Nifty-fifty (never sure if I'm posting in right section)

Several months ago I, like many, went through a lens delimma. Which lens for this, which lens for that. I was searching for something a bit lighter than my Tamron 18-250. Yet a lens that would provide me the best lens for every situation! We all know the latter is not possible.

Upon recommendation of many on this forum, I purchased a Nifty-Fifty, 50mm f1.8. Well yesterday I had my first opportunity to really give the little nifty a test. Spent the day at the San Diego Zoo. I took photos in all distance ranges, probably 5 - to maybe a few hundred feet. Upon uploading them to my iPad, I became pleasantly surprised. Most shots came out excellent. To me, the clarity is far superior to the 18-250. I mean sharp enough to count whiskers on the big cats and feathers on ducklings.

So, thank you to all that steered me to this little jewel of a lens. I'll post a few photos this weekend.

The nifty fifty generally refers to the 50mm 1.8 lens. Either way, I would expect both the 1.4 and 1.8 to outperform an all-in-one zoom like the Tamron 18-250.

Looking forward to seeing your zoo photos.

You are in the right forum to discuss the lens, but I would post your photos in the "photo sharing" section of the forum.

Going forward keep in a mind a few relative truths about lenses. Primes, even relatively inexpensive ones, are generally sharper than most zooms. Its a matter of being able to do one job very well compared to multiple jobs well. The latest generations of zoom lenses (70-200 2.8II) are challenging this but if you want the most bang for your buck in IQ, prime lenses will get you there with less expense.

tawcat wrote in post #14241403
Several months ago I, like many, went through a lens delimma. Which lens for this, which lens for that. I was searching for something a bit lighter than my Tamron 18-250. Yet a lens that would provide me the best lens for every situation! We all know the latter is not possible.

Upon recommendation of many on this forum, I purchased a Nifty-Fifty, 50mm f1.4. Well yesterday I had my first opportunity to really give the little nifty a test. Spent the day at the San Diego Zoo. I took photos in all distance ranges, probably 5 - to maybe a few hundred feet. Upon uploading them to my iPad, I became pleasantly surprised. Most shots came out excellent. To me, the clarity is far superior to the 18-250. I mean sharp enough to count whiskers on the big cats and feathers on ducklings.

So, thank you to all that steered me to this little jewel of a lens. I'll post a few photos this weekend.

this is not the nifty fifty, but it is a good lens =]

congratualtions

Really a fair lens for the price...

The reason that the 50mm f/1.8 Mk-II (Nifty-Fifty) has accumulated such a cult-like following is that it is realatively inexpensive and, when compared with low priced zooms or extended range zooms, the imagery it produces looks great!

I don't remember the exact moment I first heard "Nifty Fifty" but it seems to me it was about 1980 which is long before the EF 50mm 1.4 or even the EF 50mm 1.8 were around. Nikon users also use the same nickname for their Nikon 50mm 1.8 lenses.

I think the name of it always had something to do with low price though.

Oops, I did type F 1.4, my bad, I meant 1.8, sorry. Had a brain F!

When I purchased this lens I asked the camera guy at my shop if the 1.4 was that much better. He advised the 1.8, so thats what I bought.

Nonetheless I am so pleased with the results. Not sure I'll ever put the 18-250 on the body again.

tawcat wrote in post #14245384
Not sure I'll ever put the 18-250 on the body again.

You will. A 50mm is great in general and the nifty is a bargain, but try using it for a group shot indoors, or for a wide landscape, or to capture anything that's more than a short distance away, and you'll find it wanting. There is a reason most folks have combinations of zooms and primes.

I loved my fifty-nifty. it gave me remarkable quality pic almost every time even at wide open!
I got it from member of this forum. I owned several 50 1.8 before but not quiet as sharp as this one. I would never sell or trade this lens with anything.
just returned from overseas trip weeks ago. I brought several lenses including 30 1.4, but I found myself grabbed fifty nifty most of the time. Perfect range for portrait/close up. I have cropped body.
congratulation for owning this lens. have fun with it!

that cheap lens is probably the best value in the canon lineup

Take a 100 f2 to the zoo and enjoy even more

Another sleeper in the Canon lineup...

IMO, the 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus lens is a pretty nice value. I got mine for a bit over a hundred bucks from an eBay seller and bought it on a lark to play with.

I still use my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens for that focal length but, when the SF is unselected (there are two SF modes: 1 & 2) the lens is quite a sharp and fast 135mm telephoto...

Thanks again for all the feedback.

tawcat wrote in post #14245384
Oops, I did type F 1.4, my bad, I meant 1.8, sorry. Had a brain F!

When I purchased this lens I asked the camera guy at my shop if the 1.4 was that much better. He advised the 1.8, so thats what I bought.

Nonetheless I am so pleased with the results. Not sure I'll ever put the 18-250 on the body again.

between the two I cant justify paying for the 1.4 when the 1.8 is literally a third of the price and does just as good.