I need to pick a prime lens for my Rebel T7i like today because I have a gig this weekend and my old nifty fifty just bit the dust. Ive been shooting for years and usually stick to the 50mm f/1.8 but the autofocus motor just started grinding and wont lock suddenly. I mostly do indoor portraits and street stuff in Chicago.
I have about $400 to spend and Im debating between getting another 50mm or jumping to a 35mm. The crop factor on the T7i makes the 50 feel so tight in small rooms but I need that creamy bokeh for this shoot Saturday. Should I stick with what I know or is the 35mm better for crop sensors?
In my experience with the Canon crop sensors like your T7i, that 1.6x multiplier is a killer in small rooms. If you stick with the 50mm, youre looking at an 80mm equivalent focal length which is strictly portrait territory. Honestly, i would grab a 35mm for the flexibility. Heres a quick breakdown for your budget:
- Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is my top recommendation. It gives you a 56mm equivalent field of view. The 4-stop image stabilizer is huge for low light street work, and the ring USM motor is way faster than the STM stuff.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is cheap but limiting. You get that f/1.8 aperture for bokeh, but the 1.15ft minimum focus distance is annoying indoors. I have tested many setups over the years and the 35mm hits the sweet spot for a crop body... let me know if you need more spec comparisons.
> The crop factor on the T7i makes the 50 feel so tight in small rooms but I need that creamy bokeh for this shoot Saturday. I'm really satisfied with the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM because it works well for tight indoor spots. Technically, that 35mm glass gives you a 56mm equivalent focal length on your T7i. You'll be happy with the sharp f/2 aperture and the built-in stabilization data is solid. It's often under $400 used, making it a great budget-friendly move. Let me know if you need more specs!
Yo! Since you need that creamy bokeh but feel cramped, you gotta check out the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art. I use it on my crop body and its basically magic for street shots and indoor stuff! The f/1.4 gives you that insane background blur youre after, way better than most 35mm options. It fits your budget perfectly and honestly feels like a tank compared to the old nifty fifty. Youll love the extra room in tight spots!
Regarding what #4 said about "Did this last week, worked perfectly" - i wish i had that same experience lol. unfortunately, i had issues with the newer Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM when my old one died. it felt way more fragile and the focus hunting was just not as good as expected for a newer model. if youre doing chicago street shots, that 50mm is gonna feel like a zoom lens on your t7i anyway. here are my thoughts on your $400 budget:
- skip another canon nifty fifty and look at the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. i honestly prefer it over the canon 35mm because the build quality is way better and it has weather sealing for those windy city days.
- check out the reviews on Digital Photography Review or the comparison tools on DxOMark. they show how much sharper third-party glass like tamron or sigma can be compared to the basic canon stuff.
- if you really want bokeh, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is the king, but be warned that some copies have focusing issues on rebel bodies which is super frustrating. kind of a bummer that prices are up, but definitely check MPB or KEH for used gear to stay under that 400 limit. good luck with the gig saturday...
Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.
Did this last week, worked perfectly
Yep, this is the way
