18-55 IS Vs 50mm 1.8 Prime

[mfalcon009]

Hi I have recently bought a 550D with both a kit lens (18-55 IS) and a prime 50mm 1.8. I will be travelling for a vacation for 2 days and can carry only one of these lenses along. I am more inclined towards the 50mm prime as it provides sharper as well as low light images. Please help me in making the right decision.

[inkista]

For two days you can't carry a tiny small light plastic lens? Where are you going, the moon? Sorry. But I own a bunch of much larger and heavier lenses, and I tend to haul a full backpack. To me, the idea that you can't afford to take either of those with you for the weight/size is kind of hard to understand.

It's basically down to what versatility you need more:framing, or lighting conditions.

The 18-55 is a zoom, and can frame everything from wide angle to a bit longer than normal. But its max. aperture is only f/3.5-5.6. So if you need to shoot something that moves in low light, you may not get a fast enough shutter speed to prevent blur, even with IS to help you out. (If you're shooting buildings at night or something, though, you could be fine). If you're going to be shooting outdoors in sunlight most of the time, this lens rocks.

The 50/1.8 II is a prime. You have to run around a lot more to get the framing you want, and you may not be able to get what you want in particularly small spaces. But the lens opens up all the way to f/1.8, which can let in about 10x the amount of light that the 18-55 can when it's set to 55mm. Are you planning on shooting indoors without a flash a lot?

[mfalcon009]

Yes planning to shoot in low light but not indoors such as neon lights at twilight etc. My problem is i don't have adequate gear for safe carrying of both lenses. Still need to purchase a good bag to carry them and don't have time to purchase it before i leave .

[Sloseph]

personaly id say take the 50mm, since getting mine i never use 18-55

you get much sharper images, plus i find you get better shops because you work harder with moving around, it gets rid of the lazyness that comes with a zoom

but really you could just stick the 50mm in your pocket its that small