[trance_nut]

One of the reasons is, the 50mm lens has lesser number of glass elements in it as compared to the the kit lens.
This is because it is a single focal length lens and does not need more elements as compared to the kit lens, which is a zoom, and needs more elements to cover the zoom range and also control the abberations and vignetting in the entire zoom range.
And more the number of "glass pieces" between you and the subject, lesser the quality.

PS: This is just one of the reasons the makes the prime lens better than the kit.

Originally Posted by Mayavi

Anyway, I am looking at purchasing the 50 mm lens but I am still to understand how it is better than the kit lens at telephoto end. Can anyone care to put it in layman terms?

[HellwratH]

Ok, my big question is how is that few photos have a very smooth BG (very shallow DOF)? Is it because of the lens on DSLR?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by HellwratH

Ok, my big question is how is that few photos have a very smooth BG (very shallow DOF)? Is it because of the lens on DSLR?

Actually it is the bigger sensor that does that.

[Ajaybiz]

I had and have Panasonic Handy cam NV-DS50, Sony T-3, Sony HC42, Canon S2IS, Nikon S50.

[Sks_Biker]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Actually it is the bigger sensor that does that.

The smoothness of the background (Bokeh) is a factor of the lens and the aperture, not necessarily the sensor.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Sks_Biker

The smoothness of the background (Bokeh) is a factor of the lens and the aperture, not necessarily the sensor.

He asked the question in a way that sounded like why dSLRs have better bokeh. For a given FL, the DSLRs do have shallower DOF. That difference is due to sensor size.

Gisle Hannemyr: DOF Test Page

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Sks_Biker

The smoothness of the background (Bokeh) is a factor of the lens and the aperture, not necessarily the sensor.

Wrong! Depth of field is a function of
1. Sensor size
2. Aperture
3. Distance of subject(or distance of focus point)

For example if you focus on a object 10 meters away with a 50mm lens at F1.8
Depth of field near limit = 8.91 meters
Depth of field far limit = 11.6 meters
Total depth of field = 2.74 meter

Using the same lens and same aperture on a Canon 5D
Near limit 8.25 m
Far limit 12.7 m
Total 4.46 m

If you use Canon 30D/20D where sensor size is same as 350D(1.6x crop factor) you will get same results as 350D

Using a lens with same aperture and Focal length on an Olympus cam E-500 (2x crop factor)
Near limit 9.04 m
Far limit 11.2 m
Total 2.15 m

Reference : Online Depth of Field Calculator

[Sks_Biker]

Hehe, maybe I should have put it in a different way.

"not necessarily just the sensor."

Anyway the reference point for my reply was limited to the reply above it, hence the misunderstanding.

All is good as long as it brings in more info.

[abhibh]

I just checked a great deal on net on PENTAX 7.1 megapixel camera. Can anyone tell me how good is it ?
:: CafeGadgets.com :: Digital Cameras › 7 mega pixels+ › Pentax Optio E30

[gkrishn]

Originally Posted by Sks_Biker

The smoothness of the background (Bokeh) is a factor of the lens and the aperture, not necessarily the sensor.

If you are talking about bokeh, then the smoothness of it is the function of no of diaphragm blades.

Lets say a lens has 5 blades, then the out of focus light in back ground will have a pentagonal shape. If that lens had 10 blades, the same light would have been more rounded in shape, hence more smooth.

[rkg]

Originally Posted by abhibh

I just checked a great deal on net on PENTAX 7.1 megapixel camera. Can anyone tell me how good is it ?
:: CafeGadgets.com :: Digital Cameras › 7 mega pixels+ › Pentax Optio E30

most of the online sites in India are claiming false prices. they claim the MRP very high to show they are giving it at a discount.kindly check the market and see with your own eyes what is the actual MRP. then one will realise to what extent these companies are cheating. further none of the online sites in INDIA offer company warranty. they offer only dealer warranty. this show the product may be a repaired or refurbished one
the same is the case with credit card offers

as per canon site
A640 MRP is 20995 whereas cafe gadgets lists MRP as 23395 discounted price is 21749
A630 canon rate 17995 cafegadgets 20195 discounted 18849
Powershot A710 IS INR 18995.00 cafe gadgets Price: Rs.21,395.00 Rs.19,799.0
the same is the case with many dealers who sell it without warranty.
it is always better to buy physically india as of now. if one wants to buy online see whether the guy is actually giving you the proper B&W offered by the company not dealer

[tsk1979]

The price in USofA is around 4000rs. Even if you get it shipped to India by paying 30$ extra it will cost lesser than that site.

[HellwratH]

Ok, I don't understand this terminology, All I want to know is what lens do I get to get such good backgrounds? Rest I will work it out.

OT: Sks_Byker did U manage to sell ur 350D yet?

[abhibh]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The price in USofA is around 4000rs. Even if you get it shipped to India by paying 30$ extra it will cost lesser than that site.

Is that a good camera PENTAX one ???

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The price in USofA is around 4000rs. Even if you get it shipped to India by paying 30$ extra it will cost lesser than that site.

Can you get electronics shipped like that? Won't customs chaps pounce on it?