So Ive been shooting with my Canon 80D for a couple years now mostly using the kit lens and a 24mm pancake. But lately my sister asked me to take some portrait photos of her and her boyfriend for their anniversary next month and I realized I dont really have a proper lens for that. Ive been looking around online for days and my head is spinning. I read tons of threads saying the nifty fifty 50mm f1.8 is the absolute best budget option since its super cheap and sharp. But then someone else pointed out that on a crop sensor like the 80D 50mm can feel a bit too tight for indoor stuff and maybe the 85mm is even worse for space. I also keep seeing people recommend vintage manual lenses like a Helios or something but honestly Im kind of nervous about dealing with manual focus while people are posing especially since Im doing this for free and really dont want to mess it up. My budget is around 150 bucks max right now living here in Chicago. Should I just grab the 50mm 1.8 STM and make it work or is there some hidden gem Ive missed in my late night research spirals
> skipping the vintage manual glass for a paid or favor-based gig is the right call Spot on. In my experience with crop sensors, manual focus under pressure is just asking for blurry shots. Grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It's super cheap and crazy sharp. Yeah, it's a bit tight indoors on the 80D, but you can always step back. If you really need wider, look for a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art instead.
Adding my two cents since I shot with an 80D for years before upgrading. Everyone recommends the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and for good reason, but on a crop body indoors it really can feel cramped. I tried using it in a small living room once and literally had to press my back against the wall to get a waist-up shot. If you think you might be shooting indoors a lot, look into the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM you already have, or seriously consider the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM if you can find a used one in your budget. That 40mm gives you just a bit more breathing room than the 50mm while still giving nice subject separation. That said, if most of your anniversary shoot is gonna be outside in a park somewhere in the city, just grab the 50mm 1.8 and dont sweat it. At 150 bucks max, it is genuinely unbeatable for background blur. Just step back a bit and youll get some really clean shots without overthinking it.
Over the years of shooting on Canon crop bodies like the 80D, Ive run into this exact focal length dilemma many times. In my experience, skipping the vintage manual glass for a paid or favor-based gig is the right call—you dont want to fumble focus while people are trying to hold a natural pose.
- The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is your safest bet at around $125 new or even cheaper used. It gives you that creamy background blur and excellent low-light performance without breaking the bank.
- Indoor space on a crop sensor can definitely feel tight with a 50mm, but you can easily work around it by stepping back or shooting outdoors if weather permits.
- If you really want a bit more breathing room for tighter spaces, look for a used Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens. It is razor sharp and acts more like a standard field of view on the 80D. I have tried many budget setups over the years, and honestly, starting with the 50mm f/1.8 gives you the most bang for your buck while keeping things simple with autofocus. Just grab that, keep your distance, and youll do great.