Prime for a crop?

[glen]

Sigma 35mm 1.4
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L
50mm?
85mm?

 

[glen]

I know, not enough information. I generally like to ask the broadest possible questions on here because the colelctive brain power is pretty amazing, and I don't want to influence the answers in any direction. But, I suppose I could say 2 parameters that seem to me to be somewhat relevant. Rather than spend on a zoom, I think I will buy 1 prime and use it until I can afford another one. Also, my first interest for now is shooting indoors in low light at a wedding in a church.

 

[glen]

Also, ultimately, I will likely have a full frame sensor body.

 

[HendrixFan]

I'm no expert like some of the other guys here, but I think knowing what lenses you currently have is important on deciding which prime to get.

I find myself shooting with my primes moreso than my zooms on my crop. The 28mm 1.8 gets the most use as I can shoot close up with natural light. The 50mm 1.4 I have gets use outdoors as I am normally not as close to the subjects and it is easy to move my feet for the shot I want.

 

[NAC]

A 50mm on a crop is a little tight to use in most indoors situations. Say at a regular dining room table - you can only get one person across the table, but two if you shoot down the length of a table.

But if you had to use only one lens - I think that a 50mm would be the best compromise. You can go to the front of the church for the ceremony. If there is a reception or party outdoors or in a fairly big room, you can probably back up to get the shots you want, and still be able to stay a reasonable distance away for an up close and personal type shot.

However I would think that getting two or three higher aperture glass - 1.8 or 2.0 - would be better than getting one 1.4 lens. It will result in a better variety of shots and be more fun for you. For Canon, I believe right now you can get the 35, 50, 85 for about $760 total if you get 1.8 or 2.0 versions - all for less than the Sigma 35mm 1.4. Or depending on your budget get a 35 and an 85, one of which is a 1.4.

Longer lenses are more effective for the narrow range of focus look. So if you are aiming for that- a 50mm 1.8 will give a narrower range of focus than a 35mm 1.4, and an 85mm 1.8 would be even narrower.

 

[CptObvious]

If you are only going to have one prime, I would probably go for the Sigma 35.

 

[glen]

If you are only going to have one prime, I would probably go for the Sigma 35.

That is what I am thinking. Then, once I move to full frame, Canon 85mm f/1.2L.

 

[randomrogue]

Get the 35mm. Sigma's new 35mm is apparently awesome.

50mm is useful for Shoulder/Head portraits if that's what you're after. I use it as a walk around on FF but 35mm is way better for walk around on FF.

The 85mm on a full frame is awesome but on a crop it's a telephoto.

 

[Paladin3]

Shooting a wedding will be tough with a single prime lens. If you are shooting the ceremony itself you will need both a long, fast telephoto for shots of the couple at the alter, and a fast wide lens to get them coming down the isle surrounded by the guests and beauty of the church.

I've shot weddings with all primes back in my film days. The last one I used a 180/2.8 (alter, tight shots), 24/2.8 (wide shots, reception action shots), 35/2 (informal or group portraits, anything where the 24 was too wide), 105/2.5 (most posed portraits).

If I had to go with a single prime on a crop body for a wedding I would take the 35/1.8. Pick the one that focuses faster/better in low light. I've used lots of Canon L glass and it has all been superb. I've never used the Sigma 35 you mentioned, but it's getting good reviews.

You'll suffer trying to get candid shots entirely in the frame, unless you back up and everything is at a blah distance from the camera, or lines up just right. I like wide lenses for candids, because you can get close and personal with the subject and still have the background included to give you the context of the event.

You will also suffer making tight shots, especially since you are shooting high iso in the low light, and will need to shoot as tight as possible to avoid cropping. Use your feet and get in close. Forget about trying to get shots from your seat.

Knowing how I shoot, I might be tempted to go with a fast 20mm on a crop body, but if you need to shoot the ceremony too, 35mm is probably the best compromise.

Have fun at the wedding.

 

[glen]

Sweet advice.
It is an Othodox Wedding, so no pews, and I can get away with walking around a good bit durring the middle of the service. I can zoom by cropping - since I am not a pro, and just doing this because I like the couple and want pictures myself, I think I can get away with it. No one is going to blow the picture up enough to know. Everyone else will be taking pictures with a cell phone on their iPad. Do you have any idea how bad pictures taken with a cell phone are in a dark candle lit church taken by punters?

 

[glen]

I actually am thinking about renting an 85mm to get some nice close ups without having to get right between the couple and the priest. That should be about a 136mm equivalent if it were a full frame.