Is 50mm macro f/2 a good everyday lens?

[stunna88]

I wanna ask if the above lens is a good everyday lens? As i'm considering of getting one.
My priority is image quality and since it's a prime lens, the image quality shud b great as it's been evident in some reviews.

However, the viewing angle may not be wide (50mm) so I want some feedbacks from u guys if it's gud for everyday lens (which means it will always be attached to my dslr)

Thanks

[Mikefellh]

Whether or not the focal length is too tele depends on what YOU want to shoot, and how YOU want to shoot it. If you have any of the lenses that covers the 50mm range (40-150, 50-200, etc.) or that comes close to 50mm (14-42, 14-45, 14-54, 12-60, etc.), set that lens to 50mm (or as close as you can get to 50mm) and see if it's wide enough or if you need wider.

[Oly5050]

To me, the answer is, it is not an everyday lens, although I use it nearly everyday. I consider it a specialty lens. Mike is absolutely right ..... it depends. U gotta tell us what u use the camera for.

The 50 mm F2.0 to me is great for macro, portrait and for low light situations. It is also fast, but also not fast. Fast because it is F2.0 ...ie shutter fast .... but not fast, because its AF is slower compared to the other lenses. But the picture quality is great. Like Drakon will call it....it is not just tack sharp...it is BLEEDING sharp! But u gotta know how to use it.

An everyday lens to me would be more like the 14-54 or 14-42 or 12-60 for most photographers.

Here...check out this poll....u can see how popular the 50 mm is. BUT, mebbe we should have a poll on frequency of use.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showt...ht=poll+lenses

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by stunna88 I wanna ask if the above lens is a good everyday lens? As i'm considering of getting one. My priority is image quality and since it's a prime lens, the image quality shud b great as it's been evident in some reviews. However, the viewing angle may not be wide (50mm) so I want some feedbacks from u guys if it's gud for everyday lens (which means it will always be attached to my dslr) Thanks

I think I know what you are after.... I would say the 25mm will be a better choice, pair it with the E-420 or E-620, and you'll have a combo which you will be bringing along with you wherever you go.

[stunna88]

Sorry for the confusion. Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries). 12-60mm is too expensive for me... so would 14-54mm be the ideal choice in terms of price/performance?

Thanks for the comments

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by stunna88 I wanna ask if the above lens is a good everyday lens?

It is my most used lens, so I guess it is my every day lens. If it can be your every day lens or not depends on your shooting. It is definitely a very nice lens.

[bousozoku]

Originally Posted by stunna88 Sorry for the confusion. Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries). 12-60mm is too expensive for me... so would 14-54mm be the ideal choice in terms of price/performance? Thanks for the comments

I have the 50mm, the 14-54mm, and the 50-200mm lenses and I find the 50mm macro to be my least used lens and the least convenient to use lens, so I would say no to your question about using it in every day situations.

The 14-54mm is a very good lens and is light enough and rather convenient. I believe that the zoom range is quite nice, considering the brightness of the lens and the price.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by stunna88 Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries).

Price/performance DOESN'T MATTER if the focal length of the lens is not right for YOUR needs! The FIRST thing to consider when buying a lens is its focal length, not if the price is right or it has good performance.

First you have to answer for yourself if that focal length (50mm) is right for you...you seem to be asking us that question but you have to answer it for yourself.

Again if you have any lens that already covers that focal length (50MM) or comes close, adjust it to that focal length and go out and shoot the things that you would use the 50mm lens for, and see if you can continue shooting without being tempted to zoom to something other than 50mm!

It is true that one time primes ruled, but back then zooms were either poor quality, or too expensive (for the good ones). But back then the "normal" walking around lens was ~25mm (being the focal length similar to the human eye).

Personally though I would find it quite difficult to be limited to that one (or other) focal length. I admit that even though I have both a 50mm and 25mm prime lens in my collection I NEVER use them, not even in a situation where that focal length would be the optimal one used because I know I would want the option to zoom.

