50mm f/1.8 Lens War Thread

[schrackman]

I don't think it'd cost much more to add a metal lens mount

Perhaps for some folks, dishing out another couple or few hundred bucks more is no big deal. But many of us on this forum are on a tight budget and this lens serves our purpose rather well for now. Would I rather have a metal lenses? That's like asking if I'd rather have a 5D in my hands than having to still shoot with my original Digital Rebel these past three years.

[Erik Stiegler]

Perhaps for some folks, dishing out another couple or few hundred bucks more is no big deal. But many of us on this forum are on a tight budget and this lens serves our purpose rather well for now.

I don't recall the original EF 50/1.8 being that much more expensive than the Mk.II version of the lens. Was it?

Either way, I've never had a problem with a lens mount, metal or plastic.

A real improvement would be a version with a USM motor instead of that dreadful micro motor. It's a wonderful lens, but focusing it sounds like someone hunting for second gear in a '74 Chevy Nova.

[schrackman]

I don't recall the original EF 50/1.8 being that much more expensive than the Mk.II version of the lens. Was it?

I'm not sure. Can't seem to find one brand new. I found a couple 50mm metal lenses on ebay, but those were used and ran around $160. But again, for those of us on a tight budget that $90 difference makes quite a difference.

[Erik Stiegler]

The original EF 50/1.8 has been out of production for well over a decade. I doubt there are any new ones to be found. You would need to look up an old B&H ad to see what they both sold for new when the Mk.II was introduced for comparison.

[specradio]

Perhaps for some folks, dishing out another couple or few hundred bucks more is no big deal. But many of us on this forum are on a tight budget and this lens serves our purpose rather well for now. Would I rather have a metal lenses? That's like asking if I'd rather have a 5D in my hands than having to still shoot with my original Digital Rebel these past three years.

I don't think you realize the nikon and the canon are around the same price. The nikon has a metal mount, the canon doesn't.

[trexuphigh]

I got mine two weeks ago. It's sharpest at f/2.8 but very acceptable throughout. Plastic lens mount is ok for anyone but a daily user. MF ring is a bit of a joke. Very light, helps reduce camera shake. Probably the sharpest lens for the money for a Canon anyway.:thumbsup:

[Alison]

Plastic lens mount is ok for anyone but a daily user.

LOL I use mine EVERY day and wouldn't be without it. It very rarely leaves my camera.
It's an awesome portrait lens.

Here's another I took today.

Window light only. ISO 400, f/3.5, SS 1/25, hand held

[Axle]

I have one now for my F80

Just need to get photos, this weekend I'll bring it along.

[Alison]

Window light only
Manual mode, ISO 400, f/3.5, SS 1/25

[I_Fly]

Wow Alison,

Her eyes really "pop" in this shot. They look good in the color shot also but they really stand out in this one. Did you do any editing to acheive that or is that just the way this shot is naturally?

Of this one and the color shot, I really like this one. Which suprises me because I'm not a fan of B&W normally.

[Alison]

Wow Alison,

Her eyes really "pop" in this shot. They look good in the color shot also but they really stand out in this one. Did you do any editing to acheive that or is that just the way this shot is naturally?

Of this one and the color shot, I really like this one. Which suprises me because I'm not a fan of B&W normally.

Thank you so much I_Fly and shrackman.

I have been lessening my effects these days.
On the B&W I gave it an airbush but I think I turned the opacity of the layer down to about 70% (maybe less, I don't remember) making it a little more real looking. And I gave the Iris' a little smart sharpen. This is my daughters favourite of the two also.

On the colour version a little smart sharpen to the Iris', got rid of a few spots, and did some colour adjustments. No airbrush filter on this one.

Those are two great portraits, Alison!!

In the beauty magazine business did you know that they enlarge the eyes so as to give a fuller effect on the face? It's just a simple matter of selecting the eyes, copying and then pasting over the original layer and enlarging the eyes a little. And they do a lot more stuff than this, too.

So next time you pick up one of those magazines, just keep in mind that those gorgeous women on the cover and inside are all just an illusion, lol.

Oh yeah I know.

I was giggling at a Till in the Supermarket the other day because I was looking at the cover of a magazine and the woman on it was perfect.
I was thinking to myself, "I can do that!"
I also thought it was a shame because it gives young girls the wrong impression. They believe that these models look like this for real. They have no knowledge that these photographs are digitally enhanced!

Luckily for me, my daughters watch America's/Britain's Next Top Model and they see the enhancements that are done on the images.
They also have a Mum that can get rid of spots and smooth their skin on the computer. So my daughters are well aware that they are just as beautiful as the models on the TV and in magazines :thumbsup:

And you know what? My daughters eyes are truly that big and she hates them!

[CaSousa]

i haven't been on here in a while, but figured I'll throw a few into the pool. I bought the 50mm f/1.8 last January on a whim for like $75 on ebay. I havne't used it in a few months, but after viewing this thread, I'm going out with it tomorow

These are two shots that I took of my little sister last February. Kodak C-41 Pro B&W 400.

Ironically enough, I don't think I've ever used this lens with color film!

[MarcusK]

You people are very very very annoying you know that???????

Now i got to go and get myself one of those lense...geez....as if i got nothin better to do....

I should take some time off from this forum......i keep getting more and more excited to take pictures....pfffffffff

This seems like a pretty good deal to me.... I sure hope they got it here....otherwise i might blow a fuse!

I hope i'll be able to get it and post in time before this thread :mad2:

Marc

EDIT: "here" refers to Dubai, UAE....i've never seen a more consumer oriented place in the world (not that i've travelled much )...

[freygr]

You people are very very very annoying you know that???????

Now i got to go and get myself one of those lense...geez....as if i got nothin better to do....

I should take some time off from this forum......i keep getting more and more excited to take pictures....pfffffffff

This seems like a pretty good deal to me.... I sure hope they got it here....otherwise i might blow a fuse!

I hope i'll be able to get it and post in time before this thread :mad2:

Marc

EDIT: "here" refers to Dubai, UAE....i've never seen a more consumer oriented place in the world (not that i've travelled much )...

Heck I'm thinking of buying one fast lens for my Leotax (Leica Clone) and take soom more pictures with it, now only if they will make a digital back for it ;-)

[berrywise]

I just wanted to say that this thread has inspired me to get off my ass and pick up a 50mm for my Canon. I still my Nikon one sitting in a drawer but I never had picked up one for my Canon rig (why I don't know). Should be here in a day or two!