Im so stoked to finally start shooting some proper portraits of my friends! Ive been using the kit lens on my Rebel T7 for months but I need that creamy background blur, you know? My budget is pretty tight, like 200 bucks max. I keep reading that the nifty fifty 50mm f/1.8 is the holy grail for beginners, but then some forums say the crop sensor makes it way too tight for indoor shots. So I was thinking maybe the 24mm pancake? But is that wide enough for flattering headshots? Im in Chicago and have a shoot next weekend so I gotta decide soon. Is the 50mm gonna be too cramped in a small apartment...
Honestly, you're spot on with your concerns about the crop factor. Shooting in a Chicago apartment with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is definitely gonna feel tight. You'll be backing into walls trying to get a full-body or even half-body shot, and the perspective might get a bit cramped for portraits. It's a stellar lens for the money though, and the bokeh is exactly what you're looking for. If you really want that background blur without needing a massive studio space, the 50mm is tough to beat on price, but you have to be prepared to get creative with your room layout. Now, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake is a fun lens, but for portraits, I honestly wouldn't recommend it. It's wide enough that you might get some weird distortion if you get close for a headshot, and it just doesn't offer that same separation you get with the 50mm. My advice? Grab the 50mm and just make it work. It's basically the best value in photography right now. If you're buying used, you can often find them for way under a hundred bucks, which leaves you some cash for a cheap reflector or a little portable light to spice up your setup. Just embrace the tight framing and focus on those close-up detail shots, they look awesome anyway.
Re: Been thinking about your setup. I used the... I actually gotta disagree on the 24mm pancake. If you want real portraits, wide lenses distort faces way too much for my liking. Stick with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for that creamy bokeh. Just deal with the cramped space by moving furniture, honestly. It is way cheaper than buying a lens you will regret later. You can find them used for dirt cheap.
Been thinking about your setup. I used the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM for a while and honestly, the width is great for small rooms, but it lacks that buttery blur you want. If you want portraits, grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Even if it feels tight, the bokeh is worth the hassle of moving around.
- 50mm gives better compression for faces - 24mm is better for groups but kinda flat. Go for the fifty, you wont regret it.
100% agree
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.