Posted by Jeff Wiebe on February 23, 2007 at 11:58 AM
I've heard a lot of good things about this lens and the price seems too good to be true... What are the opinions out there about this one?
Posted by William Lloyd on February 23, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Sure it's great. For the price, everyone ought to own one. Supposedly the original metal mount MK I version of this lens is better, goes for around $140 on Ebay. Whatever.
I like having it because I can easily bring it along in a pocket along with more specialized glass, it's nice having it as an alternative when out with a big lens or wide angle. Good for low light, too...
I own it. I also have to admit that i don't own some other sharp prime lenses so i am not able to compare the 50mm/1.8 with some standards. But I compared it with the 24-105mm L 4.0 IS and it performs equally well if not slightly better in the center. BUT only if it is stopped down a bit. At the borders, wide open, it looks awful. I use it with the 5D.
I think given the price of only 100-140$, there's nothing to complain. Ok, it has a cheap feel, no distance markings for proper manual focus, but it delivers some sharp results when stopped down. And its lightweight and small - a nice lens for some unobstrusive shooting.
Hope this helps, get one, I don't know your shooting-habits but i think no one goes wrong with this lens.
Posted by Terry Sohl on February 23, 2007 at 4:01 PM
It's sharp, and I agree especially so if stopped down a bit.
And for the price, well...I was in Seward, Alaska this past summer, about to depart on a wildlife cruise, and while changing lenses, I dropped my 50 1.8 into the bay.
There aren't many good quality optical lenses where you don't feel TOO terrible if you should happen to drop it in the ocean like me!
Posted by Will Webster on February 23, 2007 at 4:28 PM
If you enjoy sitting by the fireplace on a snowy evening and fondling your lenses, the 50/1.8 isn't for you.
If you want to take tack-sharp photos, it's great.
Posted by Arni Cheatham on February 23, 2007 at 5:47 PM
My wife asked me for a suggestion for something photographic that she could get me for Christmas. I said a 50 1.8. She said any lens I can get you for $75 is a big 'Hooray'. She did, I'm happy, she's happy and 'nobody got hurt'.
I've used it already for some low light stuff. An extra stop or two when needed is great to have.
The Canon 50-1.8 is a tried and true design formula going back at least 40 years. I have a 1970 vintage all metal, 50mm/1.8 FD that is the sharpest 35mm lens I own.
I always liked the natural perspective this 'normal' lens provides. It seems that the 'normal' lens gets relegated to the bottom of the bag as we acquire more exotic glass. So, take that old 'normal' 50mm out of the bag, mount it up and do some shooting. The results will be a surprise after using the 'fancy' stuff.
Discussion
7 repliesI like having it because I can easily bring it along in a pocket along with more specialized glass, it's nice having it as an alternative when out with a big lens or wide angle. Good for low light, too...
I think given the price of only 100-140$, there's nothing to complain. Ok, it has a cheap feel, no distance markings for proper manual focus, but it delivers some sharp results when stopped down. And its lightweight and small - a nice lens for some unobstrusive shooting.
Hope this helps, get one, I don't know your shooting-habits but i think no one goes wrong with this lens.
And for the price, well...I was in Seward, Alaska this past summer, about to depart on a wildlife cruise, and while changing lenses, I dropped my 50 1.8 into the bay.
There aren't many good quality optical lenses where you don't feel TOO terrible if you should happen to drop it in the ocean like me!
If you want to take tack-sharp photos, it's great.
I've used it already for some low light stuff. An extra stop or two when needed is great to have.
I always liked the natural perspective this 'normal' lens provides. It seems that the 'normal' lens gets relegated to the bottom of the bag as we acquire more exotic glass. So, take that old 'normal' 50mm out of the bag, mount it up and do some shooting. The results will be a surprise after using the 'fancy' stuff.
-PB
As Preston said, I also found 50mmFD was even sharper.