Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

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Archive 2005 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

dazedgonebye
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p.1 #1 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

I've gone back and forth on this for so long that it's funny.
50mm 1.4 vs. 50mm 1.8 vs 50mm 2.5 macro.

I know many people love the MkII as a real bargain. It's just that it is so butt ugly, and that focus ring looks useless!

The resolution info at photozone.de had me leaning toward the f1.4, but it's so hard to translate numbers in to noticeable differences.

In the end, I bought it because I know I can always resell it on B&S. I paid $71.94 from Amazon...shipped. They go for that on B&S all the time ('cause apparently very few people know how to compare prices

Dec 09, 2005 at 06:25 PM

capitalK
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p.1 #2 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

congrats! I went through the same dilemma and came to the same conclusion.

Dec 09, 2005 at 06:54 PM

yido
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p.1 #3 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

I find the thrify fifty a good lens for indoor portraits.
Have fun with the lens. It's built crappy, but optically good.

Dec 10, 2005 at 05:22 AM

Eric Williams
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p.1 #4 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

Hi Steven,

For a price like that, and the ability to resell it here for about that price, it's worth taking a look at. Amazon has a really nice return policy as well if you decide it's not for you.

Every time I put it on the camera I'm amazed what the lens can do.

Enjoy,

Eric

PS - Did you ever work for an insurance company in IT? Your name is very familiar.

Dec 10, 2005 at 06:11 AM

mc75
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p.1 #5 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

It seems even worse than the 18-55 by the feel, but optically it kicks butt.

Dec 10, 2005 at 07:29 AM

jedrek
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p.1 #6 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

Whenever I help someone pick and choose their first D/SLR (hey, some people still want film) I tell them to skip whatever POS kit lens Canon is trying to push that month, and just get a 50 1.8. Of course, a lot of people say 'but the 18-55 is a lot of lens for that money' - but it's really not, and the 50 1.8 is proof that you can do better. I actually bought a 350D + 50 1.8 for a friend yesterday, I'm sure he'll be a lot happier with it then he would be with the 17-55, and the price was the same.

I have a 50 1.8 MkI that's been in my family since my brother bought it new in '90 or '91 and I absolutely adore it.

Dec 10, 2005 at 01:02 PM

jojosung
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p.1 #7 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

now.. how is that friend going to do any sort of wide angle shots without shelling out $500+

PPL are saying the kit lens is the "best" alternative to get the wide angle cheaply

also comparing prime to zoom is like comparing apples to oranges

Dec 10, 2005 at 01:54 PM

dazedgonebye
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p.1 #8 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

Eric Williams wrote:
Hi Steven,

For a price like that, and the ability to resell it here for about that price, it's worth taking a look at. Amazon has a really nice return policy as well if you decide it's not for you.

Every time I put it on the camera I'm amazed what the lens can do.

Enjoy,

Eric

PS - Did you ever work for an insurance company in IT? Your name is very familiar.

No Eric,
Never around insurance.
There are more Maniscalcos then you might imagine.

Dec 10, 2005 at 02:05 PM

dazedgonebye
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p.1 #9 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

I figure if I'm satisfied that's a great deal. If not, I can recoup most of my money and move on to the f1.4.

I never knock the kit. Wide angle isn't something I'm willing to do without, and for someone with their first lens, it's hard to beat.

Dec 10, 2005 at 02:07 PM

jojosung
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p.1 #10 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

Steven it was in response to jedrek

I recommended the 18-55 to all my friends who are going into DSLR .. b/c they are unwilling to pay 500+ for Canon or 200 vivitar/tamron

Dec 10, 2005 at 04:46 PM

jen729w
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p.1 #11 · Ok, I finally bought a 50mm mkII

Yay! for the nifty fifty. I'm just about to pop out for the day, camera in hand (but not particularly to take photos, I'm just taking it out with me). Lens of choice? 24-105mm f/4L? My fancy Sigma 30mm prime? Naaah. On goes the fifty, and out I go to have fun.

Who cares if the front focus ring feels like it's about to drop off? Not me. I'd bet good money this one stays in your bag. Have fun with it.

Dec 11, 2005 at 03:49 AM


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