"Walkaround" prime for FF?

[CanineCandidsByL]

50's are good lens from starter to expert.  f1.8 are cheap, f1.4 very reasonable.

If you can take a survey of your existing photos and can figure out what focal length you normally shoot at, it might help you determine where the best area to look at a prime. I did this and found that on my 7D, I tended to shoot about 25% between 24 and 28,  60% between 65 and 70, and the remaining 15% in the middle. So doing this exercise, and accounting for the crop factor, I'd be better off with an 85mm.

If you do the same kind of check, you may find your similar or tend to shoot wide or do go right in the middle.

Hope it helps.

[Dave T]

As far back as the 1970s, with 35mm, I preferred a 35mm as my "normal" lens to any 50mm. Today that would mean the 35/1.4 or wait for later in the year when CR says the 35/1.4L II will be introduced. That's what I'm waiting for.

Dave

[dbduchene]

As to my prime I tend you use my 85 F1.2 the most. That said it is heavy. Most of the time I do not use a prime as a walk around. depending on what I am doing most of the time it is the 28-300 L.

[drmikeinpdx]

I love using my 50mm lens or even the 85 on my 5D for portraits, but for walking around, I think a wider lens would be better.  With modern full frame DSLRs, you can do so much cropping that is is almost like having a zoom lens.   

The combat photographer Michael Yon used a wide prime on his 1Ds instead of a zoom, because he found that he could crop down to the image he wanted.  It saved him from carrying the extra weight and bulk of an L series zoom.

A 28mm lens seems a bit wide to me, since the perspective is so easily distorted.  35mm would be good.

I've been reading reports that Canon is coming out with a low priced 40mm prime soon.  I believe it is supposed to be an F2.8 pancake (flat/short) lens that would be very lightweight and easy to carry around at Disneyland.

One thing I laugh at are the tourists who carry their full size DSLRs with huge zoom lenses as they walk around at theme parks and other touristy places.  I know how much that combination weighs and it doesn't get any lighter after a couple of hours of walking around.  A pancake lens might help you have more fun at the park instead of feeling like a beast of burden.

Mike

[DJL329]

I'm upgrading to the 5dmkIII soon, and I have never used any FF cameras before. I already have the 24-105mm for general walkaround stuff, but I sure do need some prime for more creative shots with shallower DoF and a nice bokeh, not to mention low light situations. Which fixed lens would you recommend for walkaround purposes? I have heard that 50mm lenses fill that niche, but I'm interested in the opinion of CR's community.

Thank you!

Why not review some of your own favorite shots to see approximately which focal length (within 10-15mm or so) you use most and then choose a lens in that range?  Just remember to convert the focal length to account for the 1.6x crop factor for shots taken with an EF lens (not EF-S ones), such as your EF 24-105mm.

For example, when using your crop body and your EF 24-105mm lens, let's say a lot of your best shots are around 50mm (45mm to 55mm).  This would mean they were actually around 80mm (50mm x 1.6 = 80mm).  So in this example, an 85mm lens on a FF body might suit you best.   

[pwp]

It's an impossible question to answer because everyone has a subtley different shooting style. Lot's pf people have suggested to 50 f/1.4. Whether Canon or Sigma, they both great lenses. Bear in mind that the Sigma is much bigger and heavier than the Canon 50 f/1.4 which may be a consideration for a walkabout.

One way to find the answer to your question is to spend half an hour polling the exif data on your existing shots you've done with your 24-105 f/4is. For example if the greatest percentage of shots are done at the wide end, then your answer is you'd need a 24mm prime. If your budget allows, the 24mmL f/1.4II is unbelievable, and a lot of shooters favourite lens.  If most shots are up at 105 then check out the 85 f/1.8 or f/1.2L or the stunningly good EF 100mm f/2.8L M.

You get the idea.

Then of course there is the rumored EF 40 f/2.8 Pancake lens that was discussed on CR on Feb 22. Lots of choices! Just a matter of making the one that's best for you.

Paul Wright

[Mark1]

I have the 24-105 F4L and it's a fabulous all rounder but as far as primes go you can't beat the Canon 50mm f1.4 on a 5D2. I use it frequently for indoor stuff with the kids and you can easily take it out for day trips etc and not struggle atall with the range.

