im honestly so fed up with my kit lens on this 90D it is driving me crazy how soft every single shot looks when the light drops even just a little bit. i spent all this money on a nice body and the photos look like they came from an old phone sometimes and i just need that crisp prime look.
so i was thinking about the nifty fifty because everyone says to get it but on a crop sensor like the 90D isnt that gonna be way too zoomed in for like everyday street stuff? my logic was maybe the 24mm pancake because its tiny and i could just carry it everywhere but then i worry the f2.8 isnt fast enough for what i want. i have this trip to chicago coming up in three weeks and i really want to get some killer night shots of the city skyline and maybe some portraits of my girlfriend.
i have about 450 bucks saved up for this. then i saw the sigma 30mm 1.4 and now im just stuck because i dont know if i should stay with canon glass or go third party... its so exciting thinking about finally getting that blurry background but i dont want to waste my money on the wrong focal length. what do you guys think is the sweet spot for the 90D specifically so i dont regret it later?
Honestly, the nifty fifty was not as good as expected on my old crop sensor, just felt way too cramped for walk-around stuff. Since you have 450 bucks, you could actually snag two lenses used and save a ton of cash.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Real quick tho, for those Chicago skyline shots, you gonna bring a tripod or are you shooting handheld?
Regarding what #2 said about "Honestly, the nifty fifty was not as good..." I totally agree, it feels way too tight indoors or on a crowded sidewalk. If you're nervous about third party lenses like that Sigma being a bit hit-or-miss with focus accuracy, maybe look at the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. It is a bit more "safe" for a big trip.
- Stabilization helps a ton with those night skyline shots when you dont have a tripod.
- 35mm is a way more natural field of view on the 90D than the 50mm.
- Native glass means you wont have those weird autofocus glitches some people get with off-brands. Just make sure you check for dust inside the glass if you buy used to save some of that $450. Honestly, f/2 is plenty fast for blurry backgrounds if you just step a little closer to your subject. You definitely dont want to be fighting with gear issues while youre trying to enjoy your vacation... it can really ruin the mood.
tl;dr: get the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. it is the most reliable choice for a 90d because it hits the sweet spot for focal length and has image stabilization. quick tips:
- skip the sigma if you dont want to mess with focus micro-adjustments or potential hunting issues.
- look for a used copy to stay well under your 450 budget. honestly, the f/2 aperture is plenty fast for low light, and that stabilization is gonna save your handheld shots when you are doing the chicago skyline at night. 35mm looks natural for portraits on a crop sensor without making you stand way too far back like a 50mm would. stick with the first-party glass if you want it to just work right out of the box.
Following
Unfortunately, my third-party lenses had focus issues that were really disappointing. I suggest sticking with brand-name glass for reliability tho.
- Is low light the main priority?
- Do you prefer wider shots or tight portraits?
