Which Nifty Fifty?

Best is the f/1.2, cheapest is the f/1.8 somewhere in the middle is the f/1.4. Unless you're a pro the 1.4 is more than enough.
 
The nifty fifty usually refers to the f/1.8 version as it is soooo cheap - so if we discount discussions on the more expensixe f/1.4 (which is not as good by reputation) or f/1.2 which is very expensive unless you really need such a fast lens, we are left with **** manufacturer. As you have a 50d, I would guess you would be looking at the Canon version :-)
 
I have the 50mm f.18 and it's incredibly sharp from f2.8 onwards and totally usable even wide open.

And since you can get it s/h on here about £50-£60 and from Kerso brand new at about £75.00 I'd recommend that as a first choice to try and the cheapest.

If you need more than that can give you can easily sell it on here without a major loss of money.
 
grahamsewelluk said:
- so if we discount discussions on the more expensixe f/1.4 (which is not as good by reputation)
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I've never heard anyone say that the 1.8 is better than the 1.4! If anything it's deffo the other way around.


The 1.8 is great value for money but no where near as sharp/good as a 1.4. As for build quality, nuff said.
 
If you can stretch to it the Sigma 50mm 1.4 is a great lens. OneStop Digital at around £310
 
If you're considering investing, the inexpensive but fast 1.8 has to be worth a stab and if you find you like the focal range and want something that'll last and is faster (and still relatively inexpensive) you can acquire the f1.4.
 
Just because questions about different "nifty fifty's" are asked so regularly can I just clear this up- I always thought that the "Nifty Fifty" refered to the one particular Canon 50mm f/1.8 because it is so good for the money and a little gem, hence "nifty". The 1.4 and 1.2 versions whilst being even better are much more expensive in line with other lenses of that sort of quality so surely can't be called nifty, else the 85mm f/1.8, 70-200L, etc etc would all have the nickname, and if not then why would all 50mm primes be called nifty?!


I may be completely wrong but thats the way I thought it was, I wait to be corrected or commended :lol::razz:
 
it does refer to the plastic 1.8 version...."nifty eight-five" doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it.
 
grahamsewelluk said:
The nifty fifty usually refers to the f/1.8 version as it is soooo cheap - so if we discount discussions on the more expensixe f/1.4 (which is not as good by reputation) or f/1.2 which is very expensive unless you really need such a fast lens, we are left with **** manufacturer. As you have a 50d, I would guess you would be looking at the Canon version :-)
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admirable said:
I've never heard anyone say that the 1.8 is better than the 1.4! If anything it's deffo the other way around.


The 1.8 is great value for money but no where near as sharp/good as a 1.4. As for build quality, nuff said.
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Ditto. I borrowed the nifty 50 on tour (f1.8 version) and thought it ok but went and bought the f1.4 which is brilliant and sharp at all stops. Significantly better than the f1.8 version which is a good lens for little money. The f1.4 is a brilliant bargain at somewhere under £300 and that's the one I'd get.
 
I just love my 1.4, I'm more than pleased with it.

Lisa
 
mastertrinity said:
most people opt for the f1.8 version first just to "try" it, and then alot of the time they'll save up some money and sell their 1.8 to buy the 1.4.
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It's true; I have the 1.8 but I want more after a mere month (or two?) of owning it - I may consider the Sigma 50mm 1.4 instead of the Canon, though. I just hope I don't end up getting f/1.2L itis though :help::gag:
 
mastertrinity said:
the sigma does look like the best 50mm even though its third party, it does show that third party glass isn't always the worst. i think the only downside to the sigma is the size of the thing, its a behemoth.
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Well, I'm a bit of a Sigma fanboy. I love my 10-20mm so much, I'm hankering after the 70-200 f/2.8 as well. I just like how they produce lovely glass for really respectable prices. The size of the Sigma 50 is one of the things I like about it!
 
