Canon 50 mm 1.4 and/or Canon 100 mm IS Hi everyone, I am new to photography and have myself a T2i. I want to get a lens for portrait work and for macro - so I was considering the 50 mm 1.4 Canon and the 100mm 2.8 IS Canon. Do I need both? I'm confused because a lot of people say the 50 mm is a must-have standard lens for Canon users, but the 100 mm is also used for portraits. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Canon 50 mm 1.4 and/or Canon 100 mm IS Hi everyone, I am new to photography and have myself a T2i. I want to get a lens for portrait work and for macro - so I was considering the 50 mm 1.4... » Read More Canon 50 mm 1.4 and/or Canon 100 mm IS Hi everyone, I am new to photography and have myself a T2i. I want to get a lens for portrait work and for macro - so I was considering the 50 mm 1.4 Canon and the 100mm 2.8 IS Canon. Do I need both? I'm confused because a lot of people say the 50 mm is a must-have standard lens for Canon users, but the 100 mm is also used for portraits. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! « Show Less
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I have the Canon 50mm 1.4. The Bokeh is not very good. not a good choice for macro. I'm now looking for a macro lens.
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I also forgot to mention that I currently own the 70-300 mm Canon and the standard lens that came with the camera. Thanks!
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Yeah, Diverhank nailed it - two very different lenses. Important to note that the 50mm 1.4 is NOT a macro lens and that was something you mentioned in your initial post. I used the 50mm on my T2i and absolutely loved it, though I eventually upgraded (and much preferred) the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for the "normal" focal length on the crop-sensor. I now shoot a full frame and primarily use the 50mm but will likely get the 100mm shortly. Be sure to take a look at the Sigma 30mm before buying the 50mm Canon but if Macro is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the 100mm L.
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Two totally different lenses. I wouldn't even try messing with the 100mm macro for portraits, but the 50mm 1.4 is one of the best portrait lenses you can get for a cropped camera like yours. Caveat - I haven't tried non-Canon branded lenses.
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It's not fair to make the comparison between these two kind of lenses in my opinion as each has its own forte and fulfills a different function.If you want both portrait work and macro then you should get the 100mm macro. While you can use the 50mm for portrait work, it is more suited for full body portrait. For closeup, the 100mm is better (less distortion). Of course you can use just about any lens for any application...some just won't perform very well.With the 100mm, it would be very tough to take landscape pictures (wide angle scenics shots). The 50mm would be better (though not ideal for your T2i which has a 1.6x crop factor). If you must have only one lens, I'd go for the 50mm. It's not fair to make the comparison between these two kind of lenses in my opinion as each has its own forte and fulfills a different function.If you want both portrait work and macro then you should get the 100mm macro. While you can use the 50mm for portrait work, it is more suited for full body portrait. For closeup, the 100mm is better (less distortion). Of course you can use just about any lens for any application...some just won't perform very well.With the 100mm, it would be very tough to take landscape pictures (wide angle scenics shots). The 50mm would be... » Read More It's not fair to make the comparison between these two kind of lenses in my opinion as each has its own forte and fulfills a different function.If you want both portrait work and macro then you should get the 100mm macro. While you can use the 50mm for portrait work, it is more suited for full body portrait. For closeup, the 100mm is better (less distortion). Of course you can use just about any lens for any application...some just won't perform very well.With the 100mm, it would be very tough to take landscape pictures (wide angle scenics shots). The 50mm would be better (though not ideal for your T2i which has a 1.6x crop factor). If you must have only one lens, I'd go for the 50mm. « Show Less
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Both Lens are Different . One is macro and one I prime. If you Have money invest in both and If you have budget in mind go for Prime. All the best.
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Go for it. This is an awesome lens. I use this lens along with my EF 70-200 L Series f/2.8 for all my wedding and other event shoots (including portraits, sports etc). But if money is not an object why not get the 50MM lens (along with this) as others have suggested. I am happy with the two lenses (ie EF 24-70 mm and EF 70-200 mm). I've taken thousands of pictures with these two lenses (almost 80% with the 24-70 Lens). Hope this helps.
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I also have a Canon 100mm-400mm L f4.5-5.6 IS. So far the Tamron outperforms my Canon 400 in nearly every respect. As long as there is good light the Tamron is a faster focus lens and with a lot more pull it is more versatile. I have not been able to use the Canon lens with an expander, as it is incapable of autofocus with a 1.4x. Better check your sources as far as compatability with an expander. With the cost being much less than the Canon...I have to give the nod to the Tamron...better value, about the same weight, more pull and quicker focus. I had used the Canon for several years before getting this Tamron lens...lots of shortcomings with the older technology of the Canon. I hope this helps in your decision making.
