Is the Canon 50mm 1.8 that temperamental?
Discussion
I have a new 600d on its way to me in the post (just with the standard kit lens) as a treat to myself before I go to China next month.
Before I go I was going to invest in a 50mm 1.8 prime lens, mainly to take a few nice portraits and also to hopefully capture some good night shots - especially in Shanghai and HK.
I have heard that whilst it is a fantastic lens, it has a habit of breaking alot, and sometimes getting stuck in the camera.
The outlay for the 600d, case and a few SD cards mean the budget is pretty much gone for buying a better zoom lens. And besides, coming from a Panny TZ20, I should get to know my new toy well before being silly and spending money on expensive glass.
So what I am really after are thoughts on the cheap nifty fifty? I was going to get a special Lowe Pro pouch for it - to protect it best I can. But should I be worried taking it with me halfway around the world?
Also what is the 'sweet-spot' of the 18-55 kit lens?
Before I go I was going to invest in a 50mm 1.8 prime lens, mainly to take a few nice portraits and also to hopefully capture some good night shots - especially in Shanghai and HK.
I have heard that whilst it is a fantastic lens, it has a habit of breaking alot, and sometimes getting stuck in the camera.
The outlay for the 600d, case and a few SD cards mean the budget is pretty much gone for buying a better zoom lens. And besides, coming from a Panny TZ20, I should get to know my new toy well before being silly and spending money on expensive glass.
So what I am really after are thoughts on the cheap nifty fifty? I was going to get a special Lowe Pro pouch for it - to protect it best I can. But should I be worried taking it with me halfway around the world?
Also what is the 'sweet-spot' of the 18-55 kit lens?
Matt,
People sneer at the fifty because it's mount - the part that fits into the camera - is made of plastic. But it's the same plastic as the rest of your entire camera, so if you don't intend to shatter that, you really shouldn't have a problem. Take as much care of the lens as the rest of your new pride and joy, you'll be fine.
People sneer at the fifty because it's mount - the part that fits into the camera - is made of plastic. But it's the same plastic as the rest of your entire camera, so if you don't intend to shatter that, you really shouldn't have a problem. Take as much care of the lens as the rest of your new pride and joy, you'll be fine.
bashful said:
Matt,
People sneer at the fifty because it's mount - the part that fits into the camera - is made of plastic. But it's the same plastic as the rest of your entire camera, so if you don't intend to shatter that, you really shouldn't have a problem. Take as much care of the lens as the rest of your new pride and joy, you'll be fine.
Optically the 50mm f1.8 is a bargain, I've found little difference between it and the f1.4 version.People sneer at the fifty because it's mount - the part that fits into the camera - is made of plastic. But it's the same plastic as the rest of your entire camera, so if you don't intend to shatter that, you really shouldn't have a problem. Take as much care of the lens as the rest of your new pride and joy, you'll be fine.
The two weaknesses that I found were the AF which hunts badly in low light and the build quality... the reason I now have a f1.4 and not an f1.8 is because mine fell apart when my camera bag took a slight knock so I can confirm that it's nowhere near as tough as the plastic that cameras are made of!
I got a 600d a couple of months ago and added the 50mm a few weeks later. I'm really happy with it. I am no expert, by a long way, but I am impressed with the colours and quality of the images I seem to get out of it.
The wide aperture is great for portraits of my kids and I do find it quite good fun having to work that little bit harder to get a reasonable composition. I think I get a better composition often because it forces me to think a bit more.
With the 600d body it also makes the camera small. I know many would say this is a bad thing, but I do find it useful sometimes not having to carry around something too bulky and heavy.
Get one, I don't think you will be disappointed and the reading I did suggested it is the best 'bang for buck' lens.
The wide aperture is great for portraits of my kids and I do find it quite good fun having to work that little bit harder to get a reasonable composition. I think I get a better composition often because it forces me to think a bit more.
With the 600d body it also makes the camera small. I know many would say this is a bad thing, but I do find it useful sometimes not having to carry around something too bulky and heavy.
Get one, I don't think you will be disappointed and the reading I did suggested it is the best 'bang for buck' lens.
I had my 50/1.8 for 6-7 years before I sold it. Needed a touch of dialling in to get it just right at 1.8 on the 7d and then it was fantastic, tac sharp from 2.5 on but very usable at 1.8.
Its not the most robust lens and I have heard of some splitting in half for no real reason (bad glue?).
The plastic mount is fine, the focus ring is terrible if you want to manual focus, if either bother you buy a mk1.
Its not the most robust lens and I have heard of some splitting in half for no real reason (bad glue?).
The plastic mount is fine, the focus ring is terrible if you want to manual focus, if either bother you buy a mk1.
If you do fancy the mk1, LCE have one. Pretty much double the price of a new mk2 though......
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon-EF-50mm-f1.8-...
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon-EF-50mm-f1.8-...
JustinMinns said:
Optically the 50mm f1.8 is a bargain, I've found little difference between it and the f1.4 version.
The two weaknesses that I found were the AF which hunts badly in low light and the build quality... the reason I now have a f1.4 and not an f1.8 is because mine fell apart when my camera bag took a slight knock so I can confirm that it's nowhere near as tough as the plastic that cameras are made of!
To be honest the f1.4 version isn't too robust either. Mine has had to have the AF mechanism rebuilt twice.The two weaknesses that I found were the AF which hunts badly in low light and the build quality... the reason I now have a f1.4 and not an f1.8 is because mine fell apart when my camera bag took a slight knock so I can confirm that it's nowhere near as tough as the plastic that cameras are made of!
nellyleelephant said:
Craikeybaby said:
To be honest the f1.4 version isn't too robust either. Mine has had to have the AF mechanism rebuilt twice.
That seems to happen to that lens with more regularity than it should!Mr Will said:
nellyleelephant said:
Craikeybaby said:
To be honest the f1.4 version isn't too robust either. Mine has had to have the AF mechanism rebuilt twice.
That seems to happen to that lens with more regularity than it should!
RobDickinson said:
flat-planedCrank said:
I've had mine for years and never had a problem with it - i have however always collapsed it down before storing
Thats the way to do it, poorly designed from canon and overdue a replacement.Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff