50mm 1.8 Question

[C.S.I.]

Hi,

Im making (another) trip to B+H today for Kenkos :D, and was pondering on whether to throw in a 50 1.8 in to justify the trip.....

Considering I already have a tac-sharp 105 2.8 macro for portraits, and the 18-55 kit general purpose lens, do I really need the 50? What other applications can I use it for?
Consider the fact that I have the following lens' below in my signature, is there anything I really need it for (Im only asking because everyone says this lens is a must have/cheap)?

Thanks,
Bill

[HKFEVER]

Unless you need to shoot in low night without flash, otherwise don't bother.

Or else get a 50mm 1.4.

[kb244]

Actually HKfever, the 50 1.8 has alot of other practical applications, such as trying to shoot images with extremely high shutter speeds without flash and all natural lighting (1/2000+), it makes for interesting pictures, especially if you need to do close ups with very shallow DOF.

such as these were taken with my 50mm f/1.8:

http://www.karlblessing.com/_abstracts/abstract1/
http://www.karlblessing.com/_abstracts/CRW_1070_s/
http://www.karlblessing.com/_bees/CRW_0779/
http://www.karlblessing.com/_flowers/tulip_pair/
http://www.karlblessing.com/_people/belair_bw_s/


The 50mm for under 100$ is a great lens to have if you ever need the wider aperature. Its pretty sharp for something as cheap as it is. In my bag I have

-18-55 Kit Lens
-28-135 USM IS (Canon)
-105mm Sigma Macro f/2.8
-Canon 50mm f/1.8

[HKFEVER]

KB244, you are right 1.8 is good price and good performance. You have very nice shoots.

But all my other L and 50mm 1.4 lens can do the same shoot with carefu setting.

In my bag, always has:
- 100mm marco 2.8
- 24-70mm 2.8L on the camera most of the time
- 50mm 1.4
- 16-35mm 2.8L


I

[kb244]

I dont doubt that HKFever, just saying if you are not going to use a 50mm 1.* extensivly, or just need something inexpensive as a special effects lens, theres really no point in paying an extra 230$ or so for essentially the same thing in some folks eyes.

The three biggest things I could see from the 1.4 and the 1.8 would be:

1) Smoother Bokeh due to the 9 aperture blades instead of 5.
2) USM motor for faster autofocus
3) metal mount.

and L glass is rather expensive. Especially for someone who has yet to make back the investment spent on the camera. One of the other reasons I have the 50mm , is because my 105mm macro can often times be too close for my subjects and I'd have to back off some.

Don't get me wrong I'd love to get some 'L' glass but its seriously out of my budget right now.

[pierrot]

Considering I already have a tac-sharp 105 2.8 macro for portraits, and the 18-55 kit general purpose lens...
BillI got exactly the same gear... plus this 50mm f/1.8 that I use for indoor portrait under low light conditions.
Excellent glass, at an unbeatable quality/price ratio IMHO. ;)

[HKFEVER]

theres really no point in paying an extra 230$ or so for essentially the same thing in some folks eyes.

The three biggest things I could see from the 1.4 and the 1.8 would be:

1) Smoother Bokeh due to the 9 aperture blades instead of 5.
2) USM motor for faster autofocus
3) metal mount.
.
I totally agree with you. These 3 points were why I cho0se 1.4 instead of the 1.8.

[Olegis]

What other applications can I use it for?

The 50mm f/1.8 is most useable in low light conditions. Of course you can use it in other conditions also, it has additional advantages besides the low light shooting capability - it's light, small, cheap, bright (more light for AF / MF) and have excellent optical performance. In fact it's my favorite lens, along with the Tokina 17mm.

I'd say - you don't absolutely need it, but if you can afford spending another $70, buy it anyway. You can't be wrong with that kind of preformance / price ratio. I got mine from somebody in exchange for some images for his book - I didn't really need it at the time, but thought that it would be nice to have. This 50mm f/1.8 is now my favorite lens, which I use most frequently.

[Eric DeCastro]

Unless you need to shoot in low night without flash, otherwise don't bother.

Or else get a 50mm 1.4.
this is about the dumbest thing I ever heard.

In the world of Lenses, it's practically free, everyone should have this lense. Not only for low light situations.