Canon EF 50mm f1.8 or Canon 50mm f1.8 II?

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Whiters

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Ross
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A simple question from me this time - is the mark I or mark II version better?

I've been shopping around and one of the sellers of the mark I version claimed that it was 'a far superior lens' to the mark II. Is this correct?

I would probably be using bought lens for head shot portraits, and possible the odd scenery/landscape shot (I am aware that 50mm becomes telephoto length on my 450D's APC sensor).

Thanks in advance for any advice given.
 
It's not far superior. It's better built but optically very similar.
 
Thanks chaps, the mk I certainly looks like it is of better build quality, and the focusing ring looks easier to handle and the focussing information is a big plus imo.

One last question, on the listing I've just seen, the mark I is listed as Canon FD 50mm F1.8 - what does the FD stand for?
 
The FD stands for a different type of canon lens mount (the one before the EOS system) and therefore it won't fit on a DSLR without an adaptor and would not autofocus anyway. You need to find an EOS (EF) model.
 
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FD is the old Canon mount from manual focus/apature days - it won't work on any EOS camera.

(There are some adapters but they are not that cheap and usually have a poor optical element in them to regain infinity focus.)
 
Ah, no good for me then, thanks for replying promptly guys and saving me from wasting my money.

So there are EF models around of the Mark I then?
 
Don't worry about answering that last question, I've found some EF mount Mark I's. A bit less cheap due to rarity value it seems. Thanks for all your help chaps.
 
Whiters said:
Don't worry about answering that last question, I've found some EF mount Mark I's. A bit less cheap due to rarity value it seems. Thanks for all your help chaps.
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Yep they're typically much more expensive than their newer versions. I've seen some sell for as little as £80 and the highest so far is £140 - Even purchasing one at the upper end of the scale I'd still consider a cheap in my opinion.
 
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