Help me pick a lens!!!

[girl_has_brain]

I'm a complete photonoob so bare with me if I got some of the lingo wrong.

I'm shooting with a cannon t2i and bought a 50mm f1.4 lens to start with. I love love love this lens however it is extremely hard to use in close range situations.

I'm looking for a lens that gives me the look of my 50mm but allows me to shoot in situations where I don't have the option of standing 50ft away. I tested my friends kit lens 18-55 but it only went to f5.0 which gave very little blur/dof. But I liked how close range I was able to shoot.

Any other options out there besides the 18-55?

Thanks!

Girl_has_nolens.

[girl_has_brain]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Girl_has_nolens.

well technically girl_has_onelens :P

Originally Posted by girl_has_brain

well technically girl_has_onelens :P

Girl_has_nogooglestosearchforlens,insteadcomesonin terwebsforumtowaithoursforananswershecouldgetonthe googles.

[Niresangwa]

The absolute best option here is for you to do some reading and understand how the various properties of a lens and it's construction lend themselves to certain aesthetic qualities you either want or don't want...

..however, in the interests of satiating your need for a quick fix of informed opinion, look for a lens that supports wider apertures, and shorter focal lengths... bear in mind these will likely be expensive. I'm not a Canon shooter, and someone who is will know what to look at, but a cursory glimpse at Google throws up something like the 16-35mm 2.8.

Be aware that as the focal length is shorter, it becomes more difficult to obtain a shallow DoF, as well as other different characteristics that should influence your decision.

Again, as I first stated, learn more about lens properties and how they dictate the function and aesthetic output range while using them, then it will be easier to discern which is suitable..

[girl_has_brain]

thanks for the reply. I have done a google search and thought I'd get the opinions of others 'hands on' experiences.

Originally Posted by girl_has_brain

thanks for the reply. I have done a google search and thought I'd get the opinions of others 'hands on' experiences.

Well_that_was_clearly_misguided

[ewp19]

If you're leaning towards a prime lens, there's always the Canon 35mm f/2.0,

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-35mm-Wid.../dp/B00009XVCU

And also the Canon 28mm f/1.8 lens,
Amazon.com: Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

And both would be easier to shoot with in a situation where you can't back up and I think they would give you a similar experience to shooting with the 50mm 1.4.

[Shawn7656]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Girl_has_nogooglestosearchforlens,insteadcomesonin terwebsforumtowaithoursforananswershecouldgetonthe googles.

I lul'd. Hard.

[graciousness]

This really is a little difficult for people to give advice as it really all comes down to what you primarily shoot and what your budget is.

For me, the best thing you can do is to save up money to either get a 24-70 f/2.8 L lens or what I have, 24-105mm f/4.0 L series. It will cost you quite a bit, however, given that they are zoom lenses and will give you a lot more flexibility with what you can shoot, I would aim for a zoom lens.

If you are primarily shooting people, just remember that the shorter the focal length and the wider the lens, the more 'distorted' people look shot at such a close range. It is best to shoot with a long lens if shooting people.

However, given that you are looking for something to shoot with in a tight space, I guess go for the 35mm if you have to. Again, though, the only difference with that and your 50mm f/1.4 is being able to shoot in a small space. Is it worth it getting another short-range prime lens on top of what you have or should you look into a zoom lens that will give you good quality that you want?

You can look into a third party zoom lens like Sigma, too, around 24- 105 range and see if that's a compromise.

Cheers,

Grace