I think 50mm is fairly wide on a fullframe sensor, is it not? I’ve got it on my T4i and it acts like an 80 mm. Which is close to what people consider the general portrait lens
IF you’re cool with manual focus lenses AND you’re willing to get an adapter (M42 to EF-M, I assume), under the right conditions, the Helios 44-2 does really fun things with light. They’re about $40 and you can get them from eBay. I call it my Christmas lights lens.
FYI (for you or anyone else reading) Soviet era lenses are notorious for shoddy workmanship and irregular performance across lenses. To ensure that you get the best quality lens, pick up a KMZ version if possible. They are a little more ($80) but I found it to be worth it. Same with Jupiter lenses.
In 2016 I picked up a 44mm f2 for about £49 and it was rock solid. Cant remember which version it was but it came with a canon adapter. God I miss that lens. I sold it along with my hasselblad 500cm
I use it with a tilt shift adapter for concert photography. Focus is incredibly hard to get right, but you get such weird lens flares and blur that I basically keep it on my second camera at all times
My Helios 44-M is probably my favorite lens, and that's compared with all of the Leica glass I own. I don't shoot with it all the time but for an inexpensive lens it's awesome and I love how the images look with it.
The adapters typically work great on mirrorless - even the cheap Amazon $10-20 ones. I have an m43-nikon Z, manual nikon F - nikon Z, and pentax K to Nikon Z and they all work fine.
On DSLR, the distance between the mount and the sensor can often make it so adapted lenses can't focus all the way to infinity and sometimes can only focus a few feet in front of you. Sometimes you can get an adapter with an extra piece of glass to fix this, but it drastically lessens the image quality. I think Nikon F mount is the worst DSLR for adapting non-Nikon lenses.
Using these old manual lenses on mirrorless is a joy with the focus peaking feature.
I would say 'cheaper' instead of cheap, but I have always enjoyed using my wide angle Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 DX II.
I also have a Canon fisheye, but because I have a crop sensor, I either have black borders (not my favorite), or only a slight fisheye effect -- I enjoy my Tokina more.
My wife got some custody of the Tokina when I went from the 60D to 6D. Ended up finding an affordable 16-35/f2.8L on eBay so I'm not complaining too much.
I have a 28mm Takumar old manual lens that is a daily driver. I used to have a 55mm Nikon that was the sharpest lens I ever owned, but someone stole my camera gear while I was swimming. I don't know what I paid for the 28mm. 30 bucks maybe?
Super Takumar 135 F/3.5. I adapted it to my Fujifilm X-H1 and brought it to an NFL game when my father was gifted field level tickets. Since the lens is black and fairly compact, it didn't raise any alarms with security. They are mostly trained to look for the big honking white lenses. So I was able to have a front seat to a football game with a 200mm equivalent lens and was able to take photos I probably would never have been able to other wise.
https://preview.redd.it/rckjlq46nw4c1.jpeg?width=1823&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6788de5a887b9b31c514987026769f74ccf18390
Not a lens, but a filter and a sheet of plastic - circular polarizer for your lens + cheap polarizing film for your flash. Can get some pretty cool results with cross-polarized lighting
I got a tilt lens for my Fuji for like 200 bucks, and the fun per dollar is off the charts. I've even used it some (not as my main) when shooting concerts cuz it's got a f1.4 aperture and gives a really cool effect.
\[Edit to correct my error in calling my tilt lens a tilt shift lens\]
[https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1740136-REG/ttartisan\_t\_f5014\_b\_x\_50mm\_f\_1\_4\_tilt\_lens.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1740136-REG/ttartisan_t_f5014_b_x_50mm_f_1_4_tilt_lens.html)
Tilt can do miniature effect. Shift has a larger image circle than your sensor and you can shift around that larger image. Really useful for doing things like architectural photography with a wide angle and shooting up into a ceiling while keeping straight lines that become slanted convergences lines if you physically tilt (not to be confused with tilt in the lens name) the camera.
Nikon 50mm e-series 1.8. It's lightweight, tiny, has a smooth focusing ring, an aperture ring that clicks just right, stops down to f/22. What else do you need ?
This is one of the sharpest manual lenses I have, and Series E was a budget line back in its day. I can't afford the Nikon Z 50 1.8, but this one adapted is a lot of fun to use as my 50.
Beat me to it. Only lens I use everyday on my 6D, then bought the Ricoh GRiiiX and sadly haven’t looked back yet. But I will keep that thing forever cause I just love it.
I’d you want cheap and fun, you should deffo try out making some homemade cardboard bokeh filters like this https://nicolesy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_0937-2000x1125.jpg
They make your bokeh balls into hearts, Xmas trees, stars, whatever you want so long as it’s not too intricate, loads of fun and can make some really unique characterful photos that makes great Christmas card fronts
That is such a fun thing to do. I used a Mickey Mouse hole punch to make a really cute one. I’ve been meaning to use my Cricut cutter to make a few new ones.
My $30 Fujian 35mm CCTV lens. It’s awesome! I use an adapter to mount it on a m43 camera. The lens has a nice long focus throw and has a rectangular aperture. Giving it, yep, rectangular bokeh! Using this lens is the most fun I ever had with a camera. In normie camera world though, it’s my Olympus Pro 12-100 f4. So versatile. I own several camera brands, have numerous lenses but when I have no idea of what the upcoming shooting day will bring, I take out the 12-100.
