50mm primes 1.8 and 1.4..??

DizMatt · 15 Feb 2006 at 00:17

a quick bit of advice is needed.

I have a 1.8 prime 50mm and really like the lens, putting it to good use this weekend, a lot of my favourite photography is low light, and flashless (martial arts dojos) so I'm thinking of upgrading to the f1.4 version when a friends pops across the pond next week
any thoughts?
is it worth it?
have been reading and it's apparantly very soft at 1.4 but at f2 it's pin sharp and faster and quieter than the 1.8
is it really worth it?
thanks in advance for any advice

rG-tom · 15 Feb 2006 at 00:23

if you use it a lot, then it is DEFINITELY worth it. I have the bigger brother (85 f1.8) and have used the 1.4 and can say they perform similarily, and going back to the 50mm F1.8 is hell. Feels so cheap and nasty, really slow to focus and is just generally horrible to use. Bargain and optically good yes, but not a patch on the 1.4 build quality and usability wise.

Tom.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 15 Feb 2006 at 01:05

I was thinking of upgrading to the 1.4 but I decided to save up for the 85mm L F1.2

Its the sexiest lens Ive seen!

Dfhaii · 15 Feb 2006 at 02:27

Just be aware it's quite big, heavy and slow to focus, optically though it's fantastic (the 85 1.2).

Col

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 15 Feb 2006 at 03:29

is it slow ? 1500 quid on a slow lens is not cool! I'l wait for a mark II

jhmaeng · 15 Feb 2006 at 10:48

From what I hear, it's one of the slowest focusing L-lenses in their lineup. Bokeh is supposed to be very nice though.

cyKey · 15 Feb 2006 at 11:19

I'd agree with rg-Tom. When I'm out doing gigs and I use a USM/HSM lens then go back to my nifty 50, it can be a chore. Focus FOCUS!! Right there on that bright spot!! It produces lovely shots but it can be annoying to get a focus lock. The 50mm f/1.4 is on my list as it has USM. Plus the obvious light benefits. I saw just how much of a difference f/1.6 was on Dangerous's camera. F/1.4 could be rather nice.

DizMatt · 15 Feb 2006 at 20:55

cheers
will stick with the f1.8 for now, and look to the 1.4 in the future
just been offered a macro lens

Samiad · 16 Feb 2006 at 16:14

Time to post this again :

Wide open it's very soft, and really only improves when you get beyond f/2.8.

It produces fantastic images though, and sometimes you NEED f/1.4.

AndyBorzi · 16 Feb 2006 at 16:49

Samiad said:
Time to post this again :

Wide open it's very soft, and really only improves when you get beyond f/2.8.

It produces fantastic images though, and sometimes you NEED f/1.4.

wow, thats some difference isn't it. I always knew there was softness wide open on most lenses but I didn't imagine that much.