Maybe a Nifty Fifty?? Help

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450D-IRL

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Folks,

A little bit of help required! :help: Please! And sorry about the long winded approach. :cuckoo:

So, with Chrimbo on the way, its time to get the wishlist together.
Three options...

1. Was considering the 50mm f/1.8; but have gone off the idea of this after reading some material about it - not a great build quality (plastic), no Full Time Manual Focus. However it does offer great back for the buck and very sharp images!

2. The 50mm f/1.4; was pretty much set on this after reading the reviews - although quite a bit more expensive, I'd be willing to spend the extra; for a great all round performer and think Id put the low light strengths to use also (I'm getting married next year and would be giving my camera to a family member, in the hope they might get some good shots - to add to the we photographer we have ;) On the downside, Im reading that because its a Micro USM, its AF can get damaged (becoming sticky or stuck) quite easily - people recommending to get the hood and never take it of!

Happy days - or so I thought!
Then it hit me - brain starts to work.... duh... "You're shooting with a 450D, with a crop factor of 1.6, meaning you have a fixed lenght of approx 80mm not 50 - so I take out the camera with the kit lens, zoom to 50mm or there abouts, and think to myself - "Jezz will I be able to live with this as an all rounder lens. Will have to be a long way back for full length portrait shots, etc etc)

3) Attention turned to the 35mm f/2, which is approx the same price as the 50mm f/1.4, but would be effectively be a 50mm on the sensor I have - which would make more sense as to why people rave about the "Nifty Fifty's"


So, advice please - from users of the 50mm lenses on cropped sensors! Because Ive heard a few people commenting "whats the point of a prime lens! I got sick of mine! I hardly use(d) it"
Do you put the lens to use - do you find it as a good all rounder - or do you find yourself having to back up constantly, or telling people to take a few steps back!!
Is the 35mm f/2 a good lens - havent heard much talk about it before I read review comparing the two nifty fiftys!
Is there any other lenses that deserve consideration - for approx the same price as the 50mm f/1.4 (be it Canon, Sigma, Tamron - prime or zoom)
Basically looking for a better sharper lens that can provide a shallow DoF - doesnt have to be seriously shallow!! :shrug:

Thanks for your time - sorry for wasting it with the rambling - its how its bouncing around in my head - so confused.

Cheers!! :thumbs:
 
Have you considered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4?

It's had some great reviews and some terrible ones. I think it's dependant on luck (classic Sigma quality control) and if you're full frame or not.

I personally didn't use my Canon 50mm f1.8 lens as much as I should have partly due to me being lazy. Shooting with a prime can sometimes be quite tricky if you're an all-round kind of photographer as you have to be constantly on the move, plus and some shots are impossible to get (and are missed!) due to a longer focal length.

The results however when shooting with such a shallow DOF is often spectacular for portraiture/candids! Still tempted to go for the Canon f1.4 and give it another go...
 
I had a nifty fifty and to be honest never really used it. I have just bought a 50mm F1.4 though :bonk: as I want to play with the shallow depth of field that the lens offers. This time, I am going to make myself use it, whereas before I just couldn't be bothered. That's not to say that the focal length was wrong, I was lazy and found the zoom more versatile.
 
On holiday in Cyprus with a 5D2, i used the 50mm when i was going out for a stroll in main, built up areas. I wanted the 50mm lens on my camera, as it didn't stand out quite as much and draw too much attention....and you know what, i loved it! Sometimes it wasn't wide enough, but move about a bit and it was great.

Thing is, i've now went back to a 40D(not a big deal), but with the crop factor, i very much doubt i'll use the lens as much. Don't do much portrait stuff and anything else it just doesn't suit me.

Mine has full time manual focus though...?
 
A 35mm on a cropped-sensor DSLR will sometimes make you work more for your photos. You might have to move about a bit but more often than not this is a good thing. It slows you down, it makes you think more about what you're doing rather than just zooming and clicking away from the first position you find. Then there's the bonus of (usually) better IQ and of course the shallower DoF if you want it, not to mention the much lighter weight to lug around. Everybody should have a 'standard' lens, a 35mm on cropped sensor, a 50mm on full frame (this term 'nifty fifty' is confusing some people). A 50mm on a cropped sensor is another matter. I don't see that as a walkabout everyday lens, it'd be more useful as a portrait lens, it would frustrate the hell out most people as your 'standard' lens.
 
I have the 50mm 1.8 and love it. I haven't taken it off my 50d for quite a while now.

