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Product Reviews:
Great images, poor build quality, April 30, 2003
Reviewer: "esliving"
Optically, you can't really do that much better than the f/1.8 - strong
contrast, good color rendition, and very sharp even when shooting wide
open. I bought this lens and it lived on my camera for several months and
was the default piece of glass that I reached for when the quality of the
shot "really mattered."
But, honestly, it's built about as solid as a toy prize in a box of
Cracker Jack. After a few months of use - use, not abuse - the lens
literally came apart, the front barrel separated from the mount. The bad
news was that the lens was completely shot - it was in pieces, after all -
the good news was that it had been cheap, so my pocketbook was able to
stand the cost of replacement.
I replaced the lens with it's older brother, a used version of the Mark I
- much more solid, and which gives equal optical quality even used. It's a
shame that the body and housing on new version of this lens is so
shamefully cheap, because the glass is very nice. But I can't recommend
it, unless you either a) don't do that much shooting, or b) don't mind
replacing the lens on a fairly regular basis.
My suggestion is to either cough up the money for Canon's 50mm f/1.4 -
gains you a half a stop and is built to pro-quality standards - or pick up
the older version of the f/1.8 on the used market. Either option will
likely end up being cheaper in the long run.
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Best lens for the money, every EOS owner should have one., July 29,
2004
Reviewer: Roy
5 star for value and picture
quality.
With the money of 1.4 version, I can have 4 of this, you only lost half
stop of aperture. It is cheapest Canon lens yet produce probably the best
result. 80mm focal length on Digital Rebel and 10D means it is the best
solution for portrait lens.
Yeah, plastic lens is not as good as metal one. But I really doubt if it
will break any time.
for 75 bucks, every EOS owner should have one.
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A "gateway" lens..., May 4, 2006
Reviewer: David S. Nadal "d_spence"
Pros: Absolutely no better way to get started with prime lenses short of
finding a used EF 50mm f/1.4; it's fast, it's light, and it'll teach you
about depth of field and bokeh. It'll make you focus with your feet, and
getting closer WILL improve your images. If you get a good one--and I
received a good one first time out--the autofocus is fast and locks in
tight. And if something goes horribly wrong (slip, crash, tinkle), you can
buy a new one with very little heartburn.
Cons: With the sensor factor, it's effectively an 80mm lens, so it's not
really "normal," it's made of plastic, it can be soft when it's wide open
(the focal plane is vanishingly small at f/1.8), and it seems to be
subject to some quality control issues in manufacturing. If you have big,
meaty fingers, it can be difficult to find the ring when you want to focus
manually.
I bought this thing as an affordable experiment: it's been a happy little
surprise because it's a damn fine bit of glass. I find myself reaching for
it a lot, especially for close-up work. Now, the only thing holding me
back from more primes is that pesky money issue.
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Excellent photo quality, durability good so far, April 26, 2006
Reviewer: The Joneses
Ive been shooting with this lens in my bag for a few months - sometimes it
even ends up in my pocket. I havent had a an issue with durability yet.
The lens has great clarity at the midrange F stops for its price,
especially on a digital with a cropping factor. Any lens can have
aberrations at the minimum F stop - yes even the 'L' lenses - it just gets
less noticable as the price goes up. the question you should ask is how
much am I willing to spend to get that small increase in quality?
I dont think that I will have an issue with the durability as some other
reviewers have - mostly because I try not to abuse my camera.
If you are putting this on a Rebel XT then realize that although the Rebel
has great features, it is NOT a Pro body with dust and weather seals, an
alloy metal outerbody, etc.... and anything that will damage the lens will
most likely damage the body too. ALWAYS use a filter - UV, clear or haze
to protect the glass, and it will protect the end of the lens barrel too.
If you bought the Rebel XT because you wanted great and sometimes
incredible photos at a great price, then buy THIS lens too! If you bought
the 5D then you can afford the all metal 50mm 1.4, and send me your
hand-me-downs!
Pros: excellent optics for the price, small, light and fast.
Cons: 50mm is actually a little long for the 1.6 factor - I havent used it
as much as I thought I would. Plastic body will not take Pro level abuse -
should be fine for average or above average user who sometimes puts stuff
back in the camera bag.
Recommended based on value. Even with the 1.6 factor making it longer - I
like having it around at this price...
If you have a Rebel XT save the extra money from the 50mm F1.4 and buy the
Opteka Battery grip, an extra battery, another CF card and some good
filters.
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