Canon 50mm f1.4 vs Canon 85mm F1.8

The Greek

The Greek

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Just can't make a decision which lens would be right for me and my crop body 40d. The more I read, the more confused and undecided I am.

I have read uncomplimentary reviews on the 50mm f1.4, for that reason my head was turned to the 85mm f1.8.

To make matters worse, the Sigma 30mm f1.4 has now been added to the short list.

Not looking to buy new, so have to get this right first time..... HELP!
 
I have both, 85mm is probably a better build and works out equivalent to a 135mm on a crop frame camera, great (outside?) portrait focal length. I also like the 50mm (85mm Equivalent) again good for portraits. The 24-30mm focal length is a really good allround focal length on the 40d. You will have to decide what focal length will best suit your photography. I hope this is of some help.
 
If you are after the best IQ and build, then 85mm has no competition at that price (maybe 100mm f/2 and macro). 50/1.4 is not bad, it is very sharp from 2.5 ish but build is the worst of any canon lens. Sigma 30 didn't impress me as a sharp lens a while back, and there are plenty of calibration issues with them.
 
mrwaverley said:
I have both, 85mm is probably a better build and works out equivalent to a 135mm on a crop frame camera, great (outside?) portrait focal length. I also like the 50mm (85mm Equivalent) again good for portraits. The 24-30mm focal length is a really good allround focal length on the 40d. You will have to decide what focal length will best suit your photography. I hope this is of some help.
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Thanks, its the build quality that's worrying on 50mm , especially as I'm looking to buy used.
 
The Greek said:
Thanks, its the build quality that's worrying on 50mm , especially as I'm looking to buy used.
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I think it's built just fine. No L but sturdy for sure. Maybe go and have a play in your local Jessops?

Maybe they are thinking of the 1.8.

I like this guys reviews, I am sure you've already read it, here it is anyway.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.4-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Yes, the 50mm 1.4 isn't the sharpest wide open but I like it a hell of a lot. I've got some great shots on my 5D with it. I think focal length is more important than sharpness.
 
The Greek said:
Thanks, its the build quality that's worrying on 50mm , especially as I'm looking to buy used.
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You could look at the Sigma 50 1.4.

It's a cracker of a lens. for central sharpness at 1.4 I prefer it to the Nikon version.
 
By the way, if you want any samples from the 1.4 I can dig them out for you.
 
daugirdas said:
50/1.4 is not bad, it is very sharp from 2.5 ish but build is the worst of any canon lens. Sigma 30 didn't impress me as a sharp lens a while back, and there are plenty of calibration issues with them.
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These are the two issue with the 50mm that worry me, but for some unknown reason can't scrub it off the short list. As for the Sigma, now off the shopping list!

So down to the final two, which is progress lol







Yep,
 
Should have mentioned, I already have the Canon 60mm f2.8. Would I therefore be wasting my money on a 50mm?
 
The Greek said:
These are the two issue with the 50mm that worry me, but for some unknown reason can't scrub it off the short list. As for the Sigma, now off the shopping list!

So down to the final two, which is progress lol
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As I never tire of saying, I've never had any front / back focus issues with any Sigma lenses. I have Siggy 50mm and 85mm f1.4's and they're both good, the 85 being the best of the two but it's more expensive than the Canon 85mm f1.8 but personally I wouldn't touch that lens because of the shape of the bokeh. Bokeh and general look are important in lenses like this so the Canon 85mm f1.8 wouldn't be on my list of possibles and neither wuld the Canon 50mm f1.4 due to its focus system which seems (arguably) incapable of giving consistant results. Based on focus performance and look I'd choose the Sigma 50 and 85mm f1.4's over the Canons and simply return them if I got faulty ones or even better have the camera and lens combinations checked together.

I've also had a Sigma 30mm f1.4 and had no optical issues with it. My only complaint with that lens was the slighly gritty feel to the focus ring. I tried others and they felt just the same so I don't think it's a fault as such.

