I am literally losing my mind over this and my sisters graduation is in like two weeks so I really need to make a move and buy something. Ive been shooting on my Canon 90D for about a year now with the standard 18-135mm kit lens and honestly I am so sick of the results. The photos look fine I guess but they dont have that wow factor you see with actual portrait photographers and the low light performance is just trash whenever we move indoors or under some heavy tree cover. I promised her I would do her grad photos around the campus and at the family dinner afterward but I am terrified they are going to look amateur and flat.
I have narrowed it down to three choices but every time I think I have a winner I read some forum post that says the exact opposite of the last one I read. Here is what I am looking at right now:
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
My budget is capped at $450 max because I also need to grab an extra battery and a faster SD card for the day. The Sigma 30mm seems cool because of that f/1.4 but I am worried it wont give me enough of that blurry background since its a wider focal length. But then if I go with the 85mm am I going to be stuck across the street just to get her head and shoulders in the shot because of the crop factor? Someone told me the 85mm on a 90D acts like a 135mm which sounds way too zoomed in for a crowded graduation ceremony or a cramped restaurant.
The 50mm is the cheapest option by far which is tempting but I dont want to be cheap and then regret not getting the Sigma quality. I just need something that is sharp and can handle a dim restaurant without me having to crank the ISO to 6400 and making everything look like static. Does the Sigma actually justify the extra cost over the nifty fifty for someone who just wants better portraits on this specific body? I am really struggling to pull the trigger here...
Ngl, I had high hopes for that Sigma but it was not as good as expected in the field. Unfortunately, third-party lenses like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art can have some nasty focus hunting issues on the 90D... I actually missed a few key shots at a wedding because of it. It's just not worth the stress when you're on a deadline for your sister. Go with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM instead. It's basic, sure, but it's safe and predictable. It handles the low light in restaurants way better than your kit lens ever could. Plus, you'll have enough cash left over for a Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery and a SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Card. Just take a few practice shots this weekend to get used to the fixed focal length and you're gonna do great.
Been thinking about your dilemma since I saw this earlier, and honestly, don't overthink the crop factor. I have used the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM on APS-C bodies for years, and it is the gold standard for flattering portraits. That 135mm equivalent field of view isn't a limitation; it is exactly why your shots will look pro instead of amateur. It compresses facial features beautifully.
- The 85mm gives you enough reach to stay out of the way while still getting tight crops
- You get much better background separation compared to the 30mm or 50mm, which is key for that wow factor
- Save your cash for a SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card to make sure your buffer isn't choking during the ceremony The 50mm is fine, but the 85mm just has a different look. Just make sure you grab a generic lens hood to cut down on flare if you're shooting outdoors at noon. You'll be fine, just keep that aperture around f/2.2-f/2.8 if you need a bit more depth of field for group shots.
Big if true
Honestly, I have been where you are and the stress is real. Shooting an event for family is way more pressure than a paid gig imo. Just keep in mind that gear is only half the battle when you are dealing with indoor lighting.
- Try to scout the restaurant for window light beforehand.
- Make sure to practice your back-button focus if you havent already.
- I would suggest keeping your shutter speed higher than you think you need. I personally had a rough time with some third-party gear years ago during a birthday shoot. The focus was just off enough to make the eyes look soft, which is heartbreaking when you are trying to capture those grad memories. Not sure but I think you might want to consider staying with the native mount options just to be safe with your autofocus reliability. Dont overthink the technical specs too much, just make sure you are comfortable with whatever you end up grabbing before the big day.
I saw this earlier and just had to chime in because the 90D is an absolute beast when you pair it with the right glass! Getting away from that kit lens is going to change your life, seriously. For a graduation, you want that professional look with the creamy backgrounds and sharp eyes. I have spent years shooting with various setups and here is my methodical take on your situation:
- Glass Quality: Sticking with first-party glass from a brand like Canon usually ensures the most reliable autofocus performance, which is vital when people are moving around during a ceremony.
- Aperture: Aiming for something in the f/1.8 or f/1.4 range is non-negotiable for those dim restaurant shots you mentioned. It lets in so much more light than your current zoom!
- Compression: A longer focal length provides that amazing background blur you are after, but you have to balance that with the physical space you have in a crowded room... Honestly, just go with a solid prime from Canon. You really cant go wrong with their dedicated portrait lenses for the EF mount. They are lightweight, super fast to focus, and the color science is just fantastic. If you want that extra edge in build quality, looking at a premium third-party brand like Sigma is also a great move. Their high-end lines are incredibly sharp! Just pick the focal length that feels most comfortable for your distance and you will be golden. You are definitely gonna need a high speed card too, so maybe look at something from SanDisk to keep up with that 90D burst rate.