Advice please - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I've heard a lot about the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens and am thinking of getting one, but am not sure if I really need it. Where to turn, but the friendly folks on the DIS photography thread.

Can anyone advise what the actual benefits of this lens are? I currently have the kit lens and a 55-200mm zoom and am wondering what benefits will the 50mm lens give me that I don't already have?

Many thanks!

Bonny

 

[alan]

This lens will let you take shots without flash in much lower light than your current lens, and will possibly generate sharper photographs than you are getting just now.

However, it is a fixed focal length - you cannot zoom - so will impose restrictions on the way you use your camera. Some people enjoy the challenge of these restrictions, some do not.

I have the lens, but have only used it very infrequently.

regards,
/alan

 

[RainbowGirl]

I've heard a lot about the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens and am thinking of getting one, but am not sure if I really need it. Where to turn, but the friendly folks on the DIS photography thread.

Can anyone advise what the actual benefits of this lens are? I currently have the kit lens and a 55-200mm zoom and am wondering what benefits will the 50mm lens give me that I don't already have?

Many thanks!

Bonny

I have the Nikon equivalent and also own a 55-200mm VR and prefer the 50mm for the above-mentioned reasons. I always use it for portraits. It definitely appears sharper to me. It is also a better performer in lower-light situations. I also have the kit 18-135mm lens but the 50mm is my favorite (and least expensive).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[AndrewWG]

I have this lens and hated it at first. I don't know what I was doing, but my results were terrible. With a little work and more understanding, I love the lens and would never part with it. It is super sharp at f5.6 - f8. So my outdoor or well lit shots are fantastic with it. It is reasonably sharp at f1.8 as well. I have used it for extremely low light shots at f1.8 - f2.8 or so without flash and they were great. All in all, you will get a very versatile lens that weighs nothing and isn't big for $80. You can't go wrong with that.

Here is one pic that I took with that lens on my last trip. I have many, but this shows the low light ability anyways.

 

[boBQuincy]

Besides low light and portraits the "nifty fifty" is also good for whenever you want to use shallow depth of field to separate a subject from the background.

This lens makes one very aware of exactly where the camera is focusing, just a little off from the focus spot and the result is one blurry image!

 

[LMarge]

I played with this little lens last night - it produces some very acceptable basketball shots and gymnastics shots. While it was a little soft on focus due to the distance issue - it was great at the "stop action" factor. I'll try to post a sample or two later today. I plan to add it to my bag. (the one I used was on loan from a friend!) (Gotta love friend with lots of toys!)
Blessings,

 

[jann1033]

for the price it is almost a no brainer purchase... i don't use it much, mainly for 2 reasons, 1)i don't do much low light and then even less without a tripod so usually use a zoom for convenience for that and 2) imo it's a pain in the rear to get a good focus in low light...my 70-200 usually is close enough mm wise to get the job done. but occasionally i use it, usually above f4 though, but it's nice to have if i really need it...i am hoping to get a 70-? f2.8 then really won't probably ever use the 50

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Wow. Thanks for all the great responses. From the sounds of it, I can't go wrong with this lens for the price.

Andy - that is a great shot

LMarge - look forward to seeing your pics


Bonny

 

[LMarge]

The first three were taken during my sons basketball game, no windows in the gym at all. I used the 50mm 1.8 and was happy with the stop action that it produced -much better than what I was getting with the Canon S2is!! Sorry, they're all back shots - they don't spend much time looking at you in bb!!!

The next few are of my dd11 at a gymnastic practice. In the past any "action" shots of her have been one big blurr! These aren't great, but I can at least see what she's attempting!! The only draw back is how wide they are - and I was a good distance away. I did take some with a Tamron lens - 28-75mm 2.8 that allowed me to get a bit closer, but occasionally there was a bit of blur - either motion or me! DD had a competiton last night so when I upload those I'll post a few more - I was very close to the floor so they were a bit better. Again, they're not super fantastic, but they make me happy!! She's the one in the purple with the braid flying.

starting her tumbling pass-

leaping to high bar-

cast to begin backhip circle -

 

[alan]

Sorry, I'm not seeing any pictures...

regards,
/alan

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

not seeing your pics either

 

[LMarge]

that's odd - they show up on my screen? any ideas?

 

[handicap18]

Marge, I only see boxes with red x's in them. No images. I copied the link you have and pasted it in a new window and there appears to be something wrong with your link as it is coming up (for all 6 images) The webpage cannot be found.

 

[LMarge]

okay - try again - I went back into smugmug and changed the setting for external links - it should work ( I hope!)

 

[alan]

There now, thanks - thaks for sharing! Some lovely colour balance there, too - the pictures are bright, sharp and natural colours. Well done!

regards,
/alan

 

[handicap18]

Yep, the little boxes with red x's have been replaced with some very nice images. Well done!

 

[LMarge]

There now, thanks - thaks for sharing! Some lovely colour balance there, too - the pictures are bright, sharp and natural colours. Well done!

regards,
/alan

Thank you!! I was thrilled, now just to order one!! Any suggestions on the best place to purchase from?
Blessings and thanks for your patience while I work out the posting kinks!!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Thanks for posting your pics Marge, and thanks everyone for your advice. I think I've made up my mind to get the lens. Hopefully will have some pics to post after our upcoming trip

Bonny

 

[DueyDooDah]

I love my nifty-fifty, although I have the f/1.4 model. On our recent trip to DL, I used it on nearly all shots: out of 1219 shots, 1201 were taken with the 50mm. The clarity of the shots is amazing, although it does take some practice.

Tips on use:

• Practice focusing - auto works well most of the time but in dark situations, you may need to use manual
• Don't forget to change your ISO in darker rides (I made this mistake and left ISO set to 100 on too many shots. Try around 600 to keep noise out and still get great shots)
• Zoom with your legs - get in as close as possible to frame the shot as best you can
• Analyze you shots each night (if you take a PC with you). This will help your shots taken the next day. You might even be able to revisit and retake a shot that was missed or not quite what you wanted
• Don't forget to change your ISO
• Use manual settings for light parades. I used ISO 100, f/2.0 for 1/100 sec on DLs Electric Light Parade. They came out wonderfully.
• Be careful of your DoF. Its shallow capabilities are wonderful and troublesome at the same time. Remember to focus on the eye. I used the center-focus point at all times
• Don't forget to change your ISO (I can't say this too much)

Enjoy your new lens.

 

[LMarge]

I agree with Duey, watch your DOF!! And always use the center focus setting - I found even with that if I wasn't right on the face, or the body (gymnastics) I got some real blurry outcomes! What was that about changing your ISO??!!! I think I shot everything at 1600 for the past two days!!!