Do I need a canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens for low light?

Question

Hello, I have a Canon EOS T3 with the usual 18-55 Lens kit. I went to a DSLR class and they HIGHLY recommended the 50mm lens over the 18-55 kit lens due to the low 1.8 aperture. I do not believe I will be taking photos where i want to blur background and other "special effects", but i would like this lens if it means i can take better overall photos in low light. what do you thing??

This is the one i have

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_is_ii


This is the one i think i may want.

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_50mm_f_1_8_ii#Overview

Answer 1

I have an EOS450D (Rebel XSi) with that 18-55 lens and I also have an EF 50mm F/1.8 (a gift in fact!)



Depends what low light performance you want. The 18-55 F/3.5-5.6 has Image stabilisation that gives you 2-3 stops advantage for hand holding. That gives it the low light performance of a F/1.8-2.8 provided the subject isn't moving! Equally if your subject isn't moving you caan use a tripod.



I recently set out to photograph a floodlit Yorkshire Abbey (Fountains Abbey) - I had tripod and all the trappings and when I got there decided I really couldn't be a**sed carrying all the kit around so I attached the 50mm F/1.8 and went handheld. Got some great shots at F/1.8 to 2.8 , ISO 200-800 and shutter speeds 1/50 to 1/200. Only afterwards did I realise that Abbeys don't move much (been there since 12 hundred and something!) so I could have taken the 18-55.



But that said! I use the 50mm for getting some fantastic shots of my grandkids - age 4 (and a half!) and 2yrs. They dont stay still very long so image stabilisation ain't much help!



Many times I like to travel light - stick on the 50mm lens and go out rambling in the Yorkshire Dales. Reminds me to think harder about framing the shot and getting the best angle instead of being lazy and relying on zoom.



I love my nifty fifty - need it? Probably not! Should you get one? Definitely - best value lens made by Canon!



Oh yes! Another use for it! When I go retro and use my film EOS, I attach the 50mm - it is an EF so it fits - the EF-S lenses won't mount.

Answer 2

First off, this is a supplement to your zoom, not a replacement.



Towards the end of MF, the 50mm standard lens was considered a bit passe, as more and more people bought zooms.



Now this lens is facing something of a revival as it works as a fast portrait lens on cropped sensors.



I use an M42 adapter with my 50mm f1.8 Pentacon on my EOS 350D, for the rare occasions when I use such a lens - this limits me to MF and Av and M exposure modes ( I never got rid of my old screw-mount system, so I have 28mm f2.8 and 135mm f2.8 as well).



Such a lens is certainly useful, but unlike Pentax or Nikon owners, Canon users can't use old MF lenses because of the mount change.



If you find the starting price a bit steep, you could certainly try a screw mount lens (you'd probably have to buy a Praktica or Zenit body to get it, but it's still a fraction of the price of the Canon) and EOS/M42 adapter and see how it pans out.

Answer 3

Yes, the 50mm f/1.8 will give you greater low light capability.



Do you need it? Depends. If all your low light shots are taken on a tripod of still subjects, then no. If you want to take shots freehand of moving subjects, then yes. You can also take low light subjects with your existing lens by using flash or strobes. Another tool in your bag is ISO. You can increase your ISO to take pix in low light, but you add noise when you do.



IOW, the 50mm f/1.8 lens extends the capability of your camera. If you don't need that capability, don't spend the $ on it.

Answer 4

supplement zoom replacement mf 50mm standard lens considered bit passe people bought zooms lens facing revival works fast portrait lens cropped sensors m42 adapter 50mm f18 pentacon eos 350d rare occasions lens limits mf av exposure modes rid screwmount system 28mm f28 135mm f28 lens pentax nikon owners canon users mf lenses mount change find starting price bit steep screw mount lens buy praktica zenit body fraction price canon eosm42 adapter pans

Answer 5

50mm f/1.8 has better quality and a wider aperture, meaning you could easily shoot in lower light without a flash (you don't want one in your son's eyes, unless it's bounced).



Here's a Lens Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/buying-a-lens/

Answer 6

this is not a replacement. This lens is good in low-loight, because the f/stop is 1.8