????

[sHIMUZUKi]

whats the differecne between a 50 mm - f/1.8 II - Canon EF and a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS the first one only says 50mm does that mean it is only 50mm point blank???

[Aegea]

The 18-55mm is a zoom lens, the 50mm cannot zoom - the focal length is fixed at 50mm. So it is less versatile in that respect. However it is a faster lens (f1.8 as opposed to f3.5 - 5.6), so it can be used when there is less light.

Edit - rereading this, I'm not sure what you mean by "50mm point blank". Of course, both lenses can focus on objects at any distance from infinity down to say three feet or so, the zoom just allows you to change the scale of the image on the sensor.

[wulf]

As well as being faster (so you can use it lower light), most 50mm lenses tend to be light weight and able to produce sharp images with good colour. Really a whole different class of lens from an 18-55mm zoom.

Wulf

[Samanax]

Originally Posted by sHIMUZUKi

whats the differecne between a 50 mm - f/1.8 II - Canon EF and a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS the first one only says 50mm does that mean it is only 50mm point blank???

The EF 50mm f/1.8 II is a prime lens (a fixed focal length lens) meaning it's a lens that does not zoom. You have to physically move forward or backward to adjust what you're seeing in the viewfinder.

The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a zoom lens (a lens that has a variable focal length) and you don't have to move forward or backward to adjust what you're seeing in the viewfinder...turning the zoom adjusting barrel on the lens will make the image appear closer or farther away depending on which way you're turning the barrel.