Hewlett Packard EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens

This is the so-called "plastic fantastic" - because it has a plastic mount that replaced the metal mount of the Mark I version. None the less, the lens has generally proved very reliable in use and indeed seems to have fewer build problems than the more expensive and faster EF 50mm f/1.4 lens, based on complaints on sites like photo.net. It sells for as little as US$40 (used and a lucky buyer). For such prices, it cannot be beat, and it's good even objectively as well as a bargain. On a camera like the XT and 20D and their successors, it is the equivalent of a short telephoto -- that is, what is called a "portrait lens". For this use, it may be too "sharp" and crisp, (Aunt Maude will hate her wrinkles) but you can always make Aunt Maude happy by clapping on a 'diffusion" filter just like those they used to use on Doris Day and other aging movie stars.

For information on this and other inexpensive prime lenses from Canon, see my Guide on eBay on that subject.