Another :thumbs: for the Sigma 1.4, mines razor sharp from f2 upwards, yes it's a beast but for me that's a pro as all my filters are 77mm. I chose the Siggy over the Canon offering as there have been many reports of failing AF motors in the Canon making it a potential ticking timebomb PLUS there are rumours it's about to be superceded by a MKIII version?? The Sigma has been reported to suffer bad back-focussing issues but these are obvious from day one so assuming you get a good copy it seemed the safer bet. The bokeh is reportedly a bit better with the Sigma too..

Carl
 
I have the Canon f/1.4 version, which is around £200 more expensive than the f/1.8. Probably worth it for the extra half-stop and better build quality IMO. (I've had mine for getting on for a couple of years, and no problems with the AF.)

The f/1.2 is very nice (and it's a L :nuts: ) but goes for silly money - £1,000+! Also the IQ apparently isn't any better than the f/1.4 or f/1.8. It's all about the larger aperture and L build quality.

The 50mm makes a very nice portrait lens on full frame BTW.. here's a family snap I did the other day:

50portrait.jpg


A.
 
CReid said:
Another :thumbs: for the Sigma 1.4, mines razor sharp from f2 upwards, yes it's a beast but for me that's a pro as all my filters are 77mm. I chose the Siggy over the Canon offering as there have been many reports of failing AF motors in the Canon making it a potential ticking timebomb PLUS there are rumours it's about to be superceded by a MKIII version?? The Sigma has been reported to suffer bad back-focussing issues but these are obvious from day one so assuming you get a good copy it seemed the safer bet. The bokeh is reportedly a bit better with the Sigma too..

Carl
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:thumbs:
 
Anorakus said:
The f/1.2 is very nice (and it's a L :nuts: ) but goes for silly money - £1,000+! Also the IQ apparently isn't any better than the f/1.4 or f/1.8. It's all about the larger aperture and L build quality.
.
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The IQ of the L is supposed to be a bit better and the bokeh is smoother due to more aperture blades.
 
I've tried the f1.2 and the image quality is miles better than my f1.4.

The big downside for me was the slow focusing.




Of course, price had nothing to do with it! :eek:
 
Yep, the f/1.2L is definitely a tank, and focussing is apparently a slug because of the amount of glass in that thing!

It's an L so I would expect the IQ to be superb given you pay out the proverbial for them.
 
I think judging by all the comments on here, I'll look into getting an F1.8 because they're so cheap, although I have a 28-80mm kit lens which came with on old camera which is very plasticy and is really light. Feels cheap and nasty TBH and I never use it. Is this what I should expect from say a Canon 50mm F1.8?
 
The way it feels is horrid, even the AF-MF switch feels like its going to snap off, and the focus motor sounds like it might chew itself to shreds any moment - but honestly, the IQ is so good it outweighs all those things. The build quality (and the fact that I loooove Sigma) is one of the reasons I am going to upgrade to a Sigma 50 1.4. A few people who get the nifty fifty do that or get the Canon 1.4 - I suspect this is why the nifty is so cheap, it's a clever marketing ploy to get you addicted to 'fast glass' and in the end you spend more money. Also, f/1.4 is a noticeable step up from 1.8 in terms of DOF, bokeh and light collecting ability.
 
From what I've read, the 50mm f1.4 doesn't improve things that much over the f1.8. (when I say "that much", I mean in terms of bang-for-buck) It's been a mixed bag over whether it's worth the expense of upgrading.

The 50 f1.8 though is plasticky and light. It's not a pleasant thing to hold, but I'd seriously recommend getting one and giving it a go. If you end up finding it's not for you, you'll almost get your money back selling it on.

I love mine. Using my feet as a zoom is a great way to learn composure.

Anyway... I thought you said "no more lenses"... Or was that another Gareth? :)

Ian.
 
Ian - Yes I know I know I know I said I wasn't getting any more lenses, but what I say and what I do may be completely different!! ;)

Anyway, when are you ordering your new 70-200? :D
 
Just browsing the classifieds, there's a Mk1 50mm f1.8 here which has a more solid build (metal mount etc).

In case you're interested...

Ian.
 
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