[Rod Knight]

Hi can anyone suggest a fixed focal length lens for my Canon 20d?

[stepheno]

Hi Rod and welcome to Pixalo - A. Depends what you want to do with it - portrait, birdwatching, sport?

I've copied this thread into Cameras, Lenses and Accessories where you will get a better response.

[Soupdragon]

You must have done that while I was typing, now my response is on the other thread.

[Rob Barron]

Sorry Rod but you haven't given enough information to give you a proper answer. basically you have asked 'Can you tell me a lens to use on my camera?' as it makes very little difference what camera it is.

I use the 20D and I have 6 lenses, 3 of which are prime and three are zooms. You have asked about fixed focal length (prime lenses) so I shalln't bore you with the zoom lenses, despite the fact that if you are looking for your first lens I wouldn't recommend a prime at all as you would be best off going for something that gives you more versatility.

my 3 primes are: 50mm f 1.8 (the nifty fifty!) which I think pretty much everyone who has a DSLR should possess simply because it is perfect for portraits, sharp as anything, great for low light and for lovely blurred backgrounds and costs very little, one of the cheapest lenses you can get yet a cracking little lens!

The Canon 100mm f 2.8 macro, which is absolutely superb for all macro work as it gives you enough length to get full 1:1 ratio (lifesize) without having to get right up to the subject (so butterflies, etc won't keeping flying away before you get a decent shot! (Cost is around the £300 mark)

The Canon 300mm f4 IS L series lens which is stunningly good for wildlife photography, very sharp, great for hand holding due to the IS but costs an absolute packet. Street price is around the £900 area, Canon list price is into 4 figures.

So that is just three lenses, one at £65, one at £300 and one at £900. But you can't choose on price, you have to choose on what they do. My 300mm L series is to die for BUT you'd be pretty stupid to try taking studio portraits with it!

Miving outside of Canon's own make you can get excellent lenses made by Sigma, Tamron, etc. but again, what do you want it for? general purpose use? Then grab a zoom is probably the best. Specific types of photography/ then choose according to the type of photography you want to do.

Without meaning any disrespect at all, I am sort of presuming you are fairly new to your camera and might well be looking for a lens that gives you good versatility for a range of picture types. A lot depends on how much you are willing to pay as top lenses are top prices!

Could I ask you to give us more details of the type of photography you want to do and the amount you can reasonably afford to pay? Then I'll be happy to make more detailed recommendations.

cheers,
Rob

[Dave]

Agree re nifty fifty

[Boofers]

Yes, I have 3 prime lenses, If you have alot of money, get a 500mm. If your like me, 50mm f1.4 is a great place to start. I have an 85mm f1.2 II that kind of has taken it's place. Saved for months. Both great for low light, taking pictures of fast running kids. The 50mm is the most versitle lens. Just happened to be glanceing around and found your January post.

[abirkill]

Welcome!

As the others have said, we need a budget and an idea of what you'd like to shoot (or what you want the lens to be able to shoot). Canon's prime lenses range in price from around 60 quid to 6,000 quid!