Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens- major uses? So I am new to the whole photography scene, and i just started taking a class at UCR. I am a little confused by this lens. It looks like this lens can take good portraits, close-ups, and landscapes, but what about action shots or night shots. Is this a good lens for all of those things? Is it a "all purpose" type of lens? Like I said I am new, thanks for reading. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens- major uses? So I am new to the whole photography scene, and i just started taking a class at UCR. I am a little confused by this lens. It looks like this lens... » Read More Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens- major uses? So I am new to the whole photography scene, and i just started taking a class at UCR. I am a little confused by this lens. It looks like this lens can take good portraits, close-ups, and landscapes, but what about action shots or night shots. Is this a good lens for all of those things? Is it a "all purpose" type of lens? Like I said I am new, thanks for reading. « Show Less
2072500
Thank you very much for the info. Should I go with the automatic setting or something else?
2072501
I took some very nice shots with this at night on a fairly bright street (Chinatown in Yokohama), but you may have problems focusing if it is too dark. Just because you can see the subject doesn't mean the AF can find it. Then again, that isn't very surprising.
2072502
One thing I would add is that for most DSLRs, 50mm might not be the best first-pick lens.One of the reasons the 50mm was the standard lens for so long is because on regular film (or a full-frame digital sensor) it is thought to best mimic the perspective you get from the naked eye. If you don't have a full frame sensor (most DSLRs don't), you're better off going with the 35mm f/2, as that lens comes closest on an APS-C camera to the focal length that the 50mm gives you on film.
2072503
True enough but the 35mm f2 is getting pretty hard to find and the 50mm f1.8 is a real bargain for the image quality at only $80.
2072504
F. Dudek,This lens would be ok. The speed of the lens is ok, as far as f/stops go. The focus speed might not be up to the task. Also the focal length of the lens might be a little short for what you want to do. However, at $100 you wont find a better value lens, it is worth having. My suggestion would be buy the lens and try it. If it doesn't work it will still be great for home indoor photography. If it doesn't work look at the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens, it has just as fast aperture, has faster ring USM focus, and has a little bit longer reach. For even more reach look at the Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Telephoto Lens. F. Dudek,This lens would be ok. The speed of the lens is ok, as far as f/stops go. The focus speed might not be up to the task. Also the focal length of the lens might be a little short for what you want to do. However, at $100 you wont find a better value lens, it is worth having. My suggestion would be buy the lens and try it. If it doesn't work it will still be great for home indoor photography. If it doesn't work look at the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens, it has just as fast aperture, has faster ring... » Read More F. Dudek,This lens would be ok. The speed of the lens is ok, as far as f/stops go. The focus speed might not be up to the task. Also the focal length of the lens might be a little short for what you want to do. However, at $100 you wont find a better value lens, it is worth having. My suggestion would be buy the lens and try it. If it doesn't work it will still be great for home indoor photography. If it doesn't work look at the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens, it has just as fast aperture, has faster ring USM focus, and has a little bit longer reach. For even more reach look at the Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Telephoto Lens. « Show Less
2072505
I agree with Tom's advice though you may be able to get away with something like the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS if you're not trying to capture fast action and the stage lighting is fairly bright.For camera settings, I'd use AV or TV mode. In TV mode, set your shutter speed to 1/100 sec or faster to avoid camera shake blurring if you're shooting handheld. You may need to adjust the ISO depending on the stage lighting. In AV mode, adjust your aperture to achieve this shutter speed or faster.
2072506
I'm thinking of getting this lens to take pictures of a performance in a theatre, so low light and no flash. I have a canon rebel xsi and need to know if this will help and what kind of settings I should use. Don't know much about photography...I always use the auto sesttings which generally work great but I want to capture the great moments of my little dancer. Thanks
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Hello Hugh, It focuses super fast, zooms from wide-angle to super-telephoto, and gets close enough for macro shots. However, this is not a replacement for macro lens. Suggestions for Canon macro lens - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS or Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L. If you looking for cheaper options - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM or Canon EF 50mm f/2.5.
1260176
It depends on the object that you want to shoot...f/2.8 lens is pro lens and typically it is very good lens in every brands. The range is medium range (24-80 FF equivalent), that means, it is good for general purpose such as family picture, modelling or some landscapes...f/2.8 will get you higher shutter speed so, you can use it also for moving object or low light photograhy (1.8 is better though..)
1241574
I do not if this will help you. I use it for portraits, sports and landscapes. I did not have any problems with it. I use it sometimes with my outside toddler portraits. It is not my main lens for portraits. I usually use my 50mm or 28-135mm.
