andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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Okay, so i keep reading about people using fixed focal length lenses (if thats the term to describe them) the most common of which appears to be 50mm. Now, what makes this fixed 50mm lens better than say for example a lens that'll cover 18-70mm? whats the difference made to the photo? etc etc
any reply would be bonza, cheers
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Called a prime.
Basically when making a prime lens the manufacturer can concentrate on getting the best image quality at just that focal length.
With a zoom they have to optimise throughout the range so image quality will always be worse.
The reason the 50mm is popular is mostly because its very good image quality and its cheap. I, strangely, don't rate it much, but my old 300mm prime was leagues ahead of the nearest zoom (the 100-400mm zoom
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Adam_B
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Registered: 13th Dec 00
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Because the lens doesnt zoom its better at other stuff, like a better aperature range for example F1.8 up to F22 and the images it produces are sharper and have more detail 
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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thats exactly what i wanted  thanks chaps
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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okay, so as abit of a follow up question i'd like some advice on some lenses been looking at afew and found the following ones. the first one is a 50mm F1.8 that i've found online for £135 which is THIS ONE
and then one thats 50mm F1.4 for £235 which is THIS ONE
the question is, is it worth spending the extra £100 for the F1.4 over the 1.8?
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Daveskater
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Registered: 29th Apr 08
Location: Oxford, UK Drives: Jap wagon
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A side question if someone has a sentence going spare, I understand all this camera chatter except for focal length. What does the mm rating mean and where does it come from/how is it defined?
Cheers
Numberwang!
Originally posted by AlunJ
I like you Dave, you are a man of men
Originally Whatapp'd by Neo
Dave's maybe capable of a drive-by cuddle
Look at my pictures
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Can't remember exactly. Might be the distance between the focal plane (ie. the sensor on the camera) and the outer-most piece of glass on the lens.
Don't quote me on that though.
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Adam_B
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Registered: 13th Dec 00
Location: Lancashire
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quote:
Originally posted by andy1868
the question is, is it worth spending the extra £100 for the F1.4 over the 1.8?
yes
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Oh sorry, missed the other question.
It depends what you're using the camera for exactly. If you do a lot of low light stuff, or desperately want max depth of field then the extra F-stop might be worthwhile.
Personally I don't think the slightly better image quality is worth that much extra for a casual user, but if you will really find it useful, why not!
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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well i ordered the F1.8 before but i'm having doubts about it now, seeing as i use the camera for abit of urbexing (  ) i think i might be worth the extra F stop as the light isn't always available (nor can you go using the flash etc) Might drop the guys an email and see if they'll cancel the order as it hasn't been dispatched yet and order the F1.4
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Whats wrong with a slightly longer shutter and keep your £100?
If its properly dark the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 won't help all that much anyway I wouldn't have thought
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Adam_B
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Registered: 13th Dec 00
Location: Lancashire
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My opinion is just always buy the best glass you can, an extra F stop is always worth it in my book.
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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you two are like the devil and the angel at my shoulders
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Adam_B
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Registered: 13th Dec 00
Location: Lancashire
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Its only £100..........
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Usually I would say buy the best you can afford as well (what I did with my telephotos, but in this case not
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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i'll see what they say. can't see it being an issue to cancel it as they haven't even acknowledged the order.
hmmmmmm i don't know
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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how do you mean adam?
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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What other lenses do you have?
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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just the one that came with the camera, the 18-70mm 3.5-5.6. as well as some cheapo wide angle add on whatdyamacallit
tbh, i just know that with the 1.8 i'll have it in the back of my mind about the 1.4 being better. then i'll probably end up going and buying it then eBaying the 1.8  yes, i am that bad with things like this
[Edited on 30-09-2009 by andy1868]
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flybikeslee
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Registered: 2nd Jan 07
Location: Liverpool
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get a wideangle aswell andy, been tempted to get one for mine for awhile....so you can be my test dummy
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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how about i buy the 50mm and you buy the wideangle? 
which one do you mean? a wide angle or a fish eye like in my avatar?
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Fisheyes are gay.
Get a decent wideangle zoom instead of blowing your money on the 50mm imo. A wideangle zoom, something like a 17-40 or 24-70 would be much more useful
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JonnyJ
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Registered: 23rd Sep 05
Location: Scotchland
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quote:
Originally posted by AndyKent
Fisheyes are gay.
Get a decent wideangle zoom instead of blowing your money on the 50mm imo. A wideangle zoom, something like a 17-40 or 24-70 would be much more useful
Whats wrong with fisheyes? They get awesome images.
Just a few of mine and my mates.
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Fisheyes are good if you actually use it properly (like you) but loads of people see a fish-eye shot and buy the lens and just shoot the same old crap.
Yours are stunning, but most people haven't got the ability to use them to your potential - like me
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JonnyJ
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Registered: 23rd Sep 05
Location: Scotchland
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I do understand what you mean Andy. They do seem to have a "gimmicky" stigma attached to them.
But
I had the Nikon 14-24 2.8 on my camera the other week which is Nikons best wide angled lens and for some reason i much preferred the Nikon 10.5 fisheye. £800 cheaper too
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