50mm 1.8 or 1.4 for low light

starscream

starscream

starscream

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Hi guys,

Over the weekend, my mate bought out his Cannon 50mm 1.4 lens to take a few snaps of my birthday. Some of the pics taken on the way back from the pub at night have seriously impressed me and are far better that my kit 350D lens or 75-300mm 5.6 can manage.

The only problem is the price which seems to be £220 from Hong Kong going to pushing £300 in the UK. Compare this with the 50mm 1.8 lens which is only around £80. Does anyone have any experience of using both these lenses and can comment about whether the 1.4 is worth the extra? If anyone has 2 and could take the same picture with both lenses, that would be amazing, or if anyone has the 1.8 and could take a night shot at say 1/20 shutter speed, that would be great to.

Thanks

Edit - Damn! could a mod move to Photography please.
 
If you're gonna use it, it's worth it; if not, it ain't

Although, unless you're after top quality with a slow film in low light, you probably won't notice the gain. Focussing will be a tad easier in low light though.
 
The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, and the 50mm 1.4 is even better. But it all comes down to how much money you have to spend.

I'd personally go for the 50mm 1.8 and see how you find it. If you end up using the lens a LOT then maybe consider the upgrade.
 
Raider said:
I'd personally go for the 50mm 1.8 and see how you find it. If you end up using the lens a LOT then maybe consider the upgrade.
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Very sound advice...if you need to sell it on you'll probably get quite a similar price to what you paid for it as well.
 
Raider said:
The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, and the 50mm 1.4 is even better. But it all comes down to how much money you have to spend.

I'd personally go for the 50mm 1.8 and see how you find it. If you end up using the lens a LOT then maybe consider the upgrade.
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I can afford either, but the 1.4 means supernoodles on toast and no nights out until payday.... On the basis of the link above, I think your advice might be right - Cheers.

Still interested in seeing some low light with the 1.8 though :)
 
Most 50's are pretty good, the 1.6x crop on a 350D means that it's around 80mm effective focal length which is a bit restricting.

I would only recommend spending 4x as much on the 1.4 if you use it very regularly - my reading of the differences don't equate to 4x the cost.

My advice would be go for the 50mm 1.8 - you can sell it for as much as you buy it for if you change your mind.
 
biggest problem with the 1.8 for low light is not the output, but rather the fact it hunts SO badly. the 1.4 is CONSDIDERABLY better than the 1.8 in focusing :)

Tom.
 
rG-tom said:
biggest problem with the 1.8 for low light is not the output, but rather the fact it hunts SO badly. the 1.4 is CONSDIDERABLY better than the 1.8 in focusing :)

Tom.
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Is that from experience?
 
rG-tom said:
yep ;)

Tom.
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Arrggg! And I was all set to go with the 1.8!

The stuff I will be taking with it mostly is from gigs and nighttime shots lit only by streetlights. Is the 1.8 going to struggle with that? The extra money is quite a lot to me, but I'd rather pay the extra if it seriously is going to struggle. If it's more a case of it being a little fiddly but gets there in the end, I don't mind so much given how cheaper it is.
 
starscream said:
Arrggg! And I was all set to go with the 1.8!

The stuff I will be taking with it mostly is from gigs and nighttime shots lit only by streetlights. Is the 1.8 going to struggle with that? The extra money is quite a lot to me, but I'd rather pay the extra if it seriously is going to struggle. If it's more a case of it being a little fiddly but gets there in the end, I don't mind so much given how cheaper it is.
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You will only know by trying it. It is regarded as a great lens and there is little risk in buying it and selling it on at a later time. Reason for this is it costs pennies and you get it all back!
 
I got the 1.8 in an independent photography shop in town for £80. As was mentioned, the AF can be a little iffy at times, but I'm please with the results so far. I think this will last a while before upgrading to the 1.4 as the £200 difference is a lot for the difference in quality between the 2.
 
rG-tom said:
biggest problem with the 1.8 for low light is not the output, but rather the fact it hunts SO badly. the 1.4 is CONSDIDERABLY better than the 1.8 in focusing :)

Tom.
Click to expand...
No experience with the 1.4 but when I'm using my 1.8 in low light I focus manually because it's quicker and less annoying :)
 
I've got the 1.8, it's certainly a great lens and is also very easy to sell should you want to upgrade. It's a very useful focal length to have on a crop body!

I'll echo what others have said and say that in low light dont bother with auto focus, manual it all the way!
 
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