Nifty Fifty

gaffmaster

Hi all,

I recently got my hands on a canon 50mm f1.8 for my 400d. I'm really enjoying it so far. Have yet to get great results.

Just wondering about Extension tubes for Macro shooting?

Can any of you shed more light on these. - How they work? Where to get them?

Feel free to post up your favourite nifty fifty shots on this thread.

Thanks a million.

Kali

Picked up the 1.8 for my 400d as well about a month ago, absolutely loving it for indoor shots, although sometimes a bit tight to fit everything in with the extra crop factor. Can't complain too much for the money though

One of my first shots with it:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2214692989_c323c53aaf_m.jpg

sasar

Can't really give you any advise on macro tubes, but regarding 50mm make sure you use aperture of 2.8 and above, as f/1.8-2 give quite poor results.
You can see it here:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=105&Camera=9&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=105&CameraComp=9&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

rabbitinlights

sasar wrote: »

regarding 50mm make sure you use aperture of 2.8 and above, as f/1.8-2 give quite poor results.

Simply incorrect. When used correctly its razor sharp.

elderlemon

rabbitinlights wrote: »

Simply incorrect. When used correctly its razor sharp.

Absolutely. The large aperture of the 50mm means that the DOF can be VERY VERY small - a matter of centimetres. Once you understand this and use the lens with this in mind then its tack sharp at 1.8.

Paulw

Here's a brilliant image with the 50mm f/1.4, taken at f/1.4, and it's pin sharp at the focus point. Best viewed in original size.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sineadw/2277582182/

It's not my photo, so I'm sure the photographer would appreciate comments.

rymus

have most recently used it on a 5D and would agree that when used properly, the results from it are astounding for such a cheap piece of plastic.

Dades

I just love that lens. I find myself using my legs instead of a zoom just so I can use it.

Would also be interested in find a macro extension...

A fav of mine here.

sasar

Paulw - nice shot, but I wouldn't call it pin sharp!
There have been a lot of tests done on this 50mm lens and it is not as sharp on 1.8 as on 2.8 - that is a fact guys, accept it.

Paulw

sasar wrote: »

Paulw - nice shot, but I wouldn't call it pin sharp!
There have been a lot of tests done on this 50mm lens and it is not as sharp on 1.8 as on 2.8 - that is a fact guys, accept it.

Not my shot, just a shot with the 50mm.

As I stated, if you go to the original size image, right on the focus point (nose) it is pin sharp.

As with any lens, they all have a specific sweet spot. But, with the correct camera and settings, a lens can be very sharp wide open.

rymus

damn.. I guess that was 60 quid wasted then.

sasar

First of all 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.8 are totally different, why do you think is such a difference in price?

Did anyone actually go to the link that I provided?

I am not saying this is a crap lens - it is worth its money, I have it as well. All I'm saying is that at f/1.8 it is not going to be as sharp as at f/2.8.

RoundyMooney

rymus wrote: »

have most recently used it on a 5D and would agree that when used properly, the results from it are astounding for such a cheap piece of plastic.

Excellent indeed.

I was lucky enough to see Faj at work recently with a similiar lens, and the results were excellent (informal night shots of many people getting drunk!).

Cabaal

50mm 1.8 is a fantastic lens for the price you pay, I have to thank Al for putting me onto getting worked out great for what I needed it for (a wedding)

Fajitas!

Heh, it's a warrior alright!

Mine is a bit beer stained, as it's the lens I take on nights out, and it dosn't fail.

50mm 1.4 that is!

I got a test run of the 50 1.8... and went straight for the 1.4 after using it.

PixelTrawler

Theres a huge price difference - simple question - is it really worth it?

Fajitas!

Depends on how far you want it to go, really!

m_stan

Back on topic and to answer the original question ...

Extension tubes are a cheap and easy way to test your hand at macro shooting. They aren't as good as the real deal, but you can get some nice results with them. I can't be specific on why a macro lens is so much better, as I don't own one, but I do have a fifty (1.8) and tubes which I've got some reasonably good results with. You can see some examples of my shots here.

One thing to note is that it's much easier to use manual focusing with this lens and tube combination. I found that out the hard way, so this should save you some time.

My advice would be to keep an eye on adverts.ie for some used tubes or get them from Kea on eBay.

sineadw

Paulw wrote: »

Here's a brilliant image with the 50mm f/1.4, taken at f/1.4, and it's pin sharp at the focus point. Best viewed in original size.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sineadw/2277582182/

It's not my photo, so I'm sure the photographer would appreciate comments.

Jesus I was wondering where all the hits for that were coming from!!

The ONE MAJOR drawback of 50+ tubes over a real macro is you can't focus over a few inches when they're on so you'll miss shots and get a right pain in the arse changing over and back all the time. Doesn't sound like much of a complaint, and its not really, but it gets very old quite quickly. Otherwise they're great! You should be able to get the Kenko ones on Ebay for about 60 ex shipping..

Mellor

sasar wrote: »

Paulw - nice shot, but I wouldn't call it pin sharp!
There have been a lot of tests done on this 50mm lens and it is not as sharp on 1.8 as on 2.8 - that is a fact guys, accept it.

No body said that it was sharpest at 1.8,
they just disagreed with what you called "poor results"

Every lens has its best aperature, the sweet spot. Most of the time this isn't going to be at the at max aperature

DonkeyStyle \o/

I'm loving this lens too, I heard someone mention F2.8 here a few months back and tried it out... beautiful for portrait shots... would definitely reccomend the OP leave the camera on Av and shoot at 2.8 for a while.

deaddonkey

i like it, it's a bit long for 99% of what i do, but when i shoot digital i do use it a lot.

gaffmaster

Thanks for the tips you lot.

I'll keep an eye out for second hand tubes.

If I ever get around to creating a flickr account i'll post some for C&C.

Cheers.