Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens

[mpot]

I recently published a review of the nifty fifty - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens on my blog (http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/lenses/Canon50f18.html).

http://martybugs.net/blog/images/50mm_16303_300.jpg (http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/lenses/Canon50f18.html) http://martybugs.net/blog/images/50mm_16306_300.jpg (http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/lenses/Canon50f18.html)

Great value for money, and a fun lens. Anyone with a Canon SLR should have a 50mm prime lens (f/1.8, or if your budget stretches a bit further, the f/1.4 or f/1.2L versions).

[Buddah]

I appreciate your effort in publishing the review and wholeheartedly agree with your viewpoint. That's a very useful resource for anyone contemplating the plastic fantastic (Nikon have a version as well, i understand). Makes me want to dig mine out and use it more than I do at the moment.

Thanks for the link.

[dbax]

yep bought this one a couple of months ago, got a great deal, less than the ebay second hand price, brand new and local. Very happy with the results. And being so light it works great with extension tubes for anyone interested in macro:th3:

[twofruitz]

I think the 50mm f1.4 should be in everyone's kit.

It's a little more expensive than the f1.8 variant; but after testing and using both; the benefits are certainly there. So much so that I intend to keep the f1.4 version when I buy the f1.2L due to its small size and weight.

I completely understand that the f1.8 is in everyones price range; but when it comes to usability and quality, its lacking for what decent photography needs.

[mikew09]

Great review - I think it is time to get me one of these, I went to get one about a month ago at three popular camera shops and were all sold out and said they are very popular. Must ry again.

[JM Tran]

I think the 50mm f1.4 should be in everyone's kit.

It's a little more expensive than the f1.8 variant; but after testing and using both; the benefits are certainly there. So much so that I intend to keep the f1.4 version when I buy the f1.2L due to its small size and weight.

I completely understand that the f1.8 is in everyones price range; but when it comes to usability and quality, its lacking for what decent photography needs.

I would like to hear your reasoning for why the F1.4 is much better than the F1.8, taking into account the price difference etc. As myself and other pros who work at Photographic Wholesalers tend to think otherwise, and we have all shot professional works and products with all of the versions ie. F1.2 L.

[draco]

hmmm.. been contemplating on getting one of these but never got the chance to do so.. time to head of to the nearest camera shop :D

[David]

Hi Draco-

I picked one up for 140.00 at Teds Camera Warehouse on Friday, tried it over the weekend and am very happy with the results.

I accept the 1.4 or 1.2 is probably going to be better but for an amateur with less demanding expectations the 1.8 II costs next to nothing and can be used as a backup lens in my kit (takes up very little space) even if I decide in the future that a 'better' lens is the go.

[RuthJ]

I bought my nifty fifty last dec as a backup....it's now the lens I use 90% of the time.

[oiisxc]

yup i use one, great little lens, makes camera look a lot smaller though

[DAdeGroot]

Ah the nifty 50 was my first lens (on a digital slr). It's served me well over the years but the slower and hunting focus and lack of distance scale, not to mention cheap build quality means it gets little use these days. I find 40mm or 70mm usually suffice, and only drag out the 50 where the narrow DoF or extra light is needed.

[sapook]

first lens of mine apart from the kit has been the nifty fifty. i use it 90% of the time too, and love it to bits :)

[Dawixe]

There is actually a few review on the net comparing the 1.8 to 1.4 to 1.2.

Most will rate the 1.4 as the most bang for you bucks.

[Gas Man]

I'll be getting a Canon 50mm 1.8 II for sure, I have read nothing but raving reports from people here & elsewhere so I think I am going to have to go out & get myself a nice lil' 'Nifty Fifty' to add to the collection!

[rogklee]

Gonna go pick one up tonight for father's day. Should be good

[etherial]

Just got mine, and had my first experience with F1.8 in a dimly lit church for a wedding rehersal Friday night. WOW! the large appature opens up a whole new world for me to play in!

[chrisprendergast]

yeh i own the 50 1.8 love it on my 5d mkII

[rogklee]

Tested the new 50mm and Canon 40D. Great lil combo, except the plastic make is a bit of a let down.

Nonetheless, great pics, sharp and beautiful bokeh.

[JohnRA]

Canon must be pleased with the sales of this lens, I purchased one last Tuesday & am quite happy with it.
One thing I noticed, after using zooms exclusively for a few years a fixed focal length lens sure makes you walk around a lot more.

[BigEd]

Is the f/1.4 worth the extra coin...??

[Luke11]

I bought my 50mm 1.8 yesterday and feel soooooooo good leaving the store knowing I only paid $127- for a lense. Took some pics around Balmain area and very happy with results.

