Cannon Nifty fifty

[thegisguy]

Finally getting around to buying a replacement for the "kit" lens on my Rebel XS. Going for the nifty fifty because it seems too good to pass up. my question, which would you buy. Just the lens Here or a small packaged deal Here?

I have no UV filters right now, and no lens cleaning kit currently.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ElFenix]

any UV filter that is worth anything will cost about 50% of what that lens does. further, the front element is downright buried in that lens. so i wouldn't bother. i've never lost a lens cap either, don't see the point of a leash.

good cleaning kit

 

[thegisguy]

Thanks. I wasn't sure how useful a UV filter would be on that lens. I'll probably order the cleaning kit you recommended.

 

[SAWYER]

I have the 50 1.8, really nice for the price. Len snobs look down on it but it takes nice pics

 

[996GT2]

You don't really need a UV filter at all unless you're using one to complete the weatersealing on an already sealed lens (some lenses require that you use a UV filter to make it entirely water resistant).

Otherwise, I find lens hoods much better both for protection and to protect from flare and excess light.

 

[thegisguy]

It's on its way. Thanks again to everyone. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

 

[angry hampster]

A hood is a better investment than a UV filter for the nifty fifty. It's fairly prone to flaring from my experience. It'll also help protect the front element. Happy shooting!

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
any UV filter that is worth anything will cost about 50% of what that lens does. further, the front element is downright buried in that lens. so i wouldn't bother. i've never lost a lens cap either, don't see the point of a leash.

good cleaning kit

Crap really? Even for $600+ lenses? The filter should cost $300+? Damn.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: FP

Originally posted by: ElFenix
any UV filter that is worth anything will cost about 50% of what that lens does. further, the front element is downright buried in that lens. so i wouldn't bother. i've never lost a lens cap either, don't see the point of a leash.

good cleaning kit

Crap really? Even for $600+ lenses? The filter should cost $300+? Damn.

*That* lens, as in the cheapo 50mm.

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: FP

Originally posted by: ElFenix
any UV filter that is worth anything will cost about 50% of what that lens does. further, the front element is downright buried in that lens. so i wouldn't bother. i've never lost a lens cap either, don't see the point of a leash.

good cleaning kit

Crap really? Even for $600+ lenses? The filter should cost $300+? Damn.

*That* lens, as in the cheapo 50mm.

I use UV filters strictly to prevent crap from flying onto my lens. Removing the UV filter and giving it a good wipe down is much easier than removing my lens and delicately brushing it off. And for that, I never waste my money on pricey filters.

Cheap UV filters can fail to restrict the UV spectrum adequately and cause flare. If you're shooting once-in-a-lifetime pulitzer photos, perhaps that matters. If you have money to burn or like sporting fancy names (that no one outside of the photography world has even heard of), then by all means, get the fancy filters. But for me, if my shot is screwed up due to my UV filter, I reposition and take another shot.

Having said that, I tend to use Hoya HMC filters, but I own Sunpak filters as well. No Tiffens yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it.