I'm not a Sigma fan boy and I do own other lenses but personally all this front / back focus stuff just seems to have passed me by :D
 
The Greek said:
Should have mentioned, I already have the Canon 60mm f2.8. Would I therefore be wasting my money on a 50mm?
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If you want 'pin sharp' then yes you would. 50mm vs 60 is nearly the same length, and I presume yours is perfect from wide open. If you just want 'any' f/1.4 then it is quite different at then end of the day.

The build is really bad on both 50mm f1.8 and f1.4. 1.4 is worse in fact - google search broken AF motor :rules:. Lens hood is a must to keep it alive, but not many know and do. Mine survived 2 years so far of very modest use.
 
daugirdas said:
If you want 'pin sharp' then yes you would. 50mm vs 60 is nearly the same length, and I presume yours is perfect from wide open. If you just want 'any' f/1.4 then it is quite different at then end of the day.

The build is really bad on both 50mm f1.8 and f1.4. 1.4 is worse in fact - google search broken AF motor :rules:. Lens hood is a must to keep it alive, but not many know and do. Mine survived 2 years so far of very modest use.
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The F/1.4 is fine. The 1.8 is delicate and a little wobbly but the F/1.4 is in a different league in terms of build quality.

What happened to yours after two years?
 
whom said:
The F/1.4 is fine. The 1.8 is delicate and a little wobbly but the F/1.4 is in a different league in terms of build quality.

What happened to yours after two years?
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They are both very bad just in a different way. Mine has been sitting in a bag with plenty of padding and was used 8 times for 20 shots :bang: Like I said do ebay and google search for faulty 50mm f/1.4. You won't find another lens with so many hits. If more evidence is needed lightly tap the filter thread for a couple minutes (I shall take no responsibility for the consequences though)
 
But what happened to yours then?
 
well I like my 50mm f1.4
great lens, and not let me down yet, however, the focusing protrudes from the front and so is prone to damage if you twonk it!
however, the solution then is the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.8 (2nd hand)
then you can sell it on if you don't use it

I have the sigma 30mm and canon 1.4.
canon for portraits and sharpness.
the sigma for a 50mm equivalent in low light, love it
 
I have a fair few lenses but the 85mm F1.8 is one I just wont part with, the build quality is excellent, the full time manual focus over ride works really well, its pin sharp and has quite nice bokeh.
To me its the hidden gem in the canon range and should really have had an L on the end of its name.

As for field of view with it on a crop camera such as yours.. from 2 metres the 85mm is perfect for upper body/head and shoulders, at the same distance the 50mm will give you nearly full body.


Here's a couple I took with it in poor natural light. (F2.5 @ ISO 800)

VC.jpg


VC1.jpg
 
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I have the EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens and i realy dont know why it is getting slatted, Looking at a recent magazine article regarding niffty fifftys what they said is very fast autofocus, pin sharp in the center of the frame, even at f1.4 apeture.

Regarding the sigma it says the sigma is £75 more than the canon f1.4 lens, Its exceptionally sharp at f5.6 and very good all the way up to its maximum apeture f16. Wide open at f1.4 softness across the whole frame, Chromatic aberration proved low at all apetures, with a slight increase towards the edges, Barrel distortion was the hightest on test, but still tiny compared to a kit lens.

Conclusion: If your on a budget the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II is lightweight and plasticky form belies superpsharp optics that are hard to believe at the price. But at the end of the day, its between the Canon and the Sigma f1.4 lenses. The Sigma oozes quality and feels reasuringly solid, with its oversized 77mm filter thread, and to my mind its blisteringly fast HSM focusing has the edge too. But it is the limited f16 max apeture, which may be restrictive in situations where you realy want to maximise depth of field, and its £75 moree that the Canon equivalent, which seems to turn things on its head. I'd be delighted with eigher, but there can only be one winner, and for me it has to be the Canon EF 50mm f1.4!
 
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Hotshots said:
I have the EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens and i realy dont know why it is getting slatted, Looking at a recent magazine article regarding niffty fifftys what they said is very fast autofocus, pin sharp in the center of the frame, even at f1.4 apeture.

Regarding the sigma it says the sigma is £75 more than the canon f1.4 lens, Its exceptionally sharp at f5.6 and very good all the way up to its maximum apeture f16. Wide open at f1.4 softness across the whole frame, Chromatic aberration proved low at all apetures, with a slight increase towards the edges, Barrel distortion was the hightest on test, but still tiny compared to a kit lens.

Conclusion: If your on a budget the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II is lightweight and plasticky form belies superpsharp optics that are hard to believe at the price. But at the end of the day, its between the Canon and the Sigma f1.4 lenses. The Sigma oozes quality and feels reasuringly solid, with its oversized 77mm filter thread, and to my mind its blisteringly fast HSM focusing has the edge too. But it is the limited f16 max apeture, which may be restrictive in situations where you realy want to maximise depth of field, and its £75 moree that the Canon equivalent, which seems to turn things on its head. I'd be delighted with eigher, but there can only be one winner, and for me it has to be the Canon EF 50mm f1.4!
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Thanks :thumbs:
 
Sigma 1.4 if you can get a sharp one :)
I have had all three. The 1.8 which is really good, really light but plasticky, the 1.4 which had to get repaired with the AF issue and the Sigma which is the one I eventually kept and am really happy with.
Each to their own though:thumbs:
 
Also use Sigma 50 1.4. It is sharp wide open and AF is spot on. Only downside is wide open the CA is terrible, really terrible. At f2.0 the CA is less and gone by f2.8. :)

I actually like the 77mm filter size, I can use filters from my other lenses and don't need any adapter rings etc. :)
 
The Greek said:
Just can't make a decision which lens would be right for me and my crop body 40d. The more I read, the more confused and undecided I am.

I have read uncomplimentary reviews on the 50mm f1.4, for that reason my head was turned to the 85mm f1.8.

To make matters worse, the Sigma 30mm f1.4 has now been added to the short list.

Not looking to buy new, so have to get this right first time..... HELP!
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Got one or more zoom lenses? Which focal length do you use most? Pick the prime closest to that.
 
SixToes said:
Got one or more zoom lenses? Which focal length do you use most? Pick the prime closest to that.
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Interesting, I was thinking of picking the one that wasn't covered by my zoom lenses. I have a 11-24 17-40 and 70-200, thought the 50mm f1.4 was the one, until reading reviews. Seriously thinking of not bothering for now and making do with my 60mm f2.8.
 
kokakaste2 said:
from 50 to 60mm the difference in focal length is not that much, so unless you really need that f1.4 I would just stick with 60. :)
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That's what I was thinking, I'm sure I can live with a 60mm f2.8.

So, looks like its the 85mm f1.8.
For sale section here I come lol
 
Slobbit said:
Sigma 1.4 if you can get a sharp one :)
I have had all three. The 1.8 which is really good, really light but plasticky, the 1.4 which had to get repaired with the AF issue and the Sigma which is the one I eventually kept and am really happy with.
Each to their own though:thumbs:
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I'm a bit confused as the canon I have tried in the shop was sharp wide open and when stoped down it just got better and better so I asked about the Sigma 50 f1.4 and I must admit I was impressed at the size and quality of the thing, although they only had a Nikon copy of the siggy I wanted to try it so they poped it on a d3100 and the AF just hunted and hunted but in the end it locked, it was sharp on par with the canon from what I could see but what got me was the fact that the sigma was so much slower to AF than the canon was! Bear in mind these were in different body's and I have no idea how good or bad the AF is on the Nikon d3100! I still want to buy the sigma as its a much more modern tech as for canon it's from the 90's. I want to order from panamoz £302 but worried encase I have to send it back and it might end up costing me more. Canon 50 f1.4 £250 hdewcameras.co.uk
 
Is the 60mm f2.8 a macro?

