Re: SLR Newbie - Step-up rings / lens cap questions

On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:46:03 GMT, Paul Furman <paul-@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
: John wrote:
: > Tony Polson wrote:
: >>"John" <Machinist@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
: >>
: >>>I would recommend the 50mm f/1.4 which is a little better. I have
: >>>both.
: >>
: >>Better in what way, exactly? It has only an extra two thirds of a
: >>stop, which the average shooter will use how often? It has no other
: >>redeeming features.
: >>
: >>Optically, they are both pin sharp across the frame at f/8, but they
: >>both have hideously harsh bokeh wide open. The f/1.8 has much better
: >>sharpness wide open than the f/1.4 used at f/1.8, so what is the
: >>point? Unless you absolutely need that extra two thirds of a stop,
: >>the f/1.8 is a much better buy. Smaller, lighter, sharper, and very
: >>much cheaper. One of the sharpest 50mm lenses ever made.
: >>
: >>>Always try to go as low on the f stop as possible when buying a lens.
: >>
: >>Nonsense. Buy the lens that offers the most in the areas that matter.
: >
: > I suppose you think the 50mm f/1.2 that cost $1300 is no way as good as
: > your cheap f/8 at $60.00...Wahahahahah...........
:
: Well I only paid about $300 for my 50mm f/1.2 but it's not as sharp as a
: 50mm f/1.8 for $100 just faster so interesting for special uses. They
: have to make compromises to get a lens that fast. But yes as a general
: rule faster more expensive lenses are better than cheap slow lenses.

Not to lecture Paul, since he obviously knows this, but lenses of equal
quality but different speeds are usually designed to have different points of
maximum sharpness. Back in the film days, my wife and I had two 50mm lenses
for our Nikons: an f/1.4 and an f/2. Both were excellent lenses; but IIRC, the
point of maximum sharpness of the f/1.4 was f/4, while that of the f/2 was
around f/5.6. So while the extra stop of the f/1.4 was nice indoors, the f/2
was a better outdoor lens.

Today I have a 30mm f/1.4 for my XTi, but I use it strictly as a low-light
lens. I figure my 18-50mm f/2.8 is a better bet outdoors.

Bob
.

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