Best low light lens for Canon EOS 30D?

[gregh]

Hiya,

I'm looking for a lens to shoot in dark conditions, where I was today a fellow snapper had a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens, which he recommended.

Would the forums concur?

regards,

Greg

[ChrisBlack]

As a rule of thumb the faster the lens (the lower the f/ stop number) the better the opportunity for a good low light shop. I know nothing of Canon or that lens, but I have the Nikkor equivalent, (a 50mm prime f1.8) and I swear by it. Just tinker with your ISO and exposure times and you're away!

[DeadYankee]

The 1.8 is the best value lens. The 1.4 is a better lens and I'd wager that the 1.2L was a better lens again. The incremental increases in cost are, however, steep.

All depends on your budget. Also depends if 50mm is the length of lens you want/need.

[RobDickinson]

1st whats the 'right' focal length for you?

50mm is quite long for say at home , sometimes, but ok for clubs and getting closeish to bands on stage, too short if your a bit back though etc.

Do you want a prime? Cheaper(sometimes) ,faster (mostly), sharper (almost always)

Or a zoom?

Consider the fastest zooms are f2.8 and thats a stop (and a bit) off the cheap 50mm f1.8!

The canon 50mm f1.8 is sharp and fast, but its cheaply made and focuses poorly. I have one its ace value.

[liamail]

Also look a the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Lovely and sharp with a very usable focal length on the 30D.

[gregh]

Also look a the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Lovely and sharp with a very usable focal length on the 30D.

If that's the one I've seen it's over 250 quid, vs 70 odd for the Canon!!

[Woz]

If that's the one I've seen it's over 250 quid, vs 70 odd for the Canon!!

...and the Sigma won't fit a full frame camera if you ever upgrade.
I've said this in other threads but it's worth downloading Exposureplot (http://www.cpr.demon.nl/prog_plotf.html) and seeing what focal length you tend to shoot at before making a decision on what lens to buy.

I've got the Canon 50mm 1.4 and it's a lovely lens which I use most of the time, but then I've always preferred a short telephoto which is what a 50mm is on a crop sensor.

If the budget's tight, the Canon 1.8 is really your only low-light option BUT you'll find that although it's fast for low light, it tends to hunt a bit with focussing. It's also noisy and a bit cheaply made but is the best bang for the buck that you can get for a Canon camera - you can get some brilliant pictures with it that will outshine many more expensive lenses.

In addition to the Canon 50mm 1.4 I've also got the Canon 28mm 1.8 which is a nice solidly built lens. It's pretty sharp, is roughly equivalent to a standard lens on a crop sensor and will fit a full frame sensor too. It also take the same filter size as all my other lenses, which can be more of a bonus than is first apparent.

[Taq]

I've said this in other threads but it's worth downloading Exposureplot

heh one folder of mine has ~5000 shots at 1/500sec and 4400 shots at f/2.8, mostly in a range of 70-200 :)

[wack]

I've just bought a 5D so may have a 30mm F/1.4 sigma for sale in the next few days, i'd be looking for £200 + £5 post if it's of any interest