Analysis Paralysis -- New Camera

You’re welcome.

I actually faced the same dilemma a while back.

I had a Canon 50mm f1.8 STM lens that was nice and small. But the 50mm focal length was too tight for framing shots, especially group pictures that I like to take at events.

So I got a Canon 35mm f2 IS USM lens. Great for framing shots. It’s not a large lens, but still felt a bit bulky.

After putting it off for a while, it finally got a Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake lens. Works great. It’s even smaller than the 50mm, and almost as wide as the 35mm. Did lose a stop of aperture, but 2.8 is good enough for most situations. Goldilocks “just right” lens lol.

I put off buying it because technically I had that focal range covered by the 35mm and 50mm, so a 40mm felt unnecessary. When you’re buying lenses, usually it’s a better investment to get a lens that’s more different than the lenses you already own. For example, an 85mm f1.8 lens.

Hope I don’t come off as anti-zoom lens ha ha. I have a Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G1 that I love. Great for event photography and other situations where I don’t know what I’ll be photographing.

For travel, street photography and casual shooting, I prefer the small size and light weight of f1.8 and f2 prime lenses. F1.4 and f1.2 prime lenses can be heavy and bulky.

I digress. Hope you find a setup that works for you.

/r/AskPhotography Thread Parent