Comments on: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/ Online gadgets reviews, ratings and recommendations Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:05:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: D. Roek http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2531 D. Roek Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:54:33 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2531 Excellent, inexpensive lens<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>PROS: Low price, clear images, wide aperture <br />CONS: Lower quality housing <br />RECOMMENDED FOR: Beginning and intermediate photographers <br /> <br />I was extremely impressed with this lens from the first time I attached it to my camera. I originally got it to take better low-light, higher-speed indoor pictures, which it does fantastically well. The wide aperture is also excellent for taking shallow depth of field photos. The fixed focal length makes me try harder to compose shots (because I have to move my feet rather than the lens) resulting in better photos. The low price makes it a low-risk investment. I've found myself leaving this lens on my camera when it's in the bag and using it more than my other two (Canon 18-55mm and 55-250mm). <br /> <br />As other reviewers have pointed out, the housing for the lens is of lower quality than, say, my other two lenses. However, it is not as flimsy as those reviewers would have you believe. If you treat the lens and camera as though they were expensive, high-end equipment rather than toys, you will not have problems. <br /> <br />If you're an advanced/professional photographer, you probably aren't even reading this review. If you're a beginning or intermediate photographer who is looking for an inexpensive departure from your existing zoom lenses or looking to expand your horizons, this is an excellent lens for you to try. <br /> <br />For further reading on this type of lens, I recommend you check out: <br /> <br />[...] Excellent, inexpensive lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
PROS: Low price, clear images, wide aperture

CONS: Lower quality housing

RECOMMENDED FOR: Beginning and intermediate photographers

I was extremely impressed with this lens from the first time I attached it to my camera. I originally got it to take better low-light, higher-speed indoor pictures, which it does fantastically well. The wide aperture is also excellent for taking shallow depth of field photos. The fixed focal length makes me try harder to compose shots (because I have to move my feet rather than the lens) resulting in better photos. The low price makes it a low-risk investment. I’ve found myself leaving this lens on my camera when it’s in the bag and using it more than my other two (Canon 18-55mm and 55-250mm).

As other reviewers have pointed out, the housing for the lens is of lower quality than, say, my other two lenses. However, it is not as flimsy as those reviewers would have you believe. If you treat the lens and camera as though they were expensive, high-end equipment rather than toys, you will not have problems.

If you’re an advanced/professional photographer, you probably aren’t even reading this review. If you’re a beginning or intermediate photographer who is looking for an inexpensive departure from your existing zoom lenses or looking to expand your horizons, this is an excellent lens for you to try.

For further reading on this type of lens, I recommend you check out:

[...]

]]> By: Taylor http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2528 Taylor Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:17:43 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2528 Hard to fault this lens given the price and alternatives<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>Pros: <br /> <br />-Sharp <br />-Nice contrast and color <br />-fast <br />-cheap <br /> <br />Cons: <br />-poor build <br />-clunky AF system <br />-due to clunky AF system and the shallow DOF at f1.8, Focus can be innacurate at times <br />-hard to manual focus due to short throw and poor MF ring <br />-Somewhat "harsh" bokeh unless using wide open, but honestly this flaw is overstated. It is not that bad <br />-soft-ish wide open, although not any more than most fast lenses <br /> <br />Bottom line, you can't really do better for the price. Even if you want to spend 4-5x as much, the Sigma 50 1.4 has AF troubles, and the Canon 50 1.4 is known for quality and durability issues. The uber-expensive 50 L has the famous focus shift issues, too. So really, despite a few flaws, this is a great option for the 50mm length. It has quirks, but they can be forgiven based on the cost. At least you aren't paying 4-16x as much for a "nicer" lens that still has its quirks. <br /> Hard to fault this lens given the price and alternatives
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Pros:

-Sharp

-Nice contrast and color

-fast

-cheap

Cons:

-poor build

-clunky AF system

-due to clunky AF system and the shallow DOF at f1.8, Focus can be innacurate at times

-hard to manual focus due to short throw and poor MF ring

-Somewhat “harsh” bokeh unless using wide open, but honestly this flaw is overstated. It is not that bad

-soft-ish wide open, although not any more than most fast lenses

Bottom line, you can’t really do better for the price. Even if you want to spend 4-5x as much, the Sigma 50 1.4 has AF troubles, and the Canon 50 1.4 is known for quality and durability issues. The uber-expensive 50 L has the famous focus shift issues, too. So really, despite a few flaws, this is a great option for the 50mm length. It has quirks, but they can be forgiven based on the cost. At least you aren’t paying 4-16x as much for a “nicer” lens that still has its quirks.

