50mm 1.8

Will the 50mm 1.8 work as a good lens for groups? I am trying to find a good lens for family groups. I want a lens that I can shoot from 45-60 feet away and still get a good sharp image when I blow it up to 20x24 or larger.

This would probably get a better response in the "equipment talk" ef lens section rather than the "photo sharing" forum.
How big of a family group are we talking about here?

Your not going to get a very sharp image w/ the 50 1.8, that's all I can tell you really.

???? wha??? there are plenty of users who would say otherwise

Although I don't have the Canon EF 50 f1.8 I have to disagree with jcw122. Everything I've seen says this is a real gem, especially for the price. However that is beside the point.

Some questions that are import are:
1. Are you using a crop factor body?
2. What kind of distance can you be from your "group"?

Personally I would never call a 50mm lens a good lens for group shots. And especially not for a crop factor body camera (Rebel, Rebel XT etc).

I would highly recommend getting something on the order of 20-28mm. On my old fTb I used to use my 28mm f2.8 and my 35mm f2.8 for group shots all the time. My 50mm f1.8 is a great sharp lens (old FD lens) but just isn't wide enough for large groups. So with a crop body 24mm x 1.6 crop = 38mm. There are several lenses you might consider:

(prices from sigma4less.com)
Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG $374.95
Canon Wide Angle EF 24mm f/2.8 $289.95
Sigma Wide Angle 24mm f/1.8 EX DG $304.95

Obviously none of these are in the price range of the 50mm f1.8 though. The only other "cheap" option would be an 18-55 "Kit" lens for a crop body. Not nearly as fast or as sharp as a prime but you can pick them up pretty cheap. Just remember that this is an EF-S lens and can only fit on a few cameras.

You also need to consider what you are taking the pictures for. Is it "snapshots" or do you plan on blowing them up beyond 4x6 or 5x7? Do you need fast aperture, or will you be using a flash? I personally shoot a lot indoors, people (friends and family) and I've learned that for my shooting, I like zooms and need flash due to low light sitations. If you are just learning, the 18-55 kit lens really is a good bargain.

Layston

look at his equipment at the bottom of his post and you'll see hes kidding.

Yeah, the 50 on a crop body is still a little long, say for groups of 6 or more, ud have to be a good distance away to get a good frame

I think what jcw122 meant that, larann78 won't be able to take very sharp images @ f/1.8 aperture.
Anyway, this lens is great for groups, you won't regret buying it ..

No I'm not kidding. I was using the 50 1.8 last night with my new 580EX, focusing on my brother's face, @ 2.8, 1/200 and the pictures looked good, but up at 100% zoom it wasn't very detailed and it bothered me because I had thought it was better, I just don't use it often. At 1/200 there couldn't have been much if any blur when handheld, I even double checked the AF points in my photo viewer, do you guys want the 100% zoom of the picture?

is that quote from die another day?

It is a good lens, and if you can get the distance from the group to use it, it will work out for that use and be very inexpensive at the same time. If money is an issue, this is a great way to go. If money is not an issue, or is less of an issue, there are other lenses that would fit the need better.

50mm is some what too long for a group shot. Kit lens is probably a better option for a similar cost.

I'd do some focus tests if i were you. I noticed mine giving poor results the other day and it turned out it had a front focus/random focus issue. got a replacement and it's been mint ever since

The 50mm 1.8 is meant to be razor sharp, the nmain probs with it are flimsy build and chunky bokeh - so if JCW122 's copy is not good then it probably has a problem.

In my hands it is pretty much only good for portrait use, and I don't think it is good for groups -0 mit's just too long.

I'd suggest a wide zoom - I use the 17-40 as my walk about lens and it is great for groups - but as mentioned, the kit lens is a decent enough performer to be going with.

If you want a prime then I'd suggest getting the Sigma 30mm 1.4 if you have a crop camera, or any of the 28-35mm focal lengths.

Yuck, I really hope it's not a bad copy, Here's the picture I was talking of, and the 100% zoom...

Self Removed.