Lenses: I am using a Canon T1i with the kit lens 15-55. I am looking for a quality 50mm lens. Any recomendations?

IBE

I am using a Canon T1i with the kit lens 15-55. I am looking for a quality 50mm lens. Any recomendations?

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

The "nifty fifty" is a fantastic lens. The 50mm F 1.8 is very affordable (about $100) and has great reviews, The 1.4 is about $300, but some will argue that the 1.8 is sharper. The 1.2 L glass has an L price, I can't afford to think about it.

I use a 1988 version of the 1.8. It is a great lens. You might find one on craigslist when somebody sells an older Canon for a real good price.

Bokeh example from 1.8

My first shot with the 50mm 1.8 (while testing at the store)

2MATO Loc: CNY -Central NoWhere

RocketScientist wrote:

The "nifty fifty" is a fantastic lens. The 50mm F 1.8 is very affordable (about $100) and has great reviews, The 1.4 is about $300, but some will argue that the 1.8 is sharper. The 1.2 L glass has an L price, I can't afford to think about it.

I use a 1988 version of the 1.8. It is a great lens. You might find one on craigslist when somebody sells an older Canon for a real good price.

Just rounded out my collection with the 1.4 a few weeks ago and have been absolutely delighted. However, it requires more thought and some sneaker-zooming that I have been spoiled with using the 15-85mm. The lens is just a dream in low light and is very crisp. Using it requires a bit more thought and planning and I have messed up a bit while I am learning to maximize it. But the 1.4 is a WOW factor for me.

Simple pleasures for simple gals.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_50mm_f_1_8_ii
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_50mm_f_1_4_usm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44FqqE6ukjY and others
http://www.learningdslrvideo.com/canon-50mm-1-4-usm-vs-1-8/

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

My first test of my new 50mm
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-79017-1.html

A couple of sites that may help.
http://www.digitalrev.com/article/top-5-most-bokehlicious-50mm/OTIzNA_A_A

http://www.aputure.com/blog/2010/07/28/top-50mm-prime-lenses/

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

IBE wrote:

I am using a Canon T1i with the kit lens 15-55. I am looking for a quality 50mm lens. Any recomendations?

I have the same camera, love my 50mm 1.8 from Canon, Bob.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

The EF 50mm f1.4 is superb and cheap for what it is. Ive taken shots of insects, when blown up, some people would call macro.lol..it rated 96% which is the same as its Nikon equivalent in precision tests. I am delighted with mine and would buy again if necessary..:-)

IBE

Thanks to all who responded
IBE

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

an old manual lens maybe, but the quality of the takumar 50mm 1.4 takes some beating. an excellent 50mm. you would need an adapter as they are m42 mount.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

RocketScientist wrote:

The "nifty fifty" is a fantastic lens. The 50mm F 1.8 is very affordable (about $100) and has great reviews, The 1.4 is about $300, but some will argue that the 1.8 is sharper. The 1.2 L glass has an L price, I can't afford to think about it.

I use a 1988 version of the 1.8. It is a great lens. You might find one on craigslist when somebody sells an older Canon for a real good price.

The new nifty fifty (f1.8) has kept the price and weight down by using plastic construction. I use an older lens. It is heaver because it was made in metal and had a distance window. I beleive both have a metal mount.

I prefer the older version because of the weight and the metal makes it a little sturdier but they are getting hard to find. Both are great lenses for the money.

Jim D

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

Buy Canon, you cannot go wrong.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

terry mcgrory wrote:

an old manual lens maybe, but the quality of the takumar 50mm 1.4 takes some beating. an excellent 50mm. you would need an adapter as they are m42 mount.

55mm F2 SMC Takumar with focus confirm EOS adapter - Sarper than the 1.4 - if you can live with F2 - put a Canon 250 D on the front of it for macro !

Gerald Walmsley Loc: East Sussex, England

Do go for older lens - metal mount, distance scale, reasonable prices on ebay

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

imagemeister wrote:

terry mcgrory wrote:

an old manual lens maybe, but the quality of the takumar 50mm 1.4 takes some beating. an excellent 50mm. you would need an adapter as they are m42 mount.

55mm F2 SMC Takumar with focus confirm EOS adapter - Sarper than the 1.4 - if you can live with F2 - put a Canon 250 D on the front of it for macro !

i have that lens imagemeister , and quite excellent it is. i use a bellows with for macro.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-46799-1.html

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

imagemeister wrote:

terry mcgrory wrote:

an old manual lens maybe, but the quality of the takumar 50mm 1.4 takes some beating. an excellent 50mm. you would need an adapter as they are m42 mount.

55mm F2 SMC Takumar with focus confirm EOS adapter - Sarper than the 1.4 - if you can live with F2 - put a Canon 250 D on the front of it for macro !

I would not buy a lens that requires an adapter personally. The Takumar is a film lens that sells for about 125 dollars used then requires you buy adapters to make it work on a camera it was not designed to be on. Manual focus only. Why? To save a few bucks? I rather a lens that has all the functions, like auto focus. The Canon 50mm f1.4 used is about 100 dollars more (well worth the money) and the f1.8 is cheaper new than the Takumar without adapters and would doubt there to be any worth while advantage of the Takumar over the nifty 50. The Takumar is a nice lens but not worth it IMHO.
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/