Im so stoked because I finally upgraded to the Canon 90D after using my old Rebel for years and now I really need a dedicated portrait lens because I'm shooting my sisters wedding portraits in a park here in Oregon this October so I want that blurry background look everyone loves. Ive been looking online and everyone says the 50mm f1.8 is the go to starter but then I also saw people raving about the 85mm f1.8 for that extra compression and creamy bokeh.
My logic was that since the 90D is a crop sensor the 50mm is basically an 80mm anyway which is classic for portraits right? But then I started worrying that if I go with the 85mm it might be way too tight since it turns into like 136mm or something crazy on my camera and I dont want to be standing a mile away from my sister just to get her in the frame especially if the park is crowded. I have about 500 bucks to spend so maybe there is a Sigma or Tamron option I missed? I saw some people mentioning the 30mm Sigma Art but that seems too wide for what I want maybe? I just want her to pop from the background without it looking distorted or me being too far away to give her directions lol... what do you guys think works best for the 90D sensor specifically?
> the 50mm f1.8 is the go to starter I'm satisfied with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It works well, whereas Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is usually too tight for a park setting on your 90D.
@Reply #1 - good point! Totally agree that the 50mm is basically the perfect middle ground on a crop sensor like your 90D. i remember when i first started shooting events with my 90D, i was obsessed with getting that super blurry background for my cousins engagement session at a park. i actually tried using the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM first because i heard so many pros raving about it, but man, it was a struggle... i was literally backing into trees and bushes just to get a waist-up shot of them. it felt like i was shouting directions from across a football field lol. Honestly, save your cash and grab the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. it is such a steal and honestly punches way above its weight class. since you have a 500 dollar budget, you could get that lens and still have like 375 bucks left over. in my experience, having that extra money is huge because you could even pick up a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art too. that way you have the 50mm for the tight portraits and the 30mm for those wider shots where you want to show off the beautiful Oregon trees in the background. tbh, the 50mm on your camera gives you that 80mm field of view which is just classic for portraits. it makes people look natural without any weird distortion. i've used that combo for years and it never fails. dont feel like you have to spend the whole 500 to get pro results, sometimes the cheaper glass is exactly what you need for a crowded park setting.
honestly i had the exact same issue with my 90d and it was super frustrating... i felt like i was constantly swapping lenses because the cheap 50mm felt a bit soft wide open and the 85mm made me feel like i was in a different zip code from my subjects. unfortunately the basic canon glass just didnt give me that pop i wanted for professional looking shots and the focus hunting was a nightmare in the shade. if you want to stay under that 500 budget and get better results than the basic stm, id look at the Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. i picked one up used and its been way more reliable than the stm ever was. the weather sealing is also a huge plus since youre in oregon and you never know when the mist is gonna roll in. another solid bet is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art but like you mentioned it can feel a bit wide for tight headshots if you arent careful. i mostly stick with the tamron now because it hits that sweet spot for full body and portraits without the weird distortion you get from wider glass.
- honestly i have the exact same problem right now... been dealing with it for like two months and still cant find a solid answer - really satisfied with the 90d but this lens gap is just frustrating because i want something that works reliably every time without the guesswork - just wondering tho... are you planning on doing mostly full-body shots or just tight headshots of your sister?
- seriously stuck in the same loop of overthinking this and havent found a clear answer yet
Regarding what #4 said about "honestly i have the exact same problem right..." - honestly its ridiculous how hard it is to find a decent middle-ground lens for crop sensors.
- Canon drives me crazy with their pricing and how they basically force us to buy massive full-frame lenses just to get good build quality.
- Sigma and Tamron used to be great alternatives but the used market prices are a total scam now for decent EF mount glass.
- Quick question before we get into actual options tho... are you planning to do mostly full-body shots, or are you looking for tight headshots of your sister?
