Just got my EF 50mm f/1.8 and love it

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #2173502
I just checked UPS and my 85 1.8 and 50 1.4 are 4 hours away! So, sometime tomorrow! Heck ya!

Nice set of primes you got there Ryan!
Are you doing any portrait work or do you just prefer primes as your walkaround lenses.

An 85mm is looking so appealing to me these days.

congrat's love mine too.

It's amazing how completely different it is to shoot with this lens as opposed to my Sigma 17-70mm. If there was no such thing as a zoom lens I bet I could be completely happy with just the 50mm. I actually like the fact the a prime makes you think more about composition when you shoot.

Another shot from this afternoon. Still sorting out the problem with RAW images being edited, appearing differently and losing color and sharpening adjustments in Photoshop. It's driving my nuts.

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I am actually considering an additional wider prime. When indoors where it is usually dim lighting, I am finding the 50 too close. Something like a 1.8 30 would be great. I haven't really started looking yet so I don't know what's available.

tefan

Stefan A wrote in post #2174115
I am actually considering an additional wider prime. When indoors where it is usually dim lighting, I am finding the 50 too close. Something like a 1.8 30 would be great. I haven't really started looking yet so I don't know what's available.

tefan

sigma 30/1.4

unix04 wrote in post #2174283
sigma 30/1.4

Hey Unix. I don't want to change gears on this thread but can you summarize your opinion of that 85mm f/1.8? I just read about a dozen reviews and every single one of them praises that lens and it is always being referred to as an excellent, or near-perfect portrait lens. Do you agree with all that?

I want one

TMR Design wrote in post #2174678
Hey Unix. I don't want to change gears on this thread but can you summarize your opinion of that 85mm f/1.8? I just read about a dozen reviews and every single one of them praises that lens and it is always being referred to as an excellent, or near-perfect portrait lens. Do you agree with all that?

I want one

it's a little too long for my preference. on a 1.6x crop, you'll be standing a good distance away. if you want the 'headshot' it's not so bad, but if you want waist up, 3/4 or full body shot, the 50mm focal range is the easier way to go. unless you have lots of room and dont mind stepping back a few extra steps.

however, it came in pretty handy when shooting performances or random shots of people out at the mall or even sports like basketball/volleyball.

as for performance, the build is solid and the USM is amazing! after you have a taste of the AF/USM, you'll know why people say the 50/1.8 is noisy and that it hunts a bit. my 85/1.8 has never hunted except when trynig to focus on things too close or when focusing into a dark background in low light. it's a world of difference IMO. if you feel the 70 is not long enough for you for portraits, the 85/1.8 will likely give you what you want. (give or take a couple steps)

This lens always makes me laugh when I see it. Next to my big L lenses it looks a joke. Then when I use it, the jokes on me. What a lens!

The 50mm is great for upper body but the head shots make you get real close to the subject. I find that the 70 is similar...better, but not long enough to get the head shot and be standing 6 to 8 feet away. I don't want to be on top of the subject. The 70 can definitely be used but the f/4.5 at 70mm does not compare to f/2.8 or so on the 50mm f/1.8. I will work with both lenses before I consider adding another for portraits.

The things that I like about my 50/1.8 make me look at a wide fast prime like a 35/1.4 with lust. My main complaint with the 50 is that it's a little awkward on 1.6, though not really that bad. Also it gets lost between the big metal zooms when I carry my gear in my non-camera bag, I worry for its health .

TMR Design wrote in post #2175705
The 50mm is great for upper body but the head shots make you get real close to the subject. I find that the 70 is similar...better, but not long enough to get the head shot and be standing 6 to 8 feet away. I don't want to be on top of the subject. The 70 can definitely be used but the f/4.5 at 70mm does not compare to f/2.8 or so on the 50mm f/1.8. I will work with both lenses before I consider adding another for portraits.

you might find the 85 just right for your headshot needs. i warn you though...once you get the 85/1.8, you're gonna feel the need for the 50/1.4. i started with the 85 and added the 50/1.8...and i feel the need to upgrade...haha

Stefan A wrote in post #2174115
I am actually considering an additional wider prime. When indoors where it is usually dim lighting, I am finding the 50 too close. Something like a 1.8 30 would be great. I haven't really started looking yet so I don't know what's available.

tefan

I felt the same with mine and i now have a Canon 35mm f/2.0
Its about the same size as the 50mm (might be slightly smaller) but much better made. still not up to the 50mm f/1.4 but its close.
I did have a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 but got rid of it for the Canon.
Even though i have other lens's when i go away with my band i only ever take the 30D and 35mm f/2.0 because its so small annd being a fast lens it covers most "snap" situations. i really dont miss having a zoom even though i use my 24-105l 99% of the time. i think the reason being as its fast and short i can normally get decent shutter speeds and dont have to worry about camera shake much.

this lens is crap in low level light
bedies that its all good
maybe i just need to master it more

verty wrote in post #2177056
this lens is crap in low level light
bedies that its all good
maybe i just need to master it more

I cant say i really used mine indoors without flash apart from this (and a few like them) and i had no problems with focus.
Im trying to decide if i want another or go for a f/1.4 lens now.