LeggNets Digital Capture

Thursday, February 14, 2008

50mm f/1.8 lens - Put One In Your Bag


I frequently receive email questions from photographers that have upgraded to a digital SLR camera. One of the most often asked questions is about additional lenses they should add to their kit. The lens I recommend more than any other is the 50mm f/1.8. This lens can be had for under $100 (Canon) and is a great addition to any photographer's gear bag. The inexpensive little lens offers numerous advantages including:

- One to two f/stops faster than a standard 'kit' lens
- Very narrow depth-of-field for a great blurred background
- Extremely compact and lightweight
The Canon version of the lens feels very cheap light due to its plastic build. Don't let this deter you. The optics are very good, especially considering the low price.

Today's image of Kenneth during a video presentation at one of his classes was taken with this lens. The combination of the fast lens speed and a high ISO made the shot possible.

Here are links to the lens for Canon & Nikon:
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Of course, if price is no object you can do what my scientist friend did (you know who you are) and cough up some real cash for a Canon 50mm f/1.2 :)

Canon 5D, Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens - 1/20 second, f/1.8, ISO 800

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4 Comments:

Blogger Brett said...

I'm a canon user and have been for about 15 years and my 50mm 1.8 is still my favorite lens. Its more difficult to work with on a DSLR, but that difficulty seems to produce my best shots. And for the price you can't beat the amazing sharpness. At less than $100 there is no good reason not to have one.

www.BubbiesRecipes.com

February 14, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a Nikon user as well and the Nikon equivalent is light but very sharp as well. Although at full wide open f/1.8, the Nikon equivalent tends to be very soft but anything above f/2.2 and you get that nice sharpness without compromising too much on the DOF.

February 14, 2008  
Blogger Kelly Branan said...

Ditto! If I could only choose 1 lens from my bag it would have to be my 50 mm.

February 15, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I completely agree. I bought my 50mm f/1.8 for my Digital Rebel a couple years ago. I've since upgraded to the f/1.4. That one barely ever comes off my camera.

February 18, 2008  

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