50mm f/1.4 USM vs 50mm f/1.8

[speedydave]

This seems to be an ongoing debate for Canon SLR owners looking to buy a 50mm (non-macro) prime. The question is, is the 1.4 USM worth the extra money? I haven't used either lens before, so I don't really know how either performs.

I'm leaning toward the f/1.4 for three reasons: faster and more accurate USM auto-focusing; faster/better low light (f/1.4 vs f/1.8, though I don't know how much of a difference that makes); and the fact that it takes 58mm filters. All of the lenses I currently own have 58mm threads, so I'd be able to use the filters I already own with the 1.4, while I wouldn't with the 1.8 (which has a 52mm thread size).

What are the general main uses for a 50mm prime? My main lens right now is a 28-105 and I find that I shoot all over the zoom range with it, but usually near the telephoto side (~70-105mm). I shoot mainly sports, but I do a lot of other random stuff, too. I do plan on doing a lot of low light stuff; does one auto-focus better than the other in low light conditions?

Bottom line: Is the f/1.4 USM worth the more than three times higher price tag?

[swanny338]

the 50 1.4 is kinda soft wide open, but I would say its better at 1.8 than the 50 1.8 is at 1.8. Also the 50 1.4's bokeh is much better than the 50 1.8's.

As you said the 50 1.4 has USM, it actually doesnt, it has micro USM but that still better than no USM+u have 1.4 lets a bunch more light in than the 1.8

personally I am looking to buy a 50 1.8 much more bang for your buck

General Use? portraits, photoj, behind the basket at a basketball game

thats all i can think of

[Abel]

i own both and perfer the f1.4 version...

as mentioned both lenses are pretty sharp at like f2 or so but the bokeh on the f1.4 is far better than the f1.8 lens. the reason being is the f1.4 has a 8 blade diaphrahm and the f1.8 only has 5. this will make the bokeh or "falloff" a bit smoother and not so harsh...

i like the fact that the f1.4 focuses much quicked than the f1.8. i mainly shoot concerts with this lens and with the f1.8 it often sat there and had to "hunt" for something to focus on in low light. the f1.4 seems to have a better knack at focusing in low light which is a plus in concert photography.

the mount on the f1.4 is aluminum, the mount of the f1.8 is composite. f1.4 is built much more solid than the f1.8

also, the f1.4 has a manual focus ring which the f1.8 does not. so in ultra low light instances i can switch over to manual focus and set it myself...

I paid like $320 for my f1.4 and u could find the f1.8 online for like $65-85 or so. im glad i bought the f1.4 and sill prefer it over the f1.8

i bought the f1.8 first simply because i had a 10d body and no money for a decent lens yet so i got the 50 f1.8 to hold me over for a couple of weeks.

dont get me wrong the f1.8 is still a nice lens... like swan said, best bang for your buck... i myself like the features on the f1.4 more.

[cbuhay]

The way I think of it, the 50 f/1.8 is so inexpensive (at around $75), why not start out by getting one? Sure, it is not razor sharp wide open, but neither is the f/1.4. The difference is only ONE stop. If it's filters you're worried about, Adorama has a step down adaptor from 58mm to 52mm for $9.95. You can find the link here. Since I usually use my 50 indoors anyway, I find that I really don't need to put any filters on it. But if you find that you do, even buying a good Hoya filter will cost you less than half of the 50 f/1.4. The f/1.8 has a plastic mount, and the 1.4 has a metal one, but the f/1.8 is the lightest lens that Canon carries -- it doesn't need as strong a mount as their heavier and longer glass.

The 50mm lens is 80mm when I account for my camera's 1.6x multiplication factor. As such, I use it predominantly as a portrait lens. 99.9% of the time, I use it indoors because it rocks in low light situations. In my opinion, it takes great shots wide open -- sure it may be a little soft, but nothing that a little USM can't fix. It allows you to take very sharp pictures at f/2.8 -- and with an added bonus: what other lens do you know of that is less than $100, and has it's optimal sweet spot at f/4.0??

