Ugh so I am trying to get a dedicated portrait lens for my Rebel T7i before my sisters graduation next month and I am getting so annoyed with all the conflicting info online. I keep seeing people say the 50mm f1.8 is the go-to cheap option but then other people say on a crop sensor it is actually too tight for indoor stuff and I should look at a 24mm or 35mm instead? My logic was that the 50mm would give that nice blurry background but if I cant fit her in the frame at the party then what is the point. My budget is strictly under 200 bucks since I am a student so I really cant afford to buy the wrong thing. Should I just stick with the 50mm or is there something better for a T7i specifically...
> or I should look at a 24mm or 35mm instead? Tbh if you're worried about space the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is way safer but the bokeh isnt as creamy. Its a decent, reliable choice for those tight indoor spots.
> My budget is strictly under 200 bucks since I am a student I went thru this exact thing back in college. Honestly, just grab a used Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and spend the leftovers on a fast SD card. Snagged mine for way under 100 bucks and it still works great. If youre really cramped, a used Yongnuo 35mm f/2 for Canon EF is super cheap, but the Canon glass is definitely more reliable in the long run.
> I keep seeing people say the 50mm f1.8 is the go-to cheap option but then other people say on a crop sensor it is actually too tight for indoor stuff Ive been shooting with Canon crop bodies like the T7i for over a decade and honestly, those people are right about the focal length but wrong about it being a dealbreaker. On your camera, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM effectively acts like an 80mm lens. In my experience, thats actually the sweet spot for portraits because it flatters the face and looks professional. Yes, you might have to back up a few feet indoors, but for roughly $125, nothing else comes close to that blurry background youre after. Ive tried the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake and while its great for tight rooms, the bokeh just isnt there. Stick with the 50mm. Youre gonna love the results. Just use your kit lens if you need a wider shot for groups.
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Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.
Found this thread and it took me back to when I first started. I was so obsessed with the math of it all... basically spent hours calculating crop factors and how the sensor size would affect my effective focal length and depth of field. I finally bought a fast prime lens thinking it would solve everything. You really have to be careful with that narrow field of view though. I learned the hard way that in a crowded room, a long focal length makes it almost impossible to get a group shot without standing in the next room over. I would suggest trying to visualize the space where the party is before you buy anything. Also, make sure to watch out for the autofocus reliability. My first lens had a really slow motor that kept hunting back and forth while everyone was smiling, and I missed the key moment. It was super frustrating. You might want to consider how much light you'll actually have too, because even with a wide aperture, if the camera's sensor is struggling with noise, the technical sharpness wont matter as much. Just keep practicing and you'll figure out what works for your style.
