Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Just grabbed another one of these to use as my normal on my 50D.....I've always liked this lens....Love that I can shoot it wide open with confidence...To the user asking about the ...Bokeh balls? I really like the bokeh this lens produces....I think it's very Zeiss like

The reason I don't like pentagon and very harsh "bokeh balls" is because it reminds me that I'm viewing a photograph.

Smooth, round and pleasant bokeh helps the artistic communication -

It's like a musical recording that has distortion or digital clipping on it that shouldn't have it there... Takes you out of the moment.

Those pictures look awesome!! Thanks for posting.

I certainly understand, but don't agree, too smooth, too "pleasant", is boring and not very artistic to me...lol, it's like music that's been worked over too much in the studio, sometimes I just want a raw garage sound....
I have all sorts of glass that produces all sorts of bokeh....I do this on purpose, so I can get many different looks.
But, if you're like me, your taste changes over time, who knows, 5 years from now, we both might have a whole different view of what beautiful bokeh is....
Thanks for the compliment, I just got the 50D yesterday and the 28/1.8 a couple days before that....Cheers!

Yeah I took a look at your list of gear and I was pretty amazed by how much gear you've owned and tested out and I'm curious about getting this 28 now because you like it after having many different types,

But as far as the viewpoint - yeah - I'm on a "smoother and cleaner is better" kick right now, HAH!

And distortion does play a part in music as well,

To each his own!

But shame on you for posting those pictures and making me want to spend more money I don't have (just spent the last pennies out of my piggy-bank on a Canon 85mm f/1.8)

I've been finding lately that the lenses which catch a bad rep on forums are actually perfectly good lenses in the real world.

For example, the 28 1.8 doesn't always get glowing reviews, but in the multiple copies I have owned, I have yet to be disappointed in them (except at extreme ISOs, for whatever reason it gets a little weak there). Another perfect example is the EF 20mm, for whatever reason people rip on this lens like there's no tomorrow when in fact it's actually quite sharp and the vignetting or CA it may display are painlessly corrected with today's amazing RAW software.

This is just to say that, while I love my L lenses that I have left, I wouldn't be the least bit afraid to give them up in favor of lenses such as these if the need arises. Use what you've got my friends, that's all I can say, make the most of the equipment you have, and if there is a true need that cannot be met by altering your shooting style, then you know it's time to add a new lens.

Simplistic:, It's nice you have an open mind, if you want smoother bokeh than this 28mm, the 30mm Sigma is a great choice, but it's lacking Canon USM and it's an EF-S, both of which overide the f/1.4 of the Sigma (to me).

agphotography....I tend to agree with you, while I haven't ever shot the 20mm/2.8 if I needed 20mm, I wouldn't hesitate grabbing one. I've never been let down by an OEM prime. The hype, or lack thereof of any lens on these forums is always exaggerated, usually by newbies who judge all lenses at the 100% zoomed level. But, I understand, I was once a newbie too, easy to get caught up in the minute details that really don't mean much....

I've tried 3 copies of the Sigma 30 with no luck...my first 4-5 photos with this lens has convinced me that it's far more useful than the Sigma. The autofocus is leaps and bounds better...for that, I can give up the f/1.4 as it makes no difference if the Sigma only hits 50% of the time.

And FWIW, my copy is very, very sharp at 1.8...I'll easily be able to make large prints wide open.

Ahhh! Must.... not.... read..... any...... more..... or my wife will KILL me if I buy another lens

I think it will make a very nice addition to my USM collection, 10-22, 85 and this one,

Thanks for the info, guys.

thatkatmat - I'm going to enjoy my newbieness as much as I can. You're only a newbie once, and the way I miss my childhood, I'm treating my newbieness the same way

Manetti21, while I haven't had the bad luck with the 30mm that you have, I do agree that the Canon 28/1.8 USM smokes the Sigma 30 HSM and yes, my 28/1.8 starts out nice and sharp, very useable ( I shoot wide open without hesitation), with none of the halo effect that the 30 gives....It's a good, solid little lens and a strong performer....that's why I bought another one

Simplistic, I wasn't directing the newbie comment at you, it was a general observation and like I said, I used to do it too...

Being new to photography doesn't matter. What I was saying is a global statement directed towards anyone with an interest in photography.

The key is to NOT get caught up in gear hype. Not to worry about the latest and greatest this or that. The absolutely BEST thing you can do for yourself in your "photographic infancy" is to learn everything there is to know about the lenses and equipment you already have. Find their strengths and weaknesses, find WHY you like a certain focal length, and how it improves your images. From there you will know what you will actually NEED to purchase in the future.

I can say this because I was one of the worst offenders of gear hoarding and camera lust. I was convinced I needed to have every possible focal length combination and I just had so much STUFF I couldn't concentrate on my photography. When photography becomes more about the gear than the images you create then there is clearly a problem.

It took me a long time to break away from those habits, and I have been trying to spread this information as much as possible to spare people from the kind of hassles I have put myself through agonizing over gear.

All that being said, Simplistic, yes the 28 would pair very well with the 85 and 10-22. That would be a very useful trio on a 1.6x body.

Well put and understood. Thanks, again!

I know what you where saying and I agree...Well said and quite right.
I was stating some general observations from my own experience. Being new, for me, had a lot to do with it, but again, you're right, this applies to any and all who are interested.

agphotography wrote in post #14461747
Being new to photography doesn't matter. What I was saying is a global statement directed towards anyone with an interest in photography.

The key is to NOT get caught up in gear hype. Not to worry about the latest and greatest this or that. The absolutely BEST thing you can do for yourself in your "photographic infancy" is to learn everything there is to know about the lenses and equipment you already have. Find their strengths and weaknesses, find WHY you like a certain focal length, and how it improves your images. From there you will know what you will actually NEED to purchase in the future.

I can say this because I was one of the worst offenders of gear hoarding and camera lust. I was convinced I needed to have every possible focal length combination and I just had so much STUFF I couldn't concentrate on my photography. When photography becomes more about the gear than the images you create then there is clearly a problem.

It took me a long time to break away from those habits, and I have been trying to spread this information as much as possible to spare people from the kind of hassles I have put myself through agonizing over gear.

All that being said, Simplistic, yes the 28 would pair very well with the 85 and 10-22. That would be a very useful trio on a 1.6x body.

Believe it or not, this drink was served to me with the bug on it...not sure how the waiter didn't notice it.

crazy!!! even more crazy that you had your camera

Right...WTF, looks like some weird beetle....Yummy, citrus....Just Noticed you're in NC...Heading to NC on Wednesday night for business....Never really been there, I mean, I've driven through, but never stopped...I'll be on the lookout for citrus crazed beetles.