Originally Posted by Elijahtc

actually depends on the photographer and STYLE of photography they prefer. Most people say 17-40 is their favorite lens. Cropped or full frame doesn't matter.

Originally Posted by RnB180

I suppose if theres room to move around.

I know the 50mm however is very popular in photography world, but they use full frames. I dont really see many raving about the 85mm primes. However on a cropped sensor a 50 mm would be equivalent to roughly the 35mm prime.

Just my opinion, I do find the 35mm focal length much more ideal for walk about and portraiture. again this is my opinion.

but the 70 200 2.8 seems to be a popular lens also for portrait photographers.
Id say 70mm on a full frame would be great also. 70 mm on a cropped sensor way too tight.

Originally Posted by RnB180

I dont doubt that there are people that like it, its one thing to read reviews written only about a particular lens by its users, but its different when you ask a photographer what their favorite lens is.

on fred miranda, you'll find focal lengths of all types with positive reviews, simply because its a review of that one focal length used for a purpose by an individual based on sharpness, color, contrast.

however it's different scenario with you ask which is your fav out of all of them.
50mm and 70-200 come up quite often.

Originally Posted by RnB180

50 1.8 is a must have starter lens, if you dont want the 1.4 version.

its a good all around lens, a bit tight for portrait use on a cropped sensor like the 40d. you need a bit more room between your subject if you want head torso portraits. but yea, 50mm 1.8 is a good close up portrait lens. because of its slight tight framing on a cropped sensor its not that good for across the table type portraits, for something like that you should look at 35mm. as a walk about lens its pretty good not ideal, imo a 35mm prime would be better suited for cropped cameras as a walk about lens.

I use the 50 1.8, not very much though, only in low light indoor when flash isnt permited(its the only fast lens I own), but find that 50mm which translates to 80mm doesnt leave much flexibility in framing candid and loose compositions if you dont have the leg room and distance.

for $80 however its an incredible value and worth a lot more than $80 for the type of photos the lens produces.

50 1.8 is a very good lens to start with if you want to see what primes are about.

for photographing cars and such, 50mm would not be my first choice of focal length, you'd have to stand pretty far back to get the car in the frame.

Originally Posted by Elijahtc

um am i missing something?

80mm on a full frame is workable and can be used and u prefer the 50-70........but the 50 is equal to an 80 on ur sensor? so 80 is only workable on a full frame but not a 50mm that is equal to an 80 on ur sensor?

Originally Posted by RnB180

80mm on a full frame is workable and can be used, but for me personally its not as ideal as a 50-70mm would be for the type of portraits I like to take. This is speaking in full frame terms focal lengths.

80mm is just a tad too close for my preference but its still a good length not ideal for me and the distance i find myself working with personally.

Originally Posted by CarbonXe

Spend the extra money and get the 70-300mm. Trust me.

Originally Posted by RnB180

that would be a flash bracket