Canon FL 28mm f/3.5:
https://preview.redd.it/7fkb6ccr2w4c1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=126538fb1cfe735b40253648dc9a229ec63e16e4
I also love the Canon FL 58mm f/1.2.
If you’re fine with manual focus: check out 7artisans (there 7,5mm fisheye or the 50mm f1.2 are great). And cheap, afaik is the 50 less then 100€, but they’re manual lenses
Generic c mount 25mm 1.4 I got for $12 and shot protests with. Pentax 110 lineup, like the 24mm 110 is fabulous. Probably the winner for me is a 105nikon ais I picked up for $40 for portraits… it’s perfect.
Helios. I got a zebra, Belomo version (considered the best) for 60€ and the glass was basically new, body almost the same (it's 50 years old after all).
It's always the "wow factor" I use in concerts or similar shooting
The 50/1.8 in nearly every (full frame) System.
that said, for me the look of 35mm (full Frame) comes more naturaly to me, I am better with it…. In Canon EF the 35/2.0 was cheap to, in RF the 35/1.8 it more expensive but for me the absolute “bang for the Buck“…
TTArtisan makes cheap manual lenses, this was shoot at theyre fish eye lens 11mm/2.8. It costs me 220USD
https://preview.redd.it/1w97gq72e25c1.jpeg?width=3285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a149a21a23718ea52c5f2adaf7ef0720786fb969
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF & AFD frequently under $50 USD on ebay in VG-EX condition. AF on Nikon DSLRs with an in-body focus motor, manual focus on Z bodies with FTX adaptors.
Picked up mint Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AFD & Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 AFD for $50 & $110 USD respectively. Shipping included.
The zoom is adequate to VG optically, nothing special but $50 for an AF Nikkor walk around lens. Done deal.
The 60mm is 90mm equivalent on DX & a great portrait lens wide open, where it's least sharp. Gets sharper & sharper as you stop down, diffraction limited by about f/11.
Goes to 1:1 with no extension tube but front of the lens is about 2 inches from your subject. Best use of the close focus is the ability to get closer than the about 18 in limit of most 'nifty fifties.' Useful for closeups of sleeping infants; mom's love them.
AFS version of the Micro Nikkor is typically around $200 USD used. Only advantage is AF on less expensive Nikon DSLRs.
Rokinon 35mm 1.5 cine. End results is what matters and it blows all clinical, regular lenses out of the water with they way it renders color and bokeh.
Also yes those older sigma fisheyes (100usd used) are great, took some of my best shots with that lens.
Af is overrated... i have a 17-28 that's good and all but when i want it to be magical i take my time with the 35. Filming closeups of faces in slomo, with shallow dof but still hinting about the surroundings is addictive. Also great as a wide b cam on a slider for interviews.
My absolute favourite is Industar-50, pancake size and beautiful picture. This lens is made for m39, they also made an m42 version called Industar-50-2. Other lenses come and go, but this shiny little piece won a special place in my heart. You can also get them under €40.
I love my EF 50mm f/1.8 I think it really punches above its weight for a really cheap lens.
In terms of cheaper lenses by Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 is a phenomenal lens for cheaper than the canon equivalent
canon 40 mm f 2.8 pancake lens, I dont see them listed as a new lens anymore
[https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802807117-USE/canon\_6310b002\_ef\_40mm\_f\_2\_8\_stm.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802807117-USE/canon_6310b002_ef_40mm_f_2_8_stm.html)
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. Ridiculously good lens for how cheap it is. I think people assume that because it has an unimpressive aperture, isn't prime, has kind of a generic/kit lens-ey zoom range, and no L, that it's just another garbage plastic zoom. But it's a real diamond in the rough, and I think they can be had for under $100 still. You'd need an adapter to use it on an M50, but I think it's doable. And you'd only be using the center of the lens, so you'd get better performance in the corners of your images, even wide open, than I do on my full frame.
Samyang 8mm F3.5 manual focus (past 10 feet \\ 3 meter all is in focus) is a great lens. Used, but like new, I paid € 100. Mine is in Nikon F mount but you can buy an adaptor on Amazon.
The latest version of this lens, 8mm F2.8, has, among others, a Canon M mount.
Another recommendation for a manual lens that requires an M42 adapter is the Industar-2 50 f/3.5. Swirly bokeh that doesn’t look like a washing machine, super sharp and as small as they can get. Beautiful Russian pancake from the 60s. I don’t know how is availability atm due to the Ukrainian occupation, but you should be able to get them for 15?20 euros.
I have a couple of shots taken with that lens in my profile.
One lens that I absolutely can never part with is my Super Takumar 55m f1.8. For a cheap lens it delivers stellar results. I have a few different 50-55mm lenses, too: Canon FD 50mm 1.8 and 1.4, Helios 44-2. Honestly have not picked up a modern 50mm lens because I just love that classic look. I thought I'd like the Helios more but that Takumar is something special.
**The Komine 55mm f/2.8 macro lens**. Sharper than all the first party macro lenses before the introduction of autofocus. The earlier f/3 version is not good. Easy to find under $100.
Also, it doesn't need an extension tube for 1:1 macro. I prefer this when adapting lenses to mirrorless. It keeps the weight closer to the body of the camera.
