Ive been shooting with my Canon 90D for ages now mostly sticking to the 18-135mm kit lens because its just easy for travel but I’m finally hitting a wall with it. The low light performance is just killing me lately especially when I’m trying to get those nice blurry backgrounds for portraits. I’m heading to Portland in like three weeks so I really need to grab something before then but my budget is strictly under 200 bucks right now. I know everyone says get the 50mm f/1.8 nifty fifty but since the 90D has that 1.6x crop factor I’m worried it’s gonna be way too tight for street photography. Like an 80mm equivalent seems a bit much for just walking around? I was looking at the 24mm pancake too since its wider but that f/2.8 might not be fast enough for what I want. Ive been doing this for years but I usually just borrow gear and this is the first time I'm actually buying a prime for myself so I'm overthinking the focal length. Should I just stick with the 50mm and deal with the zoom or is there a better budget option I’m missing for a crop sensor...
Re: "I have been using the 90D for quite..."
- The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is amazing! Question:
- What distance are you shooting? I used this in Portland; f/1.4 bokeh beats f/2.8!
Re: "Re: "I have been using the 90D for..." - while that Sigma is a total dream lens, it usually hits way harder on the wallet than 200 bucks. I would suggest you be careful about stretching your budget too thin right before a big trip. I actually gotta disagree about the pancake lens being too slow for you... the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is probably your most practical bet for walking around Portland. Street photography is mostly about the vibe and the 24mm gives you a much more natural view than a tight 50mm. You'll definitely find the 50mm feels like a telescope when you're trying to capture buildings or narrow streets. Quick tip: if the f/2.8 isn't giving enough background blur, just make sure to get physically closer to your subject. That lens can focus really close, which helps a ton with bokeh. Grab it used and you'll have extra cash for the trip! Its a solid little lens to start your prime collection with.
I have been using the 90D for quite a while now and I totally get the frustration with that kit lens. You are definitely right to be cautious about that 1.6x crop factor tho. I would suggest you think twice before grabbing the 50mm for street photography because it really does feel like a telephoto lens once you are actually out there on the sidewalk. Based on my experience, here are a few specific points to consider for your budget:
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: This is unbeatable for the price (usually around $125), but it might be too tight for Portland streets. It is better for dedicated portrait sessions than walkaround shots.
- Yongnuo 35mm f/2 for Canon EF: Since the Canon 35mm lenses are way over your budget, this is a solid alternative. It gives you a 56mm equivalent which is much more versatile for general use.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: This is great for street, but make sure to realize the f/2.8 aperture wont give you that super creamy bokeh you are likely looking for. I would suggest taping your zoom lens at 35mm and 50mm for an afternoon... it might help you decide which focal length you can actually live with before you spend the cash.
