Nifty Fifty (Canon 50mm f1.8)

[PhilipHowe]

Ok, so I've talked myself out of one of these so many times. Then, about 6 months ago, I loaned one from a fellow photographer (thanks Tracey) and I convinced myself I need one, by actually taking photos and liking the results.

Now, the reason I haven't bought one is that most of the time I used it at f1.8. I also had a little go at f2.5 and liked the results. With this in mind, I thought I would quite like the f1.4 version, to add an extra bit of flexibility, however, the f1.8 is £70 and the f1.4 is £275.

This got me thinking.

I think I'm going to buy an older lens with a converter. The downside is that I sacrifice auto focus (I'm sure I'll get used to it), the upside is that I can get an Olympus 50mm f1.4 for around £120 including the adapter ring or a f1.8 version for £65. I think there was a Nikkor f1.4 I could have for around £160 as well.

In London Camera exchange yesterday, I was even offered a Canon FD 50mm f1.8 for £10, yes ten pounds, however, the adapter to a full frame was £30, so my enthusiasm drew away.

Now, as long as the lens has been looked after and has no scratches/fungus etc, does anyone have an opinion on this or has even tried it? Off the top of my head, I think there is only Keith that is an Olly man. I will also get an adapter for my Olympus E-PL1 as well.

I am off to RealCamera tomorrow with my camera to try these out. Please note, I have a full frame camera.

[-KT]

Glad you started this thread Philip. I'm eyeing up the 1.4 50mm EF for Christmas. I'm going to borrow one and see what I think, but I've been watching another photographer on my Facebook (not a club member) who has just bought one and his results are fantastic. Plus I have a project in mind! So really it is just 1.4 vs 1.8 for me, does the 1.4 cost justify the difference in the lenses?

I would be interested in which you actually go for and why, maybe even post some results you get from the lens.

[Paul Jones]

I've never used the f/1.4 version, but I bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 off an ADAPS member several years ago and think it's an outstanding lens. Absolutely pin sharp.

[PhilipHowe]

I used the Canon f1.8 on some of these photos, numbers 12, 16 and 17 off the top of my head. All others were with my 24-105L :

http://getyourtshirtshere.com/Other/PaulinaKostrzewa/

I also tried taking some of a mates band and this was at f1.8 only as I couldn't get anything otherwise. These are aweful by the way, but show how little light there was:

http://getyourtshirtshere.com/Other/Jum ... 011-05-26/

[Paul Jones]

... most of the time I used it at f1.8. I also had a little go at f2.5 and liked the results. With this in mind, I thought I would quite like the f1.4 version, to add an extra bit of flexibility, however, the f1.8 is £70 and the f1.4 is £275.

It's perhaps also worth mentioning the 'sweet spot', or when the lens performs at it's sharpest. This webpage has more info on the 50mm sweet spot - http://www.flickr.com/groups/50mmlens/d ... 265743319/

[John]

If you want to use older lenses, then Pentax cameras offer almost universal compatibility with a vast number of manual focus and autofocus lenses. Nikon are also pretty good in this respect, but with more limitations. Canon are far less compatibile. Olympus not too bad but you might find yourself limited as to what apertures can be used.

The humble 50mm lens is always a good buy as they were amostly excellent lenses. Still are. Much better than most kit zooms.

Don't forget screw thread lenses as well, which have possibilities via simple (Pentax) or complex (most others) adapters. Be preapred for a shock on new adapter prices though.

[bert haddock]

Hi Philip,
Whichever you go for 1.8 or 1.4 I am sure you won't regret your decision, the 50 mm is a superb lens,and for the money the 1.8 is the best value for money of any lens on the market, I tried both lenses before purchasing one as I was undecided wether to pay the extra for the 1.4, but in the end bought the 1.8 as I didn't think the extra cost of the 1.4 to me was justified, for the last month I have made a point of using nothing but my 50mm 1.8 and have found it very rewarding and enjoyable the only thing you have to use more are your legs to get nearer or further away from your subject, mine is the Nikon lens but all the 50mm lenses are all of the same high quality.
Buy and enjoy,
Bert.

[oakeycoke]

Philip,

Test results aren't everything, but the 50mm f/1.8 is rather soft at the larger apertures, as are many lenses.
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showprod ... 150/cat/10
Click on the blur index and move the f/stop slider to see its at f/4 before your are at its sweet-ish spot. Its slightly worse on full frame, though at the price its a bargain.

I have one and unlike everyone else i hardly use it, though its in the bag, because its light and a just in case lens.

If you look at the f/1.4 it doesn't fair well either at f/1.4, but its generally a stop better, i.e at f/2.8 its as good as the f/1.8 at f/4. If you have £1,200 spare then the f/1.2L is rather better, but will be at f/2.0 to enter the sweetish spot.

Mentioning this because generally people buy these large aperture lenses, to use them at that setting for available light.

So why don't I use my f/1.8, well mentioned it before, but the 135mm f/2.0L I have is in its sweet spot from f/2.0 and being a telephoto the depth of field/bokeh is excellent. Portraits just pop with it, and the good thing is people dont even know you are taking a pic of them. Its also a good f/2.8 lens at nearly 200mm with a 1.4 tele-converter. http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showprod ... 158/cat/10

Don't forget that the more expensive lenses also have usm focusing and better build, so its not just about the quality of the end result. The 'nifty 50' as its known just feels like its come of a kids toy camera, plastic body and mount, hence the older Mk1 metal version costing more 2nd hand.

Phil

[PhilipHowe]

Hi, thanks to all who replied. I have purchased a Yashica ML 50mm f1.4. I used it on two outdoor model shoots yesterday and was very happy with the in camera results. I am busy transfering them all to my computer now, so will post some results when done.

Thanks again.

[PhilipHowe]

Probably not the best example as this was a night shoot and I did use flash.
This has only had the raw conversion done in Lightroom, no other post processing.

IMG_3532.jpg (205.63 KiB) Viewed 6399 times

Hand held, 1/125sec, ISO 800, f4, Off camera flash.