im honestly so over this kit lens its driving me crazy. every shot i take with my 90D indoors looks grainy and just... soft? its so frustrating because i have my sisters birthday party next weekend and i cant show up with these trash photos. i need a prime lens that actually works and i need it fast.
heres what im looking for:
- budget is tight, like under $175 max
- has to be good in low light cuz the party is at night
- something for portraits mainly
- im in chicago so i can probably pick it up locally if i find a deal
should i just get the nifty fifty or is there something better for a crop sensor like mine? i dont want to waste more money on junk...
Honestly man, just grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Its the safest bet for a reason and ive been super happy with mine for years. Since youre on a 90D, that 50mm acts like an 80mm which is basically the gold standard for portraits because it doesnt distort faces like wider lenses do. Heres why it works so well for what you need:
- The f/1.8 aperture is the real hero here. Your kit lens is probably at f/4 or f/5.6 when zoomed in, which is why your camera is cranking the ISO and making everything grainy. This lens lets in a ton more light so you can keep that ISO low and the images clean.
- Its sharp as a tack once you stop it down just a tiny bit, but even wide open it blows the kit lens out of the water. My shots always come out crisp and i have never had a reason to complain about the quality.
- Since you are in Chicago, you can probably find it at a local shop or even used on Marketplace for way under your $175 limit. Its a very reliable piece of glass. I use mine for family events all the time and honestly, the results just work. Just keep in mind that on your crop sensor you might have to back up a bit to get people in the frame since it feels a bit zoomed in indoors. But for those single person portraits? Youre gonna love the blurry backgrounds. It really is a solid choice that wont waste your money... plus it fits your budget perfectly.
