So Ive been shooting with my 90D for like three years now and usually I just stick to the 18-135mm kit lens for travel stuff because its easy but man I am getting so sick of the flat look I get for portraits. I know my way around the settings and I understand the 1.6x crop factor on this body but I tried using my old 50mm f/1.8 STM and it just feels... i dont know, kind of soft? Or maybe just boring?
I have my sisters wedding coming up in three weeks in Austin and she wants me to do some professional looking shots of the bridal party during the golden hour and I am lowkey panicking because the 50mm just isnt giving me that creamy separation I need. I was looking at the Sigma 85mm 1.4 but then I realized that becomes like a 135mm equivalent on my 90D which might be way too long for a crowded garden venue. My budget is around 600 bucks maybe 700 if I stretch it but I really need something that is sharp wide open and wont hunt for focus in the late afternoon sun. Should I just get the Canon 85mm 1.8 or is there a better prime that handles the APS-C sensor better for tight portraits without me having to stand a mile away?
Honestly, you are right to be worried about that 85mm on an APS-C body. I tried using one at a garden party once and I basically spent the whole evening backing into bushes and tripping over chairs just to get a decent shot. It was super stressful. You really might want to consider the distance factor because 136mm equivalent is no joke in a crowded venue. If your current 50mm feels soft, I would suggest the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. It is way sharper than the STM version and the bokeh is much smoother for those bridal shots. Just be careful though, because it is quite heavy and you really need to make sure the focus is calibrated to your 90D before the wedding starts. I have seen people miss shots because they didnt test the AF micro-adjustment first. I would also be a bit cautious with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM tbh. It is a really old design and you might get a lot of purple fringing when shooting wide open in the bright sun, which is a pain to fix later. If you want something more reliable, look at the Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. It has image stabilization which is a lifesaver for handheld shots during golden hour. Just dont wait until the day of the wedding to try a new lens. You need time to get used to the weight and how it handles the flare.
Saw this earlier but just now responding. I have spent way too much on gear over the years and my direct advice is:
- Look for used lenses at local shops because you can get much better glass for that 700 dollar budget than buying new.
- If you are worried about the distance, definitely go for a shorter focal length than what you were looking at so you dont have to back up into the guests. Austin is a cool city but the last time I was there for a wedding it was so humid I thought my gear was going to short circuit. We ended up at this weird vintage shop after the ceremony because the air conditioning was way better than the outdoor venue. I found an old film camera that did not even work but it looked cool on my shelf. I think I spent more on breakfast tacos that trip than I did on the wedding gift. Anyway lol sorry, kinda went off topic there.
