Being a great fan of bokeh (which is, by the way Japanese for out-of-focus blur in photographs) it didn’t take long for me to be tempted to get myself a fast prime lens.
Luckily Canon had this really, really affordable lens in the form of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II that wouldn’t really hurt my wallet after spending on the 1000D just less than two months ago. Which, bring us to the fact that its been barely two months into my foray into the dSLR world and I’m already getting a second lens.
A few friends were surprised that I’m already acquiring a new lens so soon. Thing is, I’m not new to dSLRs or photography in general. Even before I got a dSLR, I was already pretty sure what I wanted and had a (growing) mental wishlist of gears I’d like to have. The only thing holding me back is of course, budget. Because lets face it, photography is an expensive hobby.
That said, Dad helped me get this one in KL during his last working trip there! This is definitely the last lens I’m gonna acquire in awhile, for a kit lens + 50mm combo is more than sufficient for me to move on. =)
The 50mm spent its early days as an unglamourous ‘standard lens’ that came default with all SLR cameras back in the 35mm film days. Its a prime lens, which means it has a fixed focal length unlike those of zoom lenses which allow you to zoom in and out of your subject. So why would you want a lens you can’t zoom for, you ask.
The main selling point of the nifty fifty is it’s wide aperture, which you can’t get with the normal kit lens or cheap zooms that comes with dSLRs these days. Wide aperture lens are great for shooting in low light and are responsible for the bokeh effect due to a narrow depth-of-field associated with a wider aperture.
If you really wanna know more about the 50mm and its advantages try out this article at Gary Voth Photography: The Forgotten Lens.
I don’t know but if you’d ask me. A 50mm prime is sure worth every penny. It’s very good glass, delivers stunning quality and it’s fast. My only qualms with this lens is it’s rather noisy clunky autofocus motor, but that of course, doesn’t affect image quality whatsoever.
So yeah.
Slap on a 130g 50mm f/1.8 II (the lightest Canon lens ever) onto a 1000D body, which also happens to be the lightest Canon dSLR at 475g — you’ll get a powerful 600g bokeh machine.
Tell me that isn’t good. =P
If you haven’t yet heard about it, check out my Photoblog at http://img.tehCpeng.net!
ah! you’re making me jealous!! I’ve only had my dslr for two months as well, but I haven’t bought any lenses yet, I’m saving up for the 60mm macro lens 🙂 My friend has this 50mm lens though, I tried a couple of shots with her camera and the bokeh is great!
I didn’t know that! *high fives* =D
Ah, the EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro with USM? Looks like a very good lens! Can’t wait to see the pictures you’ll start churning out with that lens. =) My next lens would most likely be a telephoto but ah, like I said, I’ve gotta put my lens acquisition on hold due to low funds, haha!
Hey, that’s the same lens Samantha got as her 2nd! I … am thinking I’m not a photographer. 😉 I do know, however, that I’m not a bokeh guy.
PS: Though your bokehs here are just. Plain. Zamazing. *sigh*
Is that so? I must’ve missed her blog post on that then! I know quite a few people who also got a 50mm as their 2nd lens, which is really understandable since they’re so cheap!
Well. If you’d ask me, being a photographer is not about what gear you have, or don’t have. Of course you’ll obviously need a camera but… that’s all to it!
I’d rather explore the creative limits of photography with whatever limited gear I have rather than having a whole range of tools not knowing how to exploit them all.
Makes sense, dontcha think? 😉
holy~ you bought one already, no wonder i see extremely nice bokehs in your pictures now. damn… my target for this year is to get myself a f1.8 lens too!
Hehe. Great to hear that! Do get a 50mm f1.8, very highly recommended. =D
I was just about to say Hey! That was my 2nd lens too!
Then I saw Cedric had already said it.
Spoiler.
Anyway! I agree it really is noisy when focusing.
The most fascinating thing about it to me is that it’s so SMALL.
Portraits are awesome with it.
I’m guessing he wouldn’t have thought you’d be here. Which reminds me, welcome! =D
Yeah, tell me about it! Only makes me appreciate the speed and quietness of the 18–55 kit. Sometimes I worry if the motor would break the whole thing. =(
Small and light, yes! And yet so powerful.
Thanks for the welcome =)
If only it was a 50 mm f/1.8 USM!!!
I more worried it would get stuck. It certainly sounds like it’ll get stuck sooner or later =/
My pleasure. =D
Oh yes, I would really crave for a USM on my 50mm f/1.8 now! But then again we wouldn’t have enjoyed such an affordable lens had Canon decide to throw in USM. But the thing is, why couldn’t the 50mm f1.8 perform as well as — if not better — than the 18-55mm kit lens, which is also non-USM? =(
Stuck? Haha! I’m certainly not getting that impression. Everytime I focus the focussing barrel is bound to focus in and out of infinity at least twice or more before it locks — or in most cases fail to lock on the subject. The nerve.
