It's a sweet little lens for the price.
Affectionately known as the Nifty Fifty.
You definitely have to knock the f stop up a few notches to get it working at it's best don't you. Once you know where the imperfections of the lens are (Mine is on the top left) you can frame to suit.
They're excellent wide fields. You should try it on the LMC next, it fits the FOV perfectly.