A free lens can't be a bad thing, right?

[KHarmon]

I was chatting with my sister last night on the computer. I mentioned that I had been bitten by the photography bug again. Her husband is interested in photography and has bought several L series lenses for his Canon. As we talked more, she told me that he had several lenses that he no longer shoots with since he bought the L glass. One lens she mentioned was a 50mm but didn't know anything about it.

She put him on the computer and what it all boils
down to is he is shipping me a Canon 50mm F/1.8 free of charge to make room in his camera bag. I offered to buy the lens and he declined payment.

I was looking at a 50 f1.4. Give me some reviews of the F1.8 and how it performs. At some point I will upgrade to a faster 50mm, but just want some general opinions on the lens that was given to me.

[Sahil]

Can speak for the Nikon make... I think same goes for Canon one too...
One word. AWESOME!

[Dizzy]

Can't think of any reason that a free lens would ever be a bad thing..

Congrats!

[ktuli]

Actually - in this particular case... it could be.

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is a plastic lens, and there is a screw that sometimes loosens itself. If that happens while on your camera, it basically needs to be broken to get the lens off - sometimes with damage to your camera. It is a low risk, but something to pay attention to.

Do a google search for 'canon 50mm lens stuck' and you'll find some examples (some with horror stories complete with photos). I know about this problem because it happened to a coworker.

- Bill

[Sunray]

Hello Kris,

I use a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lense. I use it on a 40D and before that on a 350D. It is sharp to the point and produces pictures with a very good contrast. The bokeh tends to be a little bit nervous compared to other fix focal lenses. Autofocus motor can be noisy, because it does not feature an ultrasonic system. Personally I never had problems with loosened screws. Give the lense a try. It will be worth it.

Bye Robert

[ktuli]

Sorry - I should have mentioned... I also own the lens and think it is a great little lens (and cheap too!). Just keep an eye on those screws and you won't have a problem. Perhaps some Loctite would solve the issue.

My post was not meant to deter you from using the lens, simply to warn you to keep an eye on it.

- Bill

[inkista]

Build quality and usability features are eh, but the image quality is very nice, and there's not much to choose between it and the 50/1.4 USM optically. The EF 50/1.8 II's sweet spot is around f/4. Autofocus can be a little noisy and a little wonky in low light, but overall, best bang-for-the-buck lens Canon makes, and as long as you weren't planning on manually focusing or zone focusing with it much, you'll probably love it. Never had an issue with mine getting stuck, or the plastic mount causing any issues. Mine still works great and holds up after five years. And if you do upgrade past it, it makes a nice trashable travel lens or macro reversal candidate. It's small, light, fast, and sharp: everything we love about primes.

[Shadowman]

I found this article after I purchased my 50mm lens.

http://www.netglos.com/how-can-use-fixed-50mm-lens/

[KHarmon]

I will definitely keep an eye on the screw issue. I'm looking forward to getting the lens in hand and shooting with it. I have seen some talk and reviews that this makes a good portrait lens. Anyone here use this lens for portraits? I vastly more interested in severe weather photography and landscape photography, but would like to do some portrait work for my family and friends.

KHarmon

[ktuli]

Kris,

Here's one portrait I took with that lens:



Plus some other threads (not really portraits) using that lens: 1, 2, and 3.

I think you'll like the lens.

- Bill

[inkista]

Obligatory cat test photo:



Canon XT/350D. EF 50mm f/1.8 II, iso 400, f/4, 1/40s.

And, just goofing around at Comic-Con, randomly shooting the crowd:



5D Mark II, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, iso 800, f/2.8, 1/60s.