Keep or sell the plastic fantastic?

I just pre-ordered the new Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM and already have the Canon 50m f/1.8 (a.k.a the plastic fantastic). For those of you in the same boat, are you planning on selling your plastic fantastic or keep it as a cheap backup in case the STM lens breaks?

DGStinner wrote in post #17552194
I just pre-ordered the new Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM and already have the Canon 50m f/1.8 (a.k.a the plastic fantastic). For those of you in the same boat, are you planning on selling your plastic fantastic or keep it as a cheap backup in case the STM lens breaks?

If you're going to do it, it's probably best to offload now.

Yongnuo's copy of the 50 F1.8 II is already just $60. Now Canon's 50 STM is only $125. The 50 F1.8 II will probably drop significantly as it goes away and is no longer produced nor cared about. The MKI will also decline because it's only real draw was the metal mount and the idea of build quality, but it's still a cheap lens. The STM with a metal mount will basically make all those drop away at least a little bit.

That is, if you need the few dollars it might fetch.

Really, I save lenses like that and give them away with cheap cameras that I buy off the bay and give them as starter setups for folk interested in getting into photography. I've given away two 50 F1.8 II's at this point.

Very best,

From the specs I've seen, it looks like the new STM lens is the same optical configuration as the 50mm f/1.8 II, i.e. 6 lens elements in 5 groups and virtually identical MTF plots. If you have a 50mm II and are happy with it, the only reasons I can see to buy the STM is if (a) you are using it for video on one of the dual pixel sensor bodies, (b) you were planning to buy a new 50mm f/1.8 anyway for whatever reason, or (c) you are really concerned about the plastic mount on the 1.8 II failing during a critical shoot. If it's (c), then is there really any point to keeping the 1.8 II anyway?

I am considering buying the new 50mm/f1.8 as it has 7 blades instead of the not so great bokeh of the II.

I do like my 50mm f1.4 but not fond of the oof shot that comes with the design. I'm wondering if the new 50stm won't hunt, and will focus quick/fast/accurately and I'll get it.

if i get one i'd probably keep it...honestly it won't be worth much now, probably like $40 or so...and for that price, i'd rather have one to give to a friend that decides to buy a DSLR...but i already have the I, and II right now...i already gave my brother another MK I...the new lens does appeal to me though, with the STM, and 7 aperture blades

I gave mine to a budding photographer friend a while back. Kit lenses can be very limiting creatively and technically.....which can be discouraging for people starting out. He learned a lot on the thrifty fifty and has come a long way.

It was the most satisfying way for me to part with it.

There's a chance of a heap of 50mm f/1.8II hitting the second hand market.

I may be willing to get rid of my 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8! I just don't use it!!