Quality control on the Canon 50mm f/1.8

I'm about to buy this lens but would like to hear people's experiences with it and if there is a chance I could get a bad copy.

I'll be importing from the States so will be unable to take it back for exchange if I'm unhappy.

I have a 17-40 and a 70-200 and will be using this lens to fill the gap, mainly for portraits.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,
George

I would be very cautious about buying from the states, its fine if it all works ok, but if it doesnt it will end up costing you more than buying one from the UK, also you might get stung on import duties which will make it worse!

I would buy it from somewhere like www.bristolcameras.co.​uk

Nick

Some believe this lens is built on the "punishment line"...ie where workers are sent when they've been naughty.

On a more serious note, I second what Nick said. There's a pretty good chance you might get a bad one or simply be unsatisfied with its overall performance. It's not cheap simply because Canon was feeling generous the day they decided on the selling price.

PS: Since you own 2 L lenses...you there's a pretty good chance you won't find it up to par with what you're used to. You MIGHT be better off looking at the 50mm f/1.4 instead. Pricier but also worth-itier.

A second hand mark 1 50mm may be the answer if you can find one. Quality control is said to be better with these and you get a metal mount and focus distance wiindow. The glass arrangement however is identical.

They usually go for about £100 on eBay

You get what you pay for. If you have a 17-40 and 70-200 it won't measure up.

Dellboy wrote in post #2110204
A second hand mark 1 50mm may be the answer if you can find one. Quality control is said to be better with these and you get a metal mount and focus distance wiindow. The glass arrangement however is identical.

They usually go for about £100 on eBay

If you don't own one of those it's best not to comment. This forum has too many people repeating what they've read.

I bought both my lenses from the same supplier and didn't have to pay duty on either.

I'm buying this mainly because it's supposed to be a bargain. If I buy in the UK and add delivery costs, or get the SIgma, it won't be worth it for me.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2110108
It's not cheap simply because Canon was feeling generous the day they decided on the selling price.

I'm pretty sure it's cheap because of built quality and not optical performance.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the SIgma. Is is a better lens?

tim wrote in post #2110210
If you don't own one of those it's best not to comment. This forum has too many people repeating what they've read.

Umm, Tim, he didn't say it would be the bees knees. He just said it MAY be a better option than the Mark II.

tim wrote in post #2110205
You get what you pay for. If you have a 17-40 and 70-200 it won't measure up.

Really? Even though it's a prime?

curiousgeorge wrote in post #2110212
I bought both my lenses from the same supplier and didn't have to pay duty on either.

I'm buying this mainly because it's supposed to be a bargain. If I buy in the UK and add delivery costs, or get the SIgma, it won't be worth it for me.


I'm pretty sure it's cheap because of built quality and not optical performance.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the SIgma. Is is a better lens?

If you mean the Sigma 30mm f/1.4...yeah it's supposed to be a very very fine lens. However it SEEMS to be plagued with AF issues. Probably best to buy one of those locally too. Haven't owned it myself but have seen some stellar shots from it.

As for the 50mm f/1.8...it's cheap due to build quality of course, but also optically it's not all that sharp until f/2.8 and without USM it has a lot of focus reliability problems. When it focuses it's nice. But getting it to nail your shots even without user error being a factor is iffy at best. I personally wouldn't use the copy I had for anything important. Also with only 5 aperture blades, bokeh isn't all that appealing either.

Thanks for that. It's an interesting view, though Fred Miranda reviews are generally very good.

How does USM (basically faster and quieter focusing) improve focus reliabilty?

curiousgeorge wrote in post #2110263
Thanks for that. It's an interesting view, though Fred Miranda reviews are generally very good.

How does USM (basically faster and quieter focusing) improve focus reliabilty?

It's not just faster and quieter, it's also more accurate. HOW it works I don't know...I'm not an engineer or lens designer.

tim wrote in post #2110210
If you don't own one of those it's best not to comment. This forum has too many people repeating what they've read.

Tim - I take it you have or have had a 50mm f/1.8?

This is a great bang-for-buck lens, but so cheap - I wonder why you need to import it from the US at all?

Here in Australia it's about $120 AUD brand new, about $90-100 second hand (mk II).

Surely there's a local photoshop you can support by picking it up there?

Yeah, I'm thinking about that.

It's £63 including p+p from the States and £73 from a shop in London. But I don't know if I can be bothered to get on the stinky tube to get it!