Im getting so sick of the stock lens on my T7. I need something better for street photography but my budget is only like 200 bucks. Torn between the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and the 24mm pancake. Is the pancake worth it for the size, or is the 50mm just sharper? Really need to decide by Friday...
Coming back to this, you really need to figure out your style before dropping that cash. Are you mostly shooting wide street scenes with people, or are you trying to isolate subjects from a distance? If you want to keep the T7 compact for street work, you have to be careful with the 50mm because on your crop sensor, it gets pretty tight.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is super sharp, but it acts like an 80mm portrait lens.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake is way better for general city shots and feeling invisible. Personally, I'd suggest grabbing the pancake if you're actually walking around all day. Just make sure you aren't expecting a huge jump in low-light performance compared to the 50mm, since the aperture is a bit slower. Which one sounds like it fits your actual shooting habit better?
Honestly, ditching the kit lens is the best move you can make for that T7. Since you are looking at street photography, that focal length is going to change how you see the city completely. I have used both, and they really serve different purposes for walking around.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is definitely sharper and gives you that nice background blur if you are doing portraits too. It feels a bit tight on a crop sensor though.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens is way better for street stuff because it is wider, making it easier to capture buildings and crowds without stepping back forever. The 50mm is a classic for a reason, but it can feel restrictive in narrow alleys or tight spaces. Tbh, the pancake is so small you can basically fit the camera in a jacket pocket, which is huge for street work. If you want something that stays on the camera all day, get the 24mm. If you mostly want to isolate subjects or do portraits, the 50mm is the better deal for the price. Just check used sections at local camera shops before Friday, you might even snag one for way under your 200 buck limit if you get lucky.
^ This. Also, honestly, I remember taking my Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake on a trip to NYC and it was a total game changer. I could literally shove the whole camera in my jacket pocket!
- The 24mm is way wider for those tight city alleys.
- You get that stealthy vibe since it is tiny.
- The 50mm is sharper, sure, but way too tight for streets imo. Just grab the pancake, it is pure magic.