Is the 50mm 1.8 really better than the 18-55 ???

I have made some tests and don't see real difference in sharpness...
here are 2 100% crop pics which have been taken with the 18-55 (at 48mm) and the 50 mm 1.8. Both were taken at 1/80 s, f8.0, ISO 200.
I don't see a real difference in sharpness, do you ?

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I have both lenses, and I definately see a difference in sharpness from my camera. I use the 50mm 1.8 whenever I can.


JMO

--chuck

Yes it is.


As for the demo images.. I can't really find an area of sharp focus on either of them.. this is perhaps a matter of having been reduced in size so dramatically?

Yes.

Tim

These are 100% crop, there is no size reduction...

May be the difference is more visible at others f-stops ??

From what I've read elsewhere, the 18-55 is variable in quality - maybe you've got a good one Also, doing the test at f/8 will show the least difference, since even cheap lenses are pretty good at that aperture.
FWIW I've the same lenses and also see little difference at f/8. I'll have to do some tests at other apertures...

Actually I've seen tests that show the 18-55mm is just as sharp as the 17-40L when they are both stopped down to F8, atleast at the center.

Set both the 18-55mm and the 50mm II to F5.6 (the largest aperture on the kit lens at 50mm), and then do a comparison, especially at the edges.
I suspect you will see a diff.

I might go try it right now.

Bob Atkins performed an excellent review of the EF-S 18-55 vs. selected other Canon primes and zooms in the same range. At 50mm, he compared the 18-55 to the 50/1.8 prime and 28-105 zoom.

His review is here. His findings are consistent with most observations I've read about low-priced, consumer zoom lenses. They perform well when stopped down, especially in the center of the image. At wide open apertures, they are noticeably inferior to primes and L lenses.

...Ok, I tried them both at F5.6 and here were my results.
Both are 100% crops.

EFS 18-55mm @50mm F5.6

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Drisley,
Your results remind me of my initial experience with the 10D when I used my old Canon consumer zoom lenses. I thought the shots were soft, out of focus, or both. Then I purchased a 50mm prime and saw the difference. With my current set of lenses, at least I know who to blame when the image comes up blurry on my computer monitor.

I just changed the pictures from the towels to this radiator.
Initially I thought the 18-55mm image had focused on the wrong part of the image, but now after looking at these images, I can see exactly where it focused, and wow, there is still an amazing difference.

the 50mm 1.8 may not be as sharp as the 1.4, but for the price, it's a great little fast lens. it's great for portraits. i'm with CDS - i don't think either of them is *that* sharp. looking at drisley's examples, however, i think that it's a good example of the prime's quality.

Well, I did some other tests, now at 5.6 and I confirm what drisley said. At 5.6 there is a real difference.
Drisley, I see in your signature that you have a 70-200 F4L. As I'm interested by this lens, can you please make the same shot of your radiator with your 70-200 and post it ? Thanks in advance.

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The radiator is in a small room, so I can't get back far enough to allow the 70-200F4L to focus. I may try another comparison for you tomorrow.

However, EVERYBODY that has the 70-200F4L will tell you it is an awesome lens... perhaps the sharpest zoom lens you can buy!
Some say it might even by a tad sharper than the 70-200mmF2.8L .

BTW, did you notice that in your last set of pictures that the contrast and colour of the 50mm II is much nicer than on the 18-55mm. The same can be said of my radiator example.

Hey,i too will be interested in the 18-55/50,1.8/70-200 comparo!
Yes the 18-55 has no chance but still keep it in as an example