50mm f/1.8 Lens War Thread

[schrackman]

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.

[Alison]

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?

[schrackman]

Wow!!! That portrait is GORGEOUS!!!

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.

[Old Timer]

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.

[another view]

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!

[Alison]

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


Natural lighting, F/5.6, SS 1/100, ISO 400


Overcast day, F/2.5, SS 1/1000, ISO 100

[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!

[Alison]

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

I love that first shot!

If I have this lens? LOL your so funny. Just look at me!!!
More Self portrait fun...

[Dylan8i]

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

[schrackman]

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

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.

[walterick]

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?

[specradio]

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

[schrackman]

Plastic lens mount, who wants that?

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

[EastCoastHucker]

nice thread..
Untouched with a Nikon D70 and a manual NIKKOR 50mm AI @ A.1.4 - 200iso


untouched with a 35mm Nikon N2000 and same NIKKOR 50mm @ 1.4 - 400iso (CVS development [sorry])

[Loupey]

So I finally got around to buying one of these plastic do-hickies two nights ago. The first one is my test shot with a "known subject" that I took right after I got back from the store (ahem, please excuse the weird comp and lighting).

The second one from this morning.

[Alison]

So I finally got around to buying one of these plastic do-hickies two nights ago.

It's about time!!! Awesome lens isn't it Loupey?! LOL
Great shots by the way.

Still LOVIN' mine :thumbsup:

[Alison]

Here's another I took today.

Window light only. Manual Mode. f/3.2, SS 1/60, ISO 400

[poker]

One of my first shots after mating my 50mm f1.8 to my newly purchased Canon 30D.

[Alison]

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.

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

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

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


Taken outside on an overcast day, F/5.6, SS 1/80, ISO 100


F/2.8, SS 1/400 ISO 100


F/2.8, SS 1/160, ISO 100

[specradio]

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

[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.