Fast Lens Question

C

carrcs

Active member
I need a really fast prime lens for extremely low light wedding reception video work (T2i). These are the two lenses I'm considering:

Sigma 1.4 30mm (currently $439.00 at BH Photo)

Canon 50mm 1.2 (currently $1379.00 at BH Photo)

While I can technically afford both, I would love to go with the Sigma and use the additional funds to buy another lens. However, I want the best low light performance I can get. Obviously the Canon will do slightly better in low light and is a better constructed lens, but is the price difference really worth it for my purposes (low light wedding reception video only)?
 
carrcs said:
I need a really fast prime lens for extremely low light wedding reception video work (T2i). These are the two lenses I'm considering:

Sigma 1.4 30mm (currently $439.00 at BH Photo)

Canon 50mm 1.2 (currently $1379.00 at BH Photo)

While I can technically afford both, I would love to go with the Sigma and use the additional funds to buy another lens. However, I want the best low light performance I can get. Obviously the Canon will do slightly better in low light and is a better constructed lens, but is the price difference really worth it for my purposes (low light wedding reception video only)?
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These lenses are very different. Firstly you would want a wider lens, so the 50mm is already out of the picture. Secondly before you spend any big bucks I would rent some lenses and figure out which one you like the best.



Then I would suggest buying a small on light camera led .



Rent, rent , rent before putting down $1K + for any kind of lens.
 
if you are using the lenses solely for video purposes, I would suggest looking at the old manual focus and manual aperture Nikon lenses. A simple adapter and they look beautiful. you can get them pretty cheap too.

I got an 85mm f1.8 for 90 bucks at Ball Camera in Asheville North Carolina. For online, look on eBay or on sites like KEH.com or the adorama.com used department.
 
Cieloent said:
These lenses are very different. Firstly you would want a wider lens, so the 50mm is already out of the picture. Secondly before you spend any big bucks I would rent some lenses and figure out which one you like the best.



Then I would suggest buying a small on light camera led .



Rent, rent , rent before putting down $1K + for any kind of lens.
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Pretty sure he said a 50mm lens, so he wants a 50mm lens, not something wider.

Nevertheless the Sigma is likely to be sharper stopped down than the 50L. Unless you need the extra 1/3 stop, just get the Sigma and buy other accessories with the extra money. Also, for fun, if you get the Sigma, you could rent the Canon 50 1.0L from Lens Rentals.
 
TJ Krusinski said:
Pretty sure he said a 50mm lens, so he wants a 50mm lens, not something wider.

Nevertheless the Sigma is likely to be sharper stopped down than the 50L. Unless you need the extra 1/3 stop, just get the Sigma and buy other accessories with the extra money. Also, for fun, if you get the Sigma, you could rent the Canon 50 1.0L from Lens Rentals.
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Pretty Sure he said

carrcs said:
I need a really fast prime lens for extremely low light wedding reception video work (T2i). These are the two lenses I'm considering:
Click to expand...

So a fast prime for wedding, you definitely 100% would want something wider than 50mm on a cropped camera.
 
I actually use an HMC 150 at the receptions as well. I've used a 50mm lens with a GH1 I rented and found the width to be satisfactory for more than half the footage. For anything I needed to be wider, the HMC 150 did the trick. The extra width from the 30mm Sigma would be nice, though. Again, my concern was low light performance and construction vs. price, though- not the size of the lenses.
 
If you found 50mm good on the gh1 which has more of a crop, than a 50mm on the t2i will be even wider so that should not be a problem. I would say as a B wedding cam there is no need to spend so much on the 50 f/1.2L though. I would go with the Sigma and use the cash for other gear or take a look at the Canon 50mm f/1.4. I personally love it and I have heard pretty much nothing but good things about it from others as well.
 
Based on reviews, the Canon is simply the better lens. It's even acceptably sharp wide-open at f/1.2. Is it a good value? No. But it is the best. The best things in life are very rarely a good value.
 
Another couple with I rate very highly: (although the focal lengths might not be ideal for you on the t2i ?)

Samyang 85mm f/1.4 ~ $300
Nikon 50mm f/1.2 ~ $400
 
Not to hijack this thread, but what kind of Nikon/Nikkor mounts do I need to stay away from if any? Going to grab a 50mm 1.4 but need to know if there are some that will be harder to work with.
 
boulder said:
Not to hijack this thread, but what kind of Nikon/Nikkor mounts do I need to stay away from if any? Going to grab a 50mm 1.4 but need to know if there are some that will be harder to work with.
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With a Nikon > Canon adaptor they will all fit . . . . but watch out for older lenses that have rear elements that protrude beyond the Canon adaptor (these might catch on the mirror).

Also Nikon G lenses will fit just fine, but with out an expensive adaptor will be useless and you cannot control aperture.
 
You're shooting weddings... do you have another lens you're using for wider stuff? Because I would hate to have you show up to shoot a wedding with only a 50mm on a cropped sensor. They are great for close ups and very specific shots, but if you're planning on seeing the whole ceremony, you're going to have to be out the door and across the street.
 
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