The Nifty Fifty Has Arrived....

[crazygeordiegirl]

So what's your advice on how to test it out?

What kinda shots will get the maximum results out of the lens?

Thanks!

[chris250]

Anything and everything, your best trying it out in every situation, personally I whacked mine open to 1.8 and shot shots of my son and dog, only now over a year later that I've started using smaller apatures to Increase the DOF

[crazygeordiegirl]

Anything and everything, your best trying it out in every situation, personally I whacked mine open to 1.8 and shot shots of my son and dog, only now over a year later that I've started using smaller apatures to Increase the DOF

I have no dog...or son...but some very handsome nephews & a niece, may borrow them for a photo shoot!

[chris250]

Every family member is fair game for testing out a new lens lol.

[specialman]

Although I was adamant I didn't need one, I bought one off the forums last weeks (cheers Tank) and have to say that despite what limitations it has because of the fixed focal length, it is a nice piece of kit and for £70 it's not broken the bank. It's an f/1.8 so not really fancy but for low light it'll deffo help I think...

Here's the first pic I shot on it for my 365....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4275255338_aa302c421d.jpg

[MatW]

Just be careful not to move once you've focused, because with such a shallow DOF even the slightest movement can push the spot you focused on out of focus. I tend to stop mine down a bit to f2 or f2.8, even then it's super shallow.

If you want to 'test' it on something, mount your camera on a tripod or on a table top, stick the lens in Manual Focus and shoot something small and stationary. Make sure you nail the focus and you should see that this is a pretty sharp lens for not a lot of cash :)

[leaky5]

When I first got mine, I took it out for a day around Docklands as my only lens.

It makes you think a bit more about composure as well.

[Rocket Blower]

the 50 is a cracker. I love it for portraits...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/3916/thumbs/4231629598_42c827a69c.jpg (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=76515)

[petersmart]

This is an excellent lens (almost as good as the £1300 50mm L glass lens) and I use it a lot.

It's also very good taking Macro shots when coupled with extension tubes.

[Rocket Blower]

This is an excellent lens (almost as good as the £1300 50mm L glass lens) and I use it a lot.

It's also very good taking Macro shots when coupled with extension tubes.

ooo.. I never thought about getting some extension tubes for it... have you done any?

[Pippy_Neville]

You should just go out an have fun with it! I really like the lens for portraits, just being able to throw BG OOF makes such a difference to your work.
I just traded mine up for the lovely Mark I version, I loved the old (newer) one and I love
the new (older) one even more!
pip

[tdodd]

I have no dog...or son...but some very handsome nephews & a niece, may borrow them for a photo shoot!

My nephew, taken with my nifty at f/2.0. Natural light on a grey, drizzly day....

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4_R8TkwT74w/SzqPvQJXP3I/AAAAAAABOSA/RXQIpTqe3RA/s800/20080813_105254_6714_LR.jpg

[petersmart]

ooo.. I never thought about getting some extension tubes for it... have you done any?

Yes:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/4032796615/sizes/o/in/set-72157613651261240/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/4275840221/sizes/o/in/set-72157613651261240/

These were taken with the Kenko DG AF Auto extension set which I got on here for about £75.00.

[DizMatt]

love the detail on the 50mm.

you don't need to run it at 1.8 though
test it for sharpness at f4.

[Jim.R]

Stop it down to f/4 for maximum sharpenss :thumbs:
It's not as good wide open, but still acceptable.

EDIT: Beaten to it by DizMatt :)

[B3R]

yeah, do tests of: low light, shallow DoF, uber sharpness (stopped down as said), and thinking out side of the box, fixed focal length can help make you think more about composition etc, a year ago i was used to a compact equive to 28mm wide, i got a film camera with a 50mm lens I found it restrictive then realised it made me think about composition (I never really use to before then lol)

[Paddysnapper]

You"ll never look back:thumbs:

[specialman]

Just realised you're all talking Canon... pah!!! ;)

[ryanyboy]

50mm primes should be top of everyone's shopping list imo. They will give you all the creative freedom you want and really help with composition etc. I honestly believe fixed focal lengths slow you down and make you work harder/smarter.

In terms of testing your lens, I'd start with stationary subjects so you can get an idea of how thin the DOF is wide open. It'll also confirm that your lens is focusing accurately.

If you go out with young ones don't shoot wide open unless you feel very confident in yourself and your camera, and the kids stay still. If they are running about and you shoot wide open you'll get a lot of slightly out of focus pictures (unless you're focusing is perfect). Hope that doesn't sound derogatory.

[DizMatt]

Stop it down to f/4 for maximum sharpenss :thumbs:
It's not as good wide open, but still acceptable.

EDIT: Beaten to it by DizMatt :)

great minds and fools :)

here's a 50mm pic of my pops I took for his bowling club.
(which I keep posting up..sorry :()

http://jitsuka.net/misc/dad/IMG_8631%20500px.jpg

anyway...much sharpness I think,. 100% crops 50mm f1.4@f4
http://jitsuka.net/misc/dad/eyebrows.jpg

[crazygeordiegirl]

Thanks all, hopefully I will have time to play with it over the weekend, I have just had the canon a week & made it the top lens on my shopping list after reading about them on here.

[Rocket Blower]

Yes:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/4032796615/sizes/o/in/set-72157613651261240/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/4275840221/sizes/o/in/set-72157613651261240/

These were taken with the Kenko DG AF Auto extension set which I got on here for about £75.00.

These are great... with this set of tubes, do you still retain control over AF and apperture? £75.00 is a lot cheaper than a macro lens if thats the case...

[petersmart]

Yes if you get the DG AF Auto extension set.

There are some Kenko extension tubes which are a bit cheaper but do not have the auto option.

[Fuuudge]

Just be careful not to move once you've focused, because with such a shallow DOF even the slightest movement can push the spot you focused on out of focus.

And that 2/3 of that is behind the focus point, the remaining 1/3 is infront.

A tip I read on here.