Canon 50mm f1.4

MichaelHo · 22 Jan 2010 at 23:19

I love the 50 1.4, it's super sharp! Well worth the extra money over the 1.8 I would say.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 23 Jan 2010 at 01:29

Derek W said:
how?

The whole inside of the lens was released and it fell forward out of its case. Something wrong with the crappy clasp on it.

gt_junkie · 23 Jan 2010 at 10:34

Love mine - probably my most used lense.

I also have the 85mm f1.8 too. That is sharper and lightning fast at focussing too however i find the focul length of the 50mm much better for a lot of my shots.

TBH, if i could afford one i think my ideal lens would be a 35l but for the moment the 50mm suits me very well.
gt

Aod · 23 Jan 2010 at 11:14

gt_junkie said:
Love mine - probably my most used lense.

I also have the 85mm f1.8 too. That is sharper and lightning fast at focussing too however i find the focul length of the 50mm much better for a lot of my shots.

TBH, if i could afford one i think my ideal lens would be a 35l but for the moment the 50mm suits me very well.
gt

you looked into the 28mm f/1.8? thats a fearsome good lens and no mistake

Mr.Pink · 23 Jan 2010 at 12:06

gt_junkie said:
Love mine - probably my most used lense.

I also have the 85mm f1.8 too. That is sharper and lightning fast at focussing too however i find the focul length of the 50mm much better for a lot of my shots.

gt

Oh No... now i am really confused. I have just given the 85mm the edge over the 50mm, now you say you prefer the 50mm....

Do you find the 50mm better for portrait shots?

madcat · 23 Jan 2010 at 12:50

I would say 50mm is a standard lens. You can use it as portrait but 85mm is more reasonable!!!

Tachyon · 23 Jan 2010 at 13:24

I've a Canon 50mm 1.4 and although I'm happy with the quality of the shots I'm not overly happy with the quality of the autofocus. There's a point where mine sticks and I have to manually adjust it, doesn't happen all the time but enough to be bothersome.
I've noticed autofocus failure problems crop up from time to time on other forums regarding this lens.

gt_junkie · 23 Jan 2010 at 15:54

Aod said:
you looked into the 28mm f/1.8? thats a fearsome good lens and no mistake

Not considered it but will do now! Thanks!!

@ Mr.Pink - I'd say technically the 85mm is the better lens but on my 30D the additional width means i can use it indoors for portraits and moderately wide(ish) shots. Just seems to suit the shots i usually take a little better.

For anything tighter i tend to use my Sigma 150 instead.

gt

topbanana · 23 Jan 2010 at 21:55

50mm on a crop sensor is about right for indoor head / shoulder portraits. On full-frame, 85mm is better

Rojin · 25 Jan 2010 at 20:54

Tachyon said:
I've a Canon 50mm 1.4 and although I'm happy with the quality of the shots I'm not overly happy with the quality of the autofocus. There's a point where mine sticks and I have to manually adjust it, doesn't happen all the time but enough to be bothersome.
I've noticed autofocus failure problems crop up from time to time on other forums regarding this lens.

That's not what I want hear! The main reason I'd like to upgrade from the 1.8 is because of the AF struggling in poor light...

dannyjo22 · 10 Feb 2010 at 14:49

Finally took the plunge £275 a lot for a lens and I did think about taking the cheaper one but I often end up regretting going cheaper and buying twice...

Kainz · 10 Feb 2010 at 15:55

Corr, whats the build quality like? My 50mm 1.8 as mentioned above is a weakling. I fear for it's life everytime I pick it up!

tbs · 10 Feb 2010 at 16:01

iGiDK said:
Hired a 50mm 1.4 recently for a few group portraits, very nice lens, very sharp, enjoy!

Wasn't blown away by the bokeh though, I need to add a 50mm to my collection for an upcoming wedding so I may play the Sigma lottery instead

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is meant to be a good lens too, also heavier.

If you do get this lens you mind posting up some shots and a review of it?

topbanana · 10 Feb 2010 at 16:26

Kainz said:
Corr, whats the build quality like? My 50mm 1.8 as mentioned above is a weakling. I fear for it's life everytime I pick it up!

It's much better than the f1.8. You'd probably have to give it a serious whack to damage it.

PaulyD · 10 Feb 2010 at 16:29

Looking forward to the results of the 50mm 1.4

Though what is everyone doing to their 1.8's!? Like ScarySquirrel, mine lives in my bag that I carry with me day to day and not had an issue with it at all, no special treatment to it. I know its light and plastic but I wouldn't fear of breaking it through normal use!

dannyjo22 · 10 Feb 2010 at 16:47

Kainz said:
Corr, whats the build quality like? My 50mm 1.8 as mentioned above is a weakling. I fear for it's life everytime I pick it up!

It's very solid. The trouble is I will now battle with myself not to keep taking pictures at 1.4, the depth of field is amazing. No use though If I keep getting only one eye in focus

Raikiri · 10 Feb 2010 at 16:51

Aod said:
you looked into the 28mm f/1.8? thats a fearsome good lens and no mistake

Sigma 30mm f1.4 seems to be sharper and has less CA, would be the lens getting my money at around ~30mm.

mrk · 10 Feb 2010 at 17:08

The Nifty is hardly badly built, I mean mine was given to me for free and it lasted me absolutely ages until I got the 17-55 which is almost as sharp at 2.8 50mm so didn't need it any longer.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 10 Feb 2010 at 17:26

mrk said:
The Nifty is hardly badly built, I mean mine was given to me for free and it lasted me absolutely ages until I got the 17-55 which is almost as sharp at 2.8 50mm so didn't need it any longer.

It really is. Ive had two fall out of of the casing frontwards.
Optics - Bargain
Build - V poor

BloodyL · 10 Feb 2010 at 18:18

Mine *nearly* fell apart, there was only one clip holding the front ring cover on.
luckily I just clicked the cover back on and it is still working.
It sounds rough as a bears arse but it still works.