Newly Equipped w a Canon 50mm F1.8 prime

[blackrain]

Hi all,

recently just purchased a Canon 50mm prime lens F1.8....was recommended by a friend but am not very sure how to really utilise it! few constrains i felt
after buying the lens is that i couldnt really play around the zoom, or shot at a distant. the distance is fixed, therefore i have to go quite near to the
subject and shoot. however most of the time, i failed to find a sweet spot to snap away.....

so posting this up to see if anyone here can guide me into better usage of the 50mm prime lens?

 

[sinned79]

what u have bought is a prime fixed focal length and hence u cannot zoom with this lens. You had to walk front and back, left and right most of the times to shoot. To me it helps me to train on angles so i wun be lazy to stand at one spot to zoom in and out.

to get your subject in focus, u will need to be within the focusing distance (please read up what is the focusing distance of your lens).

this lens is not difficult to use, in fact, once u get the hang out of it. it is very useful especially in low light (dim) situations.

 

[gohjialong]

I suggest you read up more on different type of lens and their purpose for it? As well as your 50mm.

 

[SkyStrike]

Actually, for newcomers to DSLR, many will recommend either using the 18-55/xxx and/or 50mm. The 50mm (imo) is harder to use as compared to zoom lens. Most newcomers came from a P&S background where zoom is a norm.

But it may not be a bad thing owing this inexpensive large fast lens for dim light situations. But the drawback is like what you experienced, unable to zoom (unless with your feet). But to some, 50mm is just perfect. It will take time to get used to this lens.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by sweet spot. If you meant by finding the right angle, then the lens don't matter that much as you will have to use your creativity to create those angles. A good inspirational site to view these photos is flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/canonef50mm/. Hope those images can spark off your creativity and start to like it

 

[luckyorange]

hello ts, was like you also in the beignning also... just got to shoot more and get used to it

once you are used to it, you wont wan to take it off your cam haha, imo 50mm is better, why? because its better in low light (1.8) if still cannot increase iso if still cannot ext flash. =x. and the bokeh is nice too....

and now i've been using 50mm most of the time, only time i change is to 35mm another prime lens haha =x

 

[kelchew]

50 1.8 is a good and cheap Lens the only set back for this is noisy when af
And the look of it.

 

[blackrain]

so am i right to say that this lens mainly requires me to use my creativity to shoot from the right angle, plus mainly for bokeh shots?

 

[SkyStrike]

so am i right to say that this lens mainly requires me to use my creativity to shoot from the right angle, plus mainly for bokeh shots?

Not necessary true that it's mainly for bokeh, you can stop it down to f8 and get v.sharp shots too. All shots regardless of lens/brand/focal length requires your creativity and shot at a right angle to make it interesting

Afterall it's the person behind the camera that make those shots. Have fun with the 50mm

 

[Rashkae]

plus mainly for bokeh shots?

There is no such thing as a "bokeh shot". Learn what bokeh means before you anyhow use the term.

 

[Octarine]

so am i right to say that this lens mainly requires me to use my creativity to shoot from the right angle, plus mainly for bokeh shots?

All lenses require you to use creativity, nothing specific to primes. If you don't know how to use a lens even a zoom lens won't help you.

 

[bonrya]

Go to Av mode (or similar function in diff cameras), choose f2.8 and shoot. get used to it first then try f1.8 to enjoy the beauty of this lens.

 

[akszaksz]

The only way you can zoom with prime lens, is zoom by your legs =P

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

The only way you can zoom with prime lens, is zoom by your legs =P

Not sure if you've realized, but changing the focal length of the lens (zooming) vs walking closer to your subject gives you different results

 

[Prince Photogenic]

Not sure if you've realized, but changing the focal length of the lens (zooming) vs walking closer to your subject gives you different results

to be very very very honest, i have not.. lol..

but i'm using my 50mm just fine, or so i think..

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

to be very very very honest, i have not.. lol..

but i'm using my 50mm just fine, or so i think..

:thumbsup: Good for you!
That's all that matters.

 

[Prince Photogenic]

:thumbsup: Good for you!
That's all that matters.

Thanks, but i guess it doesnt hurt to understand the difference, for all i know, i might need it one day..

 

[RayLa82]

Hi TS,

Congrats on your new purchase. Once you get the hang out of it, you certainly will love it.

I use it more than my zoom. Unless I need wider angle then I will change it.

If not then I will leave it on my cam. Enjoy shooting...

 

[bonrya]

Thanks, but i guess it doesnt hurt to understand the difference, for all i know, i might need it one day..

Self poisoning is the best.

 

[Prince Photogenic]

Self poisoning is the best.

Self poisoning?

 

[bonrya]

Self poisoning?

:bsmilie: