Mamarazzis! Camera/DSLR Group

[alaskagrown]

How much better is the 50mm 1.4 over the 50mm 1.8? Worth the money?

 

[bananaz]

How much better is the 50mm 1.4 over the 50mm 1.8? Worth the money?

In my experience, it's not worth the extra expense unless money isn't an issue for you. I used the 1.8 for several years before it accidentally got dunked in the ocean and at that point I decided to upgrade to the 1.4, but in retrospect I probably should've just gotten another 1.8 and used the $250 I would've saved on something else.

The 1.4 does have slightly nicer bokeh and the build quality is way better (no cheap plastic like the 1.8), but in terms of sharpness and image quality the difference is really negligible. That's just my opinion though, I know other people who swear up down and sideways that the 1.4 is way better.

 

[Mrs_T]

Hi guys! Can I join you? I have a Canon 550D with a 55 lens and a zoom lens. I have had a bit of a play with it but to be honest have mainly just used it on auto mode so would love to learn more! I just read the tips on pg1 and tried playing around. Question though: on manual mode, it won't let be set the aperture to anything less than 4.5, whereas you suggested 2.0 I think? Any idea why?

Also the lens that Bananaz recommends (50mm f/1.8 was it?) does this help you achieve the blurry background and a softer picture? This is what I'm trying to work on at the moment!

I'll try to post a couple of my novice shots at some point so you can all give me some critique!!

 

[HappilyaMrs]

best thread ever!!! totally using this advice. putting the 50 mm f/1.8 on my xmas list!

 

[alaskagrown]

Mrs. T - if you're using an 18-55mm lens, I don't believe the f-stop goes to 1.8. That's why you need the 50mm lens!! And yes, it does help with making the background more blurred with a more shallow depth of field.

 

[Mrs_T]

Well...guess what's now on my xmas list??!! Yep, a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens

 

[jessicatunnel]

Enlisting your help ladies! We just put our tree up a few days ago and I was doing a few test shoots with Lilly in front of it trying to get that pretty christmas tree bokeh but it's not turning out like I want. One, if I take the pictures during the day the bokeh isn't very prominent, and two if I take it when it's darker, the bokeh is better but the light on Lilly is yellowish and not flattering at all because there isn't very much natural light. What do I do?!?! How do I get it to look good??

 

[KittyVentura]

No help here sorry love. Just wanted to share a few recent snaps.

Taken with kit lens...
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/583f1761983effc58b9b11ea67e5852b.jpg
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/19c65d0ea85e77669b3fed66002acda2.jpg
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/cakes/36dda5391275a1d3722677007c61b27e.jpg
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/cakes/827b2c3b2bfe462201158c9ab9d13017.jpg
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/cakes/0b234994d92248bfcb34a9e1a2fbb7f3.jpg
https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/KittyVentura/cakes/5880dbd52f02cb21171bc3dea2202518.jpg

Cannot wait to get the 50 1.8 xx

 

[bananaz]

Enlisting your help ladies! We just put our tree up a few days ago and I was doing a few test shoots with Lilly in front of it trying to get that pretty christmas tree bokeh but it's not turning out like I want. One, if I take the pictures during the day the bokeh isn't very prominent, and two if I take it when it's darker, the bokeh is better but the light on Lilly is yellowish and not flattering at all because there isn't very much natural light. What do I do?!?! How do I get it to look good??

Ideas:

• Shoot in the dark and adjust the yellowish skin tone in post-processing
• Shoot during the day with Lilly a few feet in front of the tree so that you can make the tree area darker while keeping her in the light (not sure if this is feasible for your set-up but maybe?)
• Try positioning a lamp with a cool bulb in front of Lilly
• Dive into the world of off-camera flash: https://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

 

[bananaz]

No help here sorry love. Just wanted to share a few recent snaps.

Taken with kit lens...

Cannot wait to get the 50 1.8 xx

Aww, they're adorable! That little Christmas dress is precious I can't wait to see what you do with your 50mm!

 

[bananaz]

Here's a fun idea for people interested in doing shots with Xmas bokeh. I think I might try hearts or stars. I don't think I'm capable of making a decent-looking snowflake but that would look cool too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zENUI8n0Rtw​

And some inspiration!

https://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/howie-hearts-color.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6693518105_28f8218c34.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5287/5311289984_126fff11bf.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6742554195_420b93ed4a.jpg​

 

[Mrs_T]

Gorgeous pics Kitty! And thanks for the link bananaz!

 

[Leids]

I'm getting ready to do Christmas shots myself. Been soooo busy with everything the last few weeks! Had to take an emergency flight to Michigan last week, Will has a cold, and I have finals to study for!

Thanks for the Christmas tips. Hopefully I'll have something to share this weekend.

 

[jessicatunnel]

Gonna try that custom bokeh bananaz!

 

[Leids]

These aren't of William but I'd figure I'd share anyway! We went to Longwood Gardens yesterday and I took some shots. I was going to bring my other lens but accidentally forgot it, and ended up having to use the 50mm f/1.8 for everything!

Here are just a few. I'll add more later when I get more time.

Spoiler

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/IMG_06821.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/IMG_06431.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/IMG_06501.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/IMG_06371.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/IMG_06471.jpg

 

[alaskagrown]

Today

 

[alaskagrown]

Oh, and is there any way to prevent pictures from looking all grainy/pixelated when I resize them? You can see it in the background of the picture I just posted.

The original (un-resized) looks fine, it's just when I turn it into a jpeg and/or resize.

 

[Piperette]

We had some fun in the snow today, so here are a few pics... as always unedited

https://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/roddypiper_photos/Christmas%20Preparations/IMG_1352.jpg

https://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/roddypiper_photos/Christmas%20Preparations/IMG_1287.jpg

https://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/roddypiper_photos/Christmas%20Preparations/IMG_1267.jpg

https://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/roddypiper_photos/Christmas%20Preparations/IMG_1255.jpg

https://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/roddypiper_photos/Christmas%20Preparations/IMG_1240.jpg

 

[Leids]

Piperette, I love those shots! I wish it would snow here. It was a warm winter last year so we didn't see any last year, worried the same thing is going to happen this year.

I have all of his Christmas shots done except for.. one of him smiling! He just kept trying to eat the lights. I want enough for a Christmas card, and need it asap, but he's been a cranky butt so I may have to forego a smile. At this point I wouldn't mind getting a picture with my phone then just editing it to make it look better.

ETA:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/nakeli/will_xmascard.png

 

[bananaz]

That little card is so so cute, Leids!!

I'm going through Elsie's Christmas photos from today and I got some decent shots but I didn't notice that she had a massive booger in her nose the whole time