The reason I ask is that some macro lenses don't have blisteringly fast AF, in fact some can be rather sluggish. So, if a fast AF is high on your list of things to have it'll be worth checking out any macro lenses before buying.
 
woof woof said:
Is the 60mm f2.8 a macro?

The reason I ask is that some macro lenses don't have blisteringly fast AF, in fact some can be rather sluggish. So, if a fast AF is high on your list of things to have it'll be worth checking out any macro lenses before buying.
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Its the 60mm macro, I have never found it slow focusing TBH, its a cracking little lens.
 
The Greek said:
Interesting, I was thinking of picking the one that wasn't covered by my zoom lenses. I have a 11-24 17-40 and 70-200, thought the 50mm f1.4 was the one, until reading reviews. Seriously thinking of not bothering for now and making do with my 60mm f2.8.
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Which 70-200 have you got? If it's a f/2.8 I wouldn't bother with the 85mm. To be honest I probably wouldn't bother if it's an f/4 either, but there is more of a debate to be had in that case. Also I'm not a big fan of the 85mm on a crop, but there are plenty here who disagree.

The 50mm f/1.4 is great (albeit a bit fragile), but I don't think I'd get that if I already had the 60mm macro (which is a nice lens too).

The Sigma 30mm is a good lens in my experience. I've had one for several years now and I've never had a problem with AF speed or lock. Lovely build quality too.

A new iron is always nice though :bonk:
 
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SixToes said:
Which 70-200 have you got? If it's a f/2.8 I wouldn't bother with the 85mm. To be honest I probably wouldn't bother if it's an f/4 either, but there is more of a debate to be had in that case. Also I'm not a big fan of the 85mm on a crop, but there are plenty here who disagree.

The 50mm f/1.4 is great (albeit a bit fragile), but I don't think I'd get that if I already had the 60mm macro (which is a nice lens too).

The Sigma 30mm is a good lens in my experience. I've had one for several years now and I've never had a problem with AF speed or lock. Lovely build quality too.

A new iron is always nice though :bonk:
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If you have 70-200 f/4 the 85/1.8 makes a lot of sense (just like 135/2 does). I'm in this boat at the moment, and 85mm f/4 just doesn't have 'the look' nor is fast enough in the darkness. The 70-200mm f/2.8 does in fact can get close enough to and obsolete the primes in question - something I am seriously considering at the moment.
 
Quote:SixToes, Which 70-200 have you got? If it's a f/2.8 I wouldn't bother with the 85mm. To be honest I probably wouldn't bother if it's an f/4 either

Quote: Daugirdas, If you have 70-200 f/4 the 85/1.8 makes a lot of sense.


Thanks Lads, i'm none the wiser :lol:
 
It really depends on what you shoot, i've own all 3 lenses and they're all great but at the end of the day it's about picking the correct focal length.

30mm sigma is probably the most versatile, but the QC is awful so either buy locally or somewhere with a good returns policy.

85>50 imo but i prefer the 50mm on crop, i only brought 85mm when i went full frame.
You can get very similar images from both by slightly foot zooming although i must say the bokeh is more pleasant on the 85.
 
skidu said:
It really depends on what you shoot, i've own all 3 lenses and they're all great but at the end of the day it's about picking the correct focal length.

30mm sigma is probably the most versatile, but the QC is awful so either buy locally or somewhere with a good returns policy.

85>50 imo but i prefer the 50mm on crop, i only brought 85mm when i went full frame.
You can get very similar images from both by slightly foot zooming although i must say the bokeh is more pleasant on the 85.
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Very helpful post, thanks!
 
I've got the 50mm f1.4 and regularly use the 85mm f1.8, both are good lenses, the 500mm is my walk around lens, yes the AF has failed twice, but it has had a hard life. The 85mm is great for portraits on full frame. I think it really boils down to what sort off images your want to use the lens for?
 
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