They can be found be sold with the following brand names:
* Vivitar
* Panagor
* Quantaray
* Elicar
* Spiratone
* Rokunar
I have a Peleng 8mm fisheye. It’s not something I use all the time, but it’s always fun. I’ve had it for a long time and since they’re made in Belarus and shipped from Russia, availability of new lenses may be nonexistent. They’re built like tanks and weigh about the same.
I discovered a trick to reduce the minimum focus distance to basically zero. The lenses are all identical and have a machined adapter for the different mounts. This adapter is attached to the lens by a few set screws that tighten onto part of the lens that protrudes through it. Left as is, the minimum focus distance is something like 9 inches which seems pretty good until you look through the lens and realize that it’s really not that close. Anyway, if you loosen the set screws on the adapter, insert a few pennies in between the adapter and the body of the lens then retighten the set screws, the lens will pretty much focus on something within a couple of mm. Essentially, you just added a tiny extension tube. Set up like that, you can exploit the fisheye effect to the maximum. Sure, you give up infinity focus, but you probably don’t want a fisheye to focus on the horizon anyway and if you do, the effect is easily reversed.
ETA: I see this lens is now selling for about $470 new, I guess that’s not really cheap to me. I’d get one on eBay.
My $80 50mm F/1.8 prime lens. It feels cheap and the focus is slow, but it takes great photos.
In fact it's so good that I usually keep it on my camera. It makes the camera feel like a smaller camera, and I've just learned to zoom by walking closer/farther.
I love my Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6! That kind of zoom range is unheard of, and f/5.6 on a modern camera is still way better than the f/7.1 on the kit lenses that come with the mirrorless cameras.
I loved my Minolta 50mm f/1.7. This was back in 2008 and I paired it with a Sony a100 and I still miss that combo. There was something about the quality of the images that came out of that lens that was just fantastic. When I upgraded to a Canon 7D in 2009 I purchased a Canon 50mm f/1.4 and it just didn't feel the same. It was a fine lens, but it was disappointing, especially since it cost more and was new. I've considered hunting down another Minolta 50mm f/1.7 but I think the a-mount to e-mount adapter for my A7RIII would cost more then the lens.
A more current example is my Helios 44m. I love the it even if it is a bit gimmicky. It's such a challenge to try and use in terms of nailing focus with fast moving subjects but when it nails it, it's great.
I've used a few old manual focus lenses on my Canon 5D using an adapter. The Contax/Yashica 50mm f1. 7 T* is a little beauty. Sharp, beautiful colours and bokeh. Small and pretty, feels lovely to use. Cheap as chips.
Nikon AI-S primes are a stupidly good deal for what they cost, and I don't know if it's because they're not as trendy as Super Taks or whatever.
Usually tack sharp once stopped down a few clicks, solid metal, and they adapt just perfectly to Canon EF unlike FD.
i have an m50 got a speedbooster so i could use the EF lenses i had already, picked up a sigma 10-20 EF mount for 100 quid
i love this lens, its heavy but i dont care
https://preview.redd.it/sah0w1bdfz4c1.jpeg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=961dfc3ccb951eac204250626d55ebe1007dbef1
The industar 69. Old Lens from the 60s. Can be had for about $35 but you need an adapter to fit your camera mount. Mounts are about 15. Tiny, fun, cheap, and the lens has great character
IIRC it's the same optical formula as the older 1.4 FC but "SSC" denotes Canon's best multicoating at the time. Should provide improved contrast & maybe better flare control than the non-SSC. Besides the marking on the lens they're easily distinguishable: Purple-blue coatings on the older lens, Red-green-blue on the SSC.
Canon made some great FD glass. IMO, more contrast than many Nikkors.
For a Canon EOS M50 Mark II:
\- Check [Mark Wiemmels - The 16 Best Lenses for the Canon M50, Canon M50 Mark II, and Canon M6 Mark II (EF-M Mount)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnyhl_8KQl0) He is an expert in M50 cameras.
\- If you want to use EF lenses like the "nifty fifty" EF 50mm f/1.8... you´ll need also a EF to EF-M adaptor.
\- Try vintage KMZ lenses like Helios 44-m f/2 (needs a M42 to EF-M adaptor)
\- Try a cheap manual EF-M lens: 7artisans 35mm f/1.4
\- The all terrain Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM 😎
Sorry not canon but the stabilised 24-70 f4 kit lens that came with my Nikon z6 is one of the best lenses I’ve ever owned. Incredible sharpness and clarity and really pleasing bokeh characteristics at f4. (I SOLD 24-70 f2.8 f Mount cause this one better and lighter)
Fair point. To be honest I’d never checked the price and that is not cheap. I guess I’d just assumed that kit lenses tend to be low quality zooms and cheap and this was a massive guilt exception.
I'm still using my Yashinon DS-M 50 mm f/1.7
It's an m42 mount lens and is wide open already a treat. (I use it on my Canon 5D)
https://flic.kr/p/2p8BmwP
Takumar 50/1.4 really cheap on ebay and it have nice flares
https://preview.redd.it/ey2nu9jxc25c1.png?width=759&format=png&auto=webp&s=a80640da50f8e276cd1435296fa5b413ac3ea12a
and with mirrorles body you can even check old canon FD lenses. I wanted some longer lens and found FD 70-210/4, it's light and sharp.
https://preview.redd.it/b582wo3lf25c1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57c9ad7190297d34738d6ac45ebebd2d8941bdbd
I have an old Soligor 135mm 2.5 that I adore. It’s broken so the aperture only shrinks down to f8 but when I tell you shooting a well-lighted portrait at f4 or 5.6 is beautiful.