795007
Hi, Mindy, this lens is more useful to take pictures in long distances. It is a very versatile lens and you can take pictures for a high range. But because the cost, if you only need photograph objects not so far, you can use the lens 18-55 that comes with the body. This lens apply to your camera and it has a 11x zoom and has a very good image definition and luminosity.
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Thanks everyone for your help. You've explained a lot and it really helps. After your explanations, I looked at my past photos. I'm thinking that maybe the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 will fill my needs. Thanks again.
827133
It's a good lens for my needs. I have found the 18-300mm type lenses just don't do all that well, I think too much range to cover but this does well and being a f/2.8 it's better for darker shots. Heavier than a kit lens but worth it in my opinion.
182303
My recommendation would be the 50mm 1.8. Good standard focal length (although closer to 75mm with the smaller sensor). It is under $100.00 new. Short depth of field, great for portraits. Every Canon owner should have this lens. No zoom mind you, so it requires a little more work to get the shot you want. This lens is good, fast, and cheap.
1135873
We carried both on our European honeymoon. The 50 mm f/1.8 lens is GREAT for portraits when you want to blur the background, but it is not good for landscapes or where you need to stand pretty close to the subject but want a normal field of view. We found that it was hard to just carry the 50 mm lens without having the 18-55 lens in back-up, but the pictures with the 50 mm lens are our favorites. If you really wanted to just carry one lens, you could probably get by with the 50 mm lens plus a camera phone.
518359
Question doesn't say anything about usage of lens. 135 has the fastest focusing probably from all Canon EF lenses, it's sharp and produce shallow DOF. But it's fixed. The other two 24-70 and 24-104 are zooms = more versatile lenses. 24-70 is f2.8 what's advantage for focusing in a dark and produce shallower DOF than 24-105. 24-105 has extended range and IS. So if you need universal lens and you shoot a lot in dark conditions - 24-70 f2.8 If you travel a lot or you need longer end than 70mm and focusing speed isn't critical to you - 24-105 f4 If you need longer lens with fast focusing for concerts, headshoots, or you live in darker world - 135 f2 If your concern is technical quality you can't miss with any of them. Marian
735066
I have both lenses. Are different lenses for different uses. With the 50mm 1.8 you can get a great bokeh to 1.8. (In my opinion the great problem for this lens is the quality of imagen is not good in the edges at 1.8). The 50 mm 1.8 is perfect for begins in the bokeh. Personally, I bought the 40mm 2.8, because is the smallest lens in the market. I can carry my camera with this lens every where. This lens (40mm) has a great quality of imagen from 2.8 to 22. If you look for a lens for portrait, buy 50 mm. If you look for a compact lens with excelent quality, I recomend 40mm.
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I use this lens primarily for architectural photos. But I imagine it would be ok. It's not the fastest lens in its class, so if stopping action in low light is an issue, you may want to consider that.
916482
I personally think that he'd benefit more from purchasing the nifty fifty (50mm f1.8) to cover that range, and then also buy the 100mm f2.8. Honestly there is not a huge difference in terms of image quality between the 50mm f1.8 and the f1.4. The f1.8 does have trouble focusing in dark conditions, but for the price (and for a beginner) it is a great option and it leaves your budget open to get another lens.
1287967
The lens 50mm is special in my opinion to Photo Portrait.. 1) The Field of Vision is Close to the Human Eye: the 50mm lens can also be a great focal length for portaits... 2)Overall Usefulness and Versatility: A 50mm lens can be used to shoot in low-light, for portraits at a wedding (or portraits in general), photojournalism, macros, candids, etc... 3)The Ultimate in Street Photography: Using only the 50mm lens you will take yourself out of the normal and safer behavior you may have developed by shooting with telephoto or zoom lenses.... 4) Better Sharpness and Depth of Field I love pictures taken with my 50mm 1.8f. Most of my favorite shots taken on film were with my 50mm...It is a fantastic experience.. I recommend you!
1429331
Yes, I have used this lens for all of those purposes and it performs well. Although you might want the faster f2.8 lens if the indoor performances don't have adequate lighting. I have not regretted buying this lens at all.
767676
This lens and the Pentax 18-55 II are not really comparable. The 18-55 is a zoom, and the DA 50mm f1.8 is a prime, meaning, of course, no zoom. It's fixed at 50mm. Also, the 18-55 II will only open up to f3.5, so you really won't get the lovely narrow depth of field that you get with the 50mm f1.8, which is what makes this lens so attractive and seductive. So I guess it depends on what you want. The 18-55 would make a better walk-around utility lens. The 50mm f1.8 is a specialized, portrait lens that will give you a fantastically blurred background when shooting subjects up close. Personally, I think you should have both in your lens collection.
1886678
I have used is for such and see no need for the f2 lens. It is a great lens for this in my experience . I also use the 18-135 and find it has even greater versatility.