Young photographer with tight budget needs advice about new lenses

[Nick Salazar]

I would love to have the 17-55 but unfortunately it

[Rocco]

it

[thekingb]

Any thoughts on the 50 mm f/1.8 II vs the 50mm F/1.4 ? Its about 200 dollars price difference and I'm wondering if it's worth it.

<div>I've had both in the past but neither any more. You will find some variety of opinion about the 50 f/1.4. My copy was fantastic stopped down but totally unreliable from f/2.5 and wider. Most likely it was the AF, but who knows. But I am not alone in having some issues with that lens. I found the 50 f/1.8 actually more reliable at wider apertures, but the bokeh is pretty harsh.</div>

<div>If not, I could go body + 18-135 kit lens + 50mm f/1.8 and still have the 55-250mm</div>

If you are saving to upgrade in the near future, I'd skip the 18-135 and stick with the kit lens, which is a much better value.


For just a little more money than the 50 f/1.4, you could get the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (non vc version):http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-17-50mm-Aspherical-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000EXR0SI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=13110 80401&amp;sr=1-1


This lens is fantastic and a great value at $450 (and there's often a rebate). Sharp, wide aperture, all purpose zoom for a fraction of the price of the Canon 17-55 f/2.8. The 60d body + Tamron would be about the same cost as the 60d + kit lens + 50 f/1.4. Then you can save up for a sharp prime as the next lens. Or sell the 55-250 and buy the 50 f/1.8.


Good luck!

[andnowimbroke]

www.adorama.com/.../50mm-lens-shoot-out-f18-or-f14


Hope this worked, and I hope this helps.


Greg

[HiFiGuy1]

I would personally recommend a clean, low-mileage 50D, which gives you a great 15 MP body, including AF Microadjust, with which to advance your photography beyond the xxxD bodies, and it saves you enough money that you could get the 15-85. Keeping the 55-250 gives you overlapping range from 15-250mm in just two lenses. Then definitely "focus" on better glass. Until your budget expands substantially, that is all that matters. Except for a flash. And a remote transmitter. And of course you need a good/great tripod.

[andnowimbroke]

..and insurance,...

[HiFiGuy1]

Good point.

[andnowimbroke]

...and prolly another job to support your new addiction.

[Nick Salazar]

thekingb: the tamron lens you recommended looks very enticing. How inconvenient is not having IS on the lens?

[Nick Salazar]

Also; I