Getting a Nifty Fifty STM Lens for my Birthday

[axepilot]

I've been looking into the Nifty Fifty for a while, and  I requested it from my lovely bride. I've read lots of great things about it and I'm looking forward to exploring it. 

My attraction was the wide f/stop (apologies, old head 35 mm shooter here) and versatility.

Going to be fun! 

[Ray-uk]

By all accounts a great lens, don't forget to show us some of the results you get.

Please don't call it a "nifty fifty", this outdated term has been applied to just about every manufacturers 50mm lens so is a bit irrelevant.

[axepilot]

Ray,

I shall strike "nifty fifty" from my lexicon. 

[John_]

Call it whatever you wish, just don't call it late for a good shot! 

[axepilot]

I'm just an amateur enthusiast having fun with a new camera. While I come from the old school 35mm world, DLSRs are brand new to me.

Whole new world.........

[ebiggs1]

"I shall strike "nifty fifty" from my lexicon"

I wouldn't.  No mater what it is, it still is a 'fifty' and you will decide if it is 'nifty'.  If, yes, then it is a nifty fifty!  Right?

[axepilot]

I've experimented with some shots and I can see some limitations and pluses.

Just messing around with low f stop numbers, it does a really good job with a smoothly blurred background. It is very sharp.

As far as a general purpose / on the move / go anywhere lens, I think the kit 18-55 does a better job.

The 50 will work very well for portraits. I'm happy.

[ebiggs1]

"As far as a general purpose / on the move / go anywhere lens, I think the kit 18-55 does a better job."

The same conclusion most photographers come to.  It isn't a first or only lens.

"The 50 will work very well for portraits. I'm happy."

For that work it is great. Glad you like it, money well spent!

[ebiggs1]

The great thing about a 50mil is the fast f1.8 aperture.  The bad thing is, it is a difficult FL for general use.  Especially on a cropper, not as bad on a FF.  The only reason a 50mm was designed at all is, it is considered "normal" human eye AOV.

Don't know how 'nifty' that makes it. However, almost everybody has or had one. I have three right now with the 50mm f1.2L being one of my mostest favorite lenses of all time.

One last thing, the 50mil is a very sharp lens.  Perhaps that is it's best attribute. I do hope you enjoy you new lens.