Does anyone have this lens? Any thoughts?

[DawnM]

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1_rsrsrs2

I would love a really expensive wide angle, but it won't happen anytime soon and this seemed to have good reviews.

What about IS with this one?

Thanks!,

Dawn

 

[VVFF]

It's a love it or hate it lens. It's slow focusing, hunts in low light, has sometimes distracting bokeh, is cheaply built, has no IS...etc...


But its $100 max and is F1.8

You gotta decide if that's good enough for you.

Oh and on a crop camera its definitely not wide angle...it's not even wide angle on a full frame camera.

 

[C&B Young]

For under $100 you can't go wrong with this lens (B&H and Adorama both have it for $99.99). It was the first lens I got after getting my DSLR, and I still use it on a regular basis.

 

[photo_chick]

IMO, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 is worth the price. You get a lot of bang for your buck with it.

It does not have IS because camera shake really isn't an issue with a lens this short and light. I can get down to 1/15 with it hand held pretty easily.

It's not a high end lens. It's a cheap build. It is very good optically for it's price range. Not anywhere near L series by any means, but it's a big improvement over the 18-55 kit.

But like VVFF said, it really depends if it's right for you. Until recently I've not had a lot to spend on lenses so for me it was the greatest thing since sliced bread for a long time.

 

[gruZ]

I had one for several years and loved it. Some might complain about the fact that it feels cheap, but for $100 you can get a tack sharp lens with a very narrow DOF that is great in low light. Highly recommend it. The only reason I don't have one anymore is I moved to Nikon and sold it with the rest of my Canon gear.

 

[mabas9395]

Its widely suggested as the first "extra" lens purchase after your get your body and kit. You get a few things with it you don't usually get with the kit:

1) Sharpness (not typically found in the kit lens)
2) Shallow Depth of Field (due to the nature of a large aperture)
3) Low Light Ability (due to the larger aperture allowing a higher shutter speed)

Those are all things a new photographer can use, and they're at a price most can afford.

 

[AndrewWG]

I had this lens and really loved it when I got used to it. The depth of field is a bit tough to get used to but you do eventually. The only reason I don't still have it is that eventually it seemed to go to a serious back focusing issue (it was focusing many feet behind the subject) but it was heavily used, a few years old, and well worth the $100.

 

[Bstanley]

50mm f1.8 II - I purchased this lens with my Rebel XS last November, primarily because it was very lightweight and was lauded for it's sharpness. Note - a Rebel XS with this lens attached weighs only a handful of ounces more than a Canon G11.

What I like:

1. f2.8 and higher - very sharp lens
2. Nice shallow depth of field when you want it
3. Lightweight
3. Inexpensive

What I don't like:

1. Below f2.2 - very soft. I sent mine back to Canon under warranty because it was so soft at f1.8, it came back a bit sharper, but not enough that I would use it below f2.2 for anything serious.
2. The Pros say the bokeh is harsh (I actually don't notice it, but I'll take 'their' word on it).
3. Auto Focusing in low light was an issue - but that might also be related to the camera.

As has been mentioned it is not wide angle - especially on a Rebel (1.6x crop).

It is certainly the best lens you can buy for $100 - and as long as you use it above f2.2 (my copy anyway) it is really quite good.

 

[jeffb]

Given its low light ability imho it is well worth the $100.

 

[bob100]

I don't use mine much but for a large aperture prime less than $100 - it's great

 

[DawnM]

Thanks guys. Keep any ideas coming. I am heading out on vacation this weekend for a week and won't plan to purchase/order anything until I get back, so I have a bit to think about this.

Dawn

 

[mom2rtk]

I think first and foremost it depends on whether you like the 50mm focal length. I like the lens, but just don't use that focal length much. I like to go wider, or much closer. 50mm on my crop sensor camera just seems like no man's land to me....

Although it DID make a great lens to put on my DSLR to get past the folks at the door at Disney on Ice. They don't allow what they call "professional" camera gear (they turned down my DSLR at the door in a prior year), and with that small plastic lens, it my XSi looked not much different from any of the bridge cameras coming in the door. And that fast lens was just fine for capturing some decent shots of the show!