Processing
This is certainly one of the most frequently mentioned weaknesses. It is gefertig appreciably reasonable, quite thin plastic that here the glass should be in it, makes the minimum weight hardly suspect. It creaks and groans when one presses lightly on the sides and it feels even cheaper than it looks. Nevertheless, for me, the processing time was not so important and even today I would have no problem to use such a lens times. Despite the minimalist design makes it surprisingly resilient. The construction of the (manual) Focus ring I feel the way as an imposition. If you look through the viewfinder, you fingers, despite the short construction, often half the lens until you have found time to ring That I could never get used to. Comparing this with the 50mm 1.4 is very quickly clear the differences in processing. It affects quality, the bayonet is made of metal, the focus ring is well dimensioned and can be adjusted very well. However, despite the better handling, the 50mm 1.4 compared a mimosa. It may no pressure or impact to the front port, which can quickly lead to failure times of the focus drive namely, why (in the camera bag!) I have always a lens hood on the lens.
Height and weight
The Canon 50mm f / 1.8 II is the lightest and second smallest I know lens for the Canon system. It slips easily into a larger pocket to transport and there is really no reason why you would have to do without travel or excursions on eg. The 50mm 1.4 is much more difficult because, even if it weighs no kg. Since it is, however, be well advised to let the lens hood always on it, but it takes considerably more storage space a.
Imaging performance / Focus
Naturally reached no lens at maximum aperture the full sharpness even no fixed focal length. But there are differences between the individual models again. At aperture 1.8 the Plastic Fantastic is visible soft. Both at the edges, and in the center - Depending on the application and later printing / displaying method often even too soft. Without limitations, I feel the photos, which are formed at about Aperture 2.8. The sharpness is literally phenomenal for a lens less than 100 euros! There is little distortion, chromatic aberrations are visible at full aperture, and the vignetting is not very strong. These three factors can, however, for example with Adobe Lightroom simply check.
What is the situation now compared with the Canon 50mm 1.4? Well, frankly, both lenses do not differ from each other as serious as the price difference is able to suggest from current 220-230 euros! The 50mm 1.4 is also not very sharp at open aperture and is in my opinion only when Aperture 2.0 right well what still brings some leeway in bad light, but not necessarily grounds for such price difference. At maximum aperture you experience the aberrations mentioned here. Differences so you need almost looking through a magnifying glass. Nevertheless, the strengths 50mm 1.4 elsewhere. Thus, for example, the Bokeh of beautiful 1.4 But that was not the main reason for my change.
Autofocus
The autofocus is in my opinion the major shortcoming of the 50mm f / 1.8. The relatively large maximum aperture allows indeed to be able to focus even something even in low light, but the autofocus is ailing itself. What I mean? On one hand, the autofocus is loud as a tractor, on the other hand it lacks objective certainty what is even worse! This falls heavily on at full aperture, and at larger apertures. Time, the focus is too far back, sometimes too far forward, then all at exactly the same motif! We speak here not of several centimeters With such a shallow depth of field this fall but quickly. This I was able to observe in the most diverse motives and the worse are the lighting conditions, the higher the Committee on photos. One hides but from further, this shortcoming somewhat equalized. I have tried several lenses and all had this problem. Lasting fehlfokus could, among other things correct in my 6D, but here you have the feeling that the autofocus often times decide quite differently than seconds earlier. A correction is therefore likely to be impossible.
In good light, the 50mm f / 1.8 is focused by the way very fast for a lens with regular autofocus. In bad light is becoming more common for hunting of focus (auto focus moves quickly in front and back).
Itself beats the 50mm 1.4 here better? And whether! Here is my opinion on the real added value of 1.4 It is true better, slightly more quickly and even in low light. For me personally a good autofocus comes first on the list of things that I value with a lens! This only when used on location, or if I am, however, go to the camera. Here you usually do not have time, manual focusing. And what gives me a great field, if I have to throw away 70-80% of shots taken, because the focus is not sitting?
The 50mm f / 1.8 II I, etc. used later for product photography, Splash Shots exclusively with manual focusing. At events such as weddings etc. a good piece home remained later (!) And more frequently due to the very streaky autofocus. Such a day like a wedding, It Is just not twice photograph and it would be a shame to any lost photo. The volume of the lens at weddings I found also also disturbing.
Short-Conclusion
+ Weight
+ Imaging performance (from about f 2.8)
+ Price / performance ratio
+ Creative possibilities with wide aperture
+ Poor constructed focus ring
- Autofocus
- Volume
- Processing
My Conclusion
I own the 50mm f / 1.8 II now already for many years and a certain love-hate relationship it has formed. The image quality is great (if you can handle it) and the low weight makes it a faithful companion when traveling. However, the bothered me the unreliable autofocus at the end so much that I chose a different model. But with all the disadvantages is the 50mm f / 1.8 for me something very special! This became clear to me what value can have a good fixed focal length. Aperture is now time to replace except more brightness! In addition, the creative potential of the targeted setting of the depth of field is one reason why I am of the opinion that every beginner should purchase this lens. Aside from a few personal preferences you need (18-55mm / IS II), a telephoto lens (55-250 IS II, etc.) and this fixed focal length as a beginner in my opinion only the kit lens. This should be sufficient for the majority of beginners (special lenses like macro lenses, etc. I cling now times out). If you're wondering why you should buy this lens as their 18-55mm but also has a 50-mm-Position: This fixed focal length has a higher light intensity Especially in low light and indoors it is worth their weight in gold (then not much gold just kidding). In addition, you can hereby produce a lot of shallow depth of field. An example: Photograph Aunt Erna with the kit lens for example at f 5.6 (smallest aperture in 50/55 mm position) is Aunt Erna sharply imaged the background unfortunately mostly also. This fixed focal length you have the ability to blur the background in blur. And last but not least: In terms of sharpness is the 18-55mm with nowhere near!
However, the subject of interiors I would like to mention that a 50mm lens or on a crop camera a 80mm 85mm lens (50mm x crop factor 1.6) corresponds to a full-frame camera! The often mentioned natural image section for reports, etc. of 50mm is thereby eliminated, making this lens is a lightweight telephoto lens! This may be too much for certain ceremonies indoors. Nevertheless, it is at a great portrait lens for upper body and face shots. For product photography it is incidentally also great. I have, incidentally, bought for my full frame camera specially a 85mm f / 1.8, because to me the picture detail like so much. Overall, the 50mm f / 1.8 II for me is the best investment that you can do as a beginner. More lens for the money you get is simply nowhere. A review in stars the way I feel here as too one-dimensional! For the needs of beginners, I would give it 5 stars. Wen the autofocus does not interfere, which will have a lot of fun with the lens, otherwise I would not care to remember so long. Autofocus falls for me today but so much weight that I would pull some stars and end up with two to three stars. But will be added to the unbeatable price / performance ratio, it will be more again. Therefore, the rating of 4 stars please do not take too seriously.
