nifty fifty

jabber

jabber

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ive read a fair bit off stuff on here regarding the "nifty fifty" lens

everyone seems to rate it highly...whats so good about it ? and would it be recomended over the 18-55 kit lens ? and why please
 
It's a prime lens for a start, which means that you'll get sharper shots than from your kit lens, especially when at its maximum zoom.

It's cheap and with a very low 1.8 aperture you can use it in low light conditions that it handles well. People use them for portrait work and really rate them.

I have one and TBH I've only used it a couple of times. For me the whole prime lens needs getting used to, and focussing with your feet is much harder work than my trusty zoom!

That being said, I have used it in light box and flower shots and I was pleased with the clarity of the shots.

I wouldn't look at it as an alternative to the kit lens - They serve a totally difference purpose - Rather more of an addition!!
 
Most people rate the 'nifty fifty' as it is a cheap lens (Nikon's f1.8 approx £75 new), it's fast (f1.8) so it's great when light levels are low, and the Image Quality is superb - it's extremely sharp from corner to corner. It's also very light and extremely compact, so i's easy to throw in your camera bag or pocket. I've ust bought one myself and am having fun using it. I wouldn't replace the kit lens with it though, as the kit lens is practicle for everyday use with the zoom function. I'm sure this post will now fill up with other glowing comments on the nifty fifty!
 
swag72 said:
It's a prime lens for a start, which means that you'll get sharper shots than from your kit lens, especially when the kit lens is at its maximum zoom.

It's cheap and with a very low 1.8 aperture you can use it in low light conditions that it handles well. People use them for portrait work and really rate them.

I have one and TBH I've only used it a couple of times. For me the whole prime lens needs getting used to, and zooming with your feet is much harder work than my trusty zoom!

That being said, I have used it in light box and flower shots and I was pleased with the clarity of the shots.
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just a little fix.


on top of that i would add that prime lenses also help you concentrate on you composition since you have physically move around to get what you want in view. Its not jsut a case of zooming out to fit it all in.

The lens is cheap enough and its not really a replacement for the kit lens but an addition and the start of an addiction for sharp lenses. Even if you dont get to grips with it and you want rid you will loose £10 so as people have said on here. Think of rent charge for the time you had it.
 
So (strange question I know) if you're sat round at Christmas with the family and wanted some nice crisp shots would you opt for the lower quality kit 18-55 with the convenience of zoom or stick on the fifty for the extra quality?
 
thing withthe nifty you have to remember is that wide open at f/1.8 there is not alot of depth of field so maybe okay for one person portrait with everything blurred. as my poor example below taken @f/1.8

me50mmbwlb2.jpg


however it is sharper if you stop the lens down to get decent depth of field, but you sacrifice its low light capability.
 
lookup said:
So (strange question I know) if you're sat round at Christmas with the family and wanted some nice crisp shots would you opt for the lower quality kit 18-55 with the convenience of zoom or stick on the fifty for the extra quality?
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I'd use the kit lens & flash, as you'd probably need the wide angle it offers. That said, you could still get some interesting shots with the 50, but you'd probably struggle to get a full family group into the frame. :D
 
That's what I thought. I don't know why I'm looking for an "excuse" to get a nifty as they're so cheap I should just pull my finger out and buy one!!!
 
Get on it!! :D The 2 best shots I have posted on here were both taken with my 'nifty' (though I'm not saying they are any good!!!) :D
 
For me, the arty side of photography with SLR's is the ability to control depth of field, and get some lovely creamy bokeh. In this way, almost any mundane shot turns into art..

The fifty's a great lens, and certainly produces more 'keepers' per pound than any other lens. I've thinned down my kit to the 50mm and a zoom, and loving my photography more as a result..

..plus, it's so cheap that you'll not lose any money should you hate it and need to sell it. It's cheaper in the long run than the petrol you use driving into town to buy it!
 
lookup said:
So (strange question I know) if you're sat round at Christmas with the family and wanted some nice crisp shots would you opt for the lower quality kit 18-55 with the convenience of zoom or stick on the fifty for the extra quality?
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when doing family shots indoors i use my NF or the g9 for some reason when i get the slr out the family disappear.
 
Toothie said:
when doing family shots indoors i use my NF or the g9 for some reason when i get the slr out the family disappear.
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Yeah but I'm now a Nikon man and my point and shoot is a <shudder> Canon <shudder> :eek:

As others say I'll probably get one but they seem to be short of stock at all the places I've checked so far (near to me, warehouse express, local Jessops, etc).
 
My 50mm lens is probably my most used lens, for street, people and general photography. I love using the limited depth of field when it's wide open:

 
jabber said:
thx for the replies....confirmed to me what i thought i knew about it :)



...now i want one !
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I want one too now after reading this and having a conversation with a chum, but they're hard to get hold of it seems. Jessops are out of stock as are Warehouse Express :razz:
 
get them of kerso of here - he will definatly save you a few bob!
 
I really like using the fifty when I wanna do something different other than landscapes which is what I do most of the time. I find when I put it on my camera I think in a different way with it and love the DoF control it gives.

