I picked out a new (to me anyway) 50mm lens for Christmas. It came yesterday and I feel like a dope trying to use it. It is a used lens, bought from Adorama, but it's rating was good enough for someone like me, that I will probably never notice its defects. However, I am having some issues with focusing. It doesnt seem to focus on what the red dot is telling me it should be focusing on, 100% of the time. Some of the time it seems to work without confusion. If I am in manual focus, it seems to work fine, the focusing issues then just become user error! :)
I am using a Canon xsi. I have read that sometimes the AF will kick in to some distance thing and get a little confused on teh focus. Does it sound like that could be happening? I just want to be sure that the lens is ok and that its just me that needs some practice. Otherwise, I love using it, especially in our house with its lack of great natural light. Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks.
If it's the 50mm 1.8 canon lens then yes, that's a bit of a tricky one to use. I've found that if I'm leaning over something to photograph it gravity will pull the lens out of focus. Half the time I'll use manual focus anyway (If I've remembered to put my eyeballs in).
Additionally if you have it fully open, if it is the 1.8 or 1.4 you're using, you'll have a very very narrow depth of field at close range.
I'd say keep using it for a week! I hired the canon 28-300 to shoot the medieval festival and it was my first time using a push pull zoom. It did take a while to get used to it, but by the end of the weekend I was fine with it.
I'd say, in my personal experience, definitely. Every lens is sooo different and it takes awhile to learn what settings they like in what light. The 50mm is particularly tricky though:) Have fun with it, you're going to love the results!
My personal opinion is that there is as much of a learning curve to the lenses as there is to the camera...and how they work together. If you are used to the manual settings on your camera, it seems to be a little easier to understand the great benefits of a 50mm. I agree with those above...you're gonna love it!
Thanks everybody. Its good to know that it's me and not my new lens, so with practice I'll get it figured out. You all are right though, it is fun to use! my kids may get tired of it though. ;) @carrapeta00, I ended up going with a 1.4 instead of the 1.8 I bought it used so it was a little easier to justify the price difference. And I thought it would probably be my most used lens so I'de live a little. LOL. any good tips?
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Additionally if you have it fully open, if it is the 1.8 or 1.4 you're using, you'll have a very very narrow depth of field at close range.
I'd say keep using it for a week! I hired the canon 28-300 to shoot the medieval festival and it was my first time using a push pull zoom. It did take a while to get used to it, but by the end of the weekend I was fine with it.
may I ask which model you´ve got?
@carrapeta00, I ended up going with a 1.4 instead of the 1.8 I bought it used so it was a little easier to justify the price difference. And I thought it would probably be my most used lens so I'de live a little. LOL. any good tips?