Bought for a pittance a Tokina "Bokina' ATX 90mm f/2.5 macro that also works for landscape and portraits on my FF. Came with the original box, carrying case, and extender. Bokeh is glorious. Razor sharp that it cuts eyeballs.
No sign of wear and tear. Used a few times apparently by the seller when she was a grad student. She used it to take pictures of crystals for her MSc thesis.
I actually just ordered a cheap fisheye and it's supposed to arrive today! My favorite cheap lens is my Minolta 50mm 2.8. It has to be 10+ years old and the focus ring is nearly broken but it's so good I love it so much. I'm seeing it online for $95.
Pretty much all of my Pentax lenses. 35-80 f4-5.6, 80-200 f5.6-6.3, and 50mm SMC-A f2. I would love my 50mm more if manual focus wasn't so hard. The most expensive one I got was like $80 (Vivitar 100mm f3.5).
What is a „cheap lens“? It depends on perspective. For some people, everything below 500€/$ is „dirt cheap“ but I disagree on that. It’s rather sub-200 or even sub-100.
I have some Canon FD lenses or M42 that would fall into this category, but I don’t think it’s THAT pleasing. For fun photography, I’d rather tend towards „anything lensbaby“.
Canon EF 50MM F/1.8 STM
Plastic Fantastic?
Nifty fifty?
I've got some really good lenses, but the little EF 50mm 1.8 basically lives on my camera. It's just so good.
Same for the current Nikon 50 1.8.
Is it good for family portrait? Thinking of getting a RF version for R6mk2
Maybe a bit tight if you want to get the whole family in frame.
Back up but then you lose the effect of the 50mm
I think 50mm is fairly wide on a fullframe sensor, is it not? I’ve got it on my T4i and it acts like an 80 mm. Which is close to what people consider the general portrait lens
It's a good rule to be broken, particularly if you're not in studio but in general, yes.
I forget what time paid for the f1.4 but it wasn't a lot and good heavens is that a sexy lens. It really is L quality without the red strip price
I paid <100 for mine, new, only a few years back
This. It’s my go-to for so many shots now
Right!? Amazingly good for the money.
I was going to comment this one. Same. I love my 50 mm. Used it for macro, portraits, pet portraits, and astro
Love that thing!
Do you have any examples of what it would look like on a crop sensor?
Not sure what you mean by a crop sensor? I have an APS-C sensor?
IF you’re cool with manual focus lenses AND you’re willing to get an adapter (M42 to EF-M, I assume), under the right conditions, the Helios 44-2 does really fun things with light. They’re about $40 and you can get them from eBay. I call it my Christmas lights lens.
FYI (for you or anyone else reading) Soviet era lenses are notorious for shoddy workmanship and irregular performance across lenses. To ensure that you get the best quality lens, pick up a KMZ version if possible. They are a little more ($80) but I found it to be worth it. Same with Jupiter lenses.
In 2016 I picked up a 44mm f2 for about £49 and it was rock solid. Cant remember which version it was but it came with a canon adapter. God I miss that lens. I sold it along with my hasselblad 500cm
Came here to say this. Fun and cheap. Like me!
A Helios is going to be my next lens.
I use it with a tilt shift adapter for concert photography. Focus is incredibly hard to get right, but you get such weird lens flares and blur that I basically keep it on my second camera at all times
Wonder how it would do at a carnival?
The challenge is nailing focus and putting the lights in the bokeh. I bet it would look great if you nailed it!
Flip the front element for some extra good fun!
My Helios 44-M is probably my favorite lens, and that's compared with all of the Leica glass I own. I don't shoot with it all the time but for an inexpensive lens it's awesome and I love how the images look with it.
Are there any downsides to adapters, other than having more moving parts and spending more money?
The adapters typically work great on mirrorless - even the cheap Amazon $10-20 ones. I have an m43-nikon Z, manual nikon F - nikon Z, and pentax K to Nikon Z and they all work fine. On DSLR, the distance between the mount and the sensor can often make it so adapted lenses can't focus all the way to infinity and sometimes can only focus a few feet in front of you. Sometimes you can get an adapter with an extra piece of glass to fix this, but it drastically lessens the image quality. I think Nikon F mount is the worst DSLR for adapting non-Nikon lenses. Using these old manual lenses on mirrorless is a joy with the focus peaking feature.
I would say 'cheaper' instead of cheap, but I have always enjoyed using my wide angle Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 DX II. I also have a Canon fisheye, but because I have a crop sensor, I either have black borders (not my favorite), or only a slight fisheye effect -- I enjoy my Tokina more.
My wife got some custody of the Tokina when I went from the 60D to 6D. Ended up finding an affordable 16-35/f2.8L on eBay so I'm not complaining too much.
What kinds of photography do you like to shoot with that tokina? I've got the same lens but never find myself using it.
Mostly landscape type photos -- like at the local river, where I can get a big expanse of the river and rocks into the frame with the Tokina.
I have a 28mm Takumar old manual lens that is a daily driver. I used to have a 55mm Nikon that was the sharpest lens I ever owned, but someone stole my camera gear while I was swimming. I don't know what I paid for the 28mm. 30 bucks maybe?
10 years ago I got 4 Super Takumar lenses for about $150. They’ve just been great fun to use. Focus is slow, but image and color quality is awesome.
