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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Photography People - Lens Question
So I had a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens for my t3i and I dropped it and it broke. Is there another lens that will give me just as blurry a background but is more versatile (and under $300)? Thanks!
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Posted 8/5/14 3:13 PM  |
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RocPin
Life's Beachy <3
Member since 2/08 6765 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Personally, I think the 50mm 1.8 is the best bang for your buck. It was my first lens and I loved it!
ETA: If by versatile you mean a zoom lens, you wont find as good quality unless you invest $$$. I would stick with the 50mm 1.8 fixed focal length lens. JMO. 
Message edited 8/5/2014 4:11:31 PM.
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| Posted 8/5/14 4:09 PM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Photography People - Lens Question
Any lens will give you a blurry background if you understand how depth of field works
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm
Do you want a zoom lens, or are you happy with 50?
Everyone should own a nifty 50
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| Posted 8/5/14 5:49 PM |
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Strawberry2468
It's summatime
Member since 3/09 4739 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
That lens is only about $120, not $300
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| Posted 8/5/14 5:57 PM |
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readyfor3
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/10 751 total posts
Name:
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by tara73
Any lens will give you a blurry background if you understand how depth of field works
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm
Do you want a zoom lens, or are you happy with 50?
Everyone should own a nifty 50
This and I agree with the pp
that lens is about $100-$120
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| Posted 8/5/14 9:45 PM |
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CSK
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 892 total posts
Name:
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by tara73
Any lens will give you a blurry background if you understand how depth of field works
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm
Do you want a zoom lens, or are you happy with 50?
Everyone should own a nifty 50
I disagree that any lens gives a blurry background, or at least what the op is looking for. Normal kit zoom lenses barely give any.
I think the OP is looking for something more versatile than a 50 which is why she put a budget
I'm a Nikon shooter, so I don't have specific lens recommendations, however 35mm is about equivalent to what a normal field of view is, and an equivalent to what a 50 was in film
There are higher speed zooms, like the sigma 17-50 2.8 or tamron but those and probably the canon equivalent are put of your price range.
I'd check out Berger bros or camedia camera to try a few out
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| Posted 8/6/14 8:23 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Photography People - Lens Question
If you have a solid understanding of the exposure triangle and depth of field, you can create shallow depth of field with any lens. This is fact. And you don't have to be wide open to get a shallow depth of field, either. The distance of your subject from your background, of you to your subject both matter, as well as aperture and focal length. I have taken images at higher apertures like f/9-f/13 and still have a beautiful, shallow depth of field/bokeh/blurry background because I understand how to achieve this effect.
If you're talking about the circles that sometimes appear, then that is defined by lens design such as shape of the aperture and number of blades (circle or hexagon etc) and the amount of light in the background. Flat lighting in the background will give you a creamier appearance, lacking the light circles that you may see if you are shooting into trees with light poking through.
Here's a flickr thread with some great examples of shallow depth of field achieved with a kit lens (specifically, Canon's 18-55) https://www.flickr.com/groups/bokeh_/discuss/72157594180816973/
If the OP is looking for a great versatile budget lens, Tamron's 18-270 is a fantastic walkaround lens but I think is a bit over her budget, unless she finds a used copy somewhere like Cameta, Adorama, B&H or KEH.
Message edited 8/6/2014 10:12:18 AM.
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:11 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Photography People - Lens Question
Thanks everyone! I will check them out! Sadly I don't know enough to be able to achieve the blurry background with the kit lens - I mostly use the camera to take pictures of my kids, and they are too quick for me to play with the settings!
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:22 AM |
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RocPin
Life's Beachy <3
Member since 2/08 6765 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by tara73
If you have a solid understanding of the exposure triangle and depth of field, you can create shallow depth of field with any lens. This is fact. And you don't have to be wide open to get a shallow depth of field, either. The distance of your subject from your background, of you to your subject both matter, as well as aperture and focal length. I have taken images at higher apertures like f/9-f/13 and still have a beautiful, shallow depth of field/bokeh/blurry background because I understand how to achieve this effect.
Yes exactly. Many don't realize that its not just your f-stop, its also your distance from your subject as well.
But I stand by my statement that I think you get the best bang for your buck with the Nifty Fifty when it comes to price and quality.
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:22 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by RocPin
Posted by tara73
If you have a solid understanding of the exposure triangle and depth of field, you can create shallow depth of field with any lens. This is fact. And you don't have to be wide open to get a shallow depth of field, either. The distance of your subject from your background, of you to your subject both matter, as well as aperture and focal length. I have taken images at higher apertures like f/9-f/13 and still have a beautiful, shallow depth of field/bokeh/blurry background because I understand how to achieve this effect.
Yes exactly. Many don't realize that its not just your f-stop, its also your distance from your subject as well.
But I stand by my statement that I think you get the best bang for your buck with the Nifty Fifty when it comes to price and quality.
Thanks. Was just hoping to find something that did the same thing and more (obviously for more money, but not like $2000!).
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:35 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by dlj97
Thanks everyone! I will check them out! Sadly I don't know enough to be able to achieve the blurry background with the kit lens - I mostly use the camera to take pictures of my kids, and they are too quick for me to play with the settings!
I recommend digital photography school to many newer photographers, along with meet up groups and taking classes at local camera shops/adult education. Don't be afraid of taking the camera out of Auto and playing with it. Read a tutorial and then try it out. Eventually, one day, it will all click together.
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:47 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: Photography People - Lens Question
Posted by RocPin
But I stand by my statement that I think you get the best bang for your buck with the Nifty Fifty when it comes to price and quality.
I agree with this 10000%, and it's true across all mounts.
My Minolta (Sony A mount) 50/1.7 is my "go to" lens. It's ALWAYS in my bag, even though I have higher end zoom lenses and other primes.
I've used the 50/1.8 for Canon as well and just like my over 20 year old Minolta, it is just as great a lens. Fast to focus, tack sharp, lightweight and great value.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one used either.
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| Posted 8/6/14 10:52 AM |
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