50mm f/1.8 Lens War Thread

Okay, this is just for fun...NOT a real war. Don't go crazy on me. I'd just like to see some new pictures from everyone (yes, including you Nikonians) who received a 50mm f/1.8 lens for Christmas this year. I'll start out with a couple of snaps taken at Ruby's Diner this afternoon and will probably add more later as others contribute. I probably could have composed these a little better, but I'm still in the experimental stage with this lens. :)

Oh, settings were as follows:

#1 - f/1.8, 1/60th, +1/3 EV, ISO 400
#2 - f/1.8, 1/100th, ISO 400

Both photos utilized natural light and slight adjustments in PS.

Oh dear. I have created a monster! LOL

Wow!!! That portrait is GORGEOUS!!!
Sorry, the other shot is great too, but you know me...I'm a portrait person hehe.

Are we going to have some rules for this?

Y'know, can the image be photoshopped in a believeable way. And in anyway, other than texturizers, which would then get rid of the clarity that you get with that beautiful lens?

Does it have to be that you received the lens for Christmas? :(

Great idea for a thread. Wish I had a 50mm so I could play. Haven't had one since I went autofocus a few years ago. Looking forward to the images in this thread.

Yes it's true, you can get an amazingly good lens for under $100 USD... I didn't get one for Christmas so that's my excuse for not posting a shot. Looking forward to see everyone else's work!

This is definitely my favourite lens. And, although it's not regarded as a pro lens, I think it should be.
The fact that it's made of plastic doesn't bother me at all. It can take some seriously FANTASTIC pictures. I LOVE my 50mm 1.8 MKII.

Natural lighting, F/5.6, SS 1/100, ISO 400
http://alisongreenwoodphotography.co...138_01_2ab.jpg

Natural lighting, F/5.6, SS 1/100, ISO 400
http://alisongreenwoodphotography.co...ab_460x666.jpg

Overcast day, F/2.5, SS 1/1000, ISO 100
http://alisongreenwoodphotography.co..._01_colour.jpg

No rules Allison...just go for it if you have this lens...oh, looks like you already did, lol.

I love that first shot!

what if i have a 50mm 1.4 that i didn't get for christmas?

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Originally Posted by Alison

Wow!!! That portrait is GORGEOUS!!!

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Thank you, Allison! That's my baby girl, Adrienne. She's gonna be 17 in February. And yes, dad's got a gun and ain't afraid to brandish it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by schrackman

No rules Allison...just go for it if you have this lens...oh, looks like you already did, lol.

I love that first shot!

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If I have this lens? LOL your so funny. Just look at me!!!
http://forums.photographyreview.com/...0&postcount=27

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Originally Posted by Dylan8i

what if i have a 50mm 1.4 that i didn't get for christmas?

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ummm....well that really wouldn't be a fair comparison, Dylan. Not that I wouldn't like to see images from that lens as well. Hmmm....tell you what, shoot your images at f/1.8 and above and then go ahead and post them here.

Actually, not to hijack this thread, but I have been really curious about the differences in bokeh quality between the 50mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4...

Anyone care to indulge me in another thread? :D

I'm going to say...the 50mm 1.8 Canon Optics look pretty well, but the build quality is pretty ...crap. Plastic lens mount, who wants that? The Nikon has a metal lens mount and seems more durable.

I almost bought the 50 1.8, but I don't like primes. I got a Sigma 24-70 F2.8 instead :)

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Originally Posted by Dylan8i

what if i have a 50mm 1.4 that i didn't get for christmas?

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Same here, guess I have to get busy... :) Actually have two at the moment, Nikon AF (non-D) and AIS manual focus. I should see how they compare.

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Originally Posted by specradio

Plastic lens mount, who wants that?

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umm...those of us who can't afford expensive lenses.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by specradio

I'm going to say...the 50mm 1.8 Canon Optics look pretty well, but the build quality is pretty ...c**p. Plastic lens mount, who wants that? The Nikon has a metal lens mount and seems more durable.

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Wouldn't cheap and nasty have been a more pleasant way to describe what you are trying to say?

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Originally Posted by schrackman

umm...those of us who can't afford expensive lenses.

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Well said shrackman!

It's bringing me superb results. So who cares what it's made of? Like I said the plastic build doesn't bother me at all.

