im honestly so fed up with the kit lens that came with my Rebel T6, like no matter what I do I just cant get that nice blurry background everyone has in their portraits. Ive tried watching like a million youtube tutorials and messing with the settings but everything still looks so flat and boring. I shoot mostly outside in my backyard here in Austin and my niece's birthday is coming up in three weeks so I really need to figure this out before then. My budget is pretty tight, maybe around 150 bucks max since things are super weird money-wise right now. Do I need the nifty fifty or is there something else better for crop sensor cameras that wont break the bank?
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Super sharp, lightweight, and hits that f/1.8 max aperture sweet spot. On your Rebel T6 crop sensor, the 1.6x crop factor turns this into an 80mm equivalent field of view, which is honestly fantastic for tight outdoor portraits in the yard. Pros are the dirt cheap price tag around 125 bucks and gorgeous background blur. Cons are the tight framing when you are too close to subjects.
- Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 II: A super budget-friendly clone of the nifty fifty usually running under 80 dollars. Pros: saves you extra cash for birthday cake! Cons: autofocus can hunt a bit in low light compared to the Canon version. Been thinking about your setup and trust me, ditching that kit lens will completely blow your mind. You are gonna love the bokeh!
The issue youre facing stems from the physical limitations of maximum aperture on your current setup. To achieve the shallow depth of field you want, you need a wider aperture. Grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is widely known as the nifty fifty and costs right around your 150 dollar budget. On the Rebel T6 crop sensor, the 1.8 max aperture lets in massive amounts of light and creates that distinct background blur. Just remember the crop factor turns it into an 80mm equivalent, so you will need to step back a bit outdoors in your backyard. Unfortunately, autofocus can occasionally hunt in low light, but for stationary portraits it delivers sharp results at a fraction of the cost of professional glass.
Just remember to watch your distance in tight backyard spaces. Avoid shooting wide open at f/1.8 if your subject is moving too fast, or youll miss focus completely!