Sharpest lens.....on a budget

[sharky10c]

I might be interested in upgrading to a new lens in the next few months. I want a really sharp, really clear lens but I don't want to spend more than $250-300. I don't care what the focal length is. I don't want a 300mm lens. I don't need to zoom. I just want crisp, vibrant photos. I don't even care if it's used, as long as it works.

I was thinking maybe the Canon 50mm f/1.8?

I don't really know though. I would appreciate any help I can get!

Thanks!!

[wulf]

I would suggest a fast prime lens - a 50mm f/1.8 would be the most common choice and will be well within budget, especially if you can go second hand. BTW, I'm going to move this to the Canon section since it looks like you must have Canon gear.

Wulf

[sharky10c]

Thanks. Yes, I do have Canon gear.

[private]

yup - the canon 50mm 1.8 - plus you'll have some extra money left over to buy extra memory cards, a lens hood, remote trigger...or you can save the $150-200...

[davidinva]

Which camera and lens (s) do you have now? If you don't have the IS version of the kit (18-55) lens, then that works well with the XTi, XS, and XSI. Sells for $150 or less. I had the 50 1.8 and found it gave good results but not consistently.

[candleman]

the cheapest option is a 50mm f/1.8
the f/1.4 is sharper, clearer and still within budget. definatley better quality.
but i personally couldnt justify the difference for doubling the pricetag

[sharky10c]

Originally Posted by davidinva

Which camera and lens (s) do you have now? If you don't have the IS version of the kit (18-55) lens, then that works well with the XTi, XS, and XSI. Sells for $150 or less. I had the 50 1.8 and found it gave good results but not consistently.

I have the XS with the IS kit lens

[inkista]

Never give me such fatally open-ended parameters when asking for a lens recommendation.

I say the Contax Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.8--go for an AE Japanese model if you want rock-bottom prices (vs. MM or German-made). You can typically find 'em on the used market for about $200-$250 bucks, and adapter rings are in the $30-$100 range, depending on how fancy you want to get. Bonus--it's normal on a crop.

You lose autofocus, and you can only shoot with stop-down metering in M or Av, and it's not fast enough really for available light shooting, and it exhibits a tiny bit of barrel distortion. Also, its performance wider than f/4 is not so terrific, but once it's stopped down to f/8--omg, you don't need to sharpen.





Sharp enough to cut yourself. But not, I hasten to add, at a per-pixel level in the way most folks judge sharpness. With Zeiss, it's more about the microcontrast being so high that edges are more sharply defined. In essence, doing in the glass what software typically does to sharpen.

[kencaleno]

best bet on a budget if you drive nikon, is an e series 50mm f1.8 pancake lens about $20 US one of the sharpest that nikon made 1972 regards, Ken

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

best bet on a budget if you drive nikon, is an e series 50mm f1.8 pancake lens about $20 US one of the sharpest that nikon made 1972 regards, Ken

Yes, after the user specifically said he was a canon user.

Without a focal length limit, I'd say an 85 f/1.8 for the canons. Amazing little lens.