Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - Nifty Fifty [Archive] - Page 34

rohicks

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 01:21

What's that in grams??

The lens actually only weight a 1/4 lb, but It's a pretty well known fact that light lenses are harder to hold steady.

Those are great shots, I am glad you can get low shutter speeds, but most cannot. It is much safer to use 1/100+ with this lens and guarantee a sharp shot than to rely on luck with borderline speeds.

Well known fact that lighter lenses are hard to hold? hah? What's the biggest lens you've shot with?
Hmm i wonder what monopods are primarily used for?
Usually longer the focal length heavier the lens, right? ... and even at that if the lens is still a stub; the longer your focal length the harder it is to justify steadying the increased magnification. Why do you think IS is made for longer focal lengths?

50mm f/1.8II
Weight: 4.6 oz

I'd rather hand hold this 50 and anything shorter, then anything much longer than a 70mm at a slow shutter speed.

tkbslc

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 01:30

What's that in grams??

130g for the mk2

Well known fact that lighter lenses are hard to hold? haha dunno where you are getting that from? What's the biggest lens you've shot with? Hmm i wonder what monopods are primarily used for?

Okay at some point the lens becomes TOO heavy and long, but a 500g 50mm like the 50 1.2 would be easier to hold steady than a 130g 50 1.8 lens, for example. I'm not making it up. The weight stabilizes your hand instead of letting it shake.

http://creationview.com/Article6.html

yogestee

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 01:39

Okay at some point the lens becomes TOO heavy and long, but a 500g 50mm like the 50 1.2 would be easier to hold steady than a 130g 50 1.8 lens, for example. I'm not making it up. The weight stabilizes your hand instead of letting it shake.

Yeah I agree with this to a point as long as you have a good balance with your camera body.. This is why I use grips on my bodies..

My Sigma EX 50-150mm F/2.8 APO feels great with my 20D and 50D but a little out of balance when I had my 350D which was also gripped (I've handed it down to my daughter)..

The Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 also felt nice on my 20D but much nicer on my issued 1D MkII when I worked for a newspaper..Anything heavier I'd use a monopod..

DreDaze

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 01:59

it looks like the first and third are resting against something...the first looks like it's totally on the carpet...and 3rd could easily be resting on a pillow or something...the others i don't know...

For this lens ... that barely weighs 1lb?
Maybe a few more pushups might help you.

All shot wide open. Learn how to properly position yourself.
1/60th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3154168524_6c6acd81f9.jpg

1/13th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/3029608847_03fc34e1fa_o.jpg

1/60th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/3020418967_1ee93008b6.jpg

1/6th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2655073650_c301720137.jpg

JORDANSonME

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 02:11

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3813269319_4254b3b4b9_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3813268575_2af411706f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3814079760_a944565463_b.jpg

rohicks

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 08:56

roszell

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 09:25

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3813960899_9fbf4a922d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3813960899/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3813960175_0ee4648895.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3813960175/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3813960045_d9e1976869.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3813960045/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3814769314_704d541432.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3814769314/)

rohicks

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 10:11

it looks like the first and third are resting against something...the first looks like it's totally on the carpet...and 3rd could easily be resting on a pillow or something...the others i don't know...

And here is a few more for the unbelievers. You guys just need to learn how to properly hold the camera more steady.
1/3 - ISO 400 - f/1.8
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3737197090_02a7f385a6_o.jpg
1/50th - f/5.6 - ISO100
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3044728936_37a5b9791e_o.jpg
1/80th - f/1.8 - ISO640 (my girlfriend at the time shot this one and she has no photography skills)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3133242883_13dc42c891.jpg
1/60th - f/1.8 - ISO400
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/3154167820_45a274899c.jpg
1/20th - f/1.8 - ISO400
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2654247815_a6b8cbeae7_o.jpg
1/40th - f/1.8 - ISO3200
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/3030563644_e821325216_o.jpg

DreDaze

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 10:47

tkbslc

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 10:51

skill -

I am not arguing that YOU can handhold at low speeds. But not everyone can do that. I can handhold most lenses at 1/FL or maybe 1/2 stop lower. My Sigma 30 I can do at 1/15 just fine. With the nifty I need 1/100 for sharp shots. Do I have bad technique? Probably.

The issue is that the 50 gets bashed around for focus problems and softness wide open and 9/10 you will see that the example shots are pushing it for shutter speed. Even at the most basic handholding rule, you should be at 1/80 on a crop camera since this is 80mm equivalent. So to argue and say, no you should be able to do a 1/30 shot no problem is doing people a disservice. More shutter speed = sharper shots and that is a fact. And I think when someone has issues with softer shots the DOF and shutter speed are generally more to blame than the lens "softness" or focus problems. So all I am trying to say is that by shooting at 1/100+ you can rule out handshake as an issue. And if you shoot under 1/80 and your shot is blurry, it is probably shutter speed.

rohicks

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 14:10

^^^you're telling me that bench shot, that the camera isn't sitting on the bench?...i have a hard time believing the kitten and the carpet one, that the camera isn't on the carpet...also your last one doesn't look sharp...i'm not saying it isn't a good shot, as sharpness isn't always neccesary...just pointing out that i think the ss got to you finally..

either way you're definitely better than me at handholding...need to work on that technique...
NO all are hand held. I was away from the bench and on the side of it. I was sitting down however on the concrete. You can believe what you want, however I was the one shooting it I know where the camera was.

skill -

I am not arguing that YOU can handhold at low speeds. But not everyone can do that. I can handhold most lenses at 1/FL or maybe 1/2 stop lower. My Sigma 30 I can do at 1/15 just fine. With the nifty I need 1/100 for sharp shots. Do I have bad technique? Probably.

