Soldato
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Thinking about picking one up, has anyone else had experience with it? It would be used with a 450D for portraits.
Cheers
Cheers
Canon 50m f/1.4 worth the money?
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Caporegime
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Yes and no.
Yes because the USM is better than the 1.8
Yes because it is 1.4 over the 1.8
Yes because it has nicer bokeh than the 1.8
Yes because it is 4 to 5 times cheaper than 50/1.2
Yes because it is better built than the 1.8
No because there is a new Sigma 50/1.4 round the corner, although it is bound to be at least twice the cost.
No because there is a current Sigma 50/1.4 that is also quite decent although I did pick the Canon over the Sigma.
No because it is an old design and overdue for an update.
I plan to sell mine shortly so I can get the new Sigma 50/1.4.
Yes because the USM is better than the 1.8
Yes because it is 1.4 over the 1.8
Yes because it has nicer bokeh than the 1.8
Yes because it is 4 to 5 times cheaper than 50/1.2
Yes because it is better built than the 1.8
No because there is a new Sigma 50/1.4 round the corner, although it is bound to be at least twice the cost.
No because there is a current Sigma 50/1.4 that is also quite decent although I did pick the Canon over the Sigma.
No because it is an old design and overdue for an update.
I plan to sell mine shortly so I can get the new Sigma 50/1.4.
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Soldato
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Yes, it's a lovely lens, as per all the points above. Makes the 1.8 feel like a kid's toy.
The 1.2 is definitely not worth it though, imo, mainly because of the price.
The 1.2 is definitely not worth it though, imo, mainly because of the price.
Caporegime
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The 1.2 makes no sense unless you really want that metal construction, the bigger barrel for holding and the red ring for bragging rights. Since it isn't that sharp wide open so the amount of light gained has a trade off.
More 50/1.4 samples
More 50/1.4 samples
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The 50 1.4 is a steal for what it costs. It's main competition at present is the existing Sigma which many say they prefer and is sharper but I've read far far too many reports of AF issues with it so I stuck with the Canon.
As Ray says, the new Sigma will likely blow it away but will be at least twice the price.
As Ray says, the new Sigma will likely blow it away but will be at least twice the price.
Love my Canon 50mm 1.4. Owned for a fair few years now and find it's my go-to lens. Lovely bokeh and excellent quality construction. It may not be as sharp as the current Sigma but it's still very sharp (I've found the sweet spot on mine is at around 2.8)
My only criticism is that I've found it can be a bit slow to focus in low light conditions on my aging 450D occasionally
My only criticism is that I've found it can be a bit slow to focus in low light conditions on my aging 450D occasionally
Wait for the new sigma lens. Sigma has hinted that they are going after the premium 50mm type lenses such as the new Nikon 58mm f/1.4 and Zeiss 55mm f/14 Otus.
There is a strong reason to believe they can succeed here. Their 35mm is the sharpest there is and 50mm is an easier focal length.
There is a strong reason to believe they can succeed here. Their 35mm is the sharpest there is and 50mm is an easier focal length.
I'd wait for a canon refresh or the sigma, although I have been saying that for 2 years. The build quality, well it's long been rumoured to be the least reliable canon lens, I found it slow to focus in lower light and felt equally as cheap as the 1.8. Equally as 'toy' like and plasticy.
Each to their own but I have other lens I much prefer on a crop and I still prefer using 70mm and upward for portraits. For me I'd go 85mm 1.8 before I went 50 1.4.
Each to their own but I have other lens I much prefer on a crop and I still prefer using 70mm and upward for portraits. For me I'd go 85mm 1.8 before I went 50 1.4.
The new sigma will be at least twice the cost, if canon refresh the f1.4 then the recent trend also says that will be twice the cost (See every other lens they've updated recently!) so while it's fine to say weight if cost is an issue don't bother as the new lenses will not be anything like as affordable.
I'm really happy with my f1.4 purchased second hand for a godd price, I ummed and arred for ages over the current sigma but in the end decided to go for the cheaper and more guarenteed performance of the canon lens (The sigma does seem to have a lot of issues)
Soldato
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I like my 1.4, I would say that it can be sometimes difficult to lock on but apart from that I do prefer it to the 1.8.
