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Question about lenses

listgirl

listgirl

listgirl
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Mar 3, 2008
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I noticed something today that was very clear to me...

I have a Canon Rebel T2i and two lenses... the Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 fixed lens, and Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6.

The photos that I took with the 50mm fixed lens are WAY more clear than the 28-135mm zoom lens. Why is that? Are fixed lenses always going to produce clearer and sharper photos than a zoom lens?

The thing that bothers me about my 50mm lens is that it's hard to take good close up photos of items inside my house. I have to step way far back. Does anyone have any suggestions, besides getting a 20mm or 24mm wide angle lens that's expensive? LOL

Also, anyone have a zoom lens that's really clear?

I'm a little bit lens-dumb so I hope I'm asking the right questions!
 
Ahhh I was typing up a response from you and accidentally navigated away and lost all of it. :(

Okay, here's what I was going to say.

First of all, yes. Prime lenses are almost always going to be sharper than a zoom lens. That's why so many photographers (especially portrait ones) prefer them. That being said, I totally know what you mean about the 50 being too tight! The next lens I want is the 35mm. Nikon has a cheap 35mm f/1.8 that is quite sharp, but I don't know if Canon has a cheap/good one of those. Maybe a Canon girl can chime in.

Another thing that will affect your sharpness is the fact that your zoom has a variable aperture (the 3.5-5.6). I also heard somewhere, but might be remembering this wrong, that the larger the range of your zoom, the more likely it is for your lens to not be so sharp too. Like.. the 28-75 will (likely) be sharper than the 28-135. But I might be making that part up!
 
I love primes. I have a 35mm 1.8 (Nikon) that I use 95% of the time. It's just right for indoors.
 
Sorry, but my advice is to buy a new lens. :giggle At least, it's what I did. Since my 50mm was way too close to use indoors, I bought a 28 mm f/1.8 and I love it. :beat Love it! It's my go to lens now.
 
An L-series zoom would give you what you're looking for, but you'd have to spend $1400. Lol. But for "close up" stuff, that's a different thing entirely, for that you need something that can do macro. I'd say either stick with the 50 and just crop in closer, or maybe buy a 35mm.
 
Cristina said:
Sorry, but my advice is to buy a new lens. :giggle At least, it's what I did. Since my 50mm was way too close to use indoors, I bought a 28 mm f/1.8 and I love it. :beat Love it! It's my go to lens now.
Click to expand...

Let me go look at your photos on your blog! :)
 
I agree - primes are definitely sharper than zooms. I have the 50 mm for my D90 and I find it too tight, but I'm no help because I'm getting a cheap zoom since the only thing I really want it for is inside parties, etc. I use my 50 for all my portraits and things like that though. In a perfect world I'd have like 6 prime lenses. :)
 
Christine, I have a Canon 50D and a 50mm prime. I do love the photos I get with the 50mm, but like you (and having kids that zoom around and won't sit still) I feel like I'm backing up and running out of space. This also happened to me last week when I was trying to fit my house into the frame of my 50mm and I was almost in my neighbors backyrad across the street and couldn't fit it all.... I had to promptly walk back inside and grab my other lense. Also, having a cropped sensor on my camera (I'm pretty sure you do to) will make so that my 50mm isn't a true 50mm. It about an 80mm. This is why:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/crop-factor-explained

It's a little complex but it makes sense...



The 35mm Canon or a 28mn (sigma) are on my list of next purchases. ;)
 
I got this one for Christmas and I like it pretty well. It's not as nice as the Canon L series 28-70 I used to have when I had the studio, but since I'm only taking pics for fun now, it's plenty nice enough.

I haven't taken it off my camera since getting it, and I have the 50mm 1.4 (so the next one up) and I have a 35mm 2.0 (last Christmas :giggle).

I also have the 70-200mm 2.8 that my husband uses when he comes and takes pictures at races.

I think my next purchase will be a new camera since mine is OLD, but after that, I'd like the 100mm macro lens.
 
When I had a crop camera my FAVORITE lens was the Sigma 30mm 1.4. It is amazingly sharp and will definitely give you more of the room you need inside plus that 1.4 aperture will be a big plus with low light inside. It is a little on the costly side but totally worth it. I have an "L" series lens now so I can fianlly compare them and I would not hesitate to say at all that my Sigma 30mm was ever bit as sharp as my 100mm L.
 
gracielou said:
When I had a crop camera my FAVORITE lens was the Sigma 30mm 1.4. It is amazingly sharp and will definitely give you more of the room you need inside plus that 1.4 aperture will be a big plus with low light inside. It is a little on the costly side but totally worth it. I have an "L" series lens now so I can fianlly compare them and I would not hesitate to say at all that my Sigma 30mm was ever bit as sharp as my 100mm L.
Click to expand...

Oh thanks for the info, Amanda! I've been wondering about this lense when someone else recommended it. Now to save up the money. :)
 
You could also try renting a lens for a week or even a weekend to see what kind of photos you'll get with it. Several of my friends have rented really nice zooms for a big sporting event weekend for their kids and been pleased. One even ended up buying the same lens because she was so impressed with her pictures.
 
aperturent.com and lensprotogo.com come to mind. I think there's borrowlenses.com too?
 
How big of a difference between the 28mm and 35mm? How does this equate in distance when shooting?
 
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