Low Light Gig Photography.... Canon 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4, or Sigma 30mm 1.4?

[AlienHipHop38]

Hi guys,

I just have this question for gig and events photogs. What do you think would be the better buy from the 3? I've just returned to photography after a year of mourning from the loss of my XTi... And I do find the 50mm 1.8 mk1 kind of limiting in tight spaces. I hope you can give me an insight on what to choose from the ff.

Btw, after trying the 50mm 1.8 mk1, I no longer have the desire to buy zoom lenses (maybe except for 24-105mm f4). Iba talaga ung nagagawa ng thinner DOF and lower apertures causes more pleasant bokeh.  

[Akira JUMBO]

I would suggest the 35mm F2. I have experienced your dilemma and went through the same thing. The 35mm offers a wider view compared to the 50mm, the 50mm is mostly too tight even for framing 3 people which the 35mm will do well with. Are you using a crop body? If so you will end up with a true 50mm with the 35mm (x 1.6 crop) otherwise you'll be getting a real 50mm focal view. At the same time F2 is more than sufficient for dark flash-less situations such as gigs. HTH!

[rennell]

get a zoom lens instead

[AlienHipHop38]

I would suggest the 35mm F2. I have experienced your dilemma and went through the same thing. The 35mm offers a wider view compared to the 50mm, the 50mm is mostly too tight even for framing 3 people which the 35mm will do well with. Are you using a crop body? If so you will end up with a true 50mm with the 35mm (x 1.6 crop) otherwise you'll be getting a real 50mm focal view. At the same time F2 is more than sufficient for dark flash-less situations such as gigs. HTH!

Come to think of it... I used to have a 35mm F2 but it got stolen. I'm trying to look for a great deal. I bought mine in mint (ultra sharp) condition for only 9k... 1 in a thousand sale.... How about the Sigma 30mm f1.4, sir? Any recommendations about it? Thanks!

[gainsucker]

Come to think of it... I used to have a 35mm F2 but it got stolen. I'm trying to look for a great deal. I bought mine in mint (ultra sharp) condition for only 9k... 1 in a thousand sale.... How about the Sigma 30mm f1.4, sir? Any recommendations about it? Thanks!

here is my Sigma shot at f1.4


F1.4 by Jentsen - is back , on Flickr

[pallas]

85mm 1.4 and D90....ISO really pushed.
This set up was pretty tight but i had room to move around.
In most cases the reach was a plus.
24mm 1.4 and D90
This was at the Wanch, not much room here.
A typical classroom is even bigger, wide prime is a must.
A 20mm 2 or 2.8 would do as well.

[yahxx2]

go for the canon 35mm f2..
pero magiging 40mm yan sa APS-C..
still wider than 50mm

[Tugpaktugpak]

bili kanalang ng tamron 17-50mm 2.8

[Akira JUMBO]

bili kanalang ng tamron 17-50mm 2.8

As stated by the TS, he no longer has the desire to buy zoom lenses.