For the 50mm f/1.8 II IQ doubters

The optics are fine, it's the horrid focusing and build quality that made me sell it and upgrade eventually.

Mine was also super sharp at 1.8, when it hit the focus right.

Again, there are variances to that lens. It is a good lens for a beginner because it is cheap and after they master that lens, they can move onto other things. Sometimes part of the learning curve as a beginner is to learn to make due with what you have without putting a ton of money into up front.

My daughter will be getting her drivers license here shortly. She won't be getting a fairly expensive nice car, she will get a beater and learn a few things with that first, then she can move up. Plus she will most likely appreciate the newer better items later too.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #9358160
Again, there are variances to that lens. It is a good lens for a beginner because it is cheap and after they master that lens, they can move onto other things. Sometimes part of the learning curve as a beginner is to learn to make due with what you have without putting a ton of money into up front.

My daughter will be getting her drivers license here shortly. She won't be getting a fairly expensive nice car, she will get a beater and learn a few things with that first, then she can move up.

I's sure that old beater will go the direction she steers the car . The nifty won't .

CountryBoy wrote in post #9358164
I's sure that old beater will go the direction she steers the car . The nifty won't .

Two out of 3 of the niftys I had were fine, so I don't know what to say. And I have had new vehicles not go the way I steered so there is that too!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #9358169
Two out of 3 of the niftys I had were fine, so I don't know what to say. And I have had new vehicles not go the way I steered so there is that too!

I did too, but that was mainly during the late '60's and 70's. So some user error could have been in play , on my part .

plasticmotif wrote in post #9358195
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I should start a thread for the 18-55 doubters ^_^

Actually, I liked my 18-55mm, better then the fifty I had at the time.

wow. The 18-55 is really awful compared to the nifty.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #9358160
Again, there are variances to that lens. It is a good lens for a beginner because it is cheap and after they master that lens, they can move onto other things. Sometimes part of the learning curve as a beginner is to learn to make due with what you have without putting a ton of money into up front.
.

I think it is actually a terrible beginner lens. Beginners have a hard enough time grasping how to nail focus and position thin DOF without having to deal with a lens that doesn't consistently put the focus where you want. Can you imagine if you left in on auto AF point selection and shot at f1.8?

I keep saying they need to re-release it with similar optics and at least 18-55 IS build and AF. Who cares if it is $150 instead of 99.

Yeah, I am a 50 1.8 fan too - very sharp. But I had to pump my colours up a bit - the "natural" ones always seemed to be a little grey-ish. And yes, every time I screw it on my camera I pray not to see it come apart in my hands.

Nice pictures! I love mine (MK I and II). Sold the MK II eventually as I just have too many 50's. Like many said, it usually doesn't get sharp until 2.5ish. For real sharp 50 f1.8 lenses, I'd try try Zeiss or Nikkor AIS but no AF though. just my 2 cents.

I guess it depends on which copy you get. This was taken approximately 30min ago. SOOC with just a resize for the forum. EXIF intact...whoops, have to change my copyright year.

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My nifty fifty was delivered to my office. I'll be interested to see how it is and give it a test drive. From everything that I have read I expect it to be a great addition.

tkbslc wrote in post #9358680
I think it is actually a terrible beginner lens. Beginners have a hard enough time grasping how to nail focus and position thin DOF without having to deal with a lens that doesn't consistently put the focus where you want. Can you imagine if you left in on auto AF point selection and shot at f1.8?

I keep saying they need to re-release it with similar optics and at least 18-55 IS build and AF. Who cares if it is $150 instead of 99.

I agree.
But what would you give , if the AF was as good as the 85mm 1.8 ?

CountryBoy wrote in post #9359819
I agree.
But what would you give , if the AF was as good as the 85mm 1.8 ?

More money out of the wallet, just under the 50 1.4.