50mm f1.8 usage?

[Snurk71]

I have an XT, using the Sigma 18-125 as the everyday lense. I read a lot of positive remarks about the 50mm f1.8 lens, especially for the price (under $100). My question is where and in what kind of conditions do people find the best use for this lens since it is a prime (no zooming in or out)?

As I'm learning more about things I think this lens would be ideal for my taking pictures at bodybuilding shows (low light, no flash). Looking back at the pictures I most recently took with the Sigma lens (which I'm pretty happy with), most were in the 50mm - 90mm range at 1600 ISO. I assume if I moved to the f1.8 I would be able to drop the ISO to 800 or 400 and clear up some of the noise. And even though the close-ups were at 90mm, I should be good to zoom in for a closeup on a 50mm picture with the reduced noise and high pixel count. Sound right?

But I only take bodybuilding pictures a couple times a year. Any ideas on when else I might use the lens to help justify the cost of another lens to DW?

Thanks

 

[Furgus]

I have the 50mm f/1.8 for my D50. It is a great lens, espeacially for the price. I have used it for portraits and in low light situations. The one thing I really like about this lens is it makes you think a little bit on how to compose the picture. I mean you can't zoom in with it, so you zoom in and out with your feet. This lens is pretty much attached to my D50 24/7. I love it. This is one picture I took when I first picked it up.

 

[Scottl]

The one thing to remember with a F/1.8 is the shallow DOF. If you are taking pictures of several body builders, the only one in focus would probably be the one you are focusing on. Sounds counter intuitive but some people may want the whole stage of people in focus and you wouldn't get that using F/1.8. Having said that, I've heard that is a great lens and I am considering purchasing that or the 1.4 for my nikon D50.

 

[Anewman]

I use it for some indoor sports(volleyball) when I am close enough, and it is great for portraits.

And how about some night time disney shots

 

[flowerfacade]

I love mine. I have a lot of fun with it. This is our Christmas card this year. You can not tell so much in this one, but the background fades out and the subject really pops out.

 

[RadioNate]

I find it is the lens I use most often. I have a canon 28-135 but I really use my 50mm a lot.

 

[BorisMD]

Anewman,

Those are nice shots. Were they handheld, or did you have tripod?

Also, do you recall what you set your ISO at?

Thanks,

Boris

 

[Anewman]

Anewman,

Those are nice shots. Were they handheld, or did you have tripod?

Also, do you recall what you set your ISO at?

Thanks,

Boris

No tripod, all handheld.

ISO 1600.

EDIT TO ADD

And I dont think I used flash on any.

 

[Snurk71]

The one thing to remember with a F/1.8 is the shallow DOF. If you are taking pictures of several body builders, the only one in focus would probably be the one you are focusing on. Sounds counter intuitive but some people may want the whole stage of people in focus and you wouldn't get that using F/1.8. Having said that, I've heard that is a great lens and I am considering purchasing that or the 1.4 for my nikon D50.

I probably wouldn't be able to get the whole lineup in one shot with a 50mm. With as close as I get to the stage, I couldn't even get the whole lineup in at 18mm. I didn't really like all the extra space on top and bottom at 18mm anyway. So I zoomed in to groups of 3 or 4 competitors at a time and shot down the line in those groupings. I combined the picstures afterwards panoramic to make my own version of the whole lineup.

Here is an example of a 3 grouping at 77mm. Do you think the outer two would be out of focus with the 50mm f1.8?

 

[handicap18]

I have a 50mm f/1.8 for my Nikon D50. It is a great lens (just as the Canon version is). When I take portraits of the kids I use it both for natural light shots and flash shots. It is very sharp around f/5.6. On a lot of the kit lenses, 50mm f/5.6 is the maximum aperture, so the lens isn't as sharp at that focal length till you get upwards of f/10 and f/11 or so.

I also like to use the 50mm lens in low light, took a lot of great pics of the orniments on the tree for example. Its a good lens to have at Disney too. On the indoor rides that don't allow flash photography you can get some really good shots using ISO 1600, and as mentioned in a previous post, outdoor shots of the parades and other various items of interest will produce some great results with the 50mm. Though I think a 24 or 28mm f/1.8 would be better, the 50mm for the price really can't be beat.

 

[jann1033]

agree with all of the above and for the price who could complain???the only think i have messed up with the 50mm is you have to make sure you are focusing on the right thing...i took some pictures at a wedding ( so low light etc) and they came out great except on a couple due to the fixed length i think ended up focused on people behind who i wanted live and learn

 

[rolla01]

If you are far enough to the object (like standing 30 ft away), the DOF is not an issue for you even at F1.8. I use mine all the time and I usually take portraits at f4 or f5.6. Best bang for the bucks, but would definitely get the 50 f1.4 if I can afford it.

 

[ktulu]

The f1.8 is more realistic right now for me, maybe the 1.4 later down the road, but the 1.2 is what I'd really like. Going from $90, to $310, to $1599 though...sheesh!

 

[Gdad]

One of my all time favorite lenses.

Great for razor sharp / shallow dof portraits-

Or flip it around with a reversing ring and great for macros.

 

[Scottl]

I probably wouldn't be able to get the whole lineup in one shot with a 50mm. With as close as I get to the stage, I couldn't even get the whole lineup in at 18mm. I didn't really like all the extra space on top and bottom at 18mm anyway. So I zoomed in to groups of 3 or 4 competitors at a time and shot down the line in those groupings. I combined the picstures afterwards panoramic to make my own version of the whole lineup.

Here is an example of a 3 grouping at 77mm. Do you think the outer two would be out of focus with the 50mm f1.8?

They should be in focus since they aren't behind the middle lady.

 

[DebºoºS]

One of my fav lenses is a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 The best in low light w/o flash in churches, theaters, shows, indoors at WDW. Sharp too just great.

 

[ducklite]

I do mostly low light photography, and find it useful at times.

Keep in mind that you're focus field will be greatly reduced.

I've found that I really miss the ability to zoom when I switch to the prime.

That said, it's a great inexpensive option for low light situations where flash can't be sued.

Anne

 

[mabas9395]

I like my 50mm f/1.8 but if there is really low light the auto focus will take a while to lock on to its target. I took it to the bowling alley this morning and I missed a few pictures because the auto focus was still hunting. But when it works it works well.

My most recent purchase was the 85mm f/1.8 and THAT is my new favorite lens. The pictures are a lot sharper than the 50mm and the subjects really POP out.

 

[Anewman]

I like my 50mm f/1.8 but if there is really low light the auto focus will take a while to lock on to its target. I took it to the bowling alley this morning and I missed a few pictures because the auto focus was still hunting. But when it works it works well.

My most recent purchase was the 85mm f/1.8 and THAT is my new favorite lens. The pictures are a lot sharper than the 50mm and the subjects really POP out.

Yes the 85mm is a great lens, and it costs 4x the price of the 50mm 1.8

 

[Ratpack]

No tripod, all handheld.

ISO 1600.

EDIT TO ADD

And I dont think I used flash on any.

Great shots, what camera do you use?