I would just like to ask if the Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus lens is any good for a realtively el cheapo lens. I'd appreciate any feedback. :Grin:

On a related issue, I think my almost-four-year-old el cheapo kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) conked out already since the aperture got stuck at f/22 and wont budge. I haven't had the time to have it checked by Canon but do you guys think it could still be saved? If you think it's dead, would you have any suggestions for equally good el cheapo alternative replacements? Thank you! :D

*Please take note of el cheapo :Grin:

yup... a good starter lens. one of the first lenses you should get imho...

hi , got that lens when i was starting out,,very good sharp lens, definitely get it

this is a great cheap lens...im still using this lens since it is very light to use.highly recommended for a normal 50mm alternative.

It's definitely a must that I get it then. :) Thank you for the recommendations.

yep, for the price of it... its a must...I mainly use it for indoors, although being a prime lens, I have to do the walking for zoom.

Hmm, I have never considered 'walking for zooming' to be a hassle when using a 50mm - I guess we all got 'spoiled' in more ways than one by the camera makers who now include zoom lenses as the kit lens when in the old days, the kit lens used to me a 50mm - and no, I am not that old :P

Needless to say, I love my 50 to death. And I shoot with it whenever and wherever I can. It is light, fast, sharp and best of all cheap.

Take a quick peek at my website (www.randytamayo.com) - I'd say 85% of the first 3 galleries were taken with a 50mm. (Plugging, I know)

Just to drive the point. Go get the 50mm. It is so good and so cheap, it is frequently sold-out.

Great shots Randy. Really shows what the nifty-fifty can do. :D

Just buy it... you'll be amazed how people keep snapping this up new or used depending on local availability.

Hmm, I have never considered 'walking for zooming' to be a hassle when using a 50mm - I guess we all got 'spoiled' in more ways than one by the camera makers who now include zoom lenses as the kit lens when in the old days, the kit lens used to me a 50mm - and no, I am not that old :P

Needless to say, I love my 50 to death. And I shoot with it whenever and wherever I can. It is light, fast, sharp and best of all cheap.

Take a quick peek at my website (www.randytamayo.com (http://www.randytamayo.com)) - I'd say 85% of the first 3 galleries were taken with a 50mm. (Plugging, I know)

Just to drive the point. Go get the 50mm. It is so good and so cheap, it is frequently sold-out.

I definitely agree with Randy. It was my most used lens when I was still using Canon. Ah actually even now it's still my most used lens. But just a different mount. hahaha :D

Hmm, I have never considered 'walking for zooming' to be a hassle when using a 50mm - I guess we all got 'spoiled' in more ways than one by the camera makers who now include zoom lenses as the kit lens when in the old days, the kit lens used to me a 50mm - and no, I am not that old :P

Needless to say, I love my 50 to death. And I shoot with it whenever and wherever I can. It is light, fast, sharp and best of all cheap.

Take a quick peek at my website (www.randytamayo.com (http://www.randytamayo.com)) - I'd say 85% of the first 3 galleries were taken with a 50mm. (Plugging, I know)

Just to drive the point. Go get the 50mm. It is so good and so cheap, it is frequently sold-out.

nice shots Randy...
and thanks for the post...
though i suggest not to use this 50mm for portraits at f/1.8 - preferably at 2.8 to 4...

regards.

did anyone suggest not buy this lens yet?

i thought so -- and don't expect even one post about it. get it now! :D hehe!

Just to drive the point. Go get the 50mm. It is so good and so cheap, it is frequently sold-out.

True, I scouted over 7 stores here in Sydney until I found One available, and as per the Sales associate it was the last one left, it sold around au$20 more than the normal price but I got it anyway!!!

I got it! I got it! Didn't feel bad at all shelling around 5k for it. Got it from this nice little store with a lot of great stuff in Park Square I in Makati. Infomax (did I get it right or is it spelled with two x's?) Been using the zoom kit lens for so long and I realized how much I miss a fixed lens. I'm still hoping I could get my kit lens repaired though. :( thanks for all your recommendations. :)

the lens was sooo in demand i couldn't even get one from Canon Head Office... I was successful enough to get one (at a very good price of about 3k, im proud to say - thanks to my shopping and bargaining skills) in Tokyo last month...

I'm starting to love it... :) definitely a good buy. (plugging din..)