Example for ya

DSC_3692-1.jpg
 
devitt said:
Cheers, this is the type of shots I do most with it and abstract and like abusing its minimum focusing distance:lol:
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Im in one of those impulsive pop to Jessops moods to pick one up, but nobody has any in lol
 
lookup said:
So (strange question I know) if you're sat round at Christmas with the family and wanted some nice crisp shots would you opt for the lower quality kit 18-55 with the convenience of zoom or stick on the fifty for the extra quality?
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Go witht he 18-55 first and then for round 2 experiment with the 50

lookup said:
...this matters as I'm a D60 user thus AF-S is better...
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The whole reason I bought a D80, because I felt a little limited AF-S lenses.


For me, the 50 makes me feel more like a photographer with having to move around more to find a shot instead of zooming :)
 
Cheers Markk, as others say it may be worth getting one anyway as resale values are so good (£-10-ish). Might have to get a D90 now :D
 
lookup said:
Yeah but I'm now a Nikon man and my point and shoot is a <shudder> Canon <shudder> :eek:

As others say I'll probably get one but they seem to be short of stock at all the places I've checked so far (near to me, warehouse express, local Jessops, etc).
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I've just ordered my Nikon nifty from Kerso, £80 delivered. :thumbs:

Andy
 
Speaking from experience I'd strongly suggest that anyone considering going for the 50mm 1.8 should beg steal or borrow the extra cash and get the 50mm 1.4 instead - its sharper, focusses better, and is built like a tank . .. .
 
The Canon 50/1.8 might be highly regarded but it is also highly despised. Many people hate the thing. It is cheap and it can be sharp (but probably not when wide open), but the AF is noisey, slow and often imprecise. It can let you down when you need it most, in dim light, where you would think the f/1.8 aperture would give great AF performance. Trying to manually focus is even less rewarding.

As a beginners lens it does offer a cheap way to get into fast glass, but as you progress with your photography you realise its shortcomings. Many who bought the f/1.8 wish they'd bought the f/1.4 from the off, myself included. The pentagonal specular bokeh is less than appealing when you stop it down a bit to gain DOF or sharpness.

Check out this thread where the Nifty gets little love. It's not a thread about the nifty specifically, but any lenses people were most displeased at having bought. The rot starts at post #2 and you'll see my views at post #15. There are several Nifty haters on page 2, and no doubt further on, if you can be bothered to read through the comments..

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=563606

I have no idea about Nikon's equivalent lens.
 
I suppose at £80 you get what you pay for! but as I'm only recently beginning to enjoy photography again I consider it something a little different to play around with.

Hopefully my skill level will progress to a stage where I'll be able to understand the shortfalls of such a lens as the 'nifty fifty' :lol:

I'd love to be able to go out and spend a lot more on a lens, but the wallet prevents such impulsive purchases...£80 can just about be explained away without any major issues.
 
David, I see you're shooting Nikon. My comments and the link I posted apply to the Canon lens. Since Jabber shoots Canon my remarks were aimed at him. I have no idea how the Nikon equivalent performs. Sorry if I alarmed you :)

I'll clarify that I'm talking about the Canon lens in my earlier post.
 
tdodd said:
David, I see you're shooting Nikon. My comments and the link I posted apply to the Canon lens. I have no idea how the Nikon equivalent performs. Sorry if I alarmed you :)

I'll clarify that I'm talking about the Canon lens in my earlier post.
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Indeed I am! Sorry I didn't realise you were talking about the Canon lens :lol:

... and here was me on the way back to the shop to demand a refund :D
 
Took me a couple of posts to realise this was a Canon thread but I thought I'd chip in anyway :D
 
I think, as someone said, £80 gets you what you paid for. But, IMO, in this case it gets you more. You get a nice, sharp lens with superb IQ for little money. It's light, it's compact, fair enough it's not built like a tank but if you look after your equipment that wont be a problem, not need to be heavy handed.

I absolutely hated mine at first, because I couldn't use it and didnt understand apertures properly. However, I learnt all about the ins and outs and I began using it, love at first sight springs to mind.

I absolutely LOVE it now, it's improved my photography a lot over this last year and it's on my camera 90% of the time.

Probably one of the sharpest/best shots i've got using the nifty.

(Shot at f/2.8)
Penny2.jpg


Get one bought! :)
 
Little Man said:
I think, as someone said, £80 gets you what you paid for. But, IMO, in this case it gets you more. You get a nice, sharp lens with superb IQ for little money. It's light, it's compact, fair enough it's not built like a tank but if you look after your equipment that wont be a problem, not need to be heavy handed.

I absolutely hated mine at first, because I couldn't use it and didnt understand apertures properly. However, I learnt all about the ins and outs and I began using it, love at first sight springs to mind.

I absolutely LOVE it now, it's improved my photography a lot over this last year and it's on my camera 90% of the time.

Probably one of the sharpest/best shots i've got using the nifty.

(Shot at f/2.8)
Penny2.jpg


Get one bought! :)
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That's a great shot :thumbs:

...and I did :D
 
i've never used my 50mm since the day i got it, its been in the bag ever since lol
 
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