it.
You need to decide what you'll be using the lens for and pick an appropriate focal length first. If you're struggling to decide, then why not look back through a few of your shots, look at the EXIF data and work out what focal length you use most with your zoom lens.
As said above the 50mm f/1.8 feels cheap, is slow to focus and awkward to focus manually, but optically is exceptional for the price.
I really rate the Canon 85mm f/1.8, fabulous bokeh and makes a great portrait lens on a full frame camera.
As said above the 50mm f/1.8 feels cheap, is slow to focus and awkward to focus manually, but optically is exceptional for the price.
I really rate the Canon 85mm f/1.8, fabulous bokeh and makes a great portrait lens on a full frame camera.
Mattt said:
Does the 50mm on a crop sensor not restrict the use somewhat though?
I thought that the 30mm on a crop sensor gives roughly the same effective FOV as the 50mm on a full frame?
It depends what you want to use it for. I find the 50mm focal length quite restrictive indoors (too long) but for general outdoor stuff, or picking off head shots at wedding's its great.I thought that the 30mm on a crop sensor gives roughly the same effective FOV as the 50mm on a full frame?
I like both focal lengths. IMO 30 is more useful in general, but the sigma 30/1.4 is NOT an all round lens.
Its sharp in the centre at 1.4 but the corners never sharpen up so dont expect to use it for landscapes etc.
Canons 50/1.8's build is fine, just dont drop it or treat it badly, had mine 6 years before I sold it. One of canons sharpest lenses (f4-f8).
The 50/1.4 is actually worse IMO (build) as it has a fatal flaw in the AF mechanism.
Its sharp in the centre at 1.4 but the corners never sharpen up so dont expect to use it for landscapes etc.
Canons 50/1.8's build is fine, just dont drop it or treat it badly, had mine 6 years before I sold it. One of canons sharpest lenses (f4-f8).
The 50/1.4 is actually worse IMO (build) as it has a fatal flaw in the AF mechanism.
CommanderJameson said:
RobDickinson said:
CommanderJameson said:
Instant bokeh on demand.
Its not always the best bokeh but for the price of a meal out you cant complain!
RobDickinson said:
CommanderJameson said:
RobDickinson said:
CommanderJameson said:
Instant bokeh on demand.
Its not always the best bokeh but for the price of a meal out you cant complain!
DOF like a fag paper. Marvellous.
CommanderJameson said:
DOF like a fag paper. Marvellous.
I've just picked up a 135mm f2, DOF at 10 feet subject distance;
Subject distance 10 ft
Depth of field
Near limit 9.91 ft
Far limit 10.1 ft
Total 0.19 ft
In front of subject 0.09 ft (50%)
Behind subject 0.1 ft (50%)
Hyperfocal distance 997 ft
Circle of confusion 0.03 mm
For what its worth, I have recently bought a used Sigma 50mm prime, f1.4. It's a great lens. However, with such a shallow depth of field, you may find that you have to have the lens calibrate to your camera. I did this (£37 inc postage through Sigma) and the results are stunning.
Even at 1.4, it is now pin-sharp. If you find a looked-after used version, it's not that expensive, either.
Even at 1.4, it is now pin-sharp. If you find a looked-after used version, it's not that expensive, either.
NoisyGriff said:
For what its worth, I have recently bought a used Sigma 50mm prime, f1.4. It's a great lens. However, with such a shallow depth of field, you may find that you have to have the lens calibrate to your camera. I did this (£37 inc postage through Sigma) and the results are stunning.
Even at 1.4, it is now pin-sharp. If you find a looked-after used version, it's not that expensive, either.
It was pin sharp anyway, just not where you wanted it Even at 1.4, it is now pin-sharp. If you find a looked-after used version, it's not that expensive, either.
Fast apertures present their own problems, eg 'Which eye shall I get in focus?' etc.
Mattt said:
Does the 50mm on a crop sensor not restrict the use somewhat though?
I thought that the 30mm on a crop sensor gives roughly the same effective FOV as the 50mm on a full frame?
The 50mm on a crop is to tight for me, I went for a Sigma 30mm F/1.4 EX DC HSM instead on my Canon 7D and have been pleased with it.I thought that the 30mm on a crop sensor gives roughly the same effective FOV as the 50mm on a full frame?
My friend has the Canon 1.4mm 50mm but he now uses it more as a portrait lens rather than a walkabout
I have the 50mm 1.8, and it is a great lens (to my amateur and untrained eye) but it is not a walkabout lens on a crop sensor.
I have been looking at fast primes around the 28-30mm and I think there are:-
30mm f1.4 sigma
28mm f1.8 canon
28mm f2.8 canon
35mm f2 canon
All at various prices and different reviews.
I haven't figured out if there is a clear winner yet, based on my own preferences...
I have been looking at fast primes around the 28-30mm and I think there are:-
30mm f1.4 sigma
28mm f1.8 canon
28mm f2.8 canon
35mm f2 canon
All at various prices and different reviews.
I haven't figured out if there is a clear winner yet, based on my own preferences...
I never really got on with 50mm... I felt it was always too short for portraits/close-ups and too long for most other things.
I got the Canon 85mm 1.8 and I find it so much more useful! It's one of my most used lenses now. Here's an example at 1.8:
July 15th 2010: New Lens by Elad V., on Flickr
I got the Canon 85mm 1.8 and I find it so much more useful! It's one of my most used lenses now. Here's an example at 1.8:
July 15th 2010: New Lens by Elad V., on Flickr
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