Canon 50mm lens

Matty · 12-08-2005, 20:28

I know this is a good quality, cheap lens, but whos got one and how often is it used? thoughts and opinions wanted really!

***Steve*** · 12-08-2005, 20:32

Me and lots

Its a no brainer for the money.

Matt · 12-08-2005, 20:44

I have one.

Nice and sharp.

DaveG · 12-08-2005, 21:22

I have it. Use it lots, definately worth the investment. (we are talking about the 1.8 MkII aren't we?)

ASH · 12-08-2005, 21:55

Recently bought the new EF-S 60mm macro, very sharp and makes a good portrait lens to. I now it's more money but I think it's worth it. only fits the 300D, 350D, and the 20D, but you probably know that.

stewart · 12-08-2005, 22:02

i have one cracking lens for the money

Steep · 12-08-2005, 22:32

I use my 50mm as my standard lens, trouble is it's so good it makes my others seem poor.

Matty · 12-08-2005, 23:14

yeah the 1.8mkII for around £60 from 7dayshop

thanks for the feedback guys, when the G6 is sold i will buy one i think

12-08-2005, 23:24

Forgive the n00b question.

But what does this hold over having the kit lens?

I understand that 50mm is pretty much what the 'eye' sees, but considering the kit lens covers 18-55 anyway, is it really such as necessary a purchase as it seems? If so, why?

Or am I missing something?

LIke I said, noobs dont learn until they ask stupid questions

CT · 13-08-2005, 00:09

It's not a stupid question mate. The 50mm lens is as you say, the one where the view through the viewfinder equates pretty well to the human eye in proprtions and perspective. That's only true with a 1:1 format camera though. With a 1.6X crop camera that 50mm lens becomes an 80mm equivalent in terms of field of view so the foregoing advantages are lost straight away.

However, 80mm is a pretty useful portait lens length. The real advantage though is that you're getting a very fast lens for available light work with the large aperture giving nice oof backgrounds. Being a fixed focal length it tends to be really crisp in comparison to even the best zooms too.

I bought the 1.4 50mm 2nd hand and it's a belter.

Edit.. The 1.8 is an incredible bargain!!

Liberalis · 13-08-2005, 14:29

Best lens I've got.

Mk1 is apparently better as its metal and has a range window thingy, but not easy to find though.

fingerz · 13-08-2005, 14:39

I've got it and I've hardly used it except when I've needed to do stuff in low lighting conditions but reading this thread is making me think I should use it more often.

Someone say something to help me wean myself off the kit lens. It's just so easy.

Matty · 13-08-2005, 16:47

im getting the impression its a must have lens....

IanC_UK · 13-08-2005, 16:49

I have one, but don't use it nearly enough ! Mind you most of my pics recently have been either big cats, powerboats etc !

Just need to make myself use it more ! Lake District soon though, and am in Edale Monday and Tuesday with work !

Steep · 13-08-2005, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerz

Someone say something to help me wean myself off the kit lens. It's just so easy.

/smacks fingerz erm...fingerz, "Stop using the kit lens!!"

***Steve*** · 13-08-2005, 19:18

The beauty of this lens is that it is incredibly light with it being made mainly of plastic. When on the camera it’s a pleasure to carry around. The MKI version was made with a metal mount which is obviously stronger, optics wise though both the mk1 and mkII are identical.

It’s also a prime lens so as it doesn’t have to be compromised by having to cover other ranges it is incredibly sharp and resolves so much detail that unless the rest of your lenses are top quality it will show them up.

It’s also a great lens for improving your photography, if you need something framing properly you have to move your position, no twisting that zoom (it doesn’t have one), this lens will make you think about composition and camera craft.

At f1.8 it’s also likely to be the fastest lens in your kit for the majority of people and can open up a big window of semi low light photography or amazingly short depth of field shots.

Add in extension tubes and you have a great macro lens as well.

Just some of the reasons why at £60 this lens is a must have piece of kit in my opinion.

Gandhi · 13-08-2005, 23:39

^^ never a truer word said ^^

busterboy · 14-08-2005, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerz

Someone say something to help me wean myself off the kit lens. It's just so easy.

The 50mm prime just simply blows the kit lens in to oblivion..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

The beauty of this lens is that it is incredibly light with it being made mainly of plastic. When on the camera it’s a pleasure to carry around. The MKI version was made with a metal mount which is obviously stronger, optics wise though both the mk1 and mkII are identical.

It’s also a prime lens so as it doesn’t have to be compromised by having to cover other ranges it is incredibly sharp and resolves so much detail that unless the rest of your lenses are top quality it will show them up.

It’s also a great lens for improving your photography, if you need something framing properly you have to move your position, no twisting that zoom (it doesn’t have one), this lens will make you think about composition and camera craft.

