Pro's please help me with lens info :)

For a budget lens the 50 mkII is the way to go

Thanks guys! For the person who suggested a flash, I do have one - just forgot to mention it earlier

Another option of you JV is MANUAL FOCUS...
You might find in an old used goods shop an old 50mm F2 (1.7 or 1.8, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus...) for next to nothing ($10-20US), plus the cost of an adapter ($15US)...a 50/1.4 could be found for as little as $50...someone you know with one of these ancient lenses might just give it to you...good luck...

Buy it and have fun. Open it up wide and just experiment. You'll have a blast.

JanineV wrote in post #10724187
Hi guys!

I posted a whole thingy about Canon350D and had so many great people reply with the best tips ever! Now I have another question (I am a newbie, learning as I go along).

I have a Canon350D - and after my discussion with the pros on my previous thread I am now 100% convinced it's all I need to learn with properly.

But... the lenses I have is : The canon 18-55mm kit lens & a Sigma 70-300mm.

I want something with a lower f stop and love the photos people have taken with the 50mm - but in SA they are expensive - although I saw a cheap option, but apparently the lens is very plastic (the casing anyway) - but some people say the photos horrible.

What I need to know... is if this lens will deliver decent enough results with my 350D (light wise & DOF wise).

the lens is : This lens is an EF 50mm f/1.8 II

And it's not a huge waste of money if I end up being able to afford a proper 50mm after a few months because the above mentioned is really affordable but the more expensive one is way out of my price range at the moment.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

B&H has these for $94.95USD. Why not order directly from them. I'll bet they will ship to you without excessive cost.

Sportidi wrote in post #10726486
If its stops you're after the 24-70 L is the way to go......

Except the 24-70L is more than a stop slower than the 50/1.8, is quite expensive, quite heavy, and really not the lens for beginners.

The 50/1.8 is probably the best bet for someone new to photography and wanting to learn a bit more about DOF and low-light shooting.

And $80 is much easier to shell out than $1300.

I think the 50 f/1.8 is a great lens for the price, learn to use it before you form any opinions, many of the people giving it a bad review probably never shot at such shallow DOF and/or never shot a prime before, it does take some getting use to.

enrigonz wrote in post #10730279
I think the 50 f/1.8 is a great lens for the price, learn to use it before you form any opinions, many of the people giving it a bad review probably never shot at such shallow DOF and/or never shot a prime before, it does take some getting use to.

Right, when you see people knocking the 50 1.8, it's likely because they're comparing it to high-end gear which is worth thousands of dollars. No the 50 1.8 is not an "L" quality lens, and yes it has shortcomings. But you get f/1.8 for under $100. It's really hard to go wrong for so cheap. Worst case you sell it for $75 in a few months and take a $25 loss as a "rental fee." But in the meantime you get experience with a prime and have a chance to try out a much shallower depth of field than most inexpensive lenses can offer.

I just want to go to South Africa and visit. Get the Prime.

dmnelson wrote in post #10730832
Right, when you see people knocking the 50 1.8, it's likely because they're comparing it to high-end gear which is worth thousands of dollars. No the 50 1.8 is not an "L" quality lens, and yes it has shortcomings. But you get f/1.8 for under $100. It's really hard to go wrong for so cheap. Worst case you sell it for $75 in a few months and take a $25 loss as a "rental fee." But in the meantime you get experience with a prime and have a chance to try out a much shallower depth of field than most inexpensive lenses can offer.

No it's because the Af sucks and it's rather soft wide open .

CountryBoy wrote in post #10731623
No it's because the Af sucks and it's rather soft wide open .

haha agreed, the af isnt too bad but i found my copy very very soft wide open. worse then the 18-55 kit lens imo, but try out a couple copies before you buy.

CountryBoy wrote in post #10731623
No it's because the Af sucks and it's rather soft wide open .

Not true, AF is not as bad and the soft wide open issue is not with every copy, I had a perfect copy of this lens. As a previous poster already stated, don't go comparing this lens with a more expensive L lens.

CountryBoy wrote in post #10731623
No it's because the Af sucks and it's rather soft wide open .

AF sucks and it's rather soft wide open... compared to more expensive lenses. It would be a disappointment of epic proportions if priced at $500 or $300. But it's not. It's sub-$100, which is an important thing to keep in mind when pointing out its flaws.

the 50mm f1.8 a great lens for the price!

My last nifty was super sharp wide open. Picked it up used for cheap too. That was until the day error 99 showed up. Pissed me off because I left all my other lenses in the car.

Best solution I think is to purchase one with a credit card with extended warranty and good exchange warranty. Found a good copy. If it breaks, you are covered for 2 yrs.