Taken outside on an overcast day, F/4.0, SS 1/250, ISO 100
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...autumn_640.jpg

Taken outside on an overcast day, F/5.6, SS 1/80, ISO 100
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...-01_500_RS.jpg

F/2.8, SS 1/400 ISO 100
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...65-01_copy.jpg

F/2.8, SS 1/160, ISO 100
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...4467-01_i3.jpg

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

Can I play? here you go
SS1/50th
F1.8
ISO 100 natural light
The lens is light and inexspensive, imo a must have.

Well, I got my 50mm 1.8 D in November..I love it

Rick

well my 50 1.4 is an older nikon so its metal and manual focus... unfortunantly since i'm shooting film with it, it might take a while to get pics up. but its a good lense.

Can a Canon 50mm F1.4 play - please pretty please

Roger

PS. I just took a load on film (the old FD lense) still waiting for them to come back (blasted Christmas post)

You just knew I would be here didn't you Roger? :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by readingr

Can a Canon 50mm F1.4 play - please pretty please

Roger

PS. I just took a load on film (the old FD lense) still waiting for them to come back (blasted Christmas post)

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Apparently yes you can join in. Here's what shrackman said about the 1.4...

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Originally Posted by schrackman

ummm....well that really wouldn't be a fair comparison, Dylan. Not that I wouldn't like to see images from that lens as well. Hmmm....tell you what, shoot your images at f/1.8 and above and then go ahead and post them here.

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Just missed that one - when they come back I'll post some.

Roger

PS my new flash has worked miracles, will post some portraits soon.

I just got my rebel xti and 50 mm 1.8 in November... Here are a few of my faves so far...
I'm loving my $100 lens!

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Originally Posted by readingr

PS my new flash has worked miracles, will post some portraits soon.

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Yay!!!!

Nice to see you posting here Diane. I LOVE that snowman!!!

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Originally Posted by specradio

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

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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.

Some great shots, everyone! Keep 'em coming!

Didn't get a chance to do any shooting today, so here's another one from yesterday when we visited the Living Desert sanctuary in Palm Desert, Ca. This is a hedgehog. What a cutie!

Settings: f/2.8, 1/1000th, ISO 200, overcast day

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Originally Posted by ddkphotos

I just got my rebel xti and 50 mm 1.8 in November... Here are a few of my faves so far...
I'm loving my $100 lens!

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I really like that 2nd pic of the glasses lined up behind each other !!! :thumbsup:

I don't think he is saying that a metal mount should cost that much more ... the nikon version is a metal mount and the usa version is only 114 at B&H

all these pics are great none the less ... I have to find time to play with mine and get some from the nikon side up here .... :D

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Originally Posted by schrackman

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.

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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.

I honestly don't mind a plastic mount. It's a small, light enough lens that I have not once worried about breaking it off. it's not exactly like it hits many door frames. I spend a bunch of money on equipment, but I'll pay for a plastic mount over a metal mount any day. on this lens I don't think it's really worth it. there's really no excuse to not have one of these lens, they can be had for less than 60 used, and it's good glass. Here's one of mine, but not at 1.8, f/5.6 I think. It's a great normal lens.

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2...59copy2np4.jpg

to me it isn't that big of a deal plastic vs metal mount until you get into the bigger lens .. then it becomes an issue .. for this little thing i don't think it is really going to matter ...

I did notice the tighter fit to the body with a nikon lens over my sigma and tamron lenses ... I am here at work now, with my camera and my 50mm lens .. see if I can get anything to come out worthy enough to post ... limited time to play with it ...

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Originally Posted by Erik Stiegler

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?

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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.

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.

My only worry would be friction and creation of dust.
Canon changed the body cap design to reduce dust, so I presume it's the same plastic as used on the lens mount now.

Here's a couple from today while at the Long Beach Airport. My wife took the second pic of me and my daughter. Naturally I photoshopped that one to take a few of my wrinkles out. :D

Thanks Ben for your comment. I'm really impressed with everyone's pics - keep them coming!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by schrackman

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.

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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.

the canon used to have a metal mount, but from what someone posted above it seems it has not been in production for about 10 years.

I'm not saying it's a bad lens, but I'd want a metal mount just to know i'm safe.

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Originally Posted by specradio

I'm not saying it's a bad lens, but I'd want a metal mount just to know i'm safe.

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Well yes, that would be preferrable. But as you can see, many do like their plastic lens despite it's...well, plasticness.

Here are a couple more photos from me. The first is my wife's Christmas present (and so that Photo John will know what a Dooney & Burke handbag looks like, hehe). The second one is, again, my daughter.

Hey Allison and the rest...you gonna help me keep this thread alive? I was also hoping to see more Nikon images posted.