EF 50mm f1.8 II Thoughts Gadgets & Stuff |
I borrowed this little 50mm prime lens from John at work. For a little £60 lens, it exceeded my expectations. For the price, image quality is staggering. Any focusing issues I had were user error - I’ve been so used to IS lenses, whose image stabilisation electronics allow you to take pictures with slower than normal shutter speeds, that I was foolishly taking shots with shutter speeds too slow for the EF50.
At f1.8 it’s a really fast lens that lets in a lot of light. It really shines at portraits, even in low lighting. As a walk about lens with smaller apertures and thus more depth of field, it again provides some good pictures. I’ve created a flickr set with some samples. I also used it for a few shots inside the Botanic Gardens, and for this entire West End Festival set.
With such a shallow depth of field, focus is absolutely crucial. In fact, if you can keep your shutter speed high enough, and the depth of field at 2.8 or less, then you can get some terrific portait shots, and it’s here that the EF50 is strongest. I’d almost go so far as to say that the lens is a total one trick, full frontal portrait, pony. But that would be a disservice as it gives good results with smaller apertures too. When funds allow, I’ll definitely buy myself one, it won’t get used all the time, but it will get use - my wife and kids love to strike a pose.
I’ll post some 40D thoughts later, but food for thought, the following shot was taken with my 28-135IS at ISO3200!
This post was updated on 16th June.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I’ve been using this lens for about 8 months now, and have never had focus issues; and thats on personal and paid work. http://mathesonphoto.blogspot.com/2008/01/beth-and-make-up-junkie.html
http://mathesonphoto.blogspot.com/2008/02/rock-chick-chic.html
both of these entire shoots were done on the 50 1.8. I just wish it was in a metal body.
It costs more, but try the 85mm f/1.8; it is a brilliant (& better) portrait lens. The 50mm f/1.4 is wwwidely reported as having build quality issues. My mate has the 85mm f/1.2 and that is WOW.
For general use I use the 24-105L IS; I did have the 24-70L but that was one of the many with back-focus problems.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I’d love a 24-105l or 24-70L. Never got any focus issues today with the 50mm. Probably because I had much better light.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
The first of the 2 links I posted, that shoot was outside in January iow very low light. Are you using a single focus point?
You would NOT love a 24-70L, unless you were VERY lucky to get a good ‘un. The Tamron 28-75 is a better bet if you must get a 2.8 (The Sigma 24-70 is mediocre at best). The 24-70L seems to fair better on full frame sensors, most complaints seem to be when its on a crop chip.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Well it faired much better today. I think I’ve maybe been carried away with how fast the lens appeared to be, and ended up introducing motion blur. Today, instead of locking in an aperture I locked in a decent shutter speed.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I’m gonna get the EF50. I already miss it now that I’ve given it back to JC. Some time in the future I’ll also pick up one of the Tamron AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di-II lenses. These look to be great value for money, nice and fast, and pretty decent for landscapes and walkabouts in poor lighting. Certainly seems better than the equivalent priced Canon lens, albeit without any IS.
Checked out your site Adam, impressive. Your photography skills shame mine. Good luck with the business. You still have a day job too?