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Good questions. If you want the best lens you've ever used, sell your 75-300 and get the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS USM II. It is hands down the best lens I've ever used. It's fast and will make every shot look like a pro. Nothing beats having a 2.8 aperture. It's expensive, but so worth it. Another great lens would be any of the Canon 50mm primes. Or the 40mm pancake prime. I like the 50mm f1.4 but the 50mm f1.8 is amazing too. There's even a 50mm f1.2 but it's way expensive.
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Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light... » Read More Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. « Show Less
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If you don't absolutely need macro, go for the 135. I like it way better for portraits. I actually just purchased he 100L macro but it is specifically for newborn details and wedding details. I'll keep my 135 for portraits every time.
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If you can afford it, buy the 28/200 or the 28/300 macro lens. It is much more convenient as you do not have to change lenses when shifting from one type of shot to another. It is ideal for the amateur / semi-pro who wants excellent photos. Of course, if you are a professional, you already know that you need many more types of lenses and filters for every situation conceivable.
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Biggest difference is close focus distance. The 50mm f/1.8 will only focus at 1.5 feet or farther, and this means that the subject won't fill the frame. Canon claims that the 60mm Macro will focus at 7.8", but in practice I've gotten it to focus at less than five inches. The subject will get really--REALLY--large at that point. The difference is that if you take a picture of a penny with the macro, the penny will fill the entire image. With the fifty, the penny will only be a much smaller portion of the image when shot as a closeup, since you can't get as close. Brian www.alwaysanamateur.com
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The 50mm f/1.8 will be able to gather more light than the 35mm f/2.4 and will provide a "nicer" bokeh so it is better suited for portrait photography (indoor or outdoor). It's main drawback compared with the 35mm with be the field of view (50mm becomes a 75mm whereas 35mm becomes approximately a 52mm on pentax DSLR). What it means is that in a close and restricted environment you won't be able to put everyone in the frame. Outside, the 50mm is better, inside, it depends. For kids sporting events you might want to use longer focal length (at least 100mm or higher) and fast lenses if the event is indoor (at least f/2 or lower). I wouldn't recommend any of the ones you talked for this. I have both a 50mm and a 35mm. I love both, and use them both during family gatherings or things like this. I also use my 35mm for landscape photography. Honestly it's a matter of taste.
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Generally, it is a personal style/preference depending on the desired effect. If you're looking to up your game with the subject matter you've mentioned, I wouldn't buy a 24. If you're shooting with an aps sized sensor you're gonna have a multiplier effect on your lens making you 50 even better a lens. I would, in your situation, investigate a fast (2.8) zoom lens in the "standard" range (28-80). I love canon's 17-55 2.8is. This awesome if you have an aps size sensor. Good luck!
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Hi, thanks question. I think this lens is good for portraits. My recommendation is AF-S 50mm F1.8G, AF-S 35mm F1.8G. If certain distance is short focus , would be good if necessary zoom can afford. Thanks in advance.
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The 85mm is perfect for portraits on a Full frame an almos equivilant on the 60d will be the 50mm 1.4. In my opinion a 50mm and the macro will be a better choice.
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135. The macro is a great lens and opens up so much more photography. However if you are specializing in portraits you may not NEED a macro. Shots with the 135 are surreal and have the most beautiful bokeh. The macro is close but not the same. Also for event or wedding photography, the 135 makes for a sharp lens that gives you a farther reach, especially if you use prime lenses during the ceremony.
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I find the 85mm a bit faster in focusing *if* you're a fair amount of distance from your subject, as is intended with what's essentially a portrait lens. If you try to squeeze a macro shot out of it, the auto-focus just grinds back and forth trying to get a lock. That said, I have an older model 50mm 1.4 and never found the speed of focus (with a D3S and D800) to be outrageously slow, so take that into consideration with my answer.
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I realize your question is now 3 yrs old, but I may still be able to help someone else. My favorite lens for my T2i is the Tamron 118-270mm. Talk about versatile. I have the Canon 50mm and a zoom along with the standard kit lens, but none compare to the Tamron...no more changing the lens so often.
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Actually I find out the the much cheaper Canon 55-250mm IS lens which is on sale today for 144 bucks does a superb job of taking portraits as well. You can set it to 100mm to get equivalent of this lens (of course you can't go down to f2.8 but for your situation you don't want to) also you get an excellent telephoto lens - just not a MACRO lens but again that's not what you're looking for. I would save my 300 bucks and get that lens instead - I can tell you as i have both these lenses.
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I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a pinch. I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a... » Read More I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a pinch. « Show Less