Ugh I am so overwhelmed trying to pick a portrait lens for my Rebel T7 before my sisters graduation next month. I only have about $250 to spend. Im stuck between the cheap 50mm f1.8 and the 85mm f1.8. My logic was that the 85mm would give better compression, but then I remembered the T7 is a crop sensor. So I was thinking the 85mm might be way too tight since I have to shoot some photos indoors in our tiny apartment. But then is the 50mm going to look too distorted for closeups? I cant decide and the clock is ticking. Which one should I go with?
I seriously love my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM! Got it for a crowded birthday party years ago and it was amazing, plus it only costs like 125 bucks new!
To add to the point above, I went through this exact same thing when I first started out. I initially bought the 85mm and had to return it immediately because my place was just too small. Here is what worked for me:
- I swapped it for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and I have been completely satisfied. On the T7 crop sensor, it behaves like an 80mm lens anyway. You wont get noticeable distortion unless you are literally inches from their nose.
- It only costs about $125, so you keep half your budget.
- As a safe alternative for the outdoor ceremony, you could grab a used Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM. I use this one when I need extra reach outdoors and it works surprisingly well. Go with the 50mm, it is the safest bet for indoor shooting.
Hey there. I went through this exact same dilemma when starting out with my Rebel camera, and it is very easy to end up with a lens you cannot actually use indoors. To make sure you dont waste your budget, we should clarify a couple of things first.
- How much physical space do you actually have in your apartment? For example, can you back up 10 or 15 feet from your sister, or are you limited to just a few feet of space?
- What kind of shots are you planning to take? Are you aiming for tight headshots, or do you need to get three-quarter body shots that show her graduation gown? I would suggest thinking about these details first because buying the wrong focal length can really ruin the shoot. You might want to consider the physical limitations of your room before making a decision so you dont get stuck. Let me know about the space and we can figure out the safest option.
