No Love For The Fifty -Poll

I never even considered getting the nifty 50. I am very happy with the 50/1.4, but then again some people hate that lens too

I tried one out, but eventually went with a 50mm 1.8 Mk I for a few reasons.

Build quality - didn't feel like it was going to break
Metal mount - just makes me feel better
Much nicer manual focus ring - gearing is completely different

On the downside, the Mk I is even noisier when focusing than the Mk II. It reminds me of my Minolta Maxxum 50mm 1.4 in that respect. It may be just barely slower focusing.

i loved mine til i got the siggy 30 1.4 - much better length on a crop
but i still use it for extension tube work & will keep it for that when i get my 50L
it's very sharp & the AF is ok

Thanks DreDaze, and I did in fact open it up all the way several times - and got 2 or 3 decent ones. In hindsight, I wish I had gone done to ISO 100 (I was at 200). I'll keep practicing wit this lens, and I attending a friend's wedding in 3 weeks, so I'll get a chance at some portraiture and groups shots. Looking forward to it.

Mike55 wrote in post #7936151
My 50 1.8 from corner to corner at F4 destroys any zoom I have ever used. Love it.

At 55mm 5.6, I thought my 55-200mm Tamron had better overall IQ.
At 50mm f/4 , the 50-150 smokes the nifty. At 2.8 50mm I would much rather use the 50-150mm , because of the AF and better IQ. But at 50mm, my 50mm 2.8 macro is better then them all. Just a little slow on the AF.

After 3 copies, that's my findings. I guess getting a good copy is like playing the lottery. Hmm, but I have won a little bit playing the lottery .

Mine is really sharp wide open or even better yet slightly stopped down. The AF, however, is absolutely dismal in low light and not particularly accurate, especially compared to my 85/1.8. You just have to know that going in and don't expect too much out of a $90 lens.