The issue is that the 50 gets bashed around for focus problems and softness wide open and 9/10 you will see that the example shots are pushing it for shutter speed. Even at the most basic handholding rule, you should be at 1/80 on a crop camera since this is 80mm equivalent. So to argue and say, no you should be able to do a 1/30 shot no problem is doing people a disservice. More shutter speed = sharper shots and that is a fact. And I think when someone has issues with softer shots the DOF and shutter speed are generally more to blame than the lens "softness" or focus problems. So all I am trying to say is that by shooting at 1/100+ you can rule out handshake as an issue. And if you shoot under 1/80 and your shot is blurry, it is probably shutter speed.
Which goes back to my original reply to the OP ...
Increase your shutter and/or ISO. Rule of thumb you shouldn't be shooting anything less than the reciprocal of your focal length ... so 1/50th is as low as you should go. (added in - this doesn't mean you shouldn't shoot faster it's just a rule of thumb as i said)

The lens will be a little soft at wide open and shines at f/2.5-2.8.
You also need to get used to shooting without IS it seems like.

The OP said he used IS on a kit lens with a bigger magnification. I think he's just too set on using the IS to help him hold frame steady.

Bobster

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 18:39

after hand holding longer focal length at slow speeds, shooting the 50 slow is easy!
http://www.pbase.com/bob_hall/image/116025848.jpg
1/10s f/1.8

jenchfoto

12th of August 2009 (Wed), 19:06

Just got mine today! I've been on a waiting list to get it and finally they said they'd have it today, but the lady at the photography shop told me they didn't get a shipment in and I insisted they must have it...turns out they hadn't opened a box yet. YES!! Finally in my hands. I'm testing it out when I get off work.

Karizmatik

13th of August 2009 (Thu), 01:01

Those complaining of images not being tack sharp, you have to realise -- You are shooting at F1.8!

The depth of field is so small that even if you stuck it on a tripod or shot it at 1/100th or whatever, it isn't going to be tack sharp at F1.8 on a $100 lens. You can get lucky every now and then. But it is a $100 lens shooting at F1.8. What do you expect? L class images?

Stop down a little and I think you'll find that even at slower shutter speeds most stuff will look pretty sharp compared to F1.8

Here is a quick snapshot I took just to demonstrate:

ISO 800, F2.5, 1/30th hand held - Not leaning on anything - Centre focused on the handle of the scissors:

http://www.kariz-matik.com/photography/IMG_2973-SML.jpg

DreDaze

13th of August 2009 (Thu), 02:26

NO all are hand held. I was away from the bench and on the side of it. I was sitting down however on the concrete. You can believe what you want, however I was the one shooting it I know where the camera was.

obviously you were the one shooting it...i'm just going off of the basis of there seems like there is a lot of carpet in your kitten shot...which would lead me to believe the camera is sitting on the carpet...if it's not, i'm obviously wrong...i think you've already established you're pretty good at taking some shots with a slow shutter...it's just those few that seem like the camera wasn't really handheld...

jasongraaf

13th of August 2009 (Thu), 02:28

In my experience, the only "L" thing about this lens is its sharpness. Here are 2 100% crops that I just took of the front of my computer screen at f/1.8.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x290/1992yz125/A73A1690.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x290/1992yz125/A73A1687.jpg

I almost always shoot this lens at 2.8. I find that there is enough DOF to cover my subject and the image is razor sharp, but the BG is still blurred.

psychoace

14th of August 2009 (Fri), 01:36

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3819946114_bc1c82dc7b_b.jpg

I will probably do a little bit of cropping in the morning. I will probably take a little off the horizontal bit to make it seem wider.

tkbslc

14th of August 2009 (Fri), 02:02

I almost always shoot this lens at 2.8. I find that there is enough DOF to cover my subject and the image is razor sharp, but the BG is still blurred.

I'm pretty much the same way, except f2.5 is my normal cutoff. Seems to eliminate focus errors for me, too.

Lisa

14th of August 2009 (Fri), 02:34

Here is my crappy contribution. Don't remember what the first was set on but the last 2 was on 1.8
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/LisaRae82/IMG_0040.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/LisaRae82/IMG_0107.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/LisaRae82/IMG_0150.jpg

implayaz9

14th of August 2009 (Fri), 02:44

just took one.. still a noob
http://i28.tinypic.com/2ymwo3r.jpg

CosmoKid

14th of August 2009 (Fri), 14:27

Bobster

15th of August 2009 (Sat), 09:06

why did you buy a TN panel? ;)
same reason he bought a 1.8 instead of a 1.2 :)

Hand_of_Cod

15th of August 2009 (Sat), 18:10

This lens is great value!
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk245/Gimli000/IMG_4750retouchedsmall.jpg

Gibbo

15th of August 2009 (Sat), 19:31

In my experience, the only "L" thing about this lens is its sharpness.