[tannyboy]

its a handy little lens - sure its plasticky - but the glass is great...

sure the bokeh isnt as joy as the 1.4 - but its a 1/3 of the price.

[monkey]

does anyone have a photo comparison between the 1.8, 1.4 and 1.2?

[coolie21]

Bought this lens 5 years ago as all I could afford when I shelled out 2.5K(!) for a 20D body. Loved it and it has contributed to some great images.

Now if Canon would make a plastic fantastic version of some of their OTHER lenses I'd be there....

[Clubmanmc]

i bought mine when i had a 500N film camera... as i wanted some thing for low light and loved the depth of field fun you could have with it

M

[sicklaser]

I dont use mine as much as i would like but it has saved my bum a few times now because of large aperture. Awesome value for $150 australian

[thebookfreak58]

I rarely use mine now. 40mm or 70mm seem to be ok for me.

But when I first started it was almost always my "go to" lens.

[fhphoto]

one of the best lens for travel IMO, almost disposable

[ramostudio]

Great little lens. I have one in a 1.4.

[hus]

I scored one of these (EF50 f1.8) by accident but real happy with it, the image l got shooting at f1.8 blew me away.

p.s. luckly i am still alive ;-)

[ravescar]

Coming from a 40D and Tamron 17-50 f2.8,

I found a deal on 5D classic that is out of this world, so have upgraded and while selling my old camera gear, and waiting for my Wide Angle and General Purpose Lens, i bought a 50mm f1.8 II.

5D and 50mm blew me away IQ and Low Light wise despite going from a relatively good zoom to a cheapo 50mm prime. photos are nice and sharp, and i learnt a lot about composition using my first ever prime.

[pfb]

I bought mine on eBay yesterday - can't wait to try it!

[coffeegal]

I struggle with this lens. Can never achieve focus of full face and/or both eyes. :confused013
I dont really use it and opt for the kit lens instead :eek:
Looking at the samples on the review, I can never mange anything remoately close to those. Beautiful Samantha is in full focus. When I take a shot like that I'm lucky to get an eye focused.

[PerfectPicture]

funny seeing this now .. as looking at getting this Canon 50mm F1.8 II Lens as well.

IS this a Great lens for shooting a wedding in the church and in low light conditions?
also for great portraits and great bokeh as well?

do you have any example pictures of the lens indoors by any chance?

Cheers

[canonian]

I gave my 400D and nifty 50 to my son to encourage his photography gifts. He regularly takes photos that amaze me with it. If you like taking "portrait" style photos and are moving up from the basic kit lens I would strongly recommend the 50mm f1.8 at appox $150.

[gooseflesh]

great lens.. 50mm f1.8 (or f1.4) should be in everyone's kit..

[Xenedis]

great lens.. 50mm f1.8 (or f1.4) should be in everyone's kit..

Except those of us (like myself) who cannot stand that focal length. :-)

[nixworries]

wife bought me ine today - but i can't have it till my birthday :(

[astrogirl529]

These are great, and if you knock them off the shelf and break them, doesn't cost too much to replace!! Great for weddings if you are able to get up close.

[astrogirl529]

I find it hard to focus both eyes too, try using it not at 1.8 and see if that helps. You will still get great bokeh.

[Wayno]

Good review. I just bought mine in KL for about $100.

[schc]

This is an awesome lens for price and build, I have had mine for a few years and it hasn't let me down yet!!

[hawkies]

Purchased this recently, returned it a week later.
Maybe i was expecting to much, as i've heard great reviews.

[James02]

Bought a 50mm 1.8 and two months later it went into continuos focus hunting. Sent it back to Canon and they just replaced it with a new one that so far seems to work much better.

[crimespree]

a good tip with these is to switch them to manual focus if you are storing them in a bag where they may get knocked around, it stops the focusing mechanism from any strain if you bump or force the end of the lens shut..

[predator]

I like mine, very sharp, etc but the focus ring at the front gives me the irits seeing as I usually want to manual focus for shots I care about. I'm going to have to get the 1.4 with the wider ring soon.

[stephendean]

This is a great lens, love mine. It helps me take great pics.

[ricktas]

This is a great lens, love mine. It helps me take great pics.

Perhaps you could show us some of these great pics? One day soon!

[Snapman007]

Digging up an old thread but for an amateur it's great value for money.
As an am I've got a 650D with 18-135 kit Lens. Struggled with indoor, low light, around the camp fire type shots where I couldn't use a flash but get acceptable results with the 50/1.8.
At the low $100 mark I think it's a great "try before you buy" lens.