]]> By: Joseph Block http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2533 Joseph Block Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:46:33 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2533 Nice optical quality, but a little flimsy<br>Rating:3 out of 5 stars<br>I bought this lens when I bought my XSi on the recommendation of a friend, who to be fair, did warn me that it was lightweight. Loved it when I first got it. Nice sharp shots, good color, so much faster than the kit lens that came with my XSi. It's nice and light, but that came at the price of durability - I'd had mine for about 4 months (and I shot about 1500-2000 shots with it - as I said, I loved it), but after going through airport security on the way to Chicago and having my bag searched and unpacked by TSA, the next morning the front came completely off when I tried to remove the lens cap. This particularly sucked because it was on my way out and not on my way home so I was one lens short for my whole trip. <br /> <br />All that said, you can't find better performance at the price range. If you're looking for a starter prime lens, this is hard to beat. Yes, it's more fragile than the f1.4, but it's also less than a third of the price. <br /> <br />If you'd like to see some shots I took at an outdoor concert with it, check http://jpb.smugmug.com/Music/Cake-at-WWDC-09/ Nice optical quality, but a little flimsy
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I bought this lens when I bought my XSi on the recommendation of a friend, who to be fair, did warn me that it was lightweight. Loved it when I first got it. Nice sharp shots, good color, so much faster than the kit lens that came with my XSi. It’s nice and light, but that came at the price of durability – I’d had mine for about 4 months (and I shot about 1500-2000 shots with it – as I said, I loved it), but after going through airport security on the way to Chicago and having my bag searched and unpacked by TSA, the next morning the front came completely off when I tried to remove the lens cap. This particularly sucked because it was on my way out and not on my way home so I was one lens short for my whole trip.

All that said, you can’t find better performance at the price range. If you’re looking for a starter prime lens, this is hard to beat. Yes, it’s more fragile than the f1.4, but it’s also less than a third of the price.

If you’d like to see some shots I took at an outdoor concert with it, check http://jpb.smugmug.com/Music/Cake-at-WWDC-09/

]]> By: Srinivasan Sadasivam http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2523 Srinivasan Sadasivam Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:29:14 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2523 Soft at wide open aperture<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>Very good value for the money. Avoid using it wide open aperture (1.8) and this lens has sweetspot at around 2.8 or higher. Tried this at low light/no-flash/theater events and results are good. Could not get crisp focus when using at 1.8 eventhough it says focus achieved under certain conditions using center focussing point. Otherwise, this stuff is great. Soft at wide open aperture
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Very good value for the money. Avoid using it wide open aperture (1.8) and this lens has sweetspot at around 2.8 or higher. Tried this at low light/no-flash/theater events and results are good. Could not get crisp focus when using at 1.8 eventhough it says focus achieved under certain conditions using center focussing point. Otherwise, this stuff is great.

]]> By: Chris Labuen http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2524 Chris Labuen Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:21:45 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2524 A must-have<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>I bought this for my Canon T1i with video recording in mind and I must say, it really adds a cinema type feel to my footage. Takes great photos. I don't know if it's worth the extra bills to get the f/1.4 version of this but I'm extremely happy with this item. This is a must-own lens for anyone starting out. A must-have
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this for my Canon T1i with video recording in mind and I must say, it really adds a cinema type feel to my footage. Takes great photos. I don’t know if it’s worth the extra bills to get the f/1.4 version of this but I’m extremely happy with this item. This is a must-own lens for anyone starting out.

]]> By: Mike http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2534 Mike Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:35:46 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2534 Worth the price<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>This lens has great optics but is all plastic, but for the price....a must have. Worth the price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This lens has great optics but is all plastic, but for the price….a must have.

]]> By: MiladyMarji http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2530 MiladyMarji Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:54:38 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2530 Nifty Fifty<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>I love love love this lens. Sure, it's cheaper made than the $400 and up lenses, but I'm not going to be throwing it around....and the f/1.8 gives me what I want without spending 3 times as much. <br />Very glad I bought it. Nifty Fifty
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I love love love this lens. Sure, it’s cheaper made than the $400 and up lenses, but I’m not going to be throwing it around….and the f/1.8 gives me what I want without spending 3 times as much.

Very glad I bought it.

]]> By: S. Hochstetler http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2532 S. Hochstetler Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:20:20 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2532 Great for the Price!<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>When it comes to sharp, fast glass, it doesn't get much cheaper than this. As the cheapest lens in Canons lineup, it's hard not to recommend it. Great first prime. Great for the Price!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
When it comes to sharp, fast glass, it doesn’t get much cheaper than this. As the cheapest lens in Canons lineup, it’s hard not to recommend it. Great first prime.

]]> By: Ellebell222 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2529 Ellebell222 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:20:53 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2529 Love this lens!!!<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>Omg the depth of field on this baby is outstanding. I've been wanting to get this lens for a long time and my bf-now-hubby bought this and a wireless remote for me for my bday and I was in heaven. I love the way the photos turn out with this. It's a great portrait lens, does really well in low light, and the pics are just beautiful. Love this lens!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Omg the depth of field on this baby is outstanding. I’ve been wanting to get this lens for a long time and my bf-now-hubby bought this and a wireless remote for me for my bday and I was in heaven. I love the way the photos turn out with this. It’s a great portrait lens, does really well in low light, and the pics are just beautiful.

]]> By: Sports Shooter http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/comment-page-1/#comment-2520 Sports Shooter Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:34:31 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/678/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-ii-camera-lens/#comment-2520 Incredible lens for the money<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>If you are looking for great quality shots at an affordable price, this is the lens for you. No its not the "Prime" so to speak with the quality being on the weak side, but the technology is on the "Prime" side. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a fixed lens and superb quality shots. I do shoot with Prime "L" lenses and purchased this to test before purchasing the 50 mm f/1.4 and can say I am very pleased with it and will be shooting with it for quite some time. Incredible lens for the money
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If you are looking for great quality shots at an affordable price, this is the lens for you. No its not the “Prime” so to speak with the quality being on the weak side, but the technology is on the “Prime” side. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a fixed lens and superb quality shots. I do shoot with Prime “L” lenses and purchased this to test before purchasing the 50 mm f/1.4 and can say I am very pleased with it and will be shooting with it for quite some time.

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