Yep, This has gotta be my favourite lens. Leave it on f/2.8 and the sharpness is more than work £70. I never go to f/1.8 on this lens unless i really have to.

Bobster

15th of August 2009 (Sat), 19:58

Yep, This has gotta be my favourite lens. Leave it on f/2.8 and the sharpness is more than work £70. I never go to f/1.8 on this lens unless i really have to.
why? its great wide open :D
http://www.pbase.com/bob_hall/image/107881387.jpg

Gibbo

15th of August 2009 (Sat), 20:37

why? its great wide open :D

I agree having f/1.8 is awesome, but not nearly as sharp as f/2.8+

RyanK

16th of August 2009 (Sun), 02:01

Thats why I carry the 28 1.8 and the 50 1.8. ;)

28 1.8 is tack sharp at 1.8, and I use the 50 for 2.8 and above, cause any stop lower is...eh.

jasongraaf

16th of August 2009 (Sun), 02:40

My only problem with 1.8 is that I have nothing to focus on that is that narrow. I find it sharp wide open, but it's only sharp for a tiny fraction of the subject.

Anyway... Here's another pic at a 50% crop (at f/2.8 of course :))

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3824896259_c5a5ecdee7_b.jpg

cel0202

16th of August 2009 (Sun), 03:18

My contribution... definitely crisp when not at 1.8.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3825770288_4a9f04b9cc.jpg
40D, 1/400 @ f/2.8, ISO 100

Karizmatik

16th of August 2009 (Sun), 08:50

After a long day shooting, my assistant NEEDED a cigarette. So we chilled for a bit at the reception an mingled with the guests.

Caught this candid of her. She HATES her photo being taken so it was a bit of a sneak-attack acting like I was focusing on the juke-box behind her haha.

She stole my hoodie too. I froze my ass off.

http://www.kariz-matik.com/blog/IMG_4025-SML.jpg

JORDANSonME

17th of August 2009 (Mon), 00:30

From a recent wedding

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh183/mpaderna/IMG_0905.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3825858940_e2ee7cdbdc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3825859152_2215a95037_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3825057251_5b3c61df42_b.jpg

AntonP

17th of August 2009 (Mon), 14:06

30D, f/3.2, 1/160

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3829846265_f9651e6d66_o.jpg

Yesac13

17th of August 2009 (Mon), 19:30

Today, I was hoping to post a nice Nifty Fifty picture.

Alas, my new Nifty Fifty is a BAD one. Softest lens I have used by a mile. Even stopped down to 2.8, still really soft. I didn't even bother stopping down any further, soft at 2.8 is no good. Not only that, its consistently out of focus on the left side. Pretty weird imagery - most of my pictures were soft then even softer on the left side.

Oh well. Back to Adorama it goes. Mine was a refurb so that might be the reason. Yet, I have a refurbished 18-55 IS and a 55-250 IS... both are sharp. Actually not that far behind my best lens, a 100 2.8 Macro! Colors are less saturated than the macro but its close enough that I'm not sure why people say the kit lens are crap...

yogestee

17th of August 2009 (Mon), 21:17

How about posting a few pics so we can see what the problem is..

emu248mafia

17th of August 2009 (Mon), 21:24

neighbors were having a lil luau party so i shot some before hand pics, before it got busy.

some PP, mainly retouch on the girls.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3832253794_1159370db8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3831462593_4f94e6906e_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3832257746_23420bc432_b.jpg

Yesac13

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:14

How about posting a few pics so we can see what the problem is..

One example... Look at the left side. This doesn't happen all of the time but frequently enough that I am sending the lens back. I took pics with my other lens soon after this photograph to be sure that my camera wasn't crapping out on me. No problems at all!

The effect is rather strange and is a bit entertaining (other pics, bokeh goes weird, varies in places). But I bought this lens for nice and sharp pics so this ain't acceptable...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3831942293_0a573c7cb7_o.jpg

If the picture looks surprisingly sharp in places, believe me, they ain't. Real soft everywhere. Even my cheapo 18-55 IS blows this len out of the water. I'm not saying that the Nifty -Fifty is crap, its just my copy is badly flawed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yesac13/3831942293/

joeyjoeyjoey

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:29

MkI f/2.5

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3830613428_00a3679ce4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joey_joey_joey/3830613428/in/set-72157621175969671/)

jasongraaf

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:38

It's pretty appalling, IMO, that Adorama would pass on a lens that is that clearly defective. Definitely very broken.

DreDaze

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:42

nothing looks sharp in that at all...what were you intending to focus on?...also what focus mode did you use?

One example... Look at the left side. This doesn't happen all of the time but frequently enough that I am sending the lens back. I took pics with my other lens soon after this photograph to be sure that my camera wasn't crapping out on me. No problems at all!