[Pupster]

I consider this lens my walkabout lens. Though I have the 25mm f1.4, I find the equivalent 50mm too wide for my liking (but that's just me). You have to find out if you are comfortable with the focal length. The IQ is great, so is the long focusing range. AF is slower though, and may hunt.

However, you do have to consider your day ahead, as the equivalent 100mm is difficult to work with indoors and landscape-type shots.

[Oly5050]

Originally Posted by stunna88 Sorry for the confusion. Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries). 12-60mm is too expensive for me... so would 14-54mm be the ideal choice in terms of price/performance? Thanks for the comments

Based on what you have written, the 14-54 would be the most ideal your everyday lens.

[nokkieg]

Originally Posted by stunna88 Sorry for the confusion. Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries). 12-60mm is too expensive for me... so would 14-54mm be the ideal choice in terms of price/performance? Thanks for the comments

Hi Stunna,

Note that you just joined the forum and happy to know that you are considering the Olympus line of cameras.

If you are buying a new camera and looking for a great travel lens, if you have the budget, get the E-30 with the 14-54 mk2 and you'll be pretty happy with it for a while.

If you are just starting out with SLRs, then the E620 with the 14-42 and 40-150 definitely covers you for a great range.

If you are just starting out with SLR and most likely or will most often use your SLR camera while traveling, then lookout for the e450 with the 14-42 and 40-150 lens. Its lightweight, small size and lower price point will most likely give a better justification in investing in an SLR system.

[spidey89]

Originally Posted by nokkieg Hi Stunna, Note that you just joined the forum and happy to know that you are considering the Olympus line of cameras. If you are buying a new camera and looking for a great travel lens, if you have the budget, get the E-30 with the 14-54 mk2 and you'll be pretty happy with it for a while. If you are just starting out with SLRs, then the E620 with the 14-42 and 40-150 definitely covers you for a great range. If you are just starting out with SLR and most likely or will most often use your SLR camera while traveling, then lookout for the e450 with the 14-42 and 40-150 lens. Its lightweight, small size and lower price point will most likely give a better justification in investing in an SLR system.

I agree with you on what you said except the last point about the E-450,E-450 and E-620 not really noticeable in weight to me,if it were up to me,i will get E-620 for it's LCD screen and the IS,but if i were on budget,i'm most likely to get the E-450,if both are still out of budget,i will go for the older models E-520 or E-420 since the art filters are not needed for me,that is my opinion/choice anyway,take it with a pinch of salt

[aryanto]

FYI spidey is very strong man, few who are capable of hand holding 90-250mm lense that weight 3,270g considerably longer time than the rest of us who has broken arm after 10-20 minutes.

[schon]

i use it for streets

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by stunna88 I wanna ask if the above lens is a good everyday lens? As i'm considering of getting one. My priority is image quality and since it's a prime lens, the image quality shud b great as it's been evident in some reviews. However, the viewing angle may not be wide (50mm) so I want some feedbacks from u guys if it's gud for everyday lens (which means it will always be attached to my dslr) Thanks

Originally Posted by stunna88 Sorry for the confusion. Wad I mean is dat I'm gonna use it when i'm going out wif my friends (taking photos in various places we go) and when i'm travelling (taking photos of people wif sceneries). 12-60mm is too expensive for me... so would 14-54mm be the ideal choice in terms of price/performance? Thanks for the comments

I am assuming that you have the impression that 'standard' lens with about 47 degrees FOV (25mm on 4/3s format, 50mm on 35mm format) are 'everyday' or 'walkabout' lenses. if that is the case, you might want to read this article on dpreview: http://blog.dpreview.com/editorial/2...dard-lens.html

for your intended use - group shots with friends, friends at scenic location etc, a standard zoom lens will probably suit you better. the wide end will be useful for group shots and scenery and the short telephoto end will be useful for close-up shots or isolating 1 person or subject in a crowd.

if you have the 14-42 already, you might want to stick with it awhile more while you learn more about photography and its fundamentals.

then decide if you need a fast prime lens like the 50mm f/2 or standard prime lens like the 25mm f/2.8