Tips for the 50mm 1.4?

I have just got the 50mm 1.4, i'm very excited but have never had a fixed lens before.

I was just wondering if there were any tips you could give? Is there a thread somewhere already?

I have only taken a few test shots so far but loving the results.

Great lens ... take lots of shots from wide open to f/8 or f/11 so that you can see the results.

Get a lens hood & leave it on 24/7 ... don't allow anything to bump the front of the lens, even if you have a lens cap on. The auto focus mechanism can be a bit "fragile" and leaving the lens hood on helps protect it from all those little bumps. Do a search for auto focus with this lens and you can read all about it.

Now go and enjoy your new lens.

Its a wonderful lens, very quick to focus, incredible in low light and very shallow depth of field. Now this last bit you have to learn to utilize otherwise you will end up ruining too many shots. I always shoot it at F2.8 and stop up only when needed (low light).

Good luck, you will enjoy using it. Its just a very fun lens.

Seapup wrote in post #14985247
[IMG]Try not to follow the trend of shooting everything @ f/1.4. [/URL]

JRET wrote in post #14985523
Great lens ... take lots of shots from wide open to f/8 or f/11 so that you can see the results.

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dochollidayda wrote in post #14985590
. I always shoot it at F2.8 and stop up only when needed (low light).

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Beat me to the punch. Sure it's a 1.4 but I've missed a lot of good pictures trying to take pictures of the kids at 1.4. Very very difficult.

A lot of the basics already covered here ^^

It's by far my favourite & most used lens.

I think I picked up a UK BASED copy hood on eBay & it never leaves the lens even in storage.

Look forward to seeing some results

Thank you

I took a bunch of shots today, still lots to learn but I thought they came out okay for the first lot!

Nice ^^ what body are you using?

Thanks, 500D

Oddly enough I recently just picked up one of these lenses as well (and oddly enough a 500d). I am amazed by how sharp the pictures it produces and how thin the DOF is. Also it is super quiet, my 50mm 1.8 always sounded like it was eating itself. hehe

This was one of my first test shots, amazing how clear the hair is and how OOF the carpet is. Hoping to get out and get some real shots.

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I am tempted to sell my 40mm for this, I loved the 1.8 but it just felt too cheap.

use it that's my advice.

I see this was already said, but I'll 2nd it. Buy a hood. Don't ever take it off the lens. Bumping the front element can easily throw the focus off or, in worst case, break the focus mechanism.

dont focus and recompose at or near wide open.

If you are shooting people with it and want to keep it at f/1.4, remember that increasing distance to subject also increases depth of field. When you're in close to someone, try stopping down to f/2.8 or more.

Also, an ND filter is useful when shooting wide open in sunlight.