I find it makes me think twice as hard about composition and as such my photography has improved no end. I too was worried about the build quality when I first got it, but I haven't had any problems whatsoever. I eventually want to get my mits on some more primes, particularly a 35mm and 85mm.

I don't tend to manual focus with it as it's a bit fiddly, prefering to use a single centre focus point on autofocus, and then recompose using focus lock. Set at 1.8 or thereabouts the shallow depth of field is fantastic.

Being all plastic and fairly small I also find it great to lug around. Even if I do take a standard zoom somewhere as my walkaround lens, taking the nifty along too is no bother at all.

Best £100 I ever spent in my book.
 
450D-IRL said:
Folks,

A little bit of help required! :help: Please! And sorry about the long winded approach. :cuckoo:

So, with Chrimbo on the way, its time to get the wishlist together.
Three options...

1. Was considering the 50mm f/1.8; but have gone off the idea of this after reading some material about it - not a great build quality (plastic), no Full Time Manual Focus. However it does offer great back for the buck and very sharp images!

2. The 50mm f/1.4; was pretty much set on this after reading the reviews - although quite a bit more expensive, I'd be willing to spend the extra; for a great all round performer and think Id put the low light strengths to use also (I'm getting married next year and would be giving my camera to a family member, in the hope they might get some good shots - to add to the we photographer we have ;) On the downside, Im reading that because its a Micro USM, its AF can get damaged (becoming sticky or stuck) quite easily - people recommending to get the hood and never take it of!

Happy days - or so I thought!
Then it hit me - brain starts to work.... duh... "You're shooting with a 450D, with a crop factor of 1.6, meaning you have a fixed lenght of approx 80mm not 50 - so I take out the camera with the kit lens, zoom to 50mm or there abouts, and think to myself - "Jezz will I be able to live with this as an all rounder lens. Will have to be a long way back for full length portrait shots, etc etc)

3) Attention turned to the 35mm f/2, which is approx the same price as the 50mm f/1.4, but would be effectively be a 50mm on the sensor I have - which would make more sense as to why people rave about the "Nifty Fifty's"


So, advice please - from users of the 50mm lenses on cropped sensors! Because Ive heard a few people commenting "whats the point of a prime lens! I got sick of mine! I hardly use(d) it"
Do you put the lens to use - do you find it as a good all rounder - or do you find yourself having to back up constantly, or telling people to take a few steps back!!
Is the 35mm f/2 a good lens - havent heard much talk about it before I read review comparing the two nifty fiftys!
Is there any other lenses that deserve consideration - for approx the same price as the 50mm f/1.4 (be it Canon, Sigma, Tamron - prime or zoom)
Basically looking for a better sharper lens that can provide a shallow DoF - doesnt have to be seriously shallow!! :shrug:

Thanks for your time - sorry for wasting it with the rambling - its how its bouncing around in my head - so confused.

Cheers!! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I have that 50mm 1.8 and I don't care what the reviews say, I love it. For the price you'll not find a lens that is as good value for what you get. So what the build quality is plastic, it's £80!!!!

Here are some examples of portraits I have taken with this lens and a 450d

4087076854_2988944001_o.jpg


4034388619_0b46c511be_o.jpg


4031370663_8b3bafb417_o.jpg


4119060919_abc2edac31_o.jpg


There is no doubt that the 50mm 1.4 is better but I don't think thee pics would have looked so much better to justify £180 extra it would have cost me.

50mm is best used for shoulders up so if you want full portraits then for sure you need to go to a smaller focal range, but then you won't be dropping down to the really low AP then anyway since you'll want more in focus
 
dab66 said:
A 35mm on a cropped-sensor DSLR will sometimes make you work more for your photos. You might have to move about a bit but more often than not this is a good thing. It slows you down, it makes you think more about what you're doing rather than just zooming and clicking away from the first position you find. Then there's the bonus of (usually) better IQ and of course the shallower DoF if you want it, not to mention the much lighter weight to lug around. Everybody should have a 'standard' lens, a 35mm on cropped sensor, a 50mm on full frame (this term 'nifty fifty' is confusing some people). A 50mm on a cropped sensor is another matter. I don't see that as a walkabout everyday lens, it'd be more useful as a portrait lens, it would frustrate the hell out most people as your 'standard' lens.
Click to expand...

All good points... I'd only be repeating them!

I guess a lot of people use the 50mm on a crop to give cheap access to very shallow depth of field but I've tried it as a walkabout lens and it's a little too narrow to be really versatile.
I still use it but for specific jobs.

