CockersOnline Forum
Off Topic => Photography => Topic started by: *jean* on April 01, 2009, 06:20:39 PM
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anyone got it? how are you getting on with it and where did you find it cheapest.?
amazon are selling it at £309.99. free Pand P
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.4-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
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that's funny - spoke to someone this morning about exactly that Jean and the camera shop advised him to buy the cheap f1:8 and try it (he has a Canon 1d) - if he wasn't happy they would exchange it at full price for the f1:4....
He's got the 1:8 and is glad he hasn't spent the extra money....
so up to you really :D ;)
meant to say, what do you want the lens for? If it's for low light shots inside then invest in a flash and a f1.8 - flash can be used with all your lenses and it's good fun....
f1.8 - flash
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3240138990_bc1df041d9.jpg?v=0)
and f1.8 no flash
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3369056013_d9c00113ee.jpg?v=0)
this is 28-135mm lens & flash
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3404285240_ee5149476c.jpg?v=1238583581)
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I've got the 1.8 II rather than the USM, sure it's not as good but not a bad lens for the price http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005K47X
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I've also got the 50m F1.8 MK II lens
yes its more plasticy than the 1.4, and its got a noisier auto focus, but it is pin sharp, F1.8 is more than enough for what I use it for, its great in low light and is a lot cheaper (about £70-80 to buy new)
the nifty fifty as its known has a great following and is worth almost as much 2nd hand as new, so if you did get it, love it, but then decide you realy needed the extra stop to F1.4 then you could sell it for almost what you paid for it
question realy is ... what do you want to use the lens for ?
Phil
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the main difference is the build quality of the lens - the 1.8 feels more 'plastic-y' - it really does depend what you want it for and how much you'd use it. Personally it would be the 1.8 for me and more money to put towards a posh zoom in time ;)
I couldn't justify £300 for something I like but wouldn't use all the time (unlike the 28-135 that I use all the time ;) )
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I have the 1.8 for the same reasons already given - I'd rather spend more money on a faster zoom for action shots. I don't use this lens that often I have to admit, I've found it works best in conjunction with flash/studio lighting and I'm not that into taking indoor portrait shots but I've had a few nice studio photos out of it along the lines of those Helen posted. As already said it depends what you want to do with it and how much you think you'll use it as to whether the extra investment is worth it or not. What other lenses do you have and where do you want it to fit into your existing kit?
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Is this the camera you all recommend? if so who was the best company you brought it from and what extras do I need?
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Is this the camera you all recommend? if so who was the best company you brought it from and what extras do I need?
this is one of the lenses you can use with the camera - we all have slightly different ones...
I think Phil & Jenny use a Canon 350d
Jean and I have a 400d (I think Jean does...)
and Nicola has a 50d (which I am very jealous of)
the latest model is due out so the 350d's and 400d's will be dropping even further in price so you will be able to get quite a good deal.
The very expensive bit will be the lenses.......... ph34r :shades:
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So I'm looking for a Canon 50d?? Or is this the lens? I'm officially camera thick! ph34r
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So I'm looking for a Canon 50d?? Or is this the lens? I'm officially camera thick! ph34r
No, I wouldn't go for a Canon 50d for my first DSLR - a 350d or 400d maybe, and I think Debsallen has just got the 1000d so pm her about that one.
I've had mine nearly 2 years and I'm still learning how to take pics - they are fabulous but there's a lot to it, so don't expect to be David Bailey in one sitting ;) :-* (2 sittings maybe ;) )
The EF50mm in the title is one of the lenses you can get ;)
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I think I'm finally getting it!! ph34r So I'm going to go for for the canon 400d!! We need a new camera so I'd rather get a decent one if I'm going to pay the money!
May be emailing you for some lessons though on how to use it though! ph34r
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400d is an excellent choice, the new latest (500) has just been released, so the 450 and 400 will be coming down in price very soon, if not already
I would suggest going into a camera shop and physicaly holding the camera and the equivilent nikon etc, to make sure you get something that feels right to you
I've got a canon and know many people with them, but also know people with nikon's who rave about them, theres always some banter between canon and nikon owners, however whats important to you is what feels right in your hand, coz if it dont feel right, then that will effect how you take pictures
ps, its often cheaper online, but well worth a trip to a store to go play
also consider 2nd hand from places like london camera exchange (they have stores all over the country)
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Thankyou! Brace yourself people for alot of photos of Harvey!! b ph34r ph34r
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Regarding the lens,
I agree with Helen the 50mm 1.8 is a much better buy especially if you can get hold of a second hand MK1 model (it has a metal lens mount, is of superior build quality and is optically better than the MK2) expect to pay £50-80 on ebay for a clean example.
