EOS 350D and Canon 50mm f1.8

WilbaW wrote:

Susan S. wrote:

my copy of the 50 1.8 generally front focuses a bit, but also will pick something infront or slightly behind the plane of focus-it is particularly fond of almost invisible stray hairs. or it will focus on nothing at all.

A typical 50/1.8 provides ambiguous light to the AF sensors (the most likely culprit is spherical aberration, which is high with that lens). It make it hard for the system to accurately and reliably determine where focus should be. Also results in the typical overall image softness we see with that lens wide open.

Could this ambiguous light thing be a problem with the canon 50mm f1.4?  I am trying to figure out what it needs to hit focus more accurately.  I am starting to think I need to ditch the lens filter on it and install a hood as one step in improving the keeper rate when wide open.

ZX11 wrote:

WilbaW wrote:

Susan S. wrote:

my copy of the 50 1.8 generally front focuses a bit, but also will pick something infront or slightly behind the plane of focus-it is particularly fond of almost invisible stray hairs. or it will focus on nothing at all.

A typical 50/1.8 provides ambiguous light to the AF sensors (the most likely culprit is spherical aberration, which is high with that lens). It make it hard for the system to accurately and reliably determine where focus should be. Also results in the typical overall image softness we see with that lens wide open.

Could this ambiguous light thing be a problem with the canon 50mm f1.4?

I haven't tested one, but AFAIK the 50/1.4 is much better behaved.

I am trying to figure out what it needs to hit focus more accurately.

A typical 50/1.8 focusses in two places regardless of whether either of them is in "accurate" focus or not. To fix a genuine accuracy problem you generally need some form of calibration, either through Canon service or AF microadjustment.

I am starting to think I need to ditch the lens filter on it and install a hood as one step in improving the keeper rate when wide open.

Good first step.

If that doesn't fix it, post some images in a new thread and we can let you know how it looks.

chits wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to buy this lens and after searching here saw it has focus issue,

What you guys suggest ? My main purpose is to shot portrait of kids and family on holidays,wedding ( night mainly) , Kindly suggest , Does Sigma or Tamron has good wide aperture lens for 350D ?

When I had a 350D I also bought the 50mm f1.8. I liked then lens 'when' it focused correctly, I had inconsistent focus issues but that is just my experience. As the 350D was my first SLR it could have been my technique so I persevered with it. Unfortunately the AF / MF button on mine failed, I returned the lens to get a refund and then bought the 50mm f1.4.

I would suggest if you can hold on and save a bit more money get the 50mm f1.4. I found the focus to be consistent, the build quality is better, it's mount has a metal flange instead of plastic and best of all for me was I bought a used one from ebay and it was like new at a discount price

I still have my 50mm f1.4 and it works treat on my now 6D

chits wrote:I am planning to buy this lens and after searching here saw it has focus issue,

What you guys suggest ? My main purpose is to shot portrait of kids and family on holidays,wedding ( night mainly) , Kindly suggest , Does Sigma or Tamron has good wide aperture lens for 350D ?

The 50mm f1.8 (nifty fifty plastic fantastic) used to be the recommended first fast prime, but I think the EF 35mm f2 IS is now the better choice. That is especially true for 1.6 crop cameras, and since the price came down significantly from introduction.

Better build, sharper, and IS justify to higher price compared to the nifty fifty, IMO.