Also the Canon 50mm f/1.8 doesn't have many blades in it's aperture so any bokeh you get is a bit angular.

I'd love to use a 35mm f/1.8 or f1.4 prime though!
 
The build quality of the 50mm f1.8 may be pretty poor, but it's not as bad as some make out. For the price, its probably one of the best value lenses out there and I am finding the IQ is excellent.

I have not had any low light focussing issues and its been on my camera pretty much since the day I got it!

I agree the focal length is not ideal on a crop, but if you can live with that its spot on!
 
I had some good shots with the 50 1.8 I borrowed from a thread on here. Not bad for a lens with sand in it.

I bought the 50mm 1.4, which looks tiny against my other lenses, but just sometimes it's invaluable. The product shoot with a really narrow depth of field required, or last nights karting shoot. I was trackside, inches from the karts, so flash was out of the question. I had to use the 1.4 with a high ISO to get anything.

So in summary, not the most versatile lens, but really useful at times.
 
JJ! said:
The build quality of the 50mm f1.8 may be pretty poor, but it's not as bad as some make out. For the price, its probably one of the best value lenses out there and I am finding the IQ is excellent.

I have not had any low light focussing issues and its been on my camera pretty much since the day I got it!

I agree the focal length is not ideal on a crop, but if you can live with that its spot on!
Click to expand...

Absolutely!
 
Thanks for all the replies folks,

I suppose, I'll have to get the camera out and set it to 50mm on my kit lens and see how I find shooting with it fixed at that zoom!! Only spent a few minutes yesterday with it at 50mm and thought I mightnt be able to live with it! More experimenting needed!

Thanks joescrivens - that really shows the potential that the f/1.8 has - great pics!

But
incapete said:
Also the Canon 50mm f/1.8 doesn't have many blades in it's aperture so any bokeh you get is a bit angular
Click to expand...

Would like to have much smoother bokeh's.

Digital_Clarity said:
Have you considered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4?
Click to expand...

I think if I was going to stretch that far, Id go for the Canon 28mm f/1.8 purely for the consistent IQ - no luck involved with getting a good or bad lens! ;)

incapete said:
I've tried it as a walkabout lens and it's a little too narrow to be really versatile.
Click to expand...

Thats my fear exactly - afraid of spending the money on the f/1.4 and then never use it!

Dont know what to do!! Banging my head off the wall here!! LOL
 
I have the 50mm 1.8 and think it's a great lens. It does have full time manual focus, if that's what you want, but the focussing ring is a little fiddley to use. People bemoan the plastic mount, but unless you are really heavy handed when mounting your lenses, I can see no reason why it shouldn't be endurable.

I have to confess that I wouldn't use mine as an everyday walkaround lens, as the focal length is adequately covered by my 17-85mm, which also gives me additional options. However, there are occasions when it does come in to it's own, and on those occasions I can't fault it, and believe you would have to spend a disproportionate amount of additional cash to better it.
 
joescrivens said:
Sounds to me like you are looking for reasons to not buy the lens lol.
Click to expand...

No, no, no - just dont want to make the wrong decision on splashing out on the glass - I'm tight enough on cash at the moment as my weddings in April. If money wasnt an issue right now - Id buy the 50mm f/1.4 and if it didnt work out I wouldnt mind selling it on and taking the hit. I would like something thats versatile and that I'll make use of until after the wedding!
Also a lens that someone; who isnt well up on photography can get decent shots with it! Once the weddings over, I can look at more specific lens!

Scarecrow - what are you shooting with - well, you on a full frame or crop??
 
My problem is that I do really like using my 50mm f1.8 :bonk:

I know it's got a plastic body, I know it's got 5 bladed aperture, I know it's a noisy focus and I know that it's a narrow field of view on a crop body...

But it is a cheap way of getting a great little, lightweight, fast lens with amazing sharpness even wide open (but stop it down one to get the best results). I've taken some of my favourite photos with this lens, it's allowed me to take some lovely portraits of kids with a great OOF background and no need for flash. Plus it's so small in un-intrusive on the camera, no-one looks twice at your camera when it's on.


Have a look at this review for some more detail and images of the bokeh difference but you only ever really see this effect with point lights.
 
incapete said:
Have a look at this review for some more detail and images of the bokeh difference but you only ever really see this effect with point lights.
Click to expand...