As Helen says the 28-135is is a much better proposition than the 50mm 1.4 if the money is burning a hole in your pocket, it has optical image stabalisation built in to boot although this can ruin as many shots as it saves if you forget it is turned on.
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Ive got the 28-135 and use it all the time, got it a year ago. my 75 - 300 has been mostly ditched and the kit lens has never hardly been used. this 50 mm prime lens is for indoor shots mainly where flash is not always acceptable and with a 1.4 more than fast enough to deal with most things ill ask of it. I did look at the 1.8 it felt a bit rattly so am tempted to save up for the 1.4 . Im not after an L lens. ( tho id love one or two) I cant justify the expense.
however this june I will be 50 and I will have to think of things I want to get for my birthday.. this may be one thing i will ask for. ;)
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Ive got the 28-135 and use it all the time, got it a year ago. my 75 - 300 has been mostly ditched and the kit lens has never hardly been used. this 50 mm prime lens is for indoor shots mainly where flash is not always acceptable and with a 1.4 more than fast enough to deal with most things ill ask of it. I did look at the 1.8 it felt a bit rattly so am tempted to save up for the 1.4 . Im not after an L lens. ( tho id love one or two) I cant justify the expense.
however this june I will be 50 and I will have to think of things I want to get for my birthday.. this may be one thing i will ask for. ;)
Ask for a flash as well then :lol2: I was going for a 1.4 until I got a flash and learnt how to use it. While the 1.4 is obviously very good in low light it's not particularly versatile .....
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There is another factor to consider
yes the F1.4 is a full stop on from the F1.8 which means it will let twice the amount of light in, however it also means it will make the already bonkers shallow depth of field even shallower, a portrait at F14 would have the eyes in focus and nothing else, the nose would be blured on a human let along a dog
to get the right depth of field and the right light, I end up often shooting at F4 or F8 but then with good light or a flash
I have a Canon 430exII flash and a cheap set of ebay radio triggers so I can use it off the camera ... now thats an investment that has changed a lot and allowed me to do SOOO much more
just some more info for thought
oh ... go into a shop, try both, take a picture of an a4 sheet of text at 45 degrees to it so you can see the depth of field, and then think when will I want it so shallow ?
Phil
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There is another factor to consider
yes the F1.4 is a full stop on from the F1.8 which means it will let twice the amount of light in, however it also means it will make the already bonkers shallow depth of field even shallower, a portrait at F14 would have the eyes in focus and nothing else, the nose would be blured on a human let along a dog
to get the right depth of field and the right light, I end up often shooting at F4 or F8 but then with good light or a flash
I have a Canon 430exII flash and a cheap set of ebay radio triggers so I can use it off the camera ... now thats an investment that has changed a lot and allowed me to do SOOO much more
just some more info for thought
oh ... go into a shop, try both, take a picture of an a4 sheet of text at 45 degrees to it so you can see the depth of field, and then think when will I want it so shallow ?
Phil
thanks thats really helpful.
hamfam Ill have a look on ebay for a mk 1 1.8
thanks you lot. x
good idea about the flash helen tho it was really for flash free pics Im after the lens, but Im sure I could be tempted to take a pic or 2 of the pooches with it!
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I was very much like that about flash too, but now I've got a little cheap-ish one it's actually not that scary (I think it was my 'I have so much to learn about the camera I can't cope with the flash as well' paranoia).
At the moment all I'm doing is bouncing the flash off the ceiling so that's the extent of my knowledge so far ph34r The skill is to get the light just there so it looks natural and I have a way to go yet with it. The flash does help with sharpness in the eyes which is one of my major frustrations so it's a start - I didn't get anything expensive - just the Nissin Digital Di622 (which is a speedlite) - anything more expensive to me was a waste as I needed to learn the basics first, but it swivels which to me is a must for portrait pics....and it's easy just to shove it on the camera with one of my existing lenses too. I'm going to venture into trying some fill-in flash outside when I have some time so will let you know how I get on.
I like the 1.4 but I think it's a bit of a one trick pony and TBH I'm getting bored with pics obviously taken with the 1.4 and the extreme shallow depth of field (but that's my personal feeling).
