50mm f/1.8 lens

[Glyyde]

I heard lots of good feedback about this lens.... just wondering.... do u guys use this lens often if u have a zoom lens, say the 28-135mm IS lens?

[AjP]

are u talking about 28-135 or 50 f/1.8????

[etaf]

yes, i use a lot for the low aperture work - however, i was brought up n a 50mm

[blue_max]

There are two distinct advantages in using the 50mm (or any other) prime lens.

1. The ability to shoot at a rather larger aperture. This allows more light in and can be useful where light is limited. Also it can be used for effect as it allows less of the picture to be in focus, which highlights the point of interest, or loses unsightly backgrounds. This is much more effective with a 'fast' lens.

2. The inherent quality advantage. The lens doesn't have to be good at all apertures, just the one it is made at. There are zoom lenses that are virtually as good, but they tend to be very expensive (Canon L or third party equivalent). Primes are generally lighter too.

The downside, it the lack of flexibility –*it's just the one focal length.

Graham

[Andy_T]

What Graham said ... indispensable for low light, and just a bit sharper than a zoom at the same aperture.

I do prefer my Tamron 28-75/2.8 for portraits, though, as it has a nicer bokeh.
But the 28-135 is also not really renowned for its great bokeh :p

Best regards,
Andy

[ImperialRed]

I have thought about the 50mm but I just don't think it's for me...

The majority of my shots are all close range where a wide angle is at a premium. Mainly car shows, automotive photography, etc. And for that, I just don't think the 50mm will cut it. Instead I believe that Sigma makes a similar 20mm prime lens that I think would do great for me! My normal lens is a 19-35 so the 20mm should work just right! :) :) :)

[skyphix]

my 50 lives on my camera. The only time I use my kit lens (only other lens in this range I own) is if I am walking around in a festival, plan on taking photos of entire buildings, or need the flexability (like Im going to take photos of a car for sale or something).

99% of the time my 50 is there... and once I get it, Im sure that 90% of the time will be taken by the 28mm 2.8.

[SeanH]

Well I hate to say it but I put my $69 50mm 1.8 against my $1200 24-70 2.8 L........just for fun. At 50 mm 100th @ 2.8 on both lenses......the 50mm KILLED the 24-70 2.8 L.

Long story short, the 50mm is a great lens

[whchan]

Perfect for indoor shots and great for DOF control (sometimes you do want to have a very shallow DOF). I also have the kit lens and the Tamron 28-75/2.8, but the 50/1.8 probably stays on my 350D 90% of the time, since majority of the time I am shooting my new born baby indoor.