What is the new 50/1.8?

[vab3]

The EF 50/1.8 seems to come highly recommended on photo.net --

cheap, fast, sharp, and lightweight. It is recommended highly as a

starter lens, or as something to keep in the bag for low light. I

used to enjoy mine as a walkaround lens on a film body, and was very

pleased with the results. The speed, low weight, and simplicity

generally made up for lack of zoom.

 

I know we all have various and different needs, but in general, what

are folks using with their APS-C sensors for a cheap, fast, sharp,

lightweight, and/or normal lens? 35/2? 28/1.8? just keeping the

50? slow zoom with IS? Thoughts?

[shambrick007]

I have the 50/1.8 but find the FOV too narrow at times on 1.6. Hopefully I'll be getting the 5D soon, so that will no longer be an issue. If not, I'll get the 35/2.0.

[neilb]

I use the Canon 28/2.8 on my 20D in place of the 50/1.8 on my elan. The 28/2.8 is only so

so, but I use it for the similar FOV.

[jim_larson1]

Honestly. . .I hardly ever used my 50/1.8 on my film camera.

 

And on my digital, I hardly ever use my 35/2 (this is my most under-used lens).

 

Today. . .I don't recommend any prime -> unless you have a special need for fast aperture (or are filling the gap between a 17-40/4L and 70-200/4L)

 

(and yet. . .my daily walkabout kit is a 17-40/4L, 50/1.8, and 85/1.8 -> the 70-200/4L stays home for special occassions)

[terry_smith2]

I use the Sigma 24/1.8 on my D30.

[trothwell]

I've heard that the Sigma 30mm may be a good choice for this.

[pjmeade]

I tend to keep the plastic fantastic on my 20D, partly because it's such a versatile lens and partly to help with fitting the other lenses in the bag.

 

I vary between 50, 17-40, 24-105 and 70-200 as walk around lenses depending on where I am and what I expect to shoot.

 

Hope this helps.

 

P

[derickafrica]

I used to use my 35/2 on the 20d for low light. I really liked the results. Now that I have the 1Ds I use my 50/1.4 more often than my 35/2. Of course the 50/1.4 is an excellent lens, but on the 20d it was a little too long for my taste.

 

My co-worker really likes his 28/1.8 and on his recent trip to China he used this lens 90% of the time on a FF camera. I heard bad reviews on that lens, but his results were great.

 

I tried the slow zoom with IS option on the 20d but I just didn't like the results (had the 28-135 IS). Personally, I would rather have a fast prime over a slow zoom with IS. The primes give so much more flexibility with depth of field.

[kin_lau]

Rebel XT + 35/2. Very small and light. Works great for me.

 

I also have the 28/2.8 (a little wider, just as sharp but a stop slower) and a Tokina 28-70/2.8 which is the walkaround on the 20D. That's a rather heavy combo, but still lighter than the 20D + Sigma 50-500 :).

[J.W. Wall]

Both my 20-35mm and 28-135mm IS tend to get a lot of use for general digital walkaround needs. The former is better for street use where low light capability isn't needed. I have a Canon 10D and an EOS 5. The 50mm f1.8 lives on the film body most of the time.

[peter_white2]

If I needed to use the Drebel (our backup body these days) I'd put the Canon 28mm f/1.8 on it. Works great.

[dogbert]

I use the 35 f2.0 when I want a "normal" prime on a rebel xt. It is like it was made for it. The 28 f1.8 USM is also a really nice lens, but the focal lenght of the 35 f2.0 suits my wants better.

[mike dixon]

The 28/f1.8 was my most-commonly-used lens on a APS sensor camera. Now on a full-frame camera, both the 50/1.4 and 28 see heavy use. Don't believe the negative internet hype on the 28--it can produce excellent results.

[andy_van_eynde]

Good + Fast + cheap = EF50 f1.8

 

All the rest is at least 2-3x more expensive!

 

That is why I bought that 50f1.8 for my 20d and do not regret it so far.

 

Best one on a 1.6crop would be the Sigma 30f1.4 for me...but is cost 4x as much over here (more than 400 EUR, and the EF50 is around 110�).

[jonathan_barber]

I found a mint first-generation EF 50 f1.8 some years back for

$100. I rarely used it on film, but have somewhat more on a pair

of 20D bodies. It's great back-up for f2.8 zooms in weak light.

It's sharp and fast enough focussing, and the first gen. is more

robust than later versions. I have and use the 35 f2, which I loved

on full-frame (film) but find too long for the 20D. That lens is

beautifully smooth in the out-of focus areas (if there are any) .My

best lens for unobtrusive, light weight, and versitile work at short

range is the 24mm f2.8.