Now for the other side of the coin 8)
The 50mm f/1.8 as it stands is a great lens, but when compared with a 50mm f/1.4, it falls a little short. As you and swanny have mentioned earlier, the 1.4 is sharper, gives better bokeh, and has faster auto-focusing. Overall, the f/1.4 is thought to be the better lens, as it should be at 3x the price. Is it worth the 3x disparity in price -- hmmm... that's still debatable. Check out this comparison at photo.net.

Why not purchase the f/1.8? If you find that it is unsatisfactory, and you need the extra aperture stop and sharper glass, then step up to the 1.4. You've only lost $75 (which you can recoup on ebay).

just my .02
-christian.

[Abel]

agreed. in my case when i photograph concerts and such im only alotted 1-3 songs max to shoot! so i need all the help, speed etc i can get out of my autofocus lens...

i shot Ozomatli at the Verizon and they only gave me one song to shoot. talk about a fast 3 minutes! sheesh.

[swanny338]

I am thinking I am gunna get a 50 1.8 to hold me over until a Canon 50 1.2L comes out. Though it just a rumor there has been a lot of talk whether it will be 1.2 or 1.4 and L so its sharp wide open and build is better

[Abel]

just keep in mind if canon does release a 50mm f1.2 or 1.4L it may be in the PLUS $1000 range...

most of their sub f2 L lenses are in that range:

the 24mm f1.4L is $1100
the 35mm f1.4L is $1100
the 85mm f1.2L is $1475

[swanny338]

i know i know, once I get a wide angle(12-24 or 17-40 f4L), I am gunna start saving for it lol. by the time it comes out I shoould have the money... if, it does, obviously if speculation dies down, I will just end buying something else, but it will be a while

[gpgyo]

Actually f1.4 is 2/3 of a stop faster than f1.8 and the f1.8 does have a manual focus ring (its the very narrow textured ring at the front.)

I don't have much to add over what Christian posted. Before buying the f1.8 I read all the reviews and arguments going both ways. If you buy the f1.8 and don't like it you can pretty much get your money back out of it on the used market (FM or eBay.) I realize there are some circumstances where the extra speed and better bokeh are an advantage (Abel mentioned his sound reasons for buying the f1.4) but I don't have those needs so for me it didn't make sense to spend the extra dollars.

But hey, isn't the advantage of a local board that we are all near each other? Perhaps we should have an informal monthly meeting or something where we could try out each other's gear before we buy. Maybe after taking a few pictures with Abel's lens I might decide I need one!

Greg

[Abel]

i do stand corrected...

heres a pic of my f1.8



MF clearly an option... goes to show how long it has been since i used it!

also im selling my for $45 to Brian (aka steelsun) if we can ever meet up...

hehe.

[Steelsun]

Yep, and I'm looking forward to it!

I've already got a project to use it on, and may have another. Maybe I can find a paying gig to allow me to get a 1.4, and then I'll resell the 1.8.

That reminds me, maybe we could have a for sale/trade forum here for Texas members? It would be neat.

[Abel]

that can be arranged! consider it done.

[gpgyo]

$45! That's a great deal.

Greg

[Abel]

yup yup... its been sitting in my office for months....

[speedydave]

I've been looking on eBay, and it seems most good 50mm f1.8 mk1's are going for $150-170. I honestly have no idea how often I'll use the 50 other than low light stuff (which isn't as often as, say, Abel's concert stuff, but I would definitely bring it with me to basketball games and stuff). Is it worth it to buy the 1.8mk2, see how often I use it, and if I use it enough, buy a 1.4 and sell the 1.8, or are the extra features on the 1.4 (or 1.8 mk1) worth skipping the $90 (including UVP filter) 1.8mk2 all together?

BTW, this will mostly be used on my 10D, so it will effectively be an 80mm lens. However, I also have an Elan 7N, so it will get some use as a "real" 50mm lens.