50mm range is a no-brainer in my view. If you go for a 24mm or 35mm on a full frame you can't really say you have a 'walkaround prime' as they're quite wide. Which one you go for may be down to budget but I can tell you that the Canon 1.4 on a 5d2 is a dream to walk around with and hold as it's very light yet still balanced. Also you can keep the hood on permanently which protects the extending front barrell and it's still shorter than the 24-105mm.

[briansquibb]

For a prime walkabout on a ff it would be either the 85 f/1.8 or the 135 f/2.

For street then the 135 f/2 or even the 200 f/2.8 as it is better to be further away than closer

[lexonio]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Since I asked this question I got 2 smites for no apparent reason - I have no idea how does this system work.

As for 50mm, I currently do have the Sigma lens, and its autofocus bothers me to no end. Thank you for advising me to work with my EXIF data, I will devote some time to this specific task. But in the end I'll be interested to see that rumored 40mm pancake, thanks for bringing that up.

[wickidwombat]

As for 50mm, I currently do have the Sigma lens, and its autofocus bothers me to no end. Thank you for advising me to work with my EXIF data, I will devote some time to this specific task. But in the end I'll be interested to see that rumored 40mm pancake, thanks for bringing that up.

I like the canon 50 f1.4 i will usually stop it down to f2 unless I am going for maximum blur and bokeh
even wide open its not to bad, a bit softer but i find it a really nice all round lens
I am looking forward to an update to make it compete with the Nikon 50 f1.4G lens
I have been hoping for a L build similar to the 100 f2.8 macro that is considerably cheaper than the f1.2
and hope the size stays quite compact as the compact size is one of the major benfits

[Hillsilly]

I'd go for either an 85, 100, or 135mm.  The 135 would be an interesting choice.  Its slightly longer than your regular lens and therefore you're not doubling up.  It would be ideal for isolating detail.  Its a couple of stops faster, which would be good in low light photos where there's a bit of movement.  Great bokeh and narrow depth of field.  Also very sharp wide open.  Its a fun lens to have.

[Mark1]

Since I asked this question I got 2 smites for no apparent reason - I have no idea how does this system work.

Don't worry. I got a smite just for my reply. I got 2 smites recently for starting a poll. There are some weirdos out there! Current smite was -4 before I write this but see what happens now!

[mb66energy]

I have no definite answer - just not for myself. But ...

1) I like round about 40mm (equiv to the 24mm on a crop body) for landscape, towns, nature ...
2) I like round about 100mm (equiv to the 60mm on a crop body) for landscape, towns, nature, macro, people, architecture, etc. - for me 100mm are the standard focal length.

If I had to choose just one lens: I would go for a 100mm (macro).
If I had to choose two lenses: I would go for the f/2.0 100mm and a f/2.0 40mm pancake.
If I had to choose three lenses: The three lenses mentioned above because the f/2.0 100 doesn't attract any attention, 40 + 100mm is lightweight and compact and a macro for special tasks.

Or the bottom line: It depends on each ones photographic style which lens is "THE" walkaround lens. With my 40D I like to use just the old EF 24mm/2.8 and the EF-S 60mm/2.8
as a light, compact and very versatile walkaround set. Sometimes two 40Ds with both lenses mounted - balances the weight on left and right shoulder

Best - Michael

[Caps18]

If I only had 1 prime lens, it would be the 24mm.

Why would you pick the 24mm?

It is wide enough to take pictures of landmarks and people.  It is a compromise, I obviously picked the 16-35mm and still am ok with it over the 24 (TS or f/1.4), but I think the 24mm would still work the best for a one prime camera. 

If I were going to a national park, I would go with the 17mm or 14mm...

[Legio]

One thing I laugh at are the tourists who carry their full size DSLRs with huge zoom lenses as they walk around at theme parks and other touristy places.  I know how much that combination weighs and it doesn't get any lighter after a couple of hours of walking around.  A pancake lens might help you have more fun at the park instead of feeling like a beast of burden.

Mike

I like to carry my 5D MII with a BG and a heavy lens but it's then I have the most fun on the theme parks.