50mm prime lens...sooo sharp!

3dcandy · 13 Nov 2009 at 11:28

Just got a nice 50mm F1.8 II from the MM here, and to test took a picture of our new(ish) kitten. Was very impressed by how sharp the lens is and wondered why I held off getting one for sooooo long....
To all you who wonder why they get such a good reputation, it's light years above the kit lens I have (EF 18-55) and such a powerful tool...
Anyway, just because I can, here's the shot..just cropped a bit, no other processing at all...

Phate · 13 Nov 2009 at 11:45

Yep, incredibly sharp lens. It's slow and clunky and cheap but dammit it works

ScarySquirrel · 13 Nov 2009 at 12:22

We should have a nifty fifty appreciation thread

Columbo · 13 Nov 2009 at 12:30

ScarySquirrel said:
We should have a nifty fifty appreciation thread

Agree 100%. Start one up Squirrel

. Just got a Mintola 50mm f1.7 last week for my Sony and the results are fantastic.

Cost me £75...bargain.

PinkFloyd · 13 Nov 2009 at 12:34

ScarySquirrel said:
We should have a nifty fifty appreciation thread

Pretty certain there is one. Was titled "show us your 50 shots" or something similar.

I used to have one.... but sold it. Prefer my 30mm

PaulyD · 13 Nov 2009 at 12:41

I love mine, crazy sharp and best £78 quid i spent on camera gear!

martinturner · 13 Nov 2009 at 12:52

I see a lolcat caption coming ;-)

Grats on the purchase ... I am torn between an autofocus 1.4 versus a new camera body and 1.8. Damn you D40 with no motor, lolz

Derek W · 13 Nov 2009 at 13:14

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17933014&highlight=startername_SteveOBHave

Simian · 13 Nov 2009 at 13:52

ScarySquirrel said:
We should have a nifty fifty appreciation thread

I'd be there!!!.. :cool:

86JR · 13 Nov 2009 at 18:57

I cant wait to buy a 50mm 1.8 for my D70

my 18-70mm I dont really get on with, thinking of swapping it for a nifty fifty!

Rojin · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:07

My skills are sadly lacking as my results with the 50 are really poor. To be fair I've not tried it in decent light conditions, but I was led to believe it would perform in low light. My problem then though is focusing!

ryder · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:11

Rojin said:
but I was led to believe it would perform in low light.

They're perfect for low light!

Raikiri · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:14

ryder said:
They're perfect for low light!

The AF isn't ideal in low light situations, as good as the lens is it has many problems as well. Still, for the £65 I paid it's a great lens.

Rojin · 13 Nov 2009 at 21:13

Raikiri said:
The AF isn't ideal in low light situations, as good as the lens is it has many problems as well. Still, for the £65 I paid it's a great lens.

Spot on, I find I have to use manual focus and when playing at 1.8 it's all a bit hit and miss! (Please note that miss to hit ratio is high!). I'm looking forward to having a proper look at it over the weekend.

FreeStream · 13 Nov 2009 at 22:05

I had one and even if it is sharp, the 17-55 is just as sharp (well my copies were anyway) and it AF'd in 1/100th the time.

Sold mine in the end!

Good lens but not great tbh.

topbanana · 13 Nov 2009 at 22:56

I've had a couple of these lenses. The quality control on the Mk II is pretty poor. My first was great, second was quite soft.

3dcandy · 13 Nov 2009 at 23:11

My copy is sharp, and the af seems pretty quick considering...so all in all I'm happy.
Only problem is, the missus has made me box it back up as it's for Christmas!!!

Raikiri · 13 Nov 2009 at 23:22

3dcandy said:
Only problem is, the missus has made me box it back up as it's for Christmas!!!

So what's your counter argument? I'd go with; "but think of all the fantastic pictures of you/kids/dog/cat I will miss because the lens isn't being used"

3dcandy · 13 Nov 2009 at 23:37

My counter argument was kinda oh ******, better had else I will have naff all to actually open on christmas day...
however, the box ain't sealed.....sooooooooo

Rojin · 15 Nov 2009 at 22:40

Rojin said:
Spot on, I find I have to use manual focus and when playing at 1.8 it's all a bit hit and miss! (Please note that miss to hit ratio is high!). I'm looking forward to having a proper look at it over the weekend.

Still can't focus!