The effect is rather strange and is a bit entertaining (other pics, bokeh goes weird, varies in places). But I bought this lens for nice and sharp pics so this ain't acceptable...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3831942293_0a573c7cb7_o.jpg

If the picture looks surprisingly sharp in places, believe me, they ain't. Real soft everywhere. Even my cheapo 18-55 IS blows this len out of the water. I'm not saying that the Nifty -Fifty is crap, its just my copy is badly flawed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yesac13/3831942293/

Yesac13

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:47

It's pretty appalling, IMO, that Adorama would pass on a lens that is that clearly defective. Definitely very broken.

Unless this lens was dropped by Adorama while they had it, I probably would blame Canon for this lens. Remember, refurbs come straight from Canon... Canon checks lens then send it on in sealed refurb boxes. Adorama then sells it. That's my understanding. I opened it up, tried one shot and promptly knew it was a bad one.

Yesac13

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 00:52

nothing looks sharp in that at all...what were you intending to focus on?...also what focus mode did you use?

It's generally like this whether I focus on something or just a general picture! Photos generally got a little better if I focused closely on one item but that soft left side still shows up. This picture is stopped down to 2.8! 1.8 is a bit more soft. Speed was 1/60, ISO 400. My 100 2.8 Macro focused just fine on the closest trees in the same picture. Settings were exactly the same, just different lens...

Its just a bad lens. Waiting to hear from Adorama right now.

yogestee

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 01:20

One example... Look at the left side. This doesn't happen all of the time but frequently enough that I am sending the lens back. I took pics with my other lens soon after this photograph to be sure that my camera wasn't crapping out on me. No problems at all!

The effect is rather strange and is a bit entertaining (other pics, bokeh goes weird, varies in places). But I bought this lens for nice and sharp pics so this ain't acceptable...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3831942293_0a573c7cb7_o.jpg

If the picture looks surprisingly sharp in places, believe me, they ain't. Real soft everywhere. Even my cheapo 18-55 IS blows this len out of the water. I'm not saying that the Nifty -Fifty is crap, its just my copy is badly flawed.

I checked the EXIF for this image.. Your shutterspeed was 1/60th sec which could be a tad slow for this lens shooting with your XSi,,1/80th or faster would be more appropriate..Then again you could have steadier hands than most..

The image lso lacks contrast which often gives the impression of being soft..

AntonP

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 05:45

Yesac13

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 09:31

Yesac13, I've had the same problem only a little less obvious and on the right side and I was also getting weird looking swirly bokeh in some situations. So I got rid of the lens, returning it to they guy I bought it from. Don't listen to anyone saying it's a user error.

Sounds exactly like this lens. I also do have weird swirly bokeh in other photographs, too. Its generally for closer up photographs.

fritzk3

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 10:40

30D, f/3.2, 1/160

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3829846265_f9651e6d66_o.jpg
Cool reflection in the glasses... and nice bokeh... but I swear, those look like women's sunglasses. Not very manly! :P

lonewolfcub

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 13:47

I had my ISO up for some reason at 800 but this shot was taken at f/2.2, 1/1250.
Rusty old chain on a swing set.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3822243648_0a3c0b6ac0_b.jpg

stsva

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 13:55

I checked the EXIF for this image.. Your shutterspeed was 1/60th sec which could be a tad slow for this lens shooting with your XSi,,1/80th or faster would be more appropriate..Then again you could have steadier hands than most..

The image lso lacks contrast which often gives the impression of being soft..

+1 1/60 and f/2.8 is not a recipe for a sharp image. The lack of sharpness anywhere makes me suspect motion blur more than focusing in the wrong spot. On the other hand, it certainly could be the lens. (How's that for sitting on the fence?:) )

AntonP

18th of August 2009 (Tue), 13:55

Cool reflection in the glasses... and nice bokeh... but I swear, those look like women's sunglasses. Not very manly! :P
Well, it's a bit on the humoristic side )

tkbslc

19th of August 2009 (Wed), 01:03

I owned this lens a few months ago and sold it thinking it sucked. I "upgraded" it to a MF lens and then a Tamron 28-75. The MF lens has better bokeh, but considering the reason I sold my nifty was spotty AF, well it seems kind of humorous I thought I could do better with manual only. So then I thought a 28-75 f2.8 would cover this range nicely. It is a good range, but it is softer at f2.8 than the nifty is at f1.8. Not cool considering f2.8 is barely workable without flash inside. And if you can believe it, the Tamron AF is worse than the nifty. It hunts more, is slower and has more misses. So here I am back at the good old nifty fifty. It isn't perfect, but what else you gonna get?

Sorry for the rambling, here's my samples ( first 3 @ f2.5, last @ f1.8 ):

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_9142.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_9149.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_9163.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_9192.jpg

P.S. : Nifty thread hits 5000!! :)

mihaii

19th of August 2009 (Wed), 12:18

from my vacation

Domino81

19th of August 2009 (Wed), 23:58

Why you gotta show me that... or those... in either case... d00d...

