Ive been shooting with my 90D for about two years now and I usually stick to wildlife or street stuff with my 70-300mm but my sister just begged me to do her formal engagement photos this Saturday and Im freaking out a little. I realized all my glass is kind of slow for that creamy portrait look everyone wants nowadays and the kit lens just isnt gonna cut it for a professional-ish look.
I have the nifty fifty 1.8 but honestly on this crop sensor it feels way too long when were in tighter spots and the autofocus has been hunting lately for some reason which is weird because it used to be fine. I have about 600 bucks to spend and I need to order something like today to get it here in time for the shoot. I was looking at the Sigma 30mm 1.4 because of the 1.6x crop factor making it closer to a standard focal length but then I see people swearing by the 85mm even on a crop body? That seems like Id have to stand in the next county to get a full body shot though.
Is the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 worth the extra weight or should I just stick to a prime for the sharpness? I need something that wont struggle in the late afternoon light at the park were going to. What would you actually grab if you had to produce pro results on a budget by this weekend?
Saw this pop up and had to jump in. In my experience with the 90D, that Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is basically the gold standard for crop sensors. Ive tried many setups over the years but nothing really touches the sharpness and low-light performance of that glass. Its heavy as a brick, sure, but it basically replaces a bag full of primes. If you go with the 30mm, youre gonna be stuck zooming with your feet which is a pain during a fast-paced engagement shoot. Plus, the f/1.8 on the zoom is plenty for that blurry background you want. If you need an alternative thats a bit lighter tho, look at the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. The image stabilization is a lifesaver when the sun starts dipping and your shutter speeds drop. Stick to the wider zooms... an 85mm on a crop body is a nightmare for anything other than headshots.
Look, if that 50mm is feeling way too tight, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is the way to go. Ive used it for years and tbh it hits the sweet spot.
- Gives you a 48mm field of view so you wont be backing into traffic.
- That f/1.4 is a total lifesaver for creamy backgrounds.
- Fits your budget easily and weighs way less than those bulky zooms.
I grabbed a fast zoom for an engagement session last year.
- super versatile
- great in low light Honestly, that flexibility saved me when things got hectic. Go with the zoom.
