Hello everyone.

What lens(es) do you use? What are your favorites?

In addition to a general discussion, I also have a personal question that may benefit the thread. What APS-C lens would you recommend that is very sharp, preferably has a large aperture, has decent to good build quality, and is also good in low light? Zoom isn't very important to me. Preferably Canon-compatible.

What would you advise for me, and others?

Well on the cheaper end I would suggest the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM (or f/1.8, which is cheaper.) I have used this lens for a bunch of different things but being that it's a 50mm it sometimes can be too much for nice wide shots. My top choice for a lens for UE would probably be the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, this is a more expensive lens as it is L glass, I own a 70-200 f/2.8L and love the quality I get from it! If you want to do wide angle shots I would suggest on the low end the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG ASP RF or the Canon 20mm f/2.8 USM, and on the high end I'd suggest the Canon 14mm f/2.8L. I personally prefer sticking to Canon lenses but it is a much more expensive route than Sigma lenses.

Long story short, a good all-around lens would be the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L.

This thread has a lot of good info: http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post1

The only APS-C only lens I have is the Sigma 30mm f1.4 ART because of its sharpness, low lightness, and cost.

My weapon of choice is the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 lens, it is rarely off my camera when I'm out doing a bit of an urbex. Can't get a better wide-angle for your money and it's tough as nails.

Word on the sigma art series.

I have the Sigma 35 1.4 Art and the 50 1.4 Art, they are both phenomenal. Way better price and a 7 year warranty.

Posted by ZenCanadian I have the Sigma 35 1.4 Art and the 50 1.4 Art, they are both phenomenal. Way better price and a 7 year warranty.

Nice.

Honestly, some of my favorite shots have come from the kit 18-55 3.5.

I also have my special lens, which I bought for other purposes, but want to take it exploring, a 6.5mm F 1.2 fisheye. Oh man does that make some neat shots.

Posted by IceBurgess What APS-C lens would you recommend that is very sharp, preferably has a large aperture, has decent to good build quality, and is also good in low light? Zoom isn't very important to me. Preferably Canon-compatible.

"Preferably" Canon compatible?

Do you use a Canon camera?

Do you use a tripod? The 50/f1.4 and 50/f1.8 have already been mentioned; the 1.8 feels like a slug of plastic so it might not meet your build quality expectations. Its very sharp however. Canon makes other f1.4 (and even f1.2) lenses but they get expensive in a hurry. What are your needs? Wide angle? Closeups and "bokeh" with a short tele? We need more info.

Myself, I use a 12-24/f4 zoom when I'm shooting indoors. I don't care that its a slow f4 since I usually stop it down to f8 or so. Did I mentioned the tripod yet? I'd rather shoot at f8 and four seconds on a tripod than at f1.4 at 1/8 second handheld.

I realize people rave about the 50 but mine stays in the bag most of the time. Or at home. Particularly on an APS-C sensor its just not a very useful focal length for what I do. Hence the wide angle.

Posted by Ogre Battle "Preferably" Canon compatible? Do you use a Canon camera? Do you use a tripod? The 50/f1.4 and 50/f1.8 have already been mentioned; the 1.8 feels like a slug of plastic so it might not meet your build quality expectations. Its very sharp however. Canon makes other f1.4 (and even f1.2) lenses but they get expensive in a hurry. What are your needs? Wide angle? Closeups and "bokeh" with a short tele? We need more info. Myself, I use a 12-24/f4 zoom when I'm shooting indoors. I don't care that its a slow f4 since I usually stop it down to f8 or so. Did I mentioned the tripod yet? I'd rather shoot at f8 and four seconds on a tripod than at f1.4 at 1/8 second handheld.

Yes, I use a canon rebel t5i. recently found out about the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, which fits most all of my needs: wide-angle, short tele, large aperture, reasonably sharp and cheap. That's pretty much what I'm looking for right now, but if you have any other suggestions of lenses you think are better, they'd be much appreciated. And thanks for the advice.

If it were me, I'd want something wider, even if just as a backup. I don't know much about the Sigma specifically although I do have a 17-55/f2.8. I use it a lot but only rarely indoors; the 12-24 suite me better indoors.

I use the canon ef 40mm 2.8 and I'm getting the canon efs 24mm 2.8 to along with it very soon. I think it would be a great combo.
Why?
In aps-c equivalents the 40mm is a 64, and the 24 stays at 24. Having both of these gives you a good range.
You can't beat prime lens when it comes to bang for your buck. The 40 comes to 200, and the 24 to 150. The image quality is excellent.
The build of these prime lens is also way better than the cheap plastic build of the 50mm 1.8. They are also much smaller.

To give you an idea of how good the Sigma ART lenses are, this was shot with the 35 @ 1.4 and hand held at iso 800 with a Canon 6D.
Into the oven with you by ZensLens, on Flickr