Hand_of_Cod

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 04:58

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk245/Gimli000/IMG_4750retouchedsmall.jpg

LeeRatters

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 09:18

one of my first lot of photo's with the lens

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3839087375_54200059b5_o.jpg

AntonP

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 13:33

30D, f/2.8, 1/100
Yep, these are women's sunglasses. )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3830640874_7ec3a8af61_o.jpg

johnj2803

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 13:42

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3696983777_ffd1f8d4ba_b.jpg

do you think mine is soft wide open?

EDIT: bigger picture attached

Bobster

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 13:47

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3696983777_ffd1f8d4ba.jpg

do you think mine is soft wide open?
at that size, anything is sharp..

johnj2803

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 13:49

bigger picture attached :D

tkbslc

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 13:53

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400

Shutter speed is only 1/30. No way to rule out shutter speed as cause of softness. Use 1/100+ when trying to evaluate sharpness with this lens. Anything lower and it is probably shutter speed. It does look good even at the larger size, though.

For all the talk of the nifty being soft at f1.8, it is really not that bad. I find 50mm at 1.8 is as sharp as the Tamron 28-75 is at f2.8. Both are a little soft wide open and really sharp 1 stop down. So would you rather have a $100 lens you have to stop down to f2.5 to be really sharp, or a $400 lens you have to stop down to f4 to be really sharp? Only a few very expensive lenses are razor sharp from wide open.

Bukka

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 14:07

Couple shots with the Canon 50 1.8 when I was still shooting a 40D.
I usually shoot the 50's at a minimum of F2 or 2.2

I have to admit I didn't use this lens as much as I should have when I shot canon, as it's a great lens.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3190186170_8fb657a05f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3236414784_3b870426e6.jpg

littleme

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 17:17

My little cupcake helper.

These are @ f1.8
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0099--.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0103---1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0104-1.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0112.jpg

@f2
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0114-2.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0120.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0150.jpg

chukdivad

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 18:01

My little cupcake helper.

These are @ f1.8http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0104-1.jpg

Love this shot!

oldvultureface

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 18:30

My little cupcake helper.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0150.jpg

He's eating cupcakes (cute!). She's working on the equations to integrate string theory, special relativity, general relativity and quantum physics into a TOE. Should take another week or so. f/2.

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww357/oldvultureface/IMG_3896.jpg

littleme

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 19:18

Thanks Chuk...he was so tired of waiting for them to cool off. Giving them a little help. :)

LOL, oldvulture...

oldvultureface

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 19:31

LOL, oldvulture...

Glad to give you a chuckle. She's really playing a Nickelodeon game.

Kelcey

20th of August 2009 (Thu), 22:29

Haven't had internet for nearly three weeks; glad to come back to a bunch of new nifty pictures. :D
I have a few more to add.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3821583775_5d5617151f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/3821595317_db2b699c0f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3822411026_00f7f9b887.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3822398312_ace109273c.jpg

Highlight_Photography

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 02:09

Went shoe shopping today. Size 1 volleys.

LeeRatters

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 05:52

@f2
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/karelle11/IMG_0114-2.jpg

''ohh pleeeeaasssse can i try one mummy??'' :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3839654757_8e141bfbf4_o.jpg

bubba zanetti

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 05:55

For the price..... there should not be a Canon bag across the globe without a 50 1.8 in it.

http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/124642518_nGYWi-L-27.jpg

cupra_flo

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 07:12

For the price..... there should not be a Canon bag across the globe without a 50 1.8 in it.

http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/124642518_nGYWi-L-27.jpg

what is that...:D

bubba zanetti

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 07:53

what is that...:D

Comet McNaught. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_McNaught) Australia got a perfect view of it. I climbed a 700 foot rock hill & sat up there with the mozzies & bats staring at it for hours.

cupra_flo

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 08:32

Comet McNaught. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_McNaught) Australia got a perfect view of it. I climbed a 700 foot rock hill & sat up there with the mozzies & bats staring at it for hours.

very nice...your photo looks like the one on wikipedia :D
awesome shot

yogestee

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 10:35

For the price..... there should not be a Canon bag across the globe without a 50 1.8 in it.

http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/124642518_nGYWi-L-27.jpg

This is brilliant!!

stsva

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 12:07

For the price..... there should not be a Canon bag across the globe without a 50 1.8 in it.

http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/124642518_nGYWi-L-27.jpg

Amazing image! :)

oldvultureface

21st of August 2009 (Fri), 20:14

50D, sRAW1, f/4, ISO 200

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww357/oldvultureface/IMG_3925.jpg

bassosoolo

22nd of August 2009 (Sat), 12:08

Just wondering what's the total cost of this thread - I bet there are many of us having bought this lens just because of having seen these wonderful pics in this thread... (including me) :)

Here's my humble start at POTN, (40D, 1s, f/2.8, ISO 100):

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll65/jacofin/chess_pieces.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/mikko.kujanpaa#100066/chess_pieces

kyen

22nd of August 2009 (Sat), 13:59

I just bought the lens last night! Only to find out that my sister was going to buy it for my birthday!!!!

ginas

22nd of August 2009 (Sat), 22:19

That 's sounds like my luck....

