wilco42's Full Review: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
I shoot with a Canon 10D digital SLR and one of the things any photographer needs in his bag is a fast, low light lens. I first started shooting with the Canon 28-105mm/3.5-4.5 II lens as my everyday lens, but this quickly proved to be inadequate when shooting in low light conditions. Now, it is true that because I shoot with a digital camera changing the ISO is very easy, but one still suffers from the side affects of such a move: grainier images.
So the solution is pretty simple: get a fast lens. The problem with the solution is that generally speaking a fast lens also means an expensive lens. The one exception to this rule is the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II. This lens generally runs for about $70 at your local camera store.
This is the second revision of the lens that Canon has produced, the Version 1 line is no longer in production, but can be found in the grey market. The primary differences between these lenses is lens build quality. The Version 1 body is made with a metal construction, while the Version 2 body is made entirely of plastic.
Canon makes four different 50mm lenses. The reason they make so many different version of this focal length is because it is considered to be the fixed focal length which most closely approximates human vision. As a result, this is one of the most popular fixed focal length lenses to be found in most photographer's bags.
Each lens has a specific use, even though the focal length is different. This lens is definitely the best value for the dollar. The images produced from this lens are brilliantly sharp and contrasty. The maximum aperture of 1.8 also makes this a fast lens suitable for low light photography.
There are a few tradeoffs one makes when you get this lens, though. The cheap body construction makes it less durable, even the mount is made out of plastic! The focus ring is very loose and it is very hard to use it, especially when you are shooting at the maximum aperture. Fine tuning the focus requires a great amount of dexterity. The motor used for the auto-focus is on the slow side and it is quite noisy. The noise from the motor makes you far less of a discreet photographer, if this plays into consideration for your shooting needs.
The minimum focus distance is rated at 1.5 feet, which I think makes this lens unsuitable for macro photography. This is a great lens for landscape photography and can be used for portrait photography, though it may be a little sharp for portrait work.
This is an excellent lens for use in low light situation is auto-focusing needs are not terribly demanding. If you find that you are shooting in very challenging low light situations, you may want to look at the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. It is a faster lens, though considerably more pricey at nearly 5 times the cost. But if you needs are truly that demanding, it's better to go with the best equipment if your budget allows for it.
I find that this lens is adequate for low light situations, though I do find myself longing for the Canon 50mm f/1.4. You can't go wrong with that lens, if you can afford it. If you are looking for a great value, this lens will not let you down.
Type: Fixed Length LensDiameter: 52mmSpecifications: Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 50mm 1:1.8 Lens Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups Diagonal ...More at Newegg.com
f/1.8 II 35mm equivalent focal length: 80mm,large maximum aperture (f/1.8) for better low-light photography,compatible with all Canon EOS SLR camerasMore at Crutchfield
Focus Drive: MM Elements: 5/6 View of Angle: 46? Min. Focus: 1.5 ft. (0.45m) Min. Aperture: f/22 Filter (diameter): 52mm Length: 1-5/8" (41mm) ...More at Beach Camera.com
Professional Japan Optic High-Definition 0.34X Super Wide Angle Fisheye AF lens with MACRO , NEW Description Brand NEW!Life time manufacturer's warran...More at eBay
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