Depends if you have £200-£300 to spare and if the extra DOF/Light is worth it to you. An image of my cat at 1.4:
Depends if you have £200-£300 to spare and if the extra DOF/Light is worth it to you. An image of my cat at 1.4:
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I'm quite the amatuer at the moment and am shooting with an 18-200 sigma which I know isn't especially good for anything in particular but it seemed to do the job for my first DLSR lens. The reason I was thinking about the 50mm is that it would be good for social occasions. Am I right in thinking this? Raymond thanks a lot for your samples and thoughts 
Can you sell photography bits on the MM or not? I have about 6 days to wait until I can get there if so 
WHat kind of price do you think you'll be selling it for Raymond?
Can you sell photography bits on the MM or not? I have about 6 days to wait until I can get there if so WHat kind of price do you think you'll be selling it for Raymond?Why will it be slower? You do realise the 35/24/28mm IS lenses were direct replacments for exisiting slower lenses? Canon have given no indication of a policy of introducing slower IS primes to replace exisitng lenses and if they were to do this with the 50mm f1.4 it would leave them with a clear hole against the competition which seems unlikely.
They may intorduce a slower IS 50mm alongside the existing line up as the IS primes are clearly aimed at video users who I imagine would be quite keen on a 50mm f2.8 IS lens.
Because they've still got the f1.2 if speed is the ultimate goal. I just don't see them keeping such a line up 50mm lenses and if they introduce a stabilised 50mm then I see the 1.4 as the easy one to lose. This is just my guess though.
Cleisthenes said:
If you're on a crop body then 50mm is likely too long for social occasions. Ray is using his on a full frame body which is a 'standard' perspective whereas it'll be closer to 80mm on a crop body which is quite long. Good for portraits but a bit rubbish for groups or close quarters candids.
You may want to consider the Canon 28mm 1.8, Sigma 30mm 1.4 or the other Canon/Sigma 35mm lenses.
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Thanks, i'm not exactly sure what full body means but i'll have a look at those that you have mentioned.
I was just going to post what olv has said. If you like the look of Raymond's shots and the field of view, you'll need to look at the lenses that olv has mentioned above.
I really liked the old Sigma 30mm f1.4 on my old 7D. Don't rule out buying second hand, you can pick up lenses cheaply and sell them on for little loss if they don't work out for you (obviously beware or multi user lemon lenses being passed around!). The old Sigma 30mm f1.4 is pretty cheap now but doesn't come up a lot, the Canon 35mm f2 can be found cheaply as well. I've still got the Canon but preferred the Sigma, be aware that the Sigma is a crop only lens though.
I really liked the old Sigma 30mm f1.4 on my old 7D. Don't rule out buying second hand, you can pick up lenses cheaply and sell them on for little loss if they don't work out for you (obviously beware or multi user lemon lenses being passed around!). The old Sigma 30mm f1.4 is pretty cheap now but doesn't come up a lot, the Canon 35mm f2 can be found cheaply as well. I've still got the Canon but preferred the Sigma, be aware that the Sigma is a crop only lens though.
Caporegime
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I'm quite the amatuer at the moment and am shooting with an 18-200 sigma which I know isn't especially good for anything in particular but it seemed to do the job for my first DLSR lens. The reason I was thinking about the 50mm is that it would be good for social occasions. Am I right in thinking this? Raymond thanks a lot for your samples and thoughts
Erm, I think the going rate is around £200? I am not sure, may be 10% less to get it sold. I got it around 2007 I recall, I sold off all my EF-S lenses and began building towards EF lens only and it was the first lens that I got. I had it serviced at Canon at Elstree last summer at the cost of £195(!), have the receipt still so the lens is in tip top shape, still have the box and hood (although it has some scuffs on the hood), will come with a Hoya pro-1 UV filter).
I'll list it in MM soon as the Sigma gets a release date, along with my 85/1.8, I've not used that since I got my 85L.
