^ ya I know dont remind me. After you invest over 75k in gear you will start to cry also

 

I know it's a bit above your price point, but I would consider looking at the Canon28mm f/1.8 USM. For ~$400 it's should be plenty fast, with good quality and equals a 44.8mm fov after crop factor.

If that's too much and you're willing to sacrifice some speed, the 28mm 2.8 is actually very sharp and still pretty quick for <$200, but you don't get the usm af.

 

Get the 50. Most photo buff's can't live without one (including me, I love my 50 f/1.7)

 

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 seems to get better reviews, plus it's cheaper and offers 2/3 of a stop extra.

The Sigma EX 28mm f/1.8 appears nearly identical and is a heck of a lot cheaper.

Any reason you don't recommend them instead?

 

I second the 30Sigma 1.4
Great lens

 

I've also found the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, which is quite a bit more expensive ($400+) but is universally acclaimed for its clarity and overall performance.

Anyone ever used one? If so, how did it compare to something like the Canon EF 50 f/1.4? Most of what I've read shows that it's quite a bit nicer all around, though some had auto-focus issues. Worth the extra money? Some people seem to think so.

I might just hold off an extra couple weeks and spend the extra money to get a nicer lens, even if it's not necessarily a Canon L or something.

 

The real answer is longer-term you'll probably need both 30-35mm & 50mm primes so start saving & work up to L glass in time

If you're still trying to decide which focal length to buy first, check the EXIF data on your indoor, low-light photos to see which you use most/prefer for the conditions, &/or take some photos w/ your zoom deliberately set to 30/35, then take a number at 50 & review - that should put things in perspective for you

 

I just bought the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 . The price was right, most of my indoor pictures are taken pretty close to full zoom on my current lens (18-55mm kit lens), and it's decently built. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 will be next, I think, followed by a decent zoom lens.

 

- happy shooting

 

This actually helped me the most. Thanks very much! I was taking pictures of my son last night (got one good one out of about 20) and most of them were pretty close to full zoom on my 18-55mm lens. Problem is, I was still having to use shutter speeds in the 1/25 range (at best), which doesn't work for a baby at all (unless it's dead).

I think this lens will work just fine for my purposes. I'd have really like a Sigma 50 f/1.4 but used were nearly impossible to find and new were $400+ everywhere.