Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens - do I need it?

[MiqsPix]

I have a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens on my Canon 60d body. I have noticed the great price now for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II prime Lens and like it, but wonder do I need it? I enjoy most aspects of photography including landscape, portraiture and the rest, and obviously like the 50mm f1.4 even more but can't really afford it. The question is, are the low light optics and sharpness of the f1.8 any superior to my Tamron for portraiture especially? I shall be very interested in your views on this!

 

[kennysarmy]

I had a tamron 17-50 f2.8 and bought a 50 f1.8 but ended up selling it....

I now have a 17-55 f2.8 is and a 50mm f1.4
The zoom is a beast of a lens so if I want to travel lighter I put on the 50mm and my 28mm prime in my pocket....

I would say don't bother...

 

[futureal33]

Well I have both the Tamron 28-75 2.8 and the 50mm 1.8 on my 5D and the 50mm still holds it's own. It is very useful in low light, although it is not amazingly sharp at f1.8, it is still very usable.
It's size, weight and price are all plus points too...it's simply one of those lenses you should have in your bag

 

[micloi]

Always good to have the 50mm for trying some creative shots by playing with the thin DOF at f1.8

Also add some tubes and you have a nice little macro lens

 

[strumstrum]

get the 50mm 1.8 and if you dont get on with it or want to upgrade to the 1.4 you wont lose much money when selling on..

personally I am on the 'need' side of the fence but it takes owning one for you to realize that, they make you see things in a different way as you have to walk in/out to zoom and you can have fun with DoF at 1.8, cut shapes out of card stick it on the front and shoot with xmas lights in the background..

example

 

[cam1986]

50mm would be one to get