ZoranR

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 02:13

http://i30.tinypic.com/2cqgo5d.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/mt89yh.jpg

nik.hisham

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 08:12

Just got my 5D2 and am finding the nifty 50 to be absolutely awesome on this body.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3848084392_840793487b_b.jpg

NYNCTC

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 19:20

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3850392308_f651936bc5.jpg

kyen

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 19:22

Sadie and her chicken

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e317/kyen_2008/2009_0822image0238.jpg

Gissan

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 16:32

Amazing pictures! Can't believe it, the price is... like... 80 bucks?

DreDaze

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 16:38

Amazing pictures! Can't believe it, the price is... like... 80 bucks?

more like $100 now

kyen

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 16:59

I paid $150.oo canadian !

knight2870

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 21:31

fun fun fun........

lonewolfcub

25th of August 2009 (Tue), 22:34

Here is another that's impressed me how sharp this little value is. I like how the little rusty parts of the sign really stand out. 1/500, F/5.6, ISO 100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/3843461106_0e4d6178e3_b.jpg

billrhea

26th of August 2009 (Wed), 09:26

I got my niftyy fifty yesterday and I will say WOW!. What a awesome lens for under $100. Awesome for those low light situations.

billrhea

26th of August 2009 (Wed), 09:32

I got my nifty fifty yesterday and I will say WOW!. What a awesome lens for under $100. Awesome for those low light situations.

AudiOn19s

26th of August 2009 (Wed), 10:19

billrhea

27th of August 2009 (Thu), 15:39

I picked up this lens as my first non-kit lens. I knew based on reading some threads it was going to require a bit of a learning curve esp. since I"m new to the SLR world as well, however I'm starting to get the hang of it.

Still have a long way to go as only about 1 in 4 shots I take hand held turn out ok with the Nifty.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q192/ZainoDetail/Picture1106.jpg
Just a little hidden secret if you are getting 1 in 4 that are good you are doing well. I am more like 1 in 10 maybe 1 in 15. Always remember people post their best stuff. Some will take hundreds of shots to get that one good pictures.

chukdivad

27th of August 2009 (Thu), 15:51

Still have a long way to go as only about 1 in 4 shots I take hand held turn out ok with the Nifty.
Shallow DOF can be tough to deal with and I've also found that you really have to keep the shutter speed up with this lens IMO.

Invertalon

27th of August 2009 (Thu), 16:10

Just picked up this lens today and love it. Here are two shots I have taken playing around with it.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh280/invertalon/1-1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh280/invertalon/2-1.jpg

:lol:

tkbslc

27th of August 2009 (Thu), 18:08

Shallow DOF can be tough to deal with and I've also found that you really have to keep the shutter speed up with this lens IMO.

Yeah, I mentioned that a few pages back and got some argument about it. But I get a very high keeper rate above 1/200 and a very low keeper rate below 1/100. Some seem to do OK a low shutter speeds, though. My first recommendation for someone struggling with this lens has to be keep the shutter speed as high as possible.

Also, the lens get much sharper and the DOF much more manageable around f2.5.

rohicks

29th of August 2009 (Sat), 18:24

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3868202105_5e5580e0af.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3868202131_baaf4c22e2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/3868202165_0c832926a6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3868202069_af5ab27e1f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3868982014_f9c4f88330.jpg

nik.hisham

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 03:06

Shot wide open. I didn't quite nail the focus but I liked the bokeh :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3869310319_5ff3224a65_b.jpg

daveyboi

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 03:25

My Best Bud
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3819347283_f0fda44d2c.jpg

Shot at f/4
50mm
1/100
ISO 100

Karizmatik

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 07:35

Just a little hidden secret if you are getting 1 in 4 that are good you are doing well. I am more like 1 in 10 maybe 1 in 15. Always remember people post their best stuff. Some will take hundreds of shots to get that one good pictures.

Not to be too arrogant or whatever, but, I can't remember the last time I had a shot that I "missed", with any lens.

If you know what you want to shoot and what settings it takes to shoot it, you shouldn't miss shots unless there is a problem with the Model or whatever you are shooting.

That isn't the lens' fault though, it's the photog's.

pixelbasher

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 09:43

Just like the last time this came up, nobodys blaming the lens!

I think it might be a case of people missing an IS and not being used to a lens that offers such a shallow DOF, which can catch the "newer" person out quite easily, esp when you have the combination of low light and it's opened up to 1.8 at close range with a slowish shutter.

For the record, my keeper rate also goes down sharply when I go down around 100th. Believe it or not, there are people out there who don't have perfectly still nerves. That's my problem though, not the lens of course.

