done some detailed research on the 50mm f1.8 II.

[Snoweagle]

AFAIK, zooms largest aperture is f/2.8. anything smaller will have to be primes.

There is an Olympus Zuiko lens that is a f/2.

 

[Shen siung]

Hmm, IMHO, I never consider anything about this lens, just go to shop then buy... since it is very cheap (compare to the cam I have bought....) Like the large aperture (of course, it is a prime :sweat: ....)

 

[Snoweagle]

Hmm, IMHO, I never consider anything about this lens, just go to shop then buy... since it is very cheap (compare to the cam I have bought....) Like the large aperture (of course, it is a prime :sweat: ....)

This lens is Canon's best-buy-for-the-buck lens. Many owned it and have testified for it.

 

[santaclaus2100]

There is an Olympus Zuiko lens that is a f/2.

Thank you Snoweagle, I learnt something new. Didn't know that. But in my mind, I was referring to Canon lenses but didn't specify it.

Wow, this Zuiko lens must be expensive.

 

[Snoweagle]

Thank you Snoweagle, I learnt something new. Didn't know that. But in my mind, I was referring to Canon lenses but didn't specify it.

Wow, this Zuiko lens must be expensive.

I'm not very sure as i don't use Olympus system.

 

[tester99]

Your forget that there are 2 components to perform AF: the camera and the lens.
The Camera will determine how much OOF the image is and will calculate the necessary changes to the focusing system in the lens. The result is something like "turn 5 degrees". Then the lens gets the command, turns and that's it. After the lens has done the changes it will confirm to the body and you'll get the AF confirmation light. There is no second check in the AF mode "One Shot". Which means: if your camera doesn't get it right your lens will not be correctly set.
It is also well-known that dim light does affect the AF accuracy, especially on the xxxD series. Contrasts are harder to recognize for the AF sensors. Also, the flickering of florescent light might add a fare share of inaccuracy.
One way to overcome this is to let go of the shutter and half-press again to refocus. You will notice that the lens will indeed make some corrections. Also keep in mind that the area covered by the sensor is bigger than the marking in the viewfinder. The focus might lock on something different. Especially in dim light you need to give a good target for the focus.
Lastly: read all critics of equipment with a pinch of salt. Keep in mind that unhappy people tend to be louder than happy people.

thanks for the insightful comment!

since there's no "2nd check", is it true that it's better to just leave my camera in AF servo even for candids with slight movement?

another thing is, the AF 'accuracy' improves if the body is upgraded, correct? :think:

 

[tester99]

AFAIK, zooms largest aperture is f/2.8. anything smaller will have to be primes.

okay thanks. it seems that my kit lens has been badly neglected these days. pretty used to 'manual zooming' with my feet.

another thing i realized is i'm pretty used to wide angle shots, so i may probably change or buy another large aperture prime with a shorter focal length (<50mm).

what's the next best bang for buck prime ( the sharpest point to be best @ largest aperture compared across different lenses ) from canon/tamron/sigma?

it seems that most of the lenses are in the price range of 400 and up.. so expensive

 

[Octarine]

since there's no "2nd check", is it true that it's better to just leave my camera in AF servo even for candids with slight movement?

Depends, 'lah. Right tool / settings for the right purpose. If you "hunt" for candids it might make sense. But static objects or when you do recomposing with Focus Lock you need "One Shot".

another thing is, the AF 'accuracy' improves if the body is upgraded, correct?

But compare which bodies have the same AF sensors. Unfortunately Canon doesn't reveal such details in their marketing papers. But a few guys in Internet get such insight information.

 

[Dithiolium]

Thank you Snoweagle, I learnt something new. Didn't know that. But in my mind, I was referring to Canon lenses but didn't specify it.

Wow, this Zuiko lens must be expensive.

These are probably the only current zoom lenses with f2.0
Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD -------- $3,100
Zuiko Digital ED 35-100mm F2.0 -------- $3,399

Very high SRP too. They can make f2.0 for zooms cos the sensor size is smaller for 4/3.
Canon and Nikon's zoom lenses max out at f2.8 for now.

I recently sold off my 50/1.8 due to low usage, used the $$ for an 18-55IS.

