Canon 50mm Prime Lens

[K77 CTR]

I have a 650d at the moment, I enjoy taking landscape, night images and portraits and was thinking that a cheap 50mm prime lens would be a good addition to my stock lens. Would this be a good idea? was thinking about the canon EF 50mm f1.8 any advice or other suggestions welcomed.

[Mr Will]

Great for portraits and low-light, but a little tight for general purpose (IMHO). Still worth it considering the price though.

Other option to consider would be the 24mm 2.8 Pancake. Not as fast but smaller, more versatile and supposed to be a gem of a lens.

[Morbid]

It's a great lens, hardly ever use anything else now. Sharper than the kit lens, good in low light, good for portraits. Can't go wrong for the money really.

[DibblyDobbler]

For extra cheapness consider the Yongnuo knock off version of the 50mm f1.8 - I have one on order right now

[baz7175]

Going in the other direction, both myself and Mrs Baz fight over the 50mm f/1.2L that we have between us...big money but it's some piece of kit...

[covmutley]

I like mine. Feels rubbish, but is sharp, great in low light and good bokeh. I also like using the prime as it forces you to move your feet and consequently consider your composition more. You can't just zoom then shoot. Get one!

[ExPat2B]

You would be mad to consider buying the Canon version when the Yongnuo version is cheaper and seems to test better in every metric.

[jurbie]

DibblyDobbler said:

For extra cheapness consider the Yongnuo knock off version of the 50mm f1.8 - I have one on order right now

Where from? I can't seem to find it available to order anywhere.

[DibblyDobbler]

I got mine from eBay - £37 delivered. Not sure this is possible now ...

[DavidY]

The Canon 50mm f1.8 bokeh is good wide open but at f2.8 often gives pentagons, not necessarily I pleasing but not as nice as the lens wide open.

[RobDickinson]

The samyang looks better on bokeh and sharpness.

it looks like the canon but it is built entirely different.

[davidd]

If you can spend a bit more you could go for a sigma art lens, not sure about the 50mm but I have a 35mm 1.4 and it is a great lens

[RobDickinson]

A BIT more????

[K77 CTR]

Would be good to find this yougonou lens somewhere

[RobDickinson]

Its only just launched, it will be all over ebay etc soon.

[K77 CTR]

RobDickinson said:

Its only just launched, it will be all over ebay etc soon.

I'll hold off for a bit then

[Mr Will]

Yongnuo also have a 35mm f2 clone on the way, which will be a god-send for anyone looking for something a little more versatile.

That said, if you buy the Canon 50 now, I doubt it'll lose much, if any, value if you choose to trade it in later.

[davidd]

RobDickinson said:

A BIT more????

Oh alright a few bits more... Still good value though

[LongQ]

K77 CTR said:

I have a 650d at the moment, I enjoy taking landscape, night images and portraits and was thinking that a cheap 50mm prime lens would be a good addition to my stock lens. Would this be a good idea? was thinking about the canon EF 50mm f1.8 any advice or other suggestions welcomed.

How often do you find yourself using the kit lens at or around 50mm?

Back in the days of 35mm film I used my Canon f1.8 FD mount for almost everything other than motor sport where a longer zoom was required. However 35mm film means Full Format whereas on the crop body the 50mm will be closer to a typical portrait lens of around 85mm. If you really wont something like a 50mm would be on full format you might find a 35mm (or close to it) more useful. See what you favoured pics tell you.

[JustinP1]

LongQ said:

K77 CTR said:

I have a 650d at the moment, I enjoy taking landscape, night images and portraits and was thinking that a cheap 50mm prime lens would be a good addition to my stock lens. Would this be a good idea? was thinking about the canon EF 50mm f1.8 any advice or other suggestions welcomed.

How often do you find yourself using the kit lens at or around 50mm?

Back in the days of 35mm film I used my Canon f1.8 FD mount for almost everything other than motor sport where a longer zoom was required. However 35mm film means Full Format whereas on the crop body the 50mm will be closer to a typical portrait lens of around 85mm. If you really wont something like a 50mm would be on full format you might find a 35mm (or close to it) more useful. See what you favoured pics tell you.

Exactly this.

When I had a crop sensor camera, the first prime I got was the 50mm. However, for portraits indoors and outdoor stuff I felt myself stepping backwards all the time, and inching out more distance when there were objects behind me.

I found that 30mm was spot on for my style of shooting and a lot more versatile. Even if the odd shot was too wide, it's easy to crop later if necessary.