There have been a number of technological improvements over the past few years that have photographers wondering if Canon fast glass is still necessary. Fast glass can be characterized by definition as a lens with an extremely wide aperture.
In case you are wondering which technology improvements we are referring to above, there are two. The first is the emergence of really high ISO settings with much less noise and the second is the addition of OS (optical stabilization) to many of the newer lenses, making it possible to hand-hold your camera in low light settings that were never possible before.
However, when you consider some of the economical lenses available and the special photography situations that make Canon fast glass the best choice, it is well worth the time to examine the options.
The first photographic use for wide aperture lenses that will come to anyone's mind is portraits. The perfect portrait is one where the subject commands the attention of the viewer, and in most cases that happens due to a blurry background. While it is possible to accomplish the desired effect with apertures of f/4.0, lenses with apertures of f/2.8 and larger are quite desirable to get the bokeh (blurry background) in a great portrait.
Another place that large aperture lenses are a great asset is in low-light situations such as indoors when flash photography is not appropriate. Museums come to mind, but make sure you have permission to take pictures of the exhibits before you begin snapping away. Twilight shoots are another place where wide apertures boost the shutter speed for good hand-held shots.
Canon fast glass is mostly available in prime focal lengths. Prime simply means that there is a single focal length such as 50mm.
Speaking of 50mm, the most economical prime lens with Canon fast glass happens to be an EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. For a mere pittance, you can have yourself a prime lens with an extremely wide aperture. Yes, it is cheaply made in comparison to the same lens at f/1.2, but it accomplishes the job, and it does it on a tight budget.
Normally, the prime lenses with wider apertures come at a premium price. So, if you are on a budget, you may want to consider using a lens made by another manufacturer. Some of these lenses rival Canon in quality, yet they are usually much easier on the budget.
Also, if you are one who is a bit of a free spirit, think about getting a wide aperture lens without auto focus. You may be asking, "Do they even make such lenses?" Of course they do, but once again, they are off-brand, and you may need to get an adapter ring to fit it on your Canon. But these kinds of lenses can be had for a song compared to the high-end gear of the pros. The results can be exceptional, too.
Whether you are looking for a budget lens or a better built lens that costs just a bit more, the photos you can make with Canon fast glass will wow both you and your photo fan club. The quality and nifty backgrounds you can achieve with these special lenses are truly amazing. See a line-up of possible lens choices at http://canoneoslenses.org/.
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