Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

I have been using the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for almost 2 years now. Bought for about $70 from JR. As many reviewers have stated, plastic case is cheap, focusing ring is obscure and it may not survive a drop from couple of feet on to a hard surface, but it does take super sharp pictures. On a cropped sensor camera like Digital Rebel or 40D, the 50mm is great for portraits. I compared it with $1000 EF 24-105 L at 50mm @ f/4. This lens is the winner(agree this is a prime and the other is a zoom, still it's an L). If you can handle it gently and carefully, you should own one. It is the "best value for money" item in my kit.

Every DSLR owner should own at least one prime lens with a wide aperature. For amateurs, the 1.8 is the obvious choice. This lens is too inexpensive--and too good--for amateur DSLR owners not to own a copy.

Obviously, it doesn't have a zoom, so it's not a good landscape or telephoto lens--you probably wouldn't rely on it at a sporting event, the Grand Canyon, or the zoo. Still, it's the lens that is on my XTi most of the time. I'm definitely an amateur, and I primarily take pictures of my family and friends at various events or around the house. Its portraiture capability is great, and with the large aperatures you can really get creative. The 50mm is great in low light too if--if--you have enough contrast for the lens to lock in on focus. Otherwise, the lens has a tendency to hunt. As long as you aren't shooting in pitch black and can find a contrast point to lock on to, you won't have a big problem.

I've also found that my lens has a slight accuracy problem at higher aperatures. It's not a big deal, but you definitely get a little "dreamy" effect at f/1.8 if you're not careful. But the depth of field is so narrow, that it's probably partly user error, too.

As for the build quality, this seems to be the biggest knock against the 1.8. I don't think it's as bad as some people say. If you're content with the build quality of the kit lens on the digital rebels, which also have plastic mounts, you'll be fine with the build quality of this 50mm.

Is it better than the Canon 50mm F/1.4 or F/1.2L? Clearly, it's not. But some people would never spend so much money for a prime, anyway. The 50mm f/1.8 is for those people. It's so cheap and takes such good photos that, unless you're really serious and looking at the 1.4 or 1.2, you'd be silly not to own the 1.8.

for amateurs, this is a very nice lens to have. it's cheap and very sharp stopped down below f/2. If you can afford it, though, get the 50mm f/1.4. the images from the 1.4 are slightly better, but the thing that really sets it apart is the focusing. the 1.4 has USM focusing while this one does not. this lens takes forever to focus in low light and intense light. sometimes I can't get it to lock on at all and I have to manual focus. even then some times I can't get it to confirm that I'm in focus.

I love the crispness of this lens, I love how it saves my hide in low light. When it does. I have had my Rebel XTi for almost a year now, and shot almost 5000 images with it. I never once have experienced ERROR 99, till the first day I used this 50mm lens. Second time I went to use it on the shooting assignment - the same thing happened. I would work for a while, and then go into ERR99 freeze, I would have to turn the camera off, then back on to get few more shots, till it happens again. Does not happen when other lenses I own are used. I might update, when I find out more about whets going on...

This lens is great for indoors, walking around outdoors, portraits, and basically all kinds of photography. If you are looking for a general use lens for an EXTREMELY good price, this is definitely the lens for you.