Sunday, August 13, 2017

The Nifty Fifty!

I recently picked up a new lens, the Canon 50mm f1.8 STM. This is a highly reviewed lens. In fact the lens has gained a couple of nicknames over the years, "The Nifty Fifty" and "The Fantastic Plastic". The 50mm 1.8 is usually at the top of reviewers lists for lens to get.

On an APS-C camera such as my T5, with it's 1.6 crop factor, the lens is closer to an 80 mm lens which makes a great portrait lens. The large aperture capabilities of this lens guarantees a lot of bokeh in your photos which is a desirable quality in portraits. The fact that the lens has been upgraded with seven blades, compared to the old version's five, means the bokeh will have a nice round appearance.




These next two photo's are examples of a "Street Portrait" I took during a street fair on Canada Day 2017 in Barrie, Ontario.



                                                                f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso100

f5.6, 1/640sec, iso100


It is also a great lens for "Street Photography". It would be better on a "Full Frame Sensor" than on the APS-C sensor that my Canon has but it is still a good lens for street photography. It's small size is perfect for street photography. It takes great photos at smaller apertures such as f5.6 or f8 which makes it a great lens for the street. 

Taken @ Canada Day street fair in Barrie, Ontario.


f5.6, 1/400sec, iso100

Taken during the Barrie Pride Parade in Barrie, Ontario


f5.6, 1/500 sec, iso100


The lens is also good for nature photography, as long as you are not looking for a wide angle shot. It is good for close up or shots of buildings and animals. For actual landscape photography you would need something wider such as a lens under 20mm. However, I found the 50 mm lens a good one for photographing buildings such as this small barn. I feel that the lens gives a good perspective for shots like this, not too close, nor too wide.


f7.1, 1/80 sec, iso100


If I had any complaint and I only have one is that the lens does not have image stabilization. I am not the steadiest of shooters and I would prefer if all lens, well all camera's for that matter, had image stabilization built into them. But that is my only complaint with the lens so far.  

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