Difference between 50mm lenses

Tammmzy · 02-28-2009, 01:09 PM

Hi there everyone,
I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye.
I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses.
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn!
Thank you!

jsherman999 · 02-28-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by Tammmzy

Hi there everyone,
I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye.
I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses.
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn!
Thank you!

Welcome to the forum!

The f/1.4 to f/2.8 aperture range makes a world of difference to the images and the type of shots you can get.

It's harder to get focus at f/1.4 because the depth of field (DOF) is so small, but it's possible - the only problem being that someones eye will be in focus, but their nose will not.

(not necessarily a bad effect - do some googling on bokeh and DOF and you'll see some images that show you what I'm taking about.)

If you stop any 50 1.4 down one stop to f/2, it will be very sharp, DOF will be usable, and you will have double the shutter speeds available than you do at f/2.8 - meaning, if you need to shoot at 1/40sec at f/2.8, you'll be able to double that to 1/80sec (or I should say, the camera will do that for you if it's a A or AF lens.) 1/80s vs. 1/40s often means a sharp shot vs. a blurry shot.

I'd buy the FA 50 1.4 for $160 - $200 or so. At f/2, that thing is an incredible performer. The F or FA 1.7 ($120 - $180) is excellent also, even wide-open at f/1.7.

Don't bother with a 50 1.2 lens at this point - the f/1.2 aperture isn't going to be as useful to you because of almost non-existent DOF. Plus, they cost an arm & a leg.

I'm sure others will have advice for you also.

.

zmohie · 02-28-2009, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by Tammmzy

Hi there everyone,
I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye.
I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses.
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn!
Thank you!

HiTammmzy
Ijust finished reading a good report on pop phot about 50mm 1,4 lenses
the summary;
its the best for close up
the best for low light
the best indoor
the best for soft background
the best for act
even the best for indoor sports

ll_coffee_lP · 02-28-2009, 02:15 PM

Given you current set up of lenses I would suggest the FA35 f2.0. It's focal length is great for indoors, it's significantly different from your 50's length so you won't feel like you've got two similar lenses.

The FA35 is sharp right from f2.0 too and costs around $300 US new (used around $265 US). It's the exact same size as the FA50 f1.4.

Hope this helps...

c[_]

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-28-2009, 02:18 PM

You can use your macro lens to test whether another 50mm is suitable. Test the focal length by seeing if you can get the shots you want at the distances you want to use. Take a few shots at f2.8 to see what the light level is, and how much of the photo is in focus. I took about a hundred test shots of my wife at various times, focal lengths and apertures, just to see what different lenses could do for me.

sharko · 02-28-2009, 06:51 PM

On digital I think the 30-35mm lenses work better for low light as they give you a similiar field of view to the 50mm lenses on film. Either the FA 35mm f/2 or FA 31mm tld f/1.8 are great. Also keep in mind that since they are a wider angle than the 50mm lenses, there is less blur due to lower shutter speeds.

02-28-2009, 01:09 PM	#1
Tammmzy New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 15	Difference between 50mm lenses Hi there everyone, I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye. I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn! Thank you!

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02-28-2009, 01:17 PM	#2
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by Tammmzy Hi there everyone, I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye. I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn! Thank you! Welcome to the forum! The f/1.4 to f/2.8 aperture range makes a world of difference to the images and the type of shots you can get. It's harder to get focus at f/1.4 because the depth of field (DOF) is so small, but it's possible - the only problem being that someones eye will be in focus, but their nose will not. (not necessarily a bad effect - do some googling on bokeh and DOF and you'll see some images that show you what I'm taking about.) If you stop any 50 1.4 down one stop to f/2, it will be very sharp, DOF will be usable, and you will have double the shutter speeds available than you do at f/2.8 - meaning, if you need to shoot at 1/40sec at f/2.8, you'll be able to double that to 1/80sec (or I should say, the camera will do that for you if it's a A or AF lens.) 1/80s vs. 1/40s often means a sharp shot vs. a blurry shot. I'd buy the FA 50 1.4 for $160 - $200 or so. At f/2, that thing is an incredible performer. The F or FA 1.7 ($120 - $180) is excellent also, even wide-open at f/1.7. Don't bother with a 50 1.2 lens at this point - the f/1.2 aperture isn't going to be as useful to you because of almost non-existent DOF. Plus, they cost an arm & a leg. I'm sure others will have advice for you also. .

02-28-2009, 02:15 PM	#3
zmohie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: egypt Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 435	Originally posted by Tammmzy Hi there everyone, I'm wondering if I could get some expert advice on my next lens purchase. I currently have a 50mm 2.8 macro lens, and an 18-250 tamron as well as a 10-17pentax fish eye. I am wanting a lens that is best to use indoors in more low light settings. I've been told to get the 50mm1.4 but i'm wondering if thats redundant since I have a 50mm macro lens. Obvoiusly the 1.4 would be better but i'm wondering what ppls opinions are on it. I also have seen a 50mm 1.2 and am wondering if theres a big difference between these lenses. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm still learning and have lots to learn! Thank you! HiTammmzy Ijust finished reading a good report on pop phot about 50mm 1,4 lenses the summary; its the best for close up the best for low light the best indoor the best for soft background the best for act even the best for indoor sports

02-28-2009, 02:15 PM	#4
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Given you current set up of lenses I would suggest the FA35 f2.0. It's focal length is great for indoors, it's significantly different from your 50's length so you won't feel like you've got two similar lenses. The FA35 is sharp right from f2.0 too and costs around $300 US new (used around $265 US). It's the exact same size as the FA50 f1.4. Hope this helps... c[_]

02-28-2009, 02:18 PM	#5
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	You can use your macro lens to test whether another 50mm is suitable. Test the focal length by seeing if you can get the shots you want at the distances you want to use. Take a few shots at f2.8 to see what the light level is, and how much of the photo is in focus. I took about a hundred test shots of my wife at various times, focal lengths and apertures, just to see what different lenses could do for me.

02-28-2009, 06:51 PM	#6
sharko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: City of Angels Photos: Gallery Posts: 278	On digital I think the 30-35mm lenses work better for low light as they give you a similiar field of view to the 50mm lenses on film. Either the FA 35mm f/2 or FA 31mm tld f/1.8 are great. Also keep in mind that since they are a wider angle than the 50mm lenses, there is less blur due to lower shutter speeds.

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