At f1.8 it’s also likely to be the fastest lens in your kit for the majority of people and can open up a big window of semi low light photography or amazingly short depth of field shots.

Add in extension tubes and you have a great macro lens as well.

Just some of the reasons why at £60 this lens is a must have piece of kit in my opinion.

A great post that says it all..

Matty · 14-08-2005, 08:36

looks like it will be that one then, lol

12-08-2005, 20:28	#1 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	Canon 50mm lens I know this is a good quality, cheap lens, but whos got one and how often is it used? thoughts and opinions wanted really!

13-08-2005, 00:09	#10 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	It's not a stupid question mate. The 50mm lens is as you say, the one where the view through the viewfinder equates pretty well to the human eye in proprtions and perspective. That's only true with a 1:1 format camera though. With a 1.6X crop camera that 50mm lens becomes an 80mm equivalent in terms of field of view so the foregoing advantages are lost straight away. However, 80mm is a pretty useful portait lens length. The real advantage though is that you're getting a very fast lens for available light work with the large aperture giving nice oof backgrounds. Being a fixed focal length it tends to be really crisp in comparison to even the best zooms too. I bought the 1.4 50mm 2nd hand and it's a belter. Edit.. The 1.8 is an incredible bargain!! Last edited by CT : 13-08-2005 at 00:11.

12-08-2005, 20:32	#2 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Me and lots Its a no brainer for the money.

12-08-2005, 20:44	#3 (permalink)
Matt Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,326	I have one. Nice and sharp.

12-08-2005, 21:22	#4 (permalink)
DaveG Been here a while Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 262	I have it. Use it lots, definately worth the investment. (we are talking about the 1.8 MkII aren't we?)

12-08-2005, 21:55	#5 (permalink)
ASH Getting Comfy Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 145	Recently bought the new EF-S 60mm macro, very sharp and makes a good portrait lens to. I now it's more money but I think it's worth it. only fits the 300D, 350D, and the 20D, but you probably know that.

12-08-2005, 22:02	#6 (permalink)
stewart Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: manchester Posts: 65	i have one cracking lens for the money

12-08-2005, 22:32	#7 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	I use my 50mm as my standard lens, trouble is it's so good it makes my others seem poor.

12-08-2005, 23:14	#8 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	yeah the 1.8mkII for around £60 from 7dayshop thanks for the feedback guys, when the G6 is sold i will buy one i think

12-08-2005, 23:24	#9 (permalink)
Marcel Posts: n/a	Forgive the n00b question. But what does this hold over having the kit lens? I understand that 50mm is pretty much what the 'eye' sees, but considering the kit lens covers 18-55 anyway, is it really such as necessary a purchase as it seems? If so, why? Or am I missing something? LIke I said, noobs dont learn until they ask stupid questions

13-08-2005, 14:29	#11 (permalink)
Liberalis Been here a while Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 381	Best lens I've got. Mk1 is apparently better as its metal and has a range window thingy, but not easy to find though.

13-08-2005, 14:39	#12 (permalink)
fingerz Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 790	I've got it and I've hardly used it except when I've needed to do stuff in low lighting conditions but reading this thread is making me think I should use it more often. Someone say something to help me wean myself off the kit lens. It's just so easy.

13-08-2005, 16:47	#13 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	im getting the impression its a must have lens....

13-08-2005, 16:49	#14 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	I have one, but don't use it nearly enough ! Mind you most of my pics recently have been either big cats, powerboats etc ! Just need to make myself use it more ! Lake District soon though, and am in Edale Monday and Tuesday with work !

13-08-2005, 19:18	#16 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	The beauty of this lens is that it is incredibly light with it being made mainly of plastic. When on the camera it’s a pleasure to carry around. The MKI version was made with a metal mount which is obviously stronger, optics wise though both the mk1 and mkII are identical. It’s also a prime lens so as it doesn’t have to be compromised by having to cover other ranges it is incredibly sharp and resolves so much detail that unless the rest of your lenses are top quality it will show them up. It’s also a great lens for improving your photography, if you need something framing properly you have to move your position, no twisting that zoom (it doesn’t have one), this lens will make you think about composition and camera craft. At f1.8 it’s also likely to be the fastest lens in your kit for the majority of people and can open up a big window of semi low light photography or amazingly short depth of field shots. Add in extension tubes and you have a great macro lens as well. Just some of the reasons why at £60 this lens is a must have piece of kit in my opinion.

13-08-2005, 23:39	#17 (permalink)
Gandhi Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: bath, somerserset Posts: 966	^^ never a truer word said ^^

14-08-2005, 08:36	#19 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	looks like it will be that one then, lol