But the sounds it makes when trying to focus. And the actual vibration you feel in your hand.
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I suppose there IS a reason it is one of the cheapest Canon lens after all.
how do you get such nice rich colors in your photos? i’ve got the same lens, but the colors don’t look as appealing. maybe thats the difference between my 450d and 1000d. i wish i knew, i thought it was only the lens that mattered
Post processing! A little curves-job in Photoshop could do wonders to your photos.
As far as I know, the 450D and the 1000D are almost identical except that Canon removed or downscaled a few features of the 450D to make the 1000D a step lower than its elder brother. So you actually have a better camera than mine. =D
Don’t be afraid to try out Photoshop, you’ll be amazed at just how much you can achieve with your photos!
yippppeeeee! now you’ve got the same body/lens combo with me =)
a 1000d, a 18–55 and of course the 50mm =)
psssst: what you gonna buy next?? a speedlight?
Wooots! *high fives* =D
That’s a good question actually — I’m really not sure what I would get next haha. But one thing’s for sure, its not going to be in the near future.. for I’m seriously broke right now. =P
If you insist, well I’m guessing it would either be a telephoto or yeah, a speedlight. How about you? =)
huahuahua… probably a speedlight =) ohh just think of all the cool diy projects u can do with a speedlight =)
pssst: can i ask u a question?? i notice alot of postprocessing done on the pictures.. mind telling what youve done to them? using actions or manually choosing your tools?
Cool! I agree. Flash photography is really a whole new world to venture into. But I think i’ll refrain from venturing into that just yet while I sharpen my rookie dSLR skills, haha. Good luck on getting one though!
It really depends on each photo how I post-process them. I usually start with adjusting the curves, which affects the colours, contrast etc. For a more artistic touch, I’d either do split toning for that cross processed or lomography effect. When I get lazy I just apply filters over my photos which I’d always fine-tune to better suit the exposure and colours of that particular shot.
There are virtually infinite ways you could post process a photo. You’re only limited by your creativity! You should’t have a problem though — I loving your post-processing techniques too! =D
@Sam, Yeah. you get what you pay for right? *Secretly craves for the 50mm f/1.4 USM* Damn, I’m never content with what I have. =(
hey! clicked in from wpinspiration.com or ilovewp.com .. (somewhere there, i had too many browsers open) looking at inspiration to try and design a wp theme.. and got to your blog.
I’m Lisa, a neighbour from Brunei and your About page made me laugh.. ppl do ask me, where is Brunei?? Do you live in trees?? oh in our case.. Do you use boats to go everywhere?? Silly, silly.
Anyway, hope to make your acquaintance! Congrats on your 50mm.. I love photography too~
I bet it’s ILoveWP.com. Its a really fun site that gave me lots of inspiration too! In addition to featuring my old design awhile ago.
Anyway, it’s nice to have you here, Lisa! Haha. I bet a good chunk of us living in this region could relate to awkward incidents of getting those questions thrown at us by outsiders eh? We get the ‘boats to go everywhere’ one too! The nerve, right? =P
I really wouldn’t mind to! I see you’re a photographer too. *high fives!* =D
Yay! Will link you soon.. keep shooting! 😉
Well you too! =D Thank you!
Absolutely gorgeous layout. Organized and great design!
I enjoyed this post of yours. I have a Nikon have been acquiring about different lens and the best lens for getting bokeh. So thanks for the advice. I learned a lot. 😛 Adding you to my bookmarks.
Why thank you!
Glad to know you’ve been on a roll in lens-acquiring! Really glad I could be of help. Oh, and you’re more than welcome to! =)
ehh… i go ask the price of ur camera
its onli 1900++
but its still nt the cheapest one
LOL
You sure that’s the latest price? I heard Canon Malaysia did a price increase recently due to the weaker economy. If that really is the latest price, I wouldn’t be surprised. Its only a hundred bucks cheaper considering i got my 1000D almost three months ago. =)
Congrats on your new lens! Everyone Canon user is aiming for that. The cheapest lens with bokeh-licious effect =)
Thanks! Well yeah, the 50mm is quite sought after — not only for Canon users but pretty much anyone with a dSLR who appreciates this nifty old prime lens and the sharpness and bokeh it produces. =)
Lucky for Canon users a 50mm is dirt cheap!
Hmmm yes, this is the lens I wanna get! Your photos look great!