 

[twisted illusion]

okay thanks. it seems that my kit lens has been badly neglected these days. pretty used to 'manual zooming' with my feet.

another thing i realized is i'm pretty used to wide angle shots, so i may probably change or buy another large aperture prime with a shorter focal length (<50mm).

what's the next best bang for buck prime ( the sharpest point to be best @ largest aperture compared across different lenses ) from canon/tamron/sigma?

it seems that most of the lenses are in the price range of 400 and up.. so expensive

ef28 f2.8 shld be below 350 brand new bah...
ef35 f2.0 is above 450 for sure brand new...

 

[tester99]

ef28 f2.8 shld be below 350 brand new bah...
ef35 f2.0 is above 450 for sure brand new...

erm, you mean prime?

if i'm buying, will be looking for 2nd hand since lenses won't degrade so fast unless not well taken care of.

what's the best choice?

 

[tester99]

Depends, 'lah. Right tool / settings for the right purpose. If you "hunt" for candids it might make sense. But static objects or when you do recomposing with Focus Lock you need "One Shot".


But compare which bodies have the same AF sensors. Unfortunately Canon doesn't reveal such details in their marketing papers. But a few guys in Internet get such insight information.

sometimes candids i also lock then recompose, cos the AF point is not exactly where i want it to be. think i should just use AI focus then.

anyway the AF misses out by a bit - e.g. i aim head on at the ring on the finger, but it focussed on the skin. could see the pores on the fingers.. :bsmilie:

 

[twisted illusion]

erm, you mean prime?

if i'm buying, will be looking for 2nd hand since lenses won't degrade so fast unless not well taken care of.

what's the best choice?

yup, the 2 item ef28 and ef35 i mentioned is prime lens... but i think both is afd motor.. meaning super noisy type.. i m not sure ef50 II using wat motor, i never tried one before.. i am using ef28 new cos it is easier on my pocket.. and the price btw old n new is not big... so i prefer a new one lor... anyway, this type of len is not tat ex, so ppl normally chuck it at home even not using... hee.... but ef35 f2.0 give u one extra stop... but price is 100 over more for new... but i am kinda used to f2.8, just use higher iso shld be ok..

 

[tester99]

oh okay, but what's their respective sweet spot? since most ppl don't use their primes @ largest aperture. and any more 'value' substitutes for them? i'm looking for actually even shorter focal lengths.. maybe <30mm for a 1.6x body. suggestions?

 

[twisted illusion]

oh okay, but what's their respective sweet spot? since most ppl don't use their primes @ largest aperture. and any more 'value' substitutes for them? i'm looking for actually even shorter focal lengths.. maybe <30mm for a 1.6x body. suggestions?

i always uses f2.8 without flash on my little baby girl indoor... iso 400 - 1600 depending on the time of the day... pic come out okay at least to me...

ur <30mm equal len actual or after 1.6x crop (28 = 44.8mm) factor huh...

after my own research, i find that ef28 f2.8 is the cheapest... or value for money...

 

[tester99]

i always uses f2.8 without flash on my little baby girl indoor... iso 400 - 1600 depending on the time of the day... pic come out okay at least to me...

ur <30mm equal len actual or after 1.6x crop (28 = 44.8mm) factor huh...

after my own research, i find that ef28 f2.8 is the cheapest... or value for money...

actually i want it to be on par with the wide angle for my lx3, which means like 15mm on cropped, sounds impossible right? :think:

how's the IQ of your ef28 f2.8 compared to this cheapo f1.8?

 

[bEnd1ck]

I had mine for around 10 years already and it's still working great! Price of this lens has not changed much, I recall paying $160 for it at that time.

Yours is probably a made in japan mark I?

 

[twisted illusion]

actually i want it to be on par with the wide angle for my lx3, which means like 15mm on cropped, sounds impossible right? :think:

how's the IQ of your ef28 f2.8 compared to this cheapo f1.8?

i dnt knw (cos dnt hv a 50mm to compare), i no money, so no research so much.. lol.. happy with what i have now... keke...

but i knw there is some website giving u the answer side by side...

 

[JoeJerry]

Sharpness of 50/1.8 is OK with me. Don't expect miracle on this lens.
Taken at wide open, straight from camera..

 

[Lost Dog]

my favorite lens that literally kicked off my 17-55mm.. Don't like my 17-55mm f2.8 now just because of this lens.