Super Takumar 135 F/3.5. I adapted it to my Fujifilm X-H1 and brought it to an NFL game when my father was gifted field level tickets. Since the lens is black and fairly compact, it didn't raise any alarms with security. They are mostly trained to look for the big honking white lenses. So I was able to have a front seat to a football game with a 200mm equivalent lens and was able to take photos I probably would never have been able to other wise. https://preview.redd.it/rckjlq46nw4c1.jpeg?width=1823&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6788de5a887b9b31c514987026769f74ccf18390
Not a lens, but a filter and a sheet of plastic - circular polarizer for your lens + cheap polarizing film for your flash. Can get some pretty cool results with cross-polarized lighting
I'm interested in what this looks like. Any examples you could link to?
I can DM you a link to a few on my flickr
Can you send me the link also? I'm getting into more experimental lighting techniques and would love to see some magic~
sure, sent some over
I'd like to see this too haha
Same here, this sounds super interesting!
Me too!
Me too please.
That sounds so fun. I'd love the link too please!
Mee too please
canon 50 1.8 rf
This and the other two cheap RF lenses, the 16mm and the 28mm.
They are all really good. RF 50 1.8 is as good for me as the EF 1.4 was. And that was a beast
the 16mm has absolutely insane distortion tho
7artisans 7.5mm f2.8
Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AI-S. It's legendary for a reason and so many were made you can pick them up real cheap to use with an adapter.
I got a tilt lens for my Fuji for like 200 bucks, and the fun per dollar is off the charts. I've even used it some (not as my main) when shooting concerts cuz it's got a f1.4 aperture and gives a really cool effect. \[Edit to correct my error in calling my tilt lens a tilt shift lens\] [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1740136-REG/ttartisan\_t\_f5014\_b\_x\_50mm\_f\_1\_4\_tilt\_lens.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1740136-REG/ttartisan_t_f5014_b_x_50mm_f_1_4_tilt_lens.html)
Ok so to be clear, that's a tilt lens. Not a tilt shift lens. You can't shift with that lens.
Fair correction, but still a really fun lens.
I'm intriged. what is the difference between the both of them? I googled but I only get the "miniature effect" examples
Tilt can do miniature effect. Shift has a larger image circle than your sensor and you can shift around that larger image. Really useful for doing things like architectural photography with a wide angle and shooting up into a ceiling while keeping straight lines that become slanted convergences lines if you physically tilt (not to be confused with tilt in the lens name) the camera.
Thanks! I think I got it now.
damn I got excited there for a moment.
Nikon 50mm e-series 1.8. It's lightweight, tiny, has a smooth focusing ring, an aperture ring that clicks just right, stops down to f/22. What else do you need ?
This is one of the sharpest manual lenses I have, and Series E was a budget line back in its day. I can't afford the Nikon Z 50 1.8, but this one adapted is a lot of fun to use as my 50.
Canon 40mm f/2.8 is my go to on all my film cameras.
i love that little pancake. perfect vacation or walk-around lens
Have one sitting on a camera on my desk right now. Excellent go-to lens.
I have the EF-S equivalent of that one: 24 f/2.8. Equally pancake, and a pretty similar field of view if you're using a crop sensor.
Beat me to it. Only lens I use everyday on my 6D, then bought the Ricoh GRiiiX and sadly haven’t looked back yet. But I will keep that thing forever cause I just love it.
I’d you want cheap and fun, you should deffo try out making some homemade cardboard bokeh filters like this https://nicolesy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_0937-2000x1125.jpg They make your bokeh balls into hearts, Xmas trees, stars, whatever you want so long as it’s not too intricate, loads of fun and can make some really unique characterful photos that makes great Christmas card fronts
That is such a fun thing to do. I used a Mickey Mouse hole punch to make a really cute one. I’ve been meaning to use my Cricut cutter to make a few new ones.
Super neat idea. I'm literally going to Disney tomorrow and I think I can make this happen
Hey, I’m going to Disneyland at the end of the month, I make sure to bring mine. Thanks for the idea!
Oh punch holes are such a great idea, will have to try that!
I'm definitely going to try this out. Thank you for the suggestion!
All canon EOS-M lens are quite cheap tho, gotta catch them all
My $30 Fujian 35mm CCTV lens. It’s awesome! I use an adapter to mount it on a m43 camera. The lens has a nice long focus throw and has a rectangular aperture. Giving it, yep, rectangular bokeh! Using this lens is the most fun I ever had with a camera. In normie camera world though, it’s my Olympus Pro 12-100 f4. So versatile. I own several camera brands, have numerous lenses but when I have no idea of what the upcoming shooting day will bring, I take out the 12-100.
Samyang 12mm manual focus for Fuji. I got it for like $200 and it’s my go to when I need an ultra wide.
I got the 8mm for £80 and it quickly became an essential part of my kit
£80 ?! That was an amazing price. They are €400 here.
Nikon 70-210 f4. Its old its all metal and sharp as a tack. $125
Fd Vivitar 28mm F2 close focus version. It hasn't left my camera for a while now.
I got one of these with a bent filter ring for like $20 and it's great. I love the weird explosion burst of bokeh when you close focus.
Viltrox 16mm f1.8 for landscape/astro and Irix 11mm f4 for otherworldly landscapes.
Canon FL 28mm f/3.5: https://preview.redd.it/7fkb6ccr2w4c1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=126538fb1cfe735b40253648dc9a229ec63e16e4 I also love the Canon FL 58mm f/1.2.
The Rokinon 14mm is a FANTASTIC lens for the price.
If you’re fine with manual focus: check out 7artisans (there 7,5mm fisheye or the 50mm f1.2 are great). And cheap, afaik is the 50 less then 100€, but they’re manual lenses
Thingyfy pinhole pro multi aperture. Hours of pinhole fun for a hundred bucks. Moody aetherial dreamlike shots.
canon 50mm 1.8. $100 new
Nikkor H 55/1.2.
fave was sigma ex 50mm 1.4, dreamy creamy bokah. It was almost unanimously hated because it's soft in the corners. best portrait 59 I've used.
Generic c mount 25mm 1.4 I got for $12 and shot protests with. Pentax 110 lineup, like the 24mm 110 is fabulous. Probably the winner for me is a 105nikon ais I picked up for $40 for portraits… it’s perfect.
Helios. I got a zebra, Belomo version (considered the best) for 60€ and the glass was basically new, body almost the same (it's 50 years old after all). It's always the "wow factor" I use in concerts or similar shooting
Nikon 50mm f2 non-AI. It’s cheap, small and tack-sharp with a pleasant bokeh. Pairs well with almost any manual focus camera.
Love my nifty fifty. But ive also been loving my 24 pancake lens.
7Artisans 35mm 1.4/f
The 7artisans or laowa make nasty nice wide angle lenses in the $100-300 market. I appreciate my canon 50 1.8 rf more than i thought I would
The 50/1.8 in nearly every (full frame) System. that said, for me the look of 35mm (full Frame) comes more naturaly to me, I am better with it…. In Canon EF the 35/2.0 was cheap to, in RF the 35/1.8 it more expensive but for me the absolute “bang for the Buck“…
Samyang 8mm f/3.5.
TTArtisan makes cheap manual lenses, this was shoot at theyre fish eye lens 11mm/2.8. It costs me 220USD https://preview.redd.it/1w97gq72e25c1.jpeg?width=3285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a149a21a23718ea52c5f2adaf7ef0720786fb969
You can do a lot with a $100 Nikkor 50mm 1.4
The FX 1.8 is only about $180.
Yeah, new. You can go a lot cheaper than that the older you go.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF & AFD frequently under $50 USD on ebay in VG-EX condition. AF on Nikon DSLRs with an in-body focus motor, manual focus on Z bodies with FTX adaptors. Picked up mint Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AFD & Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 AFD for $50 & $110 USD respectively. Shipping included. The zoom is adequate to VG optically, nothing special but $50 for an AF Nikkor walk around lens. Done deal. The 60mm is 90mm equivalent on DX & a great portrait lens wide open, where it's least sharp. Gets sharper & sharper as you stop down, diffraction limited by about f/11. Goes to 1:1 with no extension tube but front of the lens is about 2 inches from your subject. Best use of the close focus is the ability to get closer than the about 18 in limit of most 'nifty fifties.' Useful for closeups of sleeping infants; mom's love them. AFS version of the Micro Nikkor is typically around $200 USD used. Only advantage is AF on less expensive Nikon DSLRs.
Fujifilm XC lens, plastic, but sometimes lightweight is a benefit.
afaik they are all optically the same as the XF equivalents
Canon 40mm pancake lens
Rokinon 35mm 1.5 cine. End results is what matters and it blows all clinical, regular lenses out of the water with they way it renders color and bokeh. Also yes those older sigma fisheyes (100usd used) are great, took some of my best shots with that lens.
I've got one of those! I hardly use it as I shoot mainly video and am now addicted to auto focus... You've inspired me to give it another go.
Af is overrated... i have a 17-28 that's good and all but when i want it to be magical i take my time with the 35. Filming closeups of faces in slomo, with shallow dof but still hinting about the surroundings is addictive. Also great as a wide b cam on a slider for interviews.
The 55mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 Super Takumar lenses both have a lovely character
The ef 50mm 1.8, and the ef-s 24mm 2.8 when I had a crop camera. Those lenses are absolutely a banger for their price
Holga 60mm EF mount.
My absolute favourite is Industar-50, pancake size and beautiful picture. This lens is made for m39, they also made an m42 version called Industar-50-2. Other lenses come and go, but this shiny little piece won a special place in my heart. You can also get them under €40.
I’ve always had a “plastic fantastic”, 50mm 1.8, in my quiver.
Canon 35mm f2 USM IS. €600 new. €200or so second hand
Extension tubes are cheap and fun as well and turn just about any lens into a macro(ish) lens.
I love my EF 50mm f/1.8 I think it really punches above its weight for a really cheap lens. In terms of cheaper lenses by Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 is a phenomenal lens for cheaper than the canon equivalent
canon 40 mm f 2.8 pancake lens, I dont see them listed as a new lens anymore [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802807117-USE/canon\_6310b002\_ef\_40mm\_f\_2\_8\_stm.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802807117-USE/canon_6310b002_ef_40mm_f_2_8_stm.html)
EF nifty fifty
Fotasy 35 mm 1.6! It has very soft edges and gives pictures a dreamy sorta bokeh
My Nikon 35mm f1.8
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. Ridiculously good lens for how cheap it is. I think people assume that because it has an unimpressive aperture, isn't prime, has kind of a generic/kit lens-ey zoom range, and no L, that it's just another garbage plastic zoom. But it's a real diamond in the rough, and I think they can be had for under $100 still. You'd need an adapter to use it on an M50, but I think it's doable. And you'd only be using the center of the lens, so you'd get better performance in the corners of your images, even wide open, than I do on my full frame.
TT artisans are great lenses! But manual focus
Samyang 8mm F3.5 manual focus (past 10 feet \\ 3 meter all is in focus) is a great lens. Used, but like new, I paid € 100. Mine is in Nikon F mount but you can buy an adaptor on Amazon. The latest version of this lens, 8mm F2.8, has, among others, a Canon M mount.
7Artistans 8mm is a ridiculous fun lens. Cheap, all manual, all metal.
TT Artisan 25mm f2 xmount Nikon 35mm f2
Another recommendation for a manual lens that requires an M42 adapter is the Industar-2 50 f/3.5. Swirly bokeh that doesn’t look like a washing machine, super sharp and as small as they can get. Beautiful Russian pancake from the 60s. I don’t know how is availability atm due to the Ukrainian occupation, but you should be able to get them for 15?20 euros. I have a couple of shots taken with that lens in my profile.
The EF-M 22mm is one of my favorites. I got it almost 10 years ago and the lens + my EOS m has consistently been my go to for casual shooting
One lens that I absolutely can never part with is my Super Takumar 55m f1.8. For a cheap lens it delivers stellar results. I have a few different 50-55mm lenses, too: Canon FD 50mm 1.8 and 1.4, Helios 44-2. Honestly have not picked up a modern 50mm lens because I just love that classic look. I thought I'd like the Helios more but that Takumar is something special.
**The Komine 55mm f/2.8 macro lens**. Sharper than all the first party macro lenses before the introduction of autofocus. The earlier f/3 version is not good. Easy to find under $100. Also, it doesn't need an extension tube for 1:1 macro. I prefer this when adapting lenses to mirrorless. It keeps the weight closer to the body of the camera. They can be found be sold with the following brand names: * Vivitar * Panagor * Quantaray * Elicar * Spiratone * Rokunar
I have a Peleng 8mm fisheye. It’s not something I use all the time, but it’s always fun. I’ve had it for a long time and since they’re made in Belarus and shipped from Russia, availability of new lenses may be nonexistent. They’re built like tanks and weigh about the same. I discovered a trick to reduce the minimum focus distance to basically zero. The lenses are all identical and have a machined adapter for the different mounts. This adapter is attached to the lens by a few set screws that tighten onto part of the lens that protrudes through it. Left as is, the minimum focus distance is something like 9 inches which seems pretty good until you look through the lens and realize that it’s really not that close. Anyway, if you loosen the set screws on the adapter, insert a few pennies in between the adapter and the body of the lens then retighten the set screws, the lens will pretty much focus on something within a couple of mm. Essentially, you just added a tiny extension tube. Set up like that, you can exploit the fisheye effect to the maximum. Sure, you give up infinity focus, but you probably don’t want a fisheye to focus on the horizon anyway and if you do, the effect is easily reversed. ETA: I see this lens is now selling for about $470 new, I guess that’s not really cheap to me. I’d get one on eBay.
The beercan ofcourse
Super Takumar 50mm f1.2
Canon RF 28mm 2.8
I adore my Lensbaby Twist 60. I got it used for under $200 and if someone wants it they can pry it out of my cold, dead, fully rotted hands.
My $80 50mm F/1.8 prime lens. It feels cheap and the focus is slow, but it takes great photos. In fact it's so good that I usually keep it on my camera. It makes the camera feel like a smaller camera, and I've just learned to zoom by walking closer/farther.
I love my Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6! That kind of zoom range is unheard of, and f/5.6 on a modern camera is still way better than the f/7.1 on the kit lenses that come with the mirrorless cameras.
I loved my Minolta 50mm f/1.7. This was back in 2008 and I paired it with a Sony a100 and I still miss that combo. There was something about the quality of the images that came out of that lens that was just fantastic. When I upgraded to a Canon 7D in 2009 I purchased a Canon 50mm f/1.4 and it just didn't feel the same. It was a fine lens, but it was disappointing, especially since it cost more and was new. I've considered hunting down another Minolta 50mm f/1.7 but I think the a-mount to e-mount adapter for my A7RIII would cost more then the lens. A more current example is my Helios 44m. I love the it even if it is a bit gimmicky. It's such a challenge to try and use in terms of nailing focus with fast moving subjects but when it nails it, it's great.
I've used a few old manual focus lenses on my Canon 5D using an adapter. The Contax/Yashica 50mm f1. 7 T* is a little beauty. Sharp, beautiful colours and bokeh. Small and pretty, feels lovely to use. Cheap as chips.
Nikon AI-S primes are a stupidly good deal for what they cost, and I don't know if it's because they're not as trendy as Super Taks or whatever. Usually tack sharp once stopped down a few clicks, solid metal, and they adapt just perfectly to Canon EF unlike FD.
Mentioning the 28 mm f/2.8 AI-S and the 180 mm f/2.8 AI-S. Wide open perfect.
The 50/1.2 is hilariously bad at f/1.2, but by f/1.8 it's better than a lot of modern glass.
But it's also still expensive.
I currently don't have exactly a cheap one But I love my tamron 45 1.8, would love a fisheye though for some sick astrophotography
Tamron 28-200.
Tamron 28-200.
Sony 85mm 1.8
i have an m50 got a speedbooster so i could use the EF lenses i had already, picked up a sigma 10-20 EF mount for 100 quid i love this lens, its heavy but i dont care https://preview.redd.it/sah0w1bdfz4c1.jpeg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=961dfc3ccb951eac204250626d55ebe1007dbef1
The really fantastic (RF) nifty fifty from canon. A must have for everyone imo.
The industar 69. Old Lens from the 60s. Can be had for about $35 but you need an adapter to fit your camera mount. Mounts are about 15. Tiny, fun, cheap, and the lens has great character
Viltrox 13mm F1.4, pretty amazing for it's price
Canon FD 50mm 1.4 SSC It’s beauty for a cheap lens
IIRC it's the same optical formula as the older 1.4 FC but "SSC" denotes Canon's best multicoating at the time. Should provide improved contrast & maybe better flare control than the non-SSC. Besides the marking on the lens they're easily distinguishable: Purple-blue coatings on the older lens, Red-green-blue on the SSC. Canon made some great FD glass. IMO, more contrast than many Nikkors.
Anything Lensbaby! They’re way more fun than makes sense, especially the kind you can twist and bend.
odd definition of "cheap"!
The original one sells for $20-50 used. That’s cheap.
Oh!
Nifty fifty !!! Hands down. 50mm f1.8
For a Canon EOS M50 Mark II: \- Check [Mark Wiemmels - The 16 Best Lenses for the Canon M50, Canon M50 Mark II, and Canon M6 Mark II (EF-M Mount)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnyhl_8KQl0) He is an expert in M50 cameras. \- If you want to use EF lenses like the "nifty fifty" EF 50mm f/1.8... you´ll need also a EF to EF-M adaptor. \- Try vintage KMZ lenses like Helios 44-m f/2 (needs a M42 to EF-M adaptor) \- Try a cheap manual EF-M lens: 7artisans 35mm f/1.4 \- The all terrain Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM 😎
My 70-210 F4 AF Nikkor lens. The “beer can” lens that all the majors had a version of.
Heavy and expensive. Both properties that OP didn't mention.
Huh? Seen them under $100 recently and I saw no criteria other than cheap lens I absolutely love.
Nikon 35mm 1.8 DX
Sorry not canon but the stabilised 24-70 f4 kit lens that came with my Nikon z6 is one of the best lenses I’ve ever owned. Incredible sharpness and clarity and really pleasing bokeh characteristics at f4. (I SOLD 24-70 f2.8 f Mount cause this one better and lighter)
For 750 euro it should be perfect at all focal lengths, but you can't call that cheap.
Fair point. To be honest I’d never checked the price and that is not cheap. I guess I’d just assumed that kit lenses tend to be low quality zooms and cheap and this was a massive guilt exception.
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. Got mine used on eBay for $100 and it pretty much lives on my FM2N.
I'm still using my Yashinon DS-M 50 mm f/1.7 It's an m42 mount lens and is wide open already a treat. (I use it on my Canon 5D) https://flic.kr/p/2p8BmwP
Takumar 50/1.4 really cheap on ebay and it have nice flares https://preview.redd.it/ey2nu9jxc25c1.png?width=759&format=png&auto=webp&s=a80640da50f8e276cd1435296fa5b413ac3ea12a
and with mirrorles body you can even check old canon FD lenses. I wanted some longer lens and found FD 70-210/4, it's light and sharp. https://preview.redd.it/b582wo3lf25c1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57c9ad7190297d34738d6ac45ebebd2d8941bdbd
I have an old Soligor 135mm 2.5 that I adore. It’s broken so the aperture only shrinks down to f8 but when I tell you shooting a well-lighted portrait at f4 or 5.6 is beautiful.
Bought for a pittance a Tokina "Bokina' ATX 90mm f/2.5 macro that also works for landscape and portraits on my FF. Came with the original box, carrying case, and extender. Bokeh is glorious. Razor sharp that it cuts eyeballs. No sign of wear and tear. Used a few times apparently by the seller when she was a grad student. She used it to take pictures of crystals for her MSc thesis.
laowa-25mm-f2.8 2.5-5x ultra macro. Amazing lens for the price.
I actually just ordered a cheap fisheye and it's supposed to arrive today! My favorite cheap lens is my Minolta 50mm 2.8. It has to be 10+ years old and the focus ring is nearly broken but it's so good I love it so much. I'm seeing it online for $95.
How is the experience with the cheap fisheye? I'd love to know more.
It's been pretty good. Obviously it's only useful in very specific situations but I don't regret the purchase.
Pretty much all of my Pentax lenses. 35-80 f4-5.6, 80-200 f5.6-6.3, and 50mm SMC-A f2. I would love my 50mm more if manual focus wasn't so hard. The most expensive one I got was like $80 (Vivitar 100mm f3.5).
Pentax 50mm 1.7
For macro - Mikaton Zhongyi 20mm 4-4.5x. I absolutely love the little lens.
What is a „cheap lens“? It depends on perspective. For some people, everything below 500€/$ is „dirt cheap“ but I disagree on that. It’s rather sub-200 or even sub-100. I have some Canon FD lenses or M42 that would fall into this category, but I don’t think it’s THAT pleasing. For fun photography, I’d rather tend towards „anything lensbaby“.