thinking about buying this lense... what do you think?

-- howard shen (hshen@lsm.org), February 20, 2000

Answers

Fix focals are usually no brainers. The current 50/1.8 II has a crappy build quality though. I would suggest to look for a used 50/1.8 mk I (metal mount, focus scale). Optically it is okayish wide-open, stopped-down it is really good. From what I've heard the 85/1.8 is a sure bet.

Klaus

-- Klaus Schroiff (klaus@photozone.de), February 20, 2000.

85/1.8 USM: superb; 50/1.8: don't know; 50/1.4 USM: superb. Check the archives. In the 85-100mm range, don't overlook the older EOS 100/2.8 macro (or consider the recently introduced 100/2.8 USM macro if you're willing to pay more $$).

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), February 20, 2000.

I have both. They are very sharp (when stopped down a bit) & contrasty compared to most zooms.

The original 50 f:1.8 had a metal mount and was built better, had a better manual focus ring, and had a distance guide, but was also heavier, and noisier. Since I rarely use it, but always pack it, I prefer the newer version. I was able to sell the old one for about $60 more than I paid for the newer (but still used) one.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), February 20, 2000.