Karizmatik

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 10:29

Wide-open @ 1/160th

http://www.kariz-matik.com/photography/IMG_3194--SML.jpg

rohicks

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 13:08

Joey Rozmus from the MTV Real World Cancun 09
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3871412726_11605a74a5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/3870628855_394c590759.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3871412528_28cef54c1f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3870628659_aab2b38930.jpg

LeeRatters

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 13:11

skill - what f-stop were those taken on?? very good focus.

edit - & those ^^^^^ :)

tkbslc

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 16:03

My baby likes the 50...

f2.2, 1/60
http://tkbphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p1005211862-4.jpg

f2.5, 1/100
http://tkbphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p547096870-4.jpg

Feeba

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 17:22

I'm really confused right now :D I've seen amazing pics here and stunning pics in the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG macro thread and I can't decide which one to buy. Canon definately has a wider aperture but I'm afraid I will have the need to zoom. I'm thinking maybe I'd buy Canon now to take pictures of indoors sports for the whole winter and then buy the Sigma in spring... or on the contrary.. But I think Sigma will be too dark for indoors at winter so maybe buy the Canon first? Gosh I can't decide...

tkbslc

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 17:25

Feeba

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 17:41

Well the indoors are only at winter. Sigma ofcourse has more range to shoot wildlife in summer etc but Canon seems to be sharper and well, has the F1.8 that binded me. I usually don't look at fix lenses but the price got my mouth opened. The good zooms with great quality and sharpness are ofcourse 5x more expensive than some budget ones but I'd first like to try some cheaper ones so I'd know what to buy next. Maybe you could recommend something that has sharpness and quality but doesn't cost ''millions''. I know these are hard to find but I believe there are some (I'm hopeless yes :D)

UmphreyBogart

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 21:29

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/3768877015_2a2da9ec8c.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3650229685_0cd6256001.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3638615253_b2b56ddfc6.jpg

Highlight_Photography

30th of August 2009 (Sun), 22:27

...............

Domino81

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 09:34

Those are the guys from 10 Years, are they? And I know that's Dave Matthews...

rohicks

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 11:12

skill - what f-stop were those taken on?? very good focus.

edit - & those ^^^^^ :)
The average setting i used was around ...

1/100s - f/2.0 - ISO1600 - 50mm

A few at f/2.5 and one or two at f/4 @ ISO 2000.

dank ink

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 12:43

Nice b/w conversions on those, skill.

fatdeeman

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 14:32

One thing I can say about this lens is that I never find it wanting for sharpness wide open, it seems fine to me, the focus can be pretty bad but I always take a few copies of each shot as a matter of habit and one inevitably tends to be focused correctly.

F/1.8, Click it for a larger version

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3874630601_c257100937.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatdeeman/3874630601/)

100% crop. Unprocessed raw.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/fatdeeman/random/IMG_202223.jpg

jasongraaf

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 15:49

Makeshift tilt-shift:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3874957205_9b998d13c8.jpg

R.Perez

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 16:01

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2626/img4237.jpg

Invertalon

31st of August 2009 (Mon), 23:07

I bought this lens off a local member here this past week and took it to Cedar Point this weekend to really try it out. I found it so much fun to use and was VERY impressed on how sharp it is, even at 1.8. Not to mention it's speed really helping me out shooting the indoor shows. I really love this lens though, my best buy thus far. *thumbs up*

potatowitz

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 01:07

Here's one of my favorite monkey...some might recognize...

Having fun with this lens, just bought it yesterday...

Highlight_Photography

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 04:58

One from last night.

jnO

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 19:56

http://www.jnobot.eu/index.php?sfpg=U291dGhlcm4gTWluaSBEYXlzIC0gMDEuMDg uMDkvKk1pbmkgMzAgQiZXLmpwZyoqaW1hZ2UqKmViNzA2MjdjO WE5MDFjNDg1ZWU3Y2NhNWMxMTY1ZGEz

http://www.jnobot.eu/index.php?sfpg=U291dGhlcm4gTWluaSBEYXlzIC0gMDEuMDg uMDkvKk1pbmkzMC5qcGcqKmltYWdlKiplNjMzMzAzMmI0YjZjN zhmYmE1ZDVhYWNmNGRmNDI0Yg

http://www.jnobot.eu/index.php?sfpg=U291dGhlcm4gTWluaSBEYXlzIC0gMDEuMDg uMDkvKlllbGxvdyBDb29wZXIgMi5qcGcqKmltYWdlKio3OTUxM zg0MTA4ODYzODczMmMzNjhiNGI4ZDNkZWJkOA

ckort

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 22:19

Was messing around with depth of field on this photo. Started editing it and decided I liked the textures and tones, so here it is...

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii346/ckort66/IMG_7772_edited-1.jpg

And here's another...

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii346/ckort66/IMG_7765_edited-1.jpg

londonandlawson

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 22:22

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3879385641_f6f6e88ba9.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3880186650_88fc2cf960.jpg

Yesac13

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 00:14

A boring test shot of my birdfeeder.

Probably boring for you but EXCITING for me. This is the second Nifty Fifty I got. The first one was dreadful and I had to return it to Adorama. Look in earlier posts for the pics from that defective lens.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3880527050_ff65bfe513.jpg

CBokeh

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 01:41

I've spent the last few days going through this thread (and the 50D thread too), Amazing shots!

Highlight_Photography

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 02:47

One form last night.

