canon 50mm 1.4

ruffdog64

ruffdog64

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Harvey
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I have the canon 50mm f1.8 but have been recommended the f1.4 is it that much of a better lens? i plan on using it for portrait and weddings
 
It's not IMO. I found it softer than the f/1.8 though it's better built and has better AF.
 
I'd get the f1.8 STM it fixes the main issues people have with the 1.8 mkii ie better af, better bokeh and improved build quality. I found the f1.4 over rated wide open it is pretty soft and massively lacking in contrast and from f1.8 onwards it is no better than the new STM lens the only thing it had going for it was the faster focusing but the STM closes the gap massively.
 
The sigma 50mm 1.4 has a better reputation thanot the canon equivalent. I've had both and I didn't really find the sigma much better (although might not have had the best copy maybe). I've now got a sigma art 50mm f1.4 whigh is significantly better but also costs significantly more.

I'd suggest either keeping your existing lens or if you can afford it I'd get the sigma art. Personally I wouldn't bother with any of the other in between lenses
 
I am not a lover of the 1.4. I found it to be soft. It also has a reputation for being easily knocked out of alignment if it suffer a knock to the front end.

The f1.8STM is much better value IMO.
 
I think if you can't afford the Sigma Art 1.4 yet. Buy the new STM until you can.

As above, the STM fixes most of the issues with the nifty, but the Canon 1.4 was never as good a lens as it ought to be.
 
I've got both. You can't beat the 1.8 for price vs IQ. The 1.4 is much better built but very little IQ improvement.
The 1.8 has a 5 blade aperture whereas the 1.4 has 8 blades so there are some noticeable differences in the bokeh.
See here: http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/
 
I agree with Phil the Sigma 50mm f1.4 art is by far the best choice if you have the funds or if not get the Canon 50mm STM.
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply
 
I upgraded from the 50mm 1.8 Mk2 to the 50mm f1.4 USM, mostly it was down to being fed up with the slow AF on the Mk2. It also helped that a friend had a 50 1.4 going spare ;)

I did some simple tests while I had both versions. IQ wise there's practically nothing between the 1.8 and 1.4, but as said the build quality and AF are much better on the 1.4

One sample:

Comparing 50mm lenses - 1 by Alistair Beavis, on Flickr

A comparison at f1.8

Canon Nifty 50 f1.8 vs f1.4 @ f1.8 by Alistair Beavis, on Flickr

If you have the cash, the Sigma 50 Art is probably the best option, but if not, the Canon 50 1.8 STM is much improved over the Mk2.
 
The sigma art is also MASSIVE!

Wish canon would just get on with upgrading the 1.4 as it must be coming!
 
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Did you try the 1.2? I have 1.8, 1.4 and 1.2. Overall the 1.8 gets most use as so light and easy to take, 1.4 for fast AF and 1.2 when its a planned shoot and AF speed not critical.
 
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