Best affordable prime for low-light portraits on a Canon 550D after the 18-55mm and 55-250mm?
Asked 11/18/2011
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I shoot with a Canon EOS 550D and currently use the EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens and the 55-250mm IS. My main issue is low-light shooting: I often end up at ISO 3200 or with shutter speeds slow enough to cause subject blur, and autofocus can struggle in those conditions. I also tend to prefer portraits.
Based on my shooting, I’m considering an affordable prime lens around a $500 budget. My priorities are:
- better low-light performance than my current zooms
- good portrait capability
- macro would be a bonus
- preferably better AF performance
- Canon lenses preferred
I’m also interested in whether it makes sense to choose a macro lens instead of a faster non-macro prime at a similar focal length.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
11
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Suits (1) (2) ad (3) perfectly, and it is not expensive.
While it makes sense to get a non-macro and a macro lens for a similar focal length, I see that you are on a budget, so that wouldn't be your best choice.
I did not suggest the 50mm f/1.4 because 50mm is very slightly short for portrait, and you cannot do macro at all, even the kit lens offers a better magnifying ratio.
Lastly, allow me to point out that you can learn very little from shooting 6000 photos. You will, however, learn a lot if you try to delete 5900 photos from the 6000 you shot.
If you constantly find yourself shooting in low light condition, getting a flash may not be a bad idea at all, provided you know how to use it right.
I thought my photography would improve if I have bought a better lens. So I did, and I see less noise but no improvement. So I experiment with different ways of shooting, I shoot EVERYTHING in all kinds of situation. I no longer limit myself to shooting indoor. I try everything I can.
Then, my photography improved, and I am now able to create much much better photos, using the exact same lenses that I once said is limiting.
Originally by user6745. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6745
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For your stated priorities, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a strong fit. It gives you a useful portrait focal length on the 550D, adds true macro capability, and includes USM autofocus. It won’t gather as much light as an f/1.8 or f/1.4 prime, but it does address portrait use and macro in one lens within your budget.
If low-light performance is the top priority above all else, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 is the cheapest and most effective way to gain several stops over your kit zoom. It’s also a classic budget portrait lens, though it does not offer macro.
Another community suggestion was the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 if you want a more versatile standard zoom rather than a prime.
Also worth noting: if you regularly shoot indoors or in very low light, adding a flash can help more than a new lens in many situations, especially for portraits.
So the short version is: EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM if you want portrait + macro in one lens; Canon 50mm f/1.8 if maximum low-light value matters most.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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