what is so nifty about the fifty??

[Iwant2BAprincess]

Please enlighten me. I see lots of comments about it here but I am totally unfamilar. I am curious to know more about this beloved lens

TIA

 

[annnewjerz]

I find it nifty for the following reasons:

1. It's cheap.
2. It's got a nice shallow depth of field.
3. It's cheap.
4. It's leightweight (but doesn't feel plastic-y or like something that came out of a vending machine)
5. It's cheap.
6. It rhymes with fifty.
7. Did I say it's cheap??

 

[handicap18]

As far as lenses and camera equipment go, it is very inexpensive. Also it (both the Nikon and Canon f/1.8 versions) is VERY sharp, especially from f/2.8 to f/11. I've taken some razor sharp images with my copy.

It is easy to bring around as it is very small. When I go to Disney, it fits in my front pocket.

And like Ann said, its cheap (price wise) and nifty ryhmes with fifty.

 

[Todd_H]

It's also cheap

It's a great value because it's a sharp prime lens (both Canon and Nikon) at an extremely reasonable cost. The Canon version is not the most durable lens in the world (it's also known as the "plastic fantastic") but it's a great portrait and low light lens that should be in every photographer's bag.

Anne says the Nikon version doesn't feel cheap or plastic-y, so I would guess that one is better made than the Canon version.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I think you guys forgot to mention an important point: it's cheap.

 

[jfinke]

I think it might be cheap.... Not sure about that however. It is at least compared to the 50mm f/1.2 L USM. It is at a bargain price of $1350 with the $100 instant rebate currently. It is only about 17 times cheaper than that lens.

 

[MoonFaerie]

It's cheap, it's small & light, it's fast, it's a good local length for portraits, it's sharp, and it's cheap.

 

[Code]

The cheap 50/1.8's are not sharp wide open but are pretty good by f/2.8 and very good beyond. The 50/1.4's are a big step up in sharpness at the same apertures.

 

[boBQuincy]

Not only is the Canon version cheap, it gives a feel and an impression of cheapness that money just can't buy!

 

[ukcatfan]

Since it is on the table, I have to say this... I wish that nickname would go away forever!!!!! It just makes me cringe reading or hearing it. I mean, what are we the glee club???

Luckily, the Pentax version does not seem to carry that nickname since it is ~$75 more, is f/1.4, and is more solidly built

 

[Quicklabs]

One thing I'll say about it is that it really teaches you how to use the aperture and shutter speed settings and how to "zoom with your feet" to get the shot. I'm happy with what that lens gives me when I use it properly. It's a pretty fast little sucker as well, useful on dark rides and nighttime parades. The bokeh is pretty nice, too, IMO.
Here's a 100 percent crop from yesterday at 2.5, right of the camera except for the crop. Hey, did anyone mention that it's cheap? And so lightweight that you can just throw it in your pocket? LOL (C'mon now, Sing it with me, uKcatfan!) ROTFL!

 

[jann1033]

As far as lenses and camera equipment go, it is very inexpensive. Also it (both the Nikon and Canon f/1.8 versions) is VERY sharp, especially from f/2.8 to f/11. I've taken some razor sharp images with my copy.

It is easy to bring around as it is very small. When I go to Disney, it fits in my front pocket.

And like Ann said, its cheap (price wise) and nifty ryhmes with fifty.

or with my mutant canon version from f11ish-22 i think the thing i like best is it's size. my autofocus doesn't work at the lower f stops but it is really nice to just stuff in a pocket to use for the f stops my 28-135 really stinks at...

and to make ukcatfan run screaming, i have heard the new canon 55-250 referred to as( a one an a two and a tweet on a pitch pipe, sing it girls and boys)"the nifty 250 "

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, I guess everyone can't be as cool as a Pentaxian

 

[jann1033]

Well, I guess everyone can't be as cool as a Pentaxian

ot but i read an article about what type of person buys what brand of camera..the only 2 i remember are pentax = rebel ala James Dean, canon = the most likely to be named Muffy ( ie conservative heading toward preppie) so you might not be to far off

 

[Todd_H]

ot but i read an article about what type of person buys what brand of camera..the only 2 i remember are pentax = rebel ala James Dean, canon = the most likely to be named Muffy ( ie conservative heading toward preppie) so you might not be to far off

"Muffy" huh?

Might have to switch to that new "K" that's being announced tomorrow

JK. "Conservative heading toward preppie" couldn't be farther off from describing me anyway.

 

[jann1033]

"Muffy" huh?

Might have to switch to that new "K" that's being announced tomorrow

JK. "Conservative heading toward preppie" couldn't be farther off from describing me anyway.

me neither which is probably why i remembered it..figure it's probably in the same category of accuracy as reading the bumps on your head or tea leaves

 

[MoonFaerie]

"Muffy" huh?

Might have to switch to that new "K" that's being announced tomorrow

JK. "Conservative heading toward preppie" couldn't be farther off from describing me anyway.

Me either. If anyone I knew IRL ever referred to me as conservative, I think I'd literally be rolling on the floor! I think I'm safe from that fate as long as I keep my hair pink though.