Honestly I am so over the kit lens and even my 50mm f1.8 is starting to drive me insane lately. Dont get me wrong the nifty fifty was fine when I first started out but the autofocus is just so loud and it hunts constantly whenever I am trying to do anything professional and its just totally ruining the vibe of my shoots. I am literally so frustrated because I feel like the 90D body is actually amazing but my photos just look flat and boring. The background blur isnt creamy enough and I keep missing focus on the eyes during moving shots and it makes me look like a total amateur when I have to keep retaking the same shot over and over.
But I am also really pumped because I finally landed a big gig doing senior portraits for a bunch of kids at the local high school here in Oregon next month and I actually have some real money to spend on a proper upgrade for once!! I am looking at a budget of maybe $600 to $800 tops but I am totally lost in the lens rabbit hole. I've been looking at the Canon 85mm 1.8 but I worry it might be way too zoomed in since the 90D is a crop sensor and I might run out of space if we are indoors. Or maybe a Sigma Art lens? People rave about those but they look so heavy and I dont want to get a sore neck after a two hour session in the park.
I really want that super sharp look where the person just pops out of the background and everything else just melts away. I need something reliable that wont make me want to throw my gear in a lake every time the autofocus fails to lock on. Is the 35mm a better choice for portraits on this camera if I want more versatility or should I just go for the 85mm and deal with standing ten miles away from my subjects? What are you guys actually using that doesnt break the bank but still gives that high end professional look...
> You're totally right about the 85mm being tight indoors on a crop sensor... it basically becomes a 136mm lens. Late to the party but I totally agree with that. In my experience, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is a total bargain for the 90D. It gives a 48mm equivalent field of view which is way better indoors. If you want that sharp look tho, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a beast. It's heavy, but the HSM autofocus is lightyears ahead of your nifty fifty.
Honestly, being in your shoes last year during my first big senior shoot was so stressful! The 50mm felt so limited because the autofocus kept missing while the kids were laughing and moving around. It was such a nightmare trying to fix it in post... Ngl I almost cried at my desk lol. But then I grabbed the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art and it was a total game changer for my 90D. Since its made specifically for crop sensors, its not nearly as heavy as those massive full-frame Sigma Art lenses people complain about. Here are my top picks for staying under budget while getting that high-end look:
- the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art gives you such a natural field of view and the f1.4 is just magic for background blur.
- definitely look for a Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM used because the image stabilization helps so much with shaky hands during long sessions.
- if you want to splurge but stay in budget, the Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is weather sealed and crazy sharp. I actually prefer the 30-35mm range for seniors anyway. It feels more intimate and you can actually talk to them without shouting from across a field! Youll save a ton of money buying these used on sites like MPB or KEH too. Cant wait to hear how the shoot goes!!
I've been using the 90D for a while now and found that sticking with reliable glass is the safest bet for those senior portrait sessions. You're totally right about the 85mm being tight indoors on a crop sensor... it basically becomes a 136mm lens. It's lovely for outdoors, but for a one-lens setup, it feels a bit risky if you get stuck in a small room or a tight porch area. I've been very satisfied with the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. It doesnt have that ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture, but the image stabilization is a total lifesaver for handheld work. The autofocus is snappy and dead silent compared to your old fifty. It's just a very safe, reliable piece of gear that never lets me down. It works well for environmental portraits where you want to show a bit more of the background without it being messy. If you really want that background to melt away tho, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is incredible. It is a bit of a tank, but the optical quality is so high I dont mind the weight. Compared to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, the Sigma is sharper and feels much more professional. I think the 35mm is the smarter choice for versatility and safety, but if you want that absolute wow factor for the kids' photos, the Sigma 50mm is where it's at. Both have served me well and I havent had any complaints with either on my 90D.