Yeah I read that review last night - and about a few other primes in my price range and thats what has me :bang:

Perhaps I should go safe with the 50mm f/1.8 and if it doenst work out, then fair enough; lesson learned. If it does work out, then I know I can live with the 50mm, move onto the f/1.4, and sell the f/1.8 onto someone with the same problem!! :p
 
I only bought my Nifty recently and i am very impressed with the pics so far
KIds0016.jpg

IMG_0676.jpg
 
As the cheapest lens in Canons range I think it's a no brainer, buy one on here between £50-£70 and if you don't like it knock a fiver off and sell it here also.
 


Another baby photo from a fifty. Excellent quality for this purpose. Worth the money just see the look on my wife's face. "Just like the ones you see in Boots" she said - should I be flattered??

David
 
Had a play with one the other day, think iam going to pick one up. Kerso the guy to get one from?

Anyone use one with a 400d?
 
jimmy83 said:
...Anyone use one with a 400d?
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I'll let you know on Boxing Day

I borrowed a friends lens and was impressed with it so added this to my xmas list and the MIL will be sorting this out!

The results were pretty much as shown above. Clear, crisp shots, a little closer than usual but manageable.
 
I find the '50mm' lenght looks a little dull and everday, but with the crop body the 50mm lens looks about '80mm'. And that makes nice portraits. However I really find the 24mm and 35mm looks much more dramatic. Look at sigmas 24 f1.8 that should give you thr 35mm look but nothing but full-frame camera can give the 24mm with shallow dof.

Personally I would buy A 24mm prime and buy a 50mm f1.8 for variety when the 24mm doesn't fit the scene.
 
strumstrum said:
what about the Canon 28mm f2.8 @ £163 quid..?.. I have just bought one to compliment the nifty which is an exce;;ent lens IMO..
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Ohh there's always one who throws another into the mix and make it even more confusing :bang:

Had kinda picked the Canon 50mm f/1.4 if I could live with the effective focal lenght of 80mm! Whether or not it would be versatile enough for me!!
Dont know if the 28mm f/2.8 will live up to my needs - really need the new lens for low light shooting in a church without a flash and I dont think the 1 stop between f2.8 will be a enough compared to my kit lens which is f/4 at 24mm (I think) - the 18mm-55mm f3.5/5.6.
 
Can I just let everyone know how damned jealous I am? I ordered my fifty from a Hong Kong store two weeks ago, and there have been no less than three threads singing the praises of its capabilities. I want it NOW! Where is it?! Grrr!

Sorry. Please continue...
 
LOL GrittyShaker!!

Imagine being me - I have to wait til Christmas Day before I get my grubby paws on mine!! Will be like a child that morning for sure - annoying my nephews with the "say cheese" line!!

It'll be the Canon f/1.4 I'd say - see how nice the bank manager is after all the rest of the shopping is done!! Least I'll have the f/1.8 to fall back on if he/she isnt too happy!! ;)
 
I just bought the canon nifty fifty on ebay last weekend. Hoping to get it next week. From what i read about it and the pics i saw from it i think it's a great lens. Plastic or not it's a way for me to have a prime lens that probably i wouldnt be able to have otherwise. Can't wait to get it...

Anyone know if a 350D is the same as his 450D? I mean like do it crop the pic or not like a 450D. Thanks...
 
i have a minolta 50mm for my sony and i lurve it, i haven't had a "proper chance to play with it but i cant wait for the oppertunity. i am now gonna get a sony 30mm f2.8 macro and a tamron 90mm f2.8 macro to complement it and so those three primes are all i need...actually throw in a 70-300mm g ssm lens and then there the only ones i need.
 
I love my nifty fifty. People talk about the ugly bokeh and build quality, but I've found it's fine as long as you realise your paying for image quality over build quality. Saying all this I'd still have the f1.4 if I could. Judge for yourself if the bokeh is horrible...
All clickable.




 
The23rdman said:
Judge for yourself if the bokeh is horrible...
All clickable.
Click to expand...

With the greatest of respect to you as a photographer, the bokeh in the first shot is not great, but the second one is terrible. The background seems to have almost as much prominence as the subject. On a high quality lens, the background would be smooth and pushed back into the distance.

Clearly, it has to be judged as a budget lens. I had the 1.4 and really liked it. I decided to try the 1.8 for about five minutes and could not stand the build 'quality'. But I must concede it punches above it's weight. A great introduction to primes and usually a no-cost option (if bought second hand it usually retains its full value).

But the amount you see on the forum for sale proves it becomes addictive and people want more!

Graham
 
Fair enough. That's why I said judge for yourself. :) Wish I could afford to psend more on lenses.

Another option is old manual primes. You'll get WAY more for your money.
 
Is there a thread with some more nifty fifty shots?
 
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