Digital Rebel Kit vs 55m/1.8 lens

[Cayenne]

Does anyone have any pics taken with both the kits lens vs the 55m/1.8 lens of the same subject, so that I can see how much sharper the 55m lens is?

I have heard that it is a great lens for portraits, but since I can't find one locally to try out, wondered if anyone had any actual comparision shots.

Thanks

[FlyingPete]

Does anyone have any pics taken with both the kits lens vs the 55m/1.8 lens of the same subject, so that I can see how much sharper the 55m lens is?

I have heard that it is a great lens for portraits, but since I can't find one locally to try out, wondered if anyone had any actual comparision shots.

Thanks

Hey welcome to the forum!

The 50/1.8 "Nifty Fifty" is a great lens, I use it for portraits as my first choice. It is so cheap, many believe you have to have one or its more expensive brother the 50/1.4.

The kit lens is no too bad either, but no comparison with the 50 stopped down. you can get good results with the kit lens, but it will need to be stopped down as well. I have no comparison shots on me, but a recent concert I shot, the best shots were off my 50, the only thing the kit lens was good for wide shots.

Tim did a good test of the 50 here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50278&highlight=50mm

[Cayenne]

Thanks for the quick reply. I am a newbie in the SLR world, and some people I work with who have had much more experience with SLR's tell me that the 50mm lens will not make a big differene to me for what I want to do. I basically want the best lens possible (well at a reasonable price :) ) to be able to take nice pics of my children at home. They are just too darned fast for me to be able to catch them on my other camera's so I stepped up to the SLR.

I guess I will have to wait till I am in an area where I can find the lens in stock and try it out for myself.

Thanks again for your reply.

[triangle]

It sounds as if you are debating on buying the "kit lens" or going with the 50. I purchased the kit before looking further into it and can comment on kit lens. I do not like this lens, it feels like a toy. I have shot "some" good pics with it and others have left me sorely disappointed. I have ordered the 50m from B&H and am listening everyday for UPS. I will let you know when I have some pics to show you. It came in just now!!!!!!!!!!! I am off to shoot some pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But in hindsight I would have put that $100 were I wanted it. That's my 2 cents.

[tim]

The kit lens is good because it's a cheap wide angle lens. To get anything comparable on it's own you'd pay a lot more.

The 50/1.8 is great for lower light photos, and at $70 or whatever it's a steal.

Get both. If you can only afford one, get the kit lens IMO - you can't get it later (except 2nd hand), you can get the nifty fifty any time.

[Molydood]

here are some samples from some tests i performed on my 50mm f1.8 when i first got it:
f8
http://www.pbase.com/molydood/image/35164448.jpg
f8 crop
http://www.pbase.com/molydood/image/35164451.jpg

f1.8
http://www.pbase.com/molydood/image/35164452.jpg
f1.8 crop
http://www.pbase.com/molydood/image/35164454.jpg

this lens sharpens right up at f2.2. also consider that these are reduced quality for the web.

hope it helps

[Hellashot]

What will you be mainly shooting with your Drebel? If it's portraits you'd probably want to go with the 50mm f1.8. If it'll be for all type of shots then probably the kit 18-55mm lens because it'll give you the range of view of a typical kit lens 28-80mm for only $90 where if you'd be a regular lense of 18-55 it'd probably be $300+. With the 50mm you'll essentially have a telephoto lens of 80mm.

[triangle]

Does anyone have any pics taken with both the kits lens vs the 55m/1.8 lens of the same subject, so that I can see how much sharper the 55m lens is?

I have heard that it is a great lens for portraits, but since I can't find one locally to try out, wondered if anyone had any actual comparision shots.

Thanks

OK, when I was posting earlier my new 50mm lens came in. So I am gald you asked for this comparison. I am posting the results here (http://www.trianglephotography.com/tests.php). I noticed the dof was to shallow in the dogs pic with the 50mm. So far I like what I have, just need to shoot more and get the feel of it. As far as the wide angle goes, I plan on buying a better one in the future. As Tim said the cost is a lot more for a better quality lens. If you need a wide angle, you may want to purchase the kit lens if $$$ is a factor. Hope this helps.

[Cayenne]

I already got the kit lens, but was wondering if it was worth buying the 50mm lens also. Mostly for shooting portraits of my kids.

Triangle thanks very much for the comparision photos. This is the first time I have ever seem such a nice comparision done. Made up my mind. Order placed at B&H.

I will also post comparision shots once I get my lens. Also I think it's a good idea to post comparisions of any lens that might overlap so that others can get a comparitive idea.

[triangle]

Triangle thanks very much for the comparision photos. This is the first time I have ever seem such a nice comparision done. Made up my mind. Order placed at B&H.


Thanks for the compliments, I do not think you will be disappointed in your purchase at all. After only having it overnight, I wish i had bought this lens when I first got my camera. I do alot of sports pics that are in low-lighting sittuations (gyms). I believe it is really going to make a difference. Last night I was at the store and saw a nice looking truck, so I whipped out my camera and new lens. It was dark, parking lot lights, and I used no flash. I was amazed at the brightness and clarity of the shots! I shot in AV mode 1.8f, ISO 1600. Below are a few of the shots. Enjoy your new lens!

http://www.trianglephotography.com/tests/truck.jpg

http://www.trianglephotography.com/tests/truck2.jpg