My Canon 50mm 1.8 is here - DPChallenge Forums

02/18/2005 06:39:21 PM · #1

This is less of an announcement (although I'm excited!) than it is a resource for those considering the purchase of this lens.

I took these sample photos to compare it to the rebel kit lens (18-55):

Kit Lens @ 5.6

50mm mk I @ 5.6

50mm mk I @ 1.8

All photos are straight out of the camera (only rotated and resized to 640 pixels) and were taken at ISO 100, AWB, and auto-focused on the inside of the pitcher (far side).

Other notes:

- I'm glad I got the mk I because it really does feel durable and I like the focusing ring much better on the body of the lens.
- Focuses reasonably quickly, better than the kit lens as far as I can tell so far
- It seems that subtleties in tone and colour range are more noticeable on the new 50mm prime which should mean that the quality difference will be even more apparent after processing
- All photos were taken from the same position on my tripod and underexposed 1/3 stop, but I'm noticing that the kit lens results have been consistently darker in all of my test photos so far.
- I hope to post more results once I give all of these photos the same USM, levels adjustment, contrast boost and saturation boost...

I just wanted to post this right away as a thank you to other members who helped me make this purchasing decision (as well as others).

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 18:41:37.

Fleximus

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/18/2005 06:43:54 PM · #2

looks like a good purchase.

maxj

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/18/2005 06:44:07 PM · #3

thanks for posting...1.8 rocks!

I have been thinking of purchasing a 50mm 1.8 lens myself.
What exacly is mk I?

02/18/2005 06:47:36 PM · #4

Mmmm...love that shallow dof. Thanks a bunch for posting these shots. It's interesting and helpful. I've been considering the 50mm f1.8 for awhile. I hope to get one soon.

Thanks again,
Jen

Fleximus

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/18/2005 06:54:33 PM · #5

Probably best to point out that thatcloudthere has a MK1. I have the Mark 2 which is also great but the build quality is not so good.

floyd

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/18/2005 07:23:24 PM · #6

Can I be the first to say "I can't see the difference".

Obviously I can see the difference between the f/1.8 and the f/5.6 but I can't see any quality difference between the f/5.6 from the kit lens and the f/5.6 from the prime. The prime image is a touch lighter but that's it. Both seemed sharp, good quality images.

But the ability to shoot at f/1.8 would be nice I guess.

John

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

02/18/2005 09:23:38 PM · #7

I can see a difference, more than just being lighter but I don't know how to put it into words. The 50mm at 5.6 is much better than the kit.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/18/2005 09:26:49 PM · #8

i am skeptical the last image was actually at f:1.8...

i own both the lenses

EDIT: the mk II version of the 1.8

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 21:27:34.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/18/2005 10:47:57 PM · #9

What's the difference between mk1 and mk2? The one on BH has a "II" in the name and it's $75. Is that the better of the two lenses or is II and mk2 not the same thing?

Thanks.

Jen

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/18/2005 10:49:48 PM · #10

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

What's the difference between mk1 and mk2? The one on BH has a "II" in the name and it's $75. Is that the better of the two lenses or is II and mk2 not the same thing?

Thanks.

Jen

The II is cheap build, plastic mount.

ED: I is better in build only...But I don't think it is made anymore.

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 22:51:54.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/18/2005 10:53:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by awpollard:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
What's the difference between mk1 and mk2? The one on BH has a "II" in the name and it's $75. Is that the better of the two lenses or is II and mk2 not the same thing?

Thanks.

Jen

The II is cheap build, plastic mount.

ED: I is better in build only...But I don't think it is made anymore.

Thanks for clarifying that. I still want one. :-D

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/18/2005 10:57:54 PM · #12

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by awpollard:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
What's the difference between mk1 and mk2? The one on BH has a "II" in the name and it's $75. Is that the better of the two lenses or is II and mk2 not the same thing?

Thanks.

Jen

The II is cheap build, plastic mount.

ED: I is better in build only...But I don't think it is made anymore.

Thanks for clarifying that. I still want one. :-D

No...you HAVE to have one...I was a doubter at first...picked one (MK II 74 bucks) up last weekend...It really is really really sharp.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/18/2005 11:12:49 PM · #13

Originally posted by awpollard:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by awpollard:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
What's the difference between mk1 and mk2? The one on BH has a "II" in the name and it's $75. Is that the better of the two lenses or is II and mk2 not the same thing?

Thanks.

Jen

The II is cheap build, plastic mount.

ED: I is better in build only...But I don't think it is made anymore.

Thanks for clarifying that. I still want one. :-D

No...you HAVE to have one...I was a doubter at first...picked one (MK II 74 bucks) up last weekend...It really is really really sharp.

:-) I know! I hope to get one within a month. Maybe sooner. I've been looking at it for a long time. A friend has one. I think I get my raise next week. Might as well put it to use. ;-D

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 23:13:09.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/18/2005 11:28:08 PM · #14

I've often said this is the most underpriced lens Canon makes. I still can't believe they sell this for less than $75.

This is a great lens to have at the end of a day of shooting to make the most of twilight, or for indoor shooting for a band/concert. I honestly consider this lens a "must-have."

-Terry

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 23:29:16.

02/18/2005 11:29:30 PM · #15

Originally posted by soup:

i am skeptical the last image was actually at f:1.8...

i own both the lenses

EDIT: the mk II version of the 1.8

Why? Because it is at 1.8...

02/18/2005 11:32:55 PM · #16

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

I've often said this is the most underpriced lens Canon makes. I still can't believe they sell this for less than $75.

-Terry

They're actually showing $80 but BH and Adorama sell for $75. As much as you are all gushing over this lens I may have one ordered before the weekend is up! :-)

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/18/2005 11:34:08 PM · #17

I hope to post more comparison images. These weren't meant to impress, only to show actual test images.

That being said, I've tested it some more and processed a little bit and am truly impressed.

I went out tonight and simply being able to handhold a lens at ISO 100 or 200 indoors in the evening is just fantastic.

The mark I and mark II are rumoured to have very similar (perhaps identical) optics...this is based on very casual research on my part only. I'll try and confirm this. I picked this one up for about $125US shipped. The advantages are the dof gauge, metal threads and better build quality, and better manual focus ring (I believe on the mark II it's at the end of the lens like on the kit lens, which drives me nuts).

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/18/2005 11:40:12 PM · #18

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
I've often said this is the most underpriced lens Canon makes. I still can't believe they sell this for less than $75.

-Terry

They're actually showing $80 but BH and Adorama sell for $75. As much as you are all gushing over this lens I may have one ordered before the weekend is up! :-)

Click on the item description and you'll see it's $74.95.

-Terry

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/18/2005 11:41:40 PM · #19

One of my favorite photos with this lens (though not the MkII)

-Terry

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/18/2005 11:43:01 PM · #20

I left my tripod in the car, so no more comparisons tonight...but check this out:

That blurry mess of boke is my beautiful wife, about 2 metres behind the pitcher. This is straight out of camera, rotated and downsized. Also, taken at f1.8 (honest, soup!)...so smooth, I love it!

Message edited by author 2005-02-18 23:44:13.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

02/19/2005 12:22:55 AM · #21

I have the Canon 1.8 MkII.

Something to consider. While it's not an expensive lens, and F1.8 is great for indoors, it is effectively a 80 mm lens when you consider a 1.6 crop factor. So trying to take family gathering pictures indoors using it has proven difficult; I always find I can't move back enough.

So I raise for your consideration that you might also (or instead) want to look at a primes in the range of 24-35 mmm and F1.4-F2.0 for such photos. I haven't found one that gets the raves this lens gets yet that's affordable, but I'm looking.