UK DSLR NEWBIE

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 11:44

here is one of my first shots with my nifty!

nik.hisham

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 11:52

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3880915021_fe7a77c9c8_b.jpg

dollei

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 16:55

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3879514402_1d24fc2b29.jpg

Rx2photography

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 17:30

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3875470196_419d369b1a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3873113289_a8417d2aef.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3873109761_d748219f86.jpg

kyen

2nd of September 2009 (Wed), 19:35

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e317/kyen_2008/2009-09-021.jpg

RipN'Pix

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 00:10

I was going to purchase the 50 1.2 but after seeing this thread I decided to just to get this one. God is it cheap, got it for $125 Aussie as opposed to $2000 Aussie for the 1.2. Picked it up yesterday and here are the first shots with it.

Good "Bang for Buck" lens, fun to play with.

1. 400D, ISO200, F1.8, 1/320sec.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3882709281_f754056b1f_o.jpg

2. 400D, ISO200, F1.8, 1/250sec.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/3883502720_3b2f656c66_o.jpg

3. 400D, ISO200, F1.8, 1/100sec.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/3882709211_95549938df_o.jpg

4. 400D, ISO400, F1.8, 1/500sec.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3882709091_2f97b4f39f_o.jpg

seesaw

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 01:13

Great shots Rx2photography, really like the padlock, i think i am going to put this lense back on my camera for awhile.

roszell

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 09:42

Couple of my kids... more of the set on flickr.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3879594317_2f8e98b305_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3879594317/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3879597697_a405ced0b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustin_roszell/3879597697/)

rohicks

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 22:55

A lil' something came in the mail today.
cha-ching
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3886235060_c0df829e3f_o.jpg

RipN'Pix

4th of September 2009 (Fri), 00:12

Man, I love this little thing.

dmo580

4th of September 2009 (Fri), 01:17

http://techcents.dreamhosters.com/dmo/Random/IMG_0608-2.jpg

DonThomas

4th of September 2009 (Fri), 18:18

A lil' something came in the mail today.
cha-ching
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3886235060_c0df829e3f_o.jpg

nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jubu

5th of September 2009 (Sat), 21:57

This lens is sharp as hell! Just have to be careful if you're getting too spoiled by IS lenses...and the bokeh is crazy! The first sample shot was handheld and the second was taken with the camera resting on my counter...the faucet is with the aperture wide open if I remember correctly...

...I know I'll have some fun with this lens!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3887859589_e986f49791_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/3890819057_811118550b_b.jpg

Ryski

6th of September 2009 (Sun), 02:44

Love this lens!!

http://www.ryanpike.com/People/images/people%20a1.jpg

http://www.ryanpike.com/People/images/people%20a2.jpg

http://www.ryanpike.com/People/images/people%20a4.jpg

http://www.ryanpike.com/People/images/people%20a9.jpg
Cheers

jde95tln

6th of September 2009 (Sun), 19:40

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3893790789_c4a4da2d9b.jpg

Mark II

6th of September 2009 (Sun), 21:32

I'm amazed! .... All of this and a bag of chips with it.

bigrig

6th of September 2009 (Sun), 22:07

40D f2 1/60 ISO400

http://images52.fotki.com/v1566/photos/2/401442/7850897/IMG_5694-vi.jpg

40D f2.5 1/1000 ISO200

http://images50.fotki.com/v399/photos/2/401442/7850897/IMG_5707-vi.jpg

huyness

6th of September 2009 (Sun), 23:34

just got back from the asian art museum in sf. Best $75 ever. well, next to that one time in bangkok...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3895419422_76b12f515f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3895418030_7a2e709acc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3895419868_23bbbf0dea_b.jpg

nickbunyun

7th of September 2009 (Mon), 02:43

probably the best lens for the value.

fav pic
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3886920917_761fdb5f14_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3887717280_1862a13aa2_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3887717436_c051230829_o.jpg

carlomontoya

7th of September 2009 (Mon), 03:39

This lens works for men by making them look rugged. Sadly, my wife hates this lens for the same reason.

A photo of my friend Wilbert

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3473099350_c7cbe2f786_b.jpg

Taken by the window.

1/30 | f/1.8 | ISO 200

This is no doubt the best bang for the buck lens Canon has made.

Heard the 85 1.8 is a step-up from this lens and that's my next one or the 135 F2L if my commander-in-chief lets me splurge.

Disturbed UTT

7th of September 2009 (Mon), 06:01

Heard the 85 1.8 is a step-up from this lens and that's my next one or the 135 F2L if my commander-in-chief lets me splurge.

Remember, It is easier to get forgiveness than permission :lol:

carlomontoya

7th of September 2009 (Mon), 06:14

@Disturbed UTT: Ha ha, good one. (off topic) While I'm L-usting for the 135 f/2, I'd probably just get the 85 1.8. The money left over would probably be used to get either the 28 1.8 sometime half of next year (gotta space the time that I ask for forgiveness) or if the reviews are all positive, Canon's new EF-S 18-135 IS.

(back to topic)

The power of the nifty fifty in low light

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3559889142_29ff93fa55_b.jpg

1/250 | f/2.8 | ISO 1600