Looking for Inexpensive, Fast Prime for a Crop-Sensor Body

<p>I've been a Nikon shooter for 15+ years, with a cabinet full of Nikon glass, but I have a good friend who's a Canon shooter. She's quite talented, although she can only afford a Rebel XS and the kit lens.<br /><br />I am thinking of getting her a fast prime as a gift, but I don't see anything in the Canon line-up like the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 lens, which is $200.<br /><br />I am hoping to get as close as possible to the following criteria:<br /><br />- Focal length < 50mm (i.e. 35mm equivalent FOV < 75mm)<br />- Maximum aperture <= f/2<br />- Price < $250<br />- Relatively close focusing (i.e. reproduction ratio > 1:5)<br />- Autofocus<br /><br />Is such a thing possible? I don't mind going used or going to other brands if necessary, although I think I should stick with AF lenses.<br /><br />The 50/1.8 seems too long for general use on a crop-frame body. The Canon 28/2.8 is about the right price, but I was hoping for a faster lens. Is it well-regarded? The 35/2 seems about right in all technical respects but is a little more expensive than I'd like (over $100 more expensive than the Nikon equivalent, for example!). And even though it violates my first three criteria, a small part of me is considering the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, since my friend takes lots of pictures of food. <br /><br />Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>The Canon 35/2.0 is your best choice for something faster. Some like the Sigma 30/1.4 but it's more than double your price limit and APS-C only. FF lenses on APS-C tend to vignette less and have better corners due to their larger image circle.</p>

<p>If she tends to shoot longer rather than shorter, the 50/1.8 is pretty good optically and cheap.</p>

<p>If you want to stay under $250 and 35mm or shorter, with AF and a new lens, the 28/2.8 is your best bet.</p>

<p>You might look at places like KEH for used EOS lenses</p>

<p>Your other options are used and/or manual focus lenses adapted to EOS, but then she'll have to use manual focus and manually set the aperture. Not really recommended if you can avoid it.</p>

<p>It may seem tacky to buy a used lens as a gift, but it would serve two purposes: 1) you'll be more likely to get a lens in your price range and 2) it will teach her a valuable lesson about not fearing to buy used lenses when she's ready and able to expand her lens kit. I know I certainly shied away from it initially, and I could have saved a lot of money if I had been able to get over my trepidation sooner.</p>

<p>What Jay says about buying used also applies here, but Canon USA also offers the <a href="http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_275773_-1">35mm f/2 refurbished</a> for $255.99. I bought a 100-400 F4.5-5.6 L from them, and other than the 'plain brown wrapper' it's as good as new.</p>

<p>First, I would talk her out of the older discontinued XS ! <strong>seriously</strong>. Look at a refurbished T2i (550D) at the Canon refurbish website - $500 (includes a warranty) or maybe an older 500D (T1i) or even an XSi (450D). <br>

For a crop sensor prime look at the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or maybe instead get her a flash</p>

<p> </p>

<p>There's also the EF 28/1.8. You might get lucky and find a cheap used copy.</p>

The other posters write words of wisdom.

 

I have only one thing to add: I really like my 28/2.8.

 

Small, inexpensive and pretty good optics

 

(Though creating cool blurs can only be done with objects that are close. Fortunately it focusses pretty close.)

 

All the best, Matthijs.

 

P.S. I use it on my XTi/400D and my 5D with equal pleasure.

<p>As the others say.<br /> I've had both the EF 28mm f/2.8 and the 35mm f/2. Both are excellent lenses and even f/2.8 is respectably fast on today's cameras.</p>

<p>For a longer reach, as Bob says, if she does not have the 50mm f/1.8, it is a superb short telephoto on an APS-C body and is the cheapest lens in cost, but certainly not in IQ, that Canon makes. For more money, a EF 50mm f/1.4 is a sweet lens.</p>

<p>Finally, despite the AF requirement -- if she does not mind shooting with manual focus and with stop-down to shoot, any of a large number of older non-AI Nikon lenses, M42 lenses, and pretty much everything but older Canon FD lenses will mount, focus to infinity, and meter TTL stopped down on a Canon EOS body. I have my Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 lens for super speed on my Canon cameras. I've seen it go on eBay for not a lot more than $200. :)</p>

<p><em>A small part of me is considering the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, since my friend takes lots of pictures of food.</em></p>

<p>That's my pick out of the bunch. It would make a very nice gift.</p>

<p>Two very cheap and not much talked about Canon primes are the 50mm 2.5 compact macro and the 28mm 2.8. Nice to see both mentioned here. They are both sharp lenses and used they are very very inexpensive.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>First, I would talk her out of the older discontinued XS ! <strong></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>I strongly disagree with that - the<strong></strong>re is no point to replace a camera just because it's discontinued! I'm sure it can take still take pictures just as nice as any other newer or older camera can, provided it's used properly. A good photography course is almost always a better investment than a new camera.</p>

+1, the Canon XS is perfectly capable of creating good pictures. (unless you really need ISO 800 or more)

<p>There is very little point to discussing high-ISO noise without also discussing intended output. </p>

<p>Another vote for the Canon 35mm f2.0. Only grumbles: the price of this long-in-the-tooth lens seems to have climbed lately, too much imho, for what you get. Also long overdue for an upgrade.</p>

<p>I have the sigma 28 F1.8 and have used it on my 400D for a number of years, its a great lens and focuses very close with excellent IQ.</p>