Just picked up a used Canon Rebel T7 and the kit lens is already bugging me. Im trying to get into portrait photography for my friends so I need something with a bit more blur in the background. My max budget is around 200 bucks right now. Ive been looking at the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM which seems like the go-to, but I also saw the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 going for way cheaper. Is the quality difference actually that big or should I just stick with the Canon brand? I really dont have much space in my camera bag so smaller is better. Thinkin about grabbing one by next weekend for a shoot...
^ This. Also, if you want something a bit different for portraits, dont sleep on the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens. It is super tiny, so it fits in any pocket, and the optical sharpness is impressive for the price point. If you really want that background blur, though, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is basically the gold standard for your body. The STM motor is way smoother than the older versions for focusing.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Excellent bokeh, solid build quality, reliable AF.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: Extremely portable, sharp, f/2.8 aperture is fine for group shots. Honestly, stick to the Canon glass. The internal motor calibration handles the T7 contrast detection much better than any knock-off could. You will save yourself a ton of headaches with missed shots.
Adding my two cents here, you absolutely have to grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM 50mm fixed lens. It is just fantastic for portraits! I used mine for an entire wedding shoot once and the clarity blew me away. Seriously, do not waste your time with off-brand knockoffs.
- Sharpness is incredible at f/1.8
- STM motor is silent for video
- Lightweight plastic build Trust me, the autofocus reliability is worth every extra penny!
> I also saw the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 going for way cheaper. Is the quality difference actually that big or should I just stick with the Canon brand? Honestly, I tried saving a few bucks with that third-party glass a while back and it was pretty disappointing. The autofocus consistency was all over the place, and honestly, the sharpness just wasnt there compared to the real deal. I think the Canon build quality is just objectively better for long-term use. Not sure but IIRC the internal motors on the cheaper one can be super loud and jittery, which is a nightmare for portraits. Its a bit of a gamble. I had issues with focus hunting constantly, even in decent lighting. Save yourself the headache and go for the brand name one, even if it costs a bit more. You really dont want to miss a shot because of cheap gear.