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General => General discussion => Topic started by: cняis on 06 September 2011, 22:58

Title: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: cняis on 06 September 2011, 22:58
...50mm prime lens over, say a 35-80mm zoom lens? (canon)

In reality was does the lower F number achieve?

I'm trying to justify buying a prime lens in addition to the 35-80 I already have...
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: Diamond Hell on 06 September 2011, 23:09
50mm prime you can stop it down and get pin-sharp low depth of field shots.

Being able to stop the 50mm F1.8 down so far also means you can shoot in much lower light without the flash.

The 50mm is SO full of epic - you simply won't believe how you did without one.  :grin:
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: cняis on 06 September 2011, 23:14
Purchase justified, although I will have to wait until next month as I've just bought some camera goodies  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: shepgti on 07 September 2011, 01:06
for the price you can buy a 50mm prime 1.8 its silly not to have one!
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: Ridg on 07 September 2011, 09:38
prime lenses generally have 0 or very little distortion in comparison to a zoom lens, because the glass is designed for just one focal length the IQ is generally higher than a zoom, you should find very little vignetting and corner to corner sharpness is improved (extension to what DH said).

using a fixed focal length lens is a great place to start too as it gets you moving around a subject looking at it, instead of simple zooming in or out of a subject.
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: the_stink on 07 September 2011, 09:44
as mentioned its just a fantasic lens to have in your kit and is a basic Fail not to have one  :grin:

the crispness of shots and dof is amazing! and hey if you want to zoom in step closer and vice versa  :wink:
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: cняis on 07 September 2011, 13:31
alright chaps i'll invest, and just not tell the mrs...  :grin:

thanks for your input :afro:
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: T_J_G on 07 September 2011, 14:29
Wise investment, they're not the best built item so look after it ( if we are talking Canon here...)
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: Diamond Hell on 07 September 2011, 19:21
Wise investment, they're not the best built item so look after it ( if we are talking Canon here...)

The front of mine fell out  :sad:

Nearly spent the purchase price getting it repaired. DOH!

Should have just bought another one!
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: DubFan on 07 September 2011, 19:42
The Canon ones are around £80-90.
Cos I'm on a Sony camera, I had to pay £130 for mine, but definately worth it.
I use mine so much, often leaving it on the camera instead of the 18-70mm zoom.
The low F stop allows you to do great depth of field shots like this (where lots of the background is out of focus)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6060124388_8a0e95fcdd_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47903765@N00/6060124388/)
Love bugs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47903765@N00/6060124388/) by AlistairBeavis (http://www.flickr.com/people/47903765@N00/), on Flickr

It also means you can take photos in darker places like this:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5320/5888882912_07a9c08d1a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47903765@N00/5888882912/)
DSC06757a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47903765@N00/5888882912/) by AlistairBeavis (http://www.flickr.com/people/47903765@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Noob question: Benefits of using a...
Post by: Mortimer Hill on 10 September 2011, 07:40
...50mm prime lens over, say a 35-80mm zoom lens? (canon)

In reality was does the lower F number achieve?

I'm trying to justify buying a prime lens in addition to the 35-80 I already have...

The low F number, f1.8, means a a larger maximum aperture, which in turn means shallow depth of field when used wide open and equally faster shutter speeds when used wide open.