Looking for a daily walk around lens.

[RexGig]

I can thoroughly enjoy walking about with a good 50mm lens, whether the camera is a full-frame or cropped-frame, Nikon or Canon, film or digital. My/our fifties have maximum apertures of 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8, and are either Nikkor or Canon, not third party. I also have a Canon 35mm 1.4, which I also like for walking about with a cropped-frame camera. With a full-frame camera, I prefer the 50mm focal length to 35mm, if one fixed-focal-length lens is all I am carrying.

Not all zooms are equal; one with a super-zoom range (such as your Tamron 18-250mm) will tend to have more distortion at each end of the range as one with a lesser zoom range, all else being equal. To be clear, I am not not being critical of Tamron lenses; this effect is generally present within each brand's super-zooms, and there are times the convenience of a super-zoom range is an acceptable trade-off for a bit of distortion at each end.

[tawcat]

Thanks Rex.

[lfmerrell]

Originally Posted by tawcat

Being retired military I have the luxury of purchasing through the exchange system, however, the 1.4 is not available and they do not have a "in stock" date.


Again thanks for the info.

Have you tried a Special Order via the BX? Give the manager a call and ask.

[brewercm]

I'm guessing you checked AAFES.com also? Just wanted to make sure as they have a much better selection than in the stores.

[tawcat]

The lens is available, however at this time it is out of stock with no anticipated restock date.

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by tawcat

Thanks guys. I am leaning toward the 50. Stopped by my local camera shop today and spent a few hours chatting, comparing etc. Being I have the Tamron 18-250 getting another zoom seems moot. Just as many of y'all said. One thing I found intriguing was I was talking about the 50 1.4, the guy shook his head and said, you really don't want that!

They didn't have a sale or anything going on, so it wasn't a switcharoo. He told me to buy the nifty fifty, $125 and if I was hell bent on the 50 1.4 to buy the Sigma instead of the Canon.

So I think I'll be searching out the nifty fifty, probably will have to invest in a flash now as well.

You're welcome. There was a great comparison in Popular Photography about a year ago. I wish I could find it online. They compared the Canon 50mm 1.8, 1.4, and the Nikon 1.8 and 1.4. The results were surprising in that the 1.8 Canons and Nikons both outperformed the 1.4 in most apertures. The bottom line was that unless you had to have the extra half stop of light you are better off with the 1.8. I don't believe they tested the Canon 1.2.

[darktiger]

I agree... I had a lot of cheap lens on my old XT because I did not want to pay.... until I decided to take the plunge and get the 24-105L... (I would pick this up used if you want it cheap)... Best lens I own, it has been with me with all my upgrades (XT, 30D, 5D, 5DMII, and the upcoming 5DMIII/X?)... If I can only have one lens it would be the 24-105L..

[tawcat]

Thanks so much again.

[cajunautoxer]

For the past 3 months the Canon 24-105 and Sigma 30 1.4 is all I've used. The more I use this combo the more I love it

[David Whatley]

I have the 50 1.8 and LOVE it, but the Tamron 28-75 2.8 is quickly taking its place. I settled on the Tamron VS the 24-105 strictly on price difference. If money isnt a concern then go the 24-105 but keep in mind its an F4 lens.

[mmuhlenkamp]

If weight is really the issue I'd go with either a 35 or 50 prime (35 would be better on a crop IMO). I have the 24-105L but it's a somewhat heavy lens and I often prefer to shoot with my 50 f/1.4 on my 5D for casual shooting.

When I want a really small/light combo for shooting I use my Rebel XTi and 28 f/2.8, it's almost as small as one of the more robust point 'n shoots.

The nice thing about lenses is their used market value is pretty high, so you can try a lens for a while and if you find you'd rather have something else sell it and buy whatever else you want without too much of a loss.