Canon 50mm 1.8 Mk1 should I buy?

Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/13/2005 11:47:35 AM · #1

I can buy a used 50mm lens for 130 euros (about 155 dollars), but am wondering if I will use it? I currently own a Sigma 15-30mm 3.5-4.5 lens and a Tamron 28-200mm 3.8-5.6. The 50mm will effectively be a 80mm lens on my 300D. It is very fast, though and gets really good reviews. I like being able to zoom with my other lenses. For what purposes will I be using the 50mm? Any experiences?

Ram21

Canon EOS-10D

09/13/2005 11:51:25 AM · #2

Used my dad's for doing portrait. Also shooting in very low light, you can get closer to your subject if you need, or farther away. I like it for low light area.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/13/2005 11:53:44 AM · #3

Can you get a Mk II for less?

50mm f1.8 MkII is only $70 here in the states.

barndog

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

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

09/13/2005 11:55:01 AM · #4

I labored over this as well. If I could get a resonably priced MKI I would have bought it. I just ordered the MKII for $79.00 US.

I figure if I really like it I may spring for the several hundred $$ 1.4 version.

I wanted a low light lens for indoor / some studio work.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/13/2005 11:55:12 AM · #5

I have the mark II and the mark I is supposed to be better. With the crop factor it is an 80mm lens, the ideal portrait lens. It is amazingly sharp with great controll over the DOF. Use a 50mm and you will begin to understand why those who have all the money they want for lenses use primes all the time, and spit upon the mushy optical quality of all zooms.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/13/2005 11:55:50 AM · #6

I would say yes...I have the mark I and I'm glad because it's much sturdier than the mark II. But get either one and you'll be happy.

Whenever I'm indoors with family and friends, this is the lens I put on. It's nice and small, unobtrusive, great in low light and produces beautiful photos.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/13/2005 11:59:23 AM · #7

as said before, shop around for a better price on the 50mm f/1.8.

If you want a great 50mm lens, and want to spend that kind of money, and a bit more brand new, check out the 50mm f/1.4.

barndog

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/13/2005 12:00:01 PM · #8

Check out this link, it compares the f1.4 to the f1.8

very interesting.

//www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

Spork99

OM System OM-1

09/13/2005 12:02:26 PM · #9

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Better how? The MkI has a metal lensmount and a distance scale. If you buy a new 50mm MkII, it will be under warranty. A used MkI will not. I have never seen anyone show definitively that the plastic lensmount somehow resulted in lower quality images. I know it has never affected mine.

Message edited by author 2005-09-13 12:04:01.

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

09/13/2005 12:09:27 PM · #10

Thanks all! Yes, I could get a MkII for about 80 euros, but after I read the reviews on the net I thought that buying a MkI would be a better deal, in most reviews they say it produces better quality than the MkII. Great feedback from you all!

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/13/2005 12:10:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Better weather seal and consturction are the claims, fewer claim superior optics, but it is a more robustly built lens. Each used lens is unique but I would rather have a lightly used Mark I than a new mark II. Of course given the porous nature of the weather seal on the 300d a well sealed lens dosen't do much for me.

benhur

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

09/13/2005 12:14:33 PM · #12

Just to let you know you can get one on ebay New in a box for about Â£45 GBP or about 67 euros.

09/13/2005 12:15:02 PM · #13

Thanks for the buying and technical info, now what do you use it for, generally? Only portraits?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

09/13/2005 12:15:05 PM · #14

If build quality and weather sealing is an issue, remember that you can buy TWO mkII lenses for the price of that single mk1. I can't imagine that the mk1 could be THAT much better optically.

Message edited by author 2005-09-13 12:17:01.

Chiqui

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

09/13/2005 12:15:07 PM · #15

Based on how little it costs, it should be a crime not to own one :)

June

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

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

09/13/2005 12:29:30 PM · #16

Non portraits taken with the MarkII. I like my zooms but though some cost ten times as much, when I can controll the light, the mark II is the one to rule them all

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/13/2005 12:35:26 PM · #17

Originally posted by scalvert:

If build quality and weather sealing is an issue, remember that you can buy TWO mkII lenses for the price of that single mk1. I can't imagine that the mk1 could be THAT much better optically.

But doesn't the mark I also have the stupid focus ring on the front of the lens (like on the kit lens for the rebel)? I find that really annoying, too.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/13/2005 01:13:14 PM · #18

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Better how? The MkI has a metal lensmount and a distance scale. If you buy a new 50mm MkII, it will be under warranty. A used MkI will not. I have never seen anyone show definitively that the plastic lensmount somehow resulted in lower quality images. I know it has never affected mine.

Better weather seal and consturction are the claims, fewer claim superior optics, but it is a more robustly built lens. Each used lens is unique but I would rather have a lightly used Mark I than a new mark II. Of course given the porous nature of the weather seal on the 300d a well sealed lens dosen't do much for me.

Is the MkI an L lens? Weather sealing is a feature I thought was exclusive to L lenses and part of what drives their high cost.

I'm happy with my MkII and, especially when I can buy 2 for the price of an old MkII, I'll stick with it.

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

09/13/2005 02:08:32 PM · #19

Just so happens that I ordered the Mk II today, along with a UV filter and a remote shutter release. I sold my 24-70 recently and have been using the 18-55 kit lens which can't quite measure up in sharpness to the one I let go of. I'm hoping for a cheap fix with this 50/1.8 lens until my budget can afford some nicer glass.

I took delivery yesterday from B&H of a Bogen tripod and head, thus the purchase of the shutter release. Now THAT's a purchase I am glad I made!

09/13/2005 06:47:44 PM · #20

OK, once more (the vendor is pressing me for an answer), should I buy it or not? Will it hold it's value, so I can sell it and upgrade to a 1.4 in the future without losing money? More so than the MkII? I'm already convinced I should own a 50mm, either MkI or MkII. Thanks all, this is a great website.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III