Canon EF 50mm f1.8 MK2

[lulabell*123]

Hi all.

Well ive been thinking about getting a new lens for a while now but if im honest i dont have a clue what to get.

My camera is a canon 400d kit lens ect...

I saw Canon EF 50mm f1.8 MK2 in jessops on offer for £95.95 BUT what kind of shots will i be able to get from this?

Im being given a "vivanco VC 95W 0,5 X 52mm" lens. Now ive not got it yet but what kind of stuff is this lens for?

I always had in mind either a lens for close ups that will achieve a good amount of background blur OR a long distance lens for thoes shots that my kit lens wont do.

Im off to Amsterdam in a week and would assume a close up lens would be abit pointless for the architecture , BUT if a long distance lens is just too expensive (as im such a beginner) then any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

I can afford around the £90 mark but nothing over £100...(if im being unrealistic and a stupid beginner then just say so)



Im going to Amsterdam in a few weeks soooo

 

[Scarecrow]

The 50 f1.8 is a good lens for the price, but may be a bit a bit in between on a crop camera such as your 400D.

It's neither a wide angle lens, which will allow you to get a nice wide view when shooting in restricted spaces, such as street photography, but neither is it a long lens which will allow you to get good detail of faraway objects.

It is good for taking portrait shots, and because it has a nice wide aperture, it is also good for those shots where the subject is nice and sharp, but the background is thrown out of focus. It will also be better than your kit lens for areas where the light is not so good, such as interiors, due to it having a wider aperture available.

I don't know what the kit lens on a 400D is, but I am sure the focal range will cover 50mm. Try setting your kit lens to 50mm, and have a session using just that focal length to give you an idea what it will be like to shoot with. You won't get the same shallow depth of field as you will with the 50 f/1.8, but it will hopefully demonstrate what you can expect with regard to field of view.

 

[imustbedreamin]

given your budget restrictions i think its the best "bang for your buck" and will afford you creativity being a 1.8.

personally im not keen on 50mm, i like to stay out of the way but it is a great lens for the money.

 

[Matt_B]

It's a good lens for those on a budget looking to do portraiture.

 

[lulabell*123]

WELL... i have no intention of doing portraiture.

Is there anything else you guys can suggest?

Either a close up lens or a long distance one.

 

[shabba]

If you mean marco by close up, then you won't get a decent lens this side of £250 used really. For shooting bugs, flowers etc.

For longer range get a Canon 50-250mm IS, £120 used, is the best for its price range.

I'd say you need to read up a bit more on cameras/lenses i.e what is suited to what, and then see what you need.

 

[ninjafox]

This was the first lens that I bought after playing with the kit lens that comes with the camera. Its great for the price especially in low light for family gatherings, parties etc. and as there's generally a good demand if you decide it's not for you and you want to sell it on.

 

[Musicman]

Im being given a "vivanco VC 95W 0,5 X 52mm" lens. Now ive not got it yet but what kind of stuff is this lens for?

Not a [camera] lens in its own right.

That's a wide angle adapter designed for video cameras. It'll screw onto a 52mm filter thread on the front of an existing lens and halve the focal length, with almost certainly some loss of image quality.

Your 18-55 kit lens has a 58mm thread diameter, so it won't fit on that I'm afraid.

FWIW, the EF 50mm f/1.8 does have a 52mm thread fitting, though

Unless you're very lucky, a budget of £90 is likely to limit you to the EF 50mm f/1.8 or one of Canon's cheaper consumer zooms for the long end. I can't speak authoritatively on the latter and sound words of advice have been offered already on the 50mm.