(I love how Phil is the techie about this and I'm the girlie wuss with no technical no-how but we still come up with the same answer :005: )
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Like Helen, I bought a cheap flash so I can bounce off the ceiling abd results much better than using the built in flash. Wish I'd paid a bit more for a swivel though as I keep forgetting when I tilt camera for portraits and the flash bouces off something somewhere :shades:
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your next thing to do is to get a set of flash triggers, less than £20 off ebay, then you can set the flash up to the side and trigger it remotely
whole other side to flash, gives you more control so you can make it look like its from a window etc rather than direct above the lens or bounce from celing
Im not that techie am I ...... err ... well ... yeah ... ok .... puts his propellor hat back on
Phil
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your next thing to do is to get a set of flash triggers, less than £20 off ebay, then you can set the flash up to the side and trigger it remotely
whole other side to flash, gives you more control so you can make it look like its from a window etc rather than direct above the lens or bounce from celing
Im not that techie am I ...... err ... well ... yeah ... ok .... puts his propellor hat back on
Phil
:rofl1:
ok Mr Tech-head - link me to what I should be getting from that well known on-line auction site ;)
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your next thing to do is to get a set of flash triggers, less than £20 off ebay, then you can set the flash up to the side and trigger it remotely
whole other side to flash, gives you more control so you can make it look like its from a window etc rather than direct above the lens or bounce from celing
Im not that techie am I ...... err ... well ... yeah ... ok .... puts his propellor hat back on
Phil
:rofl1:
ok Mr Tech-head - link me to what I should be getting from that well known on-line auction site ;)
me too please, did look there and Amazon and wasn't sure what's compatible ph34r
Picked up a cheap black sheet, got a week off next week so feel a bit of studio flash coming on :005:
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/wireless-flashgun-trigger-V2-TM-Canon-420EX-580EX-430EX_W0QQitemZ120396607235QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item120396607235&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/wireless-flashgun-trigger-V2-TM-Canon-420EX-580EX-430EX_W0QQitemZ120396607235QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item120396607235&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)
for example
there are other sellers ,. and I've not use this one myself, do a search for v2 flash trigger to find more
opens a whole new world .... well worth it :)
I also got http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Two-mini-Umbrellas-Flash-Bracket-Kit-speedlite-fit_W0QQitemZ390039527066QQihZ026QQcategoryZ3860QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m183QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DCRX%26its%3DI%252BC%252BS%252BIA%26itu%3DUCC%252BUCI%252BSI%252BLM%252BUS-WP%252BLA%26otn%3D12%26ps%3D34 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Two-mini-Umbrellas-Flash-Bracket-Kit-speedlite-fit_W0QQitemZ390039527066QQihZ026QQcategoryZ3860QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m183QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DCRX%26its%3DI%252BC%252BS%252BIA%26itu%3DUCC%252BUCI%252BSI%252BLM%252BUS-WP%252BLA%26otn%3D12%26ps%3D34) and now I feel like a pro !
£40 ish .... some postage, a black cloth .. another colour cloth ... you got yourself a studio :)
mr techy head signing off :lol2:
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oooOOO!! that's why my pic with the black sheet didn't work :-\ I don't have any of these techi things :005: think it's a bit over my head atm... though I will be practising some more with my camera settings and then invest in flashes and bits later on...or maybe... I might stick myself in at the deep end and invest now ;)
Thanks for all this info :D it's great to see tips and advice for the future, been a bit scared to join a photo forum till I understand the jargon more
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Personally i don't think you would go far wrong if you splashed out a fiver on one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Softbox-Flash-Diffuser-Canon-Nikon-Sony-Pentax-Minolta_W0QQitemZ170315594774QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) to go with your flash - it will bring you far more 'savers' than spending out on a flash with swivel.
On the subject of splashing, i just bought on of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260320463570) - looks to be up to the job, well made and could be a boon for cold wet days but will take a bit of getting used to methinks
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or ... make one of these for a couple of quid at most
http://abetterbouncecard.com/
sorry for the hijack jean ..... did you come to a decison as to what you are going to do ?
Phil
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not yet .. theres no hurry you see. I think you guys have given me enough info to go for the 1.8 Id love a mark 1 as its a bit more robust. dont suppose you can find me one on ebay could you? theres one in america but I worry about it getting hurt in transit.
also helens flash sounds ideal. Im not and never will be a brilliant photographer, but its a hobby Im learning slowly. I havent got a tripod yet and I bet my bumbareelie you guys do so what one do you suggest?
this has been most helpful already those links are interesting as well, will have a good look later at them ( am heading to work in a mo )
tho the look of the blow up one made me laff it reminds me of the insides of those wine boxes we used to drink ( in my misspent yoof!) when every last drop was done we used to blow them up and use them as balloons to chuck at each other, very grown up (not!)