Review of Canon's Nifty Fifty

[boBQuincy]

DPReview.com just reported on their tests of Canon's least expensive lens, the 50mm f/1.8. To summarize: there may not be much point in going for the f/1.4 unless we really need the extra light gathering capability or want the much nicer bokeh. The f/1.8 really shines when it comes to image quality, especially from f/4 to f/5.6. Interesting to see just how quickly things go downhill from f/5.6 due to diffraction!

One common complaint is the cheap look and feel. I say anyone can make a fine quality lens for a lot of $$$ but the impression of real cheapness, well that's something money just can't buy!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I have been thinking of getting one...Got any pics to share?

 

[jann1033]

i think someone put mine together backwards cause it's good at 8 or so . it does have that toy camera quality about it but that just makes me feel like a kid again

not the best eg since i wanted it dark and natural light but this is the 50 f1.8 at 5.6, on a tripod with timer, 1/25 100 iso( i think my exif isnt' coming up but i looked it up before i posted it)
i really do think mine is the "odd" lens since it never aligns with any reviews.

since it's so cheap to me it's kind of like a no brainer since "what other lens can i get for $80" but i don't really use it much.. if i'm going to use something at 4-5.6 like in the above circumstance i usually use my f4 70-200 and back up a little. i used both for this set up and the ones i printed were from the 70. most of the 50mm i took at this time were lower f. to get small dof and they still imo weren't that sharp( even on a tripod) the best thing to me about that lens is it's tiny so if i am just going to use it for "normal" shots ie not low light, mine is sharp in that range and easy to cart around but it still is limiting due to prime . so for $80 to me it's worth it and a good value, $300 i wouldn't use it enough to be a good value

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I have this lens, and I LOVE it! I mean, it was $80, so that can't be beat. And I use it all the time for dark rides at Disney. It's about the only way I can get decent pics in Pirates. And I used it for a photo session with my friend's baby boy last August along with the Canon 12 II extension tube. I've been really happy with the image quality. Here's a pic from that photo session.

 

[jfinke]

Optically, it is a very nice lens. The autofocus is slow and loud. It hunts a bit in low light. But, it takes great pics when focus is on. and f1.8 gives you a really nice DOF.