The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens (called by some the Plastic Fantastic) has been out of stock for some time in both the US and Canada. Canon evidently did not anticipate the sudden run on them by new Digital Rebel owners and stocks depleted quickly. New shipments are now arriving and three days ago I purchased one.

Why purchase a fixed-length 50mm lens? That's easy -- this particular Canon lens is cheap and it's good. It's extremely lightweight and it has a large aperture that enables low-light shooting I can't easily do with the kit lens. On a DR it provides an 80mm equivalent, making it a fine portrait lens. Here are a couple links with more information:

Product Description: Canon Site Product Description

User reviews on Epinion: Epinion Reviews of Canon EF 50mm II

How do I like it so far? Very much. Although it's cheap, plasticy, a bit loud, and seeks a lot, it still focuses faster than my smaller digicams in low light and, for the price, it's a bargain. I find myself using it a lot for grab shots around the house. For instance, here's what we had with our dinner last night:

Grapes
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)

One of the reasons I purchased this lens, despite having a classic Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and a fine Zuiko 50mm f/1.8, is that my eyesight is degrading and I'm having trouble focusing these fine 50's in low light. Especially on the Digital Rebel. Camera manufacturers no longer build focusing aids into their low-end SLR and DSLR models. No microgrid or split-image to assist. And the viewfinder is dim and small compared to any classic 35mm SLR. Hence the big boost from an auto-focus lens. The AF helped me get these shots of our pet guinea pig, Piglet. Here Piglet being held.

Marion holding Piglet
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)

And here, Piglet chomping down on her pellets in the dim light under the piano bench.

Piglet Eating
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)

Early this morning when I tumbled down to the kitchen for my coffee, I saw rain beating on the back deck, with the trees reflected darkly in the dim light. It was dark enough that our auto-sensor night light by the kitchen table was still lit. I noticed that the light was making an abstract reflection in the window so I dashed back upstairs for my camera and the new lens to grab this impressionistic shot.

Reflected Nightlight Abstraction
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)

And finally, rain on the deck, the reason I dashed off for the camera BEFORE making my first cup of coffee...

Rain on Deck
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)

All the images in this musing were taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on a Digital Rebel DSLR body.

(26-Mar-2004, Revised 17-June-2004)

www.NorthernJourney.com -- gene@wilburn.ca

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