Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II?

[Andy M]

Apologies for posting another lens topic.

Have any of you used this lens, and if so, what are your thoughts?

Having read the reviews on the net, it appears to be an excellent lens for the money (<£80), even providing similar results to the 1.4 which is 3-4x the price. The only downside being that it appears to be only half the UK price in America ($70).

Lens link here: www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_50mm_f18II/index.asp?ComponentID=25525&SourcePageID=26126

edit: because I can't speel.

>> Edited by Andy M on Monday 7th November 10:08

[Bee_Jay]

Well kept secret that one - a great lens that gives stunning results.

At £70 you can't go wrong and will be more than pleased with it.

[beano500]

Andy M said:

Apologies for posting another lens topic.

No need for any of that!


Don't tell anyone, but even though I defected some long while back I notice that one bit of kit from "Darker" days I still have is an old FD mount 50mm F1.8 Canon that still gets some use today because it's the right filter thread size for reversing onto the current body (or onto extension tubes).

Every manufacturer has one or two well overlooked lenses. I bet optically this hasn't changed in a long while and, perhaps apart from the mechanicals and some more advanced anti-reflective coatings it's a design they got right a long time ago.

While lens makers have been battling away to overcome all sorts of difficulties with zoom designs, I bet you won't find anything £ for £ to beat a good solid 50mm design

[Tuna]

I have one and it produces glorious pictures. Lots of light, so at 1600 ISO you can get usable non-flash photos in very dark conditions. In more normal conditions, it's wonderfully crisp. It's also very small and light, so pop it on your 350D and you've got a great walkaround camera for candid shots. I've used mine for a couple of family weddings, and got some excellent portraits from it.

The only down side is that wide open the DOF is more shallow than a shallow thing, so you have to keep tight control of conditions to get a sharp picture, and some scenes are just not possible without stopping down and loosing some of the benefit of all that glass.

At the price, you really can't go wrong.

[Black5]

shhhh!

Very fast focusing lens.
I use mine with extension tubes for macro work too. DOF can be an advantage here.

Optically I believe it is no different to the Mk1, but mkII has a plastic mount making it cheaper.
Focusing ring can be a bit fiddly. I like the fact you can manually focus without switching the mode.

I would say it is underrated, but lots of people are realising how good it is now.
I've seen 'em sold on Ebay for more than they retail for.

[simpo two]

Remarkably the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 occupies the same position, identical spec and a great lens for not much money that's often overlooked.

[Tuna]

simpo two said:

Remarkably the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 occupies the same position, identical spec and a great lens for not much money that's often overlooked.

We don't want none of your steenkin' Clud lenses in here, hombre

[beano500]

Tuna said:

simpo two said: Remarkably the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 occupies the same position, identical spec and a great lens for not much money that's often overlooked. We don't want none of your steenkin' Clud lenses in here, hombre

I think 'e means Ni-k-orff!!!

(Anyway - Nikon's unsung little gem is the 45mm F2.8 AI-P! Unfortunately I don't think the Canon-fodders have anything quite so subtle!!!)

[monkeyhanger]

There's a straightforward reason for the 50m f1.8's being so good.

In the "old" days of 35mm film, 50mm was the standard lens that came with most cameras. The manufacturers produced them in huge numbers and over the years they got the design near enough perfect.

I keep meaning to order the EF 50mm 1.8....might just do it now i've had a reminder

[FunkyNige]

Am I being blind or don't Jessops sell these? Where would be the best place to get one from?

Edit - found a local shop selling them for £78.99, sorted If anyone has any experience with Bligh cameras in Leeds just shout...

>> Edited by FunkyNige on Monday 7th November 18:28

[Andy M]

I went ahead and purchased one earlier today. I could have bought one cheaper from a seller on eBay, but once you've factored in postage costs, and the possibility of needing to return the lens, buying from a local dealer seemed the better route.

Not had a chance to play yet, will hopefully get some time later

Thanks for the advice!

[monkeyhanger]

£73 + P+P at Warehouseexpress.com

[cvp]

These are absolute belters of lenses, small, light, compact and letting in loads of light. They are a perfect travel companion and often let you get a shot where your average mid range zoom will be stuck at f5.6 at best.

If you have one never ever ever get rid of it.

Chris

[darthdicky]

Got mine from Jessops, and they price matched it from somewhere online in the UK down to £69. Not sure which place it was in the end, but Microglobe have it at that price at the moment.

[poah]

I had a mk1 for a day before I sold it. was very very nice. slow focusing though will probably get another along with the 85 f1.8 to go wit my sigma 30mm f1.4

[marctwo]

I have the Mk1 which I got off ebay for about £80. More than some of the Mk2's brand new but it does have a proper metal mount. Yes, it can be slow (and noisy) to focus but the results are brilliant. Perfect for portraits and super sharp. It has a permanent space in my camera bag and is probably my favourite lens.