Canon Nifty Fifties - Which is best ?

Byker28i said:
Dont discount the original 18-55 as it's only worth about £30 you can use it in other situations

Shot my son took with his old 400D and plastic 18-55
125707518.jpg
Click to expand...

Bloody hell you are into serious cats :)
 
Personally again I would say the 50mm 1.4 it is a cracking little lens :-) Pin Sharpe as well which is always a bonus :-)
 
Last edited:
a1ex2001 said:
If it's pin sharp wide open it is the only one like it in the world!
Click to expand...
Well there's at least two of with personal experience say it is :D and don't forget that DXO mark review that said it was best at f1.4
 
Last edited:
Byker28i said:
Well there's at least two of with personal experience say it is :D and don't forget that DXO mark review that said it was best at f1.4
Click to expand...

The Photozone.de test shows its well down from its best at 1.4, best would appear to be around f4 or f5.6

Their verdict says:
It is no surprise that the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a very popular choice among Canon users when it comes to choosing a standard lens. It offers probably the best compromise between quality and price here. That said it's not a flawless lens when used on a full format DSLR.

The contrast level is quite a bit reduced at f/1.4 and the corners are soft here. However, the results are good at f/2 and nothing short of great at medium aperture settings. Unfortunately there's an extreme amount of light falloff at max. aperture and it takes two f-stops to reduce the problem to a more or less negligible degree. Lateral CAs are nothing to worry about. The bokeh is generally good but not outstanding. Typical for such lenses there's quite a bit of bokeh fringing (LoCAs) at large apertures.

The build quality on a decent level and a step up from the EF 50mm f/1.8 II but it doesn't reach the Sigma AF 50mm f/1.4 EX HSM here. The micro-USM AF drive operates pretty fast and near silent. All-in-all a sound offer at a sane price
Click to expand...
 
A quick review of the STM, compared to the 50mm 1.8 II (Plastic Fantastic)

  • It's a bit bigger that the original sized one, it's still a small lens and shouldn't affect most people but if you store your lenses in protective cases or sleeves like I do, then it might not fit in it anymore, if you travel with this as a carry around, bare that in mind for your bags.
  • It's faster at focusing, it also seems to have a much better focusing mech.. such as trying to focus on a white subject on a white background, it picked it up quicker.
  • It's a lot quieter, there is still some noise there, but no where near as much of the plastic WHIIRRRRRR you get with the MK II
  • It seems better made all in all , you get the feeling holding it that it might survive if you dropped it, whereas with the MK II I was scared every time I took it on and off the body that It might break
  • It's not soft wide open, it's pin sharp at 1.8... See enclosed pics.
And see me, happy banana with this decision :banana:

Many thanks for all the advice and input on this thread

I'm going to post a quick review of the 18-55 IS STM compared to the standard 18-55 IS when I get chance too :)

Photos

Hedgehog - 50mm 1.8 MK II ( Plastic Fantastic)
22420158849_0bcc6a0e4e_o.jpg
Snake - 50mm 1.8 STM
IMG_4814.jpg
 
Last edited:
I bought one today too as a result of reading this thread, very pleased for £97.
 
gothgirl said:
A quick review of the STM, compared to the 50mm 1.8 II (Plastic Fantastic)

It's a bit bigger that the original sized one, maybe an inch or two
Click to expand...


It shouldn't be, the old 50mm f1.8 ll was 68.2 x 41mm and the STM is 69.2 x 39.3mm, that's 1mm wider in diameter and 2mm shorter.

An extra inch or 2 would make it at least twice the length ;).
 
Dave1 said:
It shouldn't be, the old 50mm f1.8 ll was 68.2 x 41mm and the STM is 69.2 x 39.3mm, that's 1mm wider in diameter and 2mm shorter.

An extra inch or 2 would make it at least twice the length ;).
Click to expand...

Hmm bizarre

My nifty fifty fit snugly in a lens pouch yet this one won't fasten with it in

Very odd
 
gothgirl said:
Hmm bizarre

My nifty fifty fit snugly in a lens pouch yet this one won't fasten with it in

Very odd
Click to expand...

You realise 2 inches is just over 50mm in length? the STM is 1mm wider in diameter, 1mm is the width of a matchstick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top