So I finally upgraded to the 90D a few months ago and I love it but I am still using the kit lens for everything and it is just not giving me that blurry background I want for actual portraits. I have been doing a lot of reading online and everyone says the Canon 50mm f1.8 is the one to get because it is cheap and a classic but then I see other people swearing by the 85mm f1.8 for that compression look.
The thing is I am super confused about the crop sensor stuff. Since the 90D is an APS-C and not full frame I read that the 50mm actually acts like an 80mm and the 85mm is more like a 135mm? That sounds like I would have to stand in the next county just to get a headshot lol. I am worried the 85mm might be too zoomed in for when we are shooting in smaller spaces or indoors but then I hear the 50mm nifty fifty isnt actually sharp enough to handle the 32 megapixel sensor on this camera. My niece is graduating next month here in Ohio and I promised her I would do some senior photos so I am on a bit of a deadline to get this figured out and get some practice in.
Here is what I am looking for:
- Budget: Id like to stay under $550 if I can, maybe a bit more if it is really worth it
- Use case: Mostly outdoor senior portraits and maybe some headshots for my friends
- Needs: Good autofocus is a must because she moves around a lot and I am still learning how to track focus properly
- Quality: I want that really creamy bokeh and sharp eyes
I also saw some stuff about the Sigma 50mm or 30mm Art lenses but those look kind of heavy and I am not sure if they are overkilling it for a hobbyist like me. Is it worth looking at used gear on sites like KEH or should I just stick with brand new Canon glass? I just want something that makes the subject pop and really blurs out the busy park backgrounds. What do you think works best on the 90D specifically since it has such a high resolution sensor...
I went through this exact same thing when I first got my 90D. That 32.5 megapixel sensor is amazing but its actually really demanding on glass. I started with the cheap Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and while its okay for learning, it just didnt feel sharp enough when I was looking closely at senior photos later. I eventually went with a used Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Canon EF and the difference was night and day. Its a bit of a brick to carry around but it balances well on the 90D body. Last year I was doing some graduation shots at a local park and the background was super busy with families and dogs. The Sigma just melted everything away even at f/1.8 or f/2.0. Youre right about the crop factor too. 50mm gives you that 80mm feel which is basically the gold standard for portraits. I tried an 85mm once for a family shoot and I was constantly yelling at them because I had to stand so far back just to fit two people in the frame. For a solo grad shoot, 50mm is much safer and more versatile indoors and out. If you want something with image stabilization to help with blur, the Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Canon EF is also a very solid, reliable pick. Quick tip: Use the Face Detection in Live View mode for portraits. Its way more reliable than the viewfinder for hitting focus on the eyes perfectly every time. Also, dont be afraid of buying used gear from reputable sites to stay under budget. I get most of my stuff that way and its always worked out fine.
