Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - Nifty Fifty

Thanks Rich

I have a question, I'm almost positive I'm gonna pick up the 50 1.8 but I've heard criticisms regarding it's autofocusing abilities. People say it hunts or it is too slow. Compared to the kit lens is how does it's AF fair?

It has good autofocus. It will hunt around a bit in low light tho.

CW Jones wrote in post #9410833
It has good autofocus. It will hunt around a bit in low light tho.

As in concert shooting? cause that's a important thing for me at the moment.

In low light would it be hunting anymore than the kit would?

From my experiences it will hunt around yes, BUT it will eventually find the focus, or it has in my situations at least. I don't shoot moving targets in low light tho, generally just static ones so it doesn't matter if it takes its time. If I get tired of waiting for it, I let the pop-up flash shoot of a few bursts to help it out.

And no, my kit lens seems to hunt a LOT more and not always get its focus. your 5.6 on the 55mm end VS. 1.8 on the 50mm end, that's a big difference.

oh ok. i won't be able to use flash but it's a good point no less.

does hunt so much that manual focus is an equally effective choice?

um well it would be you hunting, and unless you have really worked in manual focus before it would be tough to just pick it up and give it a try.

yeah I realize, but you know what I'm saying right?

I cant quite understand why the lens always gets the blame for hunting. It is the camera that holds the sensors and electronics and the focus commands. All the lens does is resolve detail in the scene, and the photographer is responsible to ensure adequate lighting, camera stability, and proper settings. If you purchase a lens that limits avaliable light you have to compensate somewhere, either with artificial light, focus assist lamp, or switch to an appropriate lens for conditions.

I just have a hard time believing in a hunting lens. IMHO

then blame the camera haha I don't care. The main point is, yes it (camera, lens whatever) will most likely hunt around in low, poorly lit situations.

you can't aim it into a black pit and expect it to focus. You need to be able to pick up on something with some light on it at the very least. a light on a wall, or shirt or whatever your shooting at.

I've been sick with the stomach bug, so I'm catching up with my 2010 project with photos of my husband from last night's Colts game:

test at 1.8 nothing done just re-sized and cropped

cometzx03x wrote in post #9412581

Simple, but lovely!

Agree with Lily, very nice shot