Canon Nifty Fifties - Which is best ?

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Which nifty fifty is the best for canon ?

I currently have the plastic fantastic version

Canon 50mm 1.8 MK II (Plastic Mount)

Of the 50mm lenses, which would be the best quality one?

Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 50mm 1.8 MK I (Metal Mount)
Canon 50mm 1.8 STM

As a beginning to my prime collection, I am wanting to Sell my plastic fantastic, and get a better 50mm.

What do people think is the best quality of these three?

(Down the line will be getting some 2.8 pancake primes too)
 
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if your going to get the F2.8 pancake lens i would skip the 50mm unless you really want the F1.4 / 1.8 aperture
on the other hand if your sticking with the 50mm i would skip the 40mm pancake there's not enough difference to make it a worthwhile purchase

the F1.4 50mm would be my choice but i hear the STM lens is pretty good and if the 40mm pancake is anything to go by you wouldn't be disappointed if you got one
 
Wayne Els said:
You might want to ignore it as it isn't on your list but I'd suggest the Sigma 1.4 EX DG HSM (not the Art). I took a bunch of test shots with that one and the Canon 1.4 and preferred the Sigma. The Canon 1.4 also has quite a poor reliability history.
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What's the cost like compared to the canon ? seen the canon 1.4 for between £120 - £199 preowned
 
redsnappa said:
It has the same optics as the 50mm mk2
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But the 'optics' on the old 50mm were never much of a problem. The criticisms were:
Build quality - the new one is better
AF motor - the new one is better
Ugly bokeh - the new one is better

Obviously the Sigma 1.4 is much better, but at 5x the cost it really should be, but i believe the new 1.8 is a better lens than the Canon 1.4 in every way except max aperture.
 
Recently got the STM and was really impressed quite a step up from the mk2. the STM lenses generally (the ones I have experienced) have been really good, I'm guessing that canon can calibrate and set them up much more accurately.
 
Think I may go for the STM then

I don't really need the f1.4 but wondered if the quality was better

If the STM is a good lens , think I'll go for that .

Now that I look back at old exif data my plastic fantastic isn't as bad as I thought it was , it's just mistakes I've been making in camera

But the deal breaker for me is the noise it makes focussing , it's unbelievably loud compared to others

I shoot a lot of hedgehogs and they ball up as soon as they hear the noise of the lens !
 
Phil V said:
Obviously the Sigma 1.4 is much better, but at 5x the cost it really should be, but i believe the new 1.8 is a better lens than the Canon 1.4 in every way except max aperture.
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As an ex Canon user I still have an interest in the brand so I'm glad that their 50mm line up has improved. When I used Canon I went for the Sigma and it was one of my favourite ever lenses. I also had the Canon 50mm f2.5 which is sometimes overlooked.
 
The STM lenses are almost silent, you need to listen carefully to hear anything at all.
Sounds like it would be just right for your uses.
 
I had the MK 1 metal mount AF 50mm f1.8 lens when I was shooting film and also on a 10D and never had any complaint quality wise.
Sold it and went to Nikon
But I later purchased a 5Dc as it's known by now, and purchased the Sigma HSM 50mm f1:1.4 lens and I still have it sitting in my Canon gear bag.
It really is a stunning piece of glass and have no regrets purchasing it even if it doesn't get used any more :(
 
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I think the STM will meet needs
Sounds like a good lens and the sigma sounds good too but I won't use the 1.4 so not worth throwing the extra cash for a fstop I don't need if the stm is just as good at 1.8 and has the silent focus .
 
I'd skip the canon f1.4 it is horrible wide open and the new STM is sharper at f1.8 than the f1.4 stopped down. The only reasons before to get the 1.4 were the better build and USM but the new STM lens is good on both these counts.
 
gothgirl said:
Think I may go for the STM then

I don't really need the f1.4 but wondered if the quality was better

If the STM is a good lens , think I'll go for that .

Now that I look back at old exif data my plastic fantastic isn't as bad as I thought it was , it's just mistakes I've been making in camera

But the deal breaker for me is the noise it makes focussing , it's unbelievably loud compared to others

I shoot a lot of hedgehogs and they ball up as soon as they hear the noise of the lens !
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Just to add my ten penny worth, the stm is a terrific lens for the money and mega quieter than a standard lens. I would go for that one as it's terrific value for money.
 
1.4 is a great lens and build quality is about a million times better than the standard 1.8 nifty fifty.
 
Studio488 said:
1.4 is a great lens and build quality is about a million times better than the standard 1.8 nifty fifty.
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Not sure that's true anymore the STM is a nicely put together lens and the 1.4 has a terrible reputation for the focus mechanism dying as the bit that extends is pretty flimsy! I only ever got the 1.4 because it had USM I'm currently without a 50mm but if I was buying a canon one it would be the new STM!
 
the f1.4 slightly sharper and the newer f1.8 and is less noisier when focusing.

I would rather save up and get an f1.2 (long term) but if thats a bit over your budget than get the f1.4
 
wblati said:
the f1.4 slightly sharper and the newer f1.8 and is less noisier when focusing.

I would rather save up and get an f1.2 (long term) but if thats a bit over your budget than get the f1.4
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@gothgirl asks for advice about the 50mm f1.8's, the most expensive is £97 new and you think that a good suggestion is a lens that costs around £1000 and weighs around 4.5 times more?

That's slightly out of the ballpark under discussion.
 
Dave1 said:
@gothgirl asks for advice about the 50mm f1.8's, the most expensive is £97 new and you think that a good suggestion is a lens that costs around £1000 and weighs around 4.5 times more?

That's slightly out of the ballpark under discussion.
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Welcome to the internet where unless you have two full frame bodies and a bag full of L glass you can't call yourself a photographer!
 
a1ex2001 said:
I'd skip the canon f1.4 it is horrible wide open and the new STM is sharper at f1.8 than the f1.4 stopped down. The only reasons before to get the 1.4 were the better build and USM but the new STM lens is good on both these counts.
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Lol do you have one? I have the f1.8 metal mount, had and sold the f1.8 plastic, have the f1.4. I've rented the f1.2, brilliant but can't justify the cost by how little I use it.

f1.8 mk1 was great, we had one being passed around here a few years back that had a broken focus motor. Great lens for the money, shot some great portraits with it in the studio on a 40D and 50D
Nought the plastic mount one for my son, didn't like it much, felt too cheap and had the opportunity to buy a f1.4. Son now has my old f1.8. Really can't fault them on price v performance. For the money they are brilliant

Neither of the f1.8's felt pin sharp when I got my 5d mk3, but the f1.4 was faultless. Lots of keepers wide open, easy to focus in dark conditions.
Great lens, even wide open, I have some very close up photos of babies feet/toes at f1.