Ive been shooting with my Rebel T7 for about two years now, mostly just messing around with the kit lens and a cheap wide angle i grabbed for landscapes. I feel like Ive finally got a decent handle on the exposure triangle and how to work with light, but now that my niece's graduation is coming up in June, I really want to take some proper portraits. Every time I try a headshot with the 18-55mm, the compression just feels totally off, and getting that nice creamy background blur is basically impossible unless the subject is standing three inches from the wall, which just looks weird.
So I was thinking about grabbing a dedicated portrait prime. My budget is pretty tight, maybe 300 bucks tops because I still need to pick up a decent flash before the event. I looked at the nifty fifty, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, which seems like the obvious choice since its super affordable and gives me that wider aperture. But then I started falling down a rabbit hole about focal length on a crop sensor. Since the T7 has that 1.6x crop factor, the 50mm acts more like an 80mm, right? Is that too tight for indoor group shots if I get stuck in a small living room?
My logic was that maybe the 85mm f/1.8 would be better for flattering facial compression, but Im worried I wont have enough room to back up in the venue. Its honestly kind of frustrating trying to balance the bokeh quality with the focal length limitations of the APS-C sensor. Ive spent way too many hours looking at sample images on flickr and now Im just second guessing everything. Has anyone used these specific primes on a Rebel body and felt like they were missing out on something else? Or is the 50mm just the undisputed king for this kind of budget and I should just stop overthinking it and pull the trigger already?
Honestly, you should stop stressing over the crop factor math. On a T7, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is basically a must-have for the price. It gives you way better subject separation than that kit lens could ever dream of, and it is dirt cheap so you still have money for your flash.
- The 50mm is fine for portraits, just watch your distance
- 85mm on a crop sensor is tough indoors, you will constantly be hitting walls
- That 50mm gives you plenty of light for low-light graduation parties If you really want to try something else, look for a used Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. Its an awesome lens, but just be aware that in a cramped living room, youre gonna feel super limited. Stick with the 50mm first and get the hang of it.
Coming back to this, I absolutely love shooting portraits on crop sensors! Youre spot on about the 50mm vs 85mm struggle. Are you planning on doing mostly tight headshots or will you be doing full-body shots of the grad too?
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is fantastic for low light and so cheap.
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is incredible for compression, but yeah, it gets super tight indoors. Maybe consider Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art for a more versatile focal length if you're stuck in small rooms!
Just saw this thread and honestly, stop overthinking the math. I went through this exact same panic years ago with my old T3i. I bought the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and honestly it lived on my camera for three years straight.
- The 85mm is gorgeous but on a crop sensor in a small room? You will be backed against a wall constantly.
- Stick to the 50mm for now, it's just more versatile for events.
- If you really want a pro look, grab a cheap flash diffuser to go with that new flash. I shot a birthday party in a cramped apartment once with the 50mm and it was a total lifesaver. Youll have enough room to get group shots without having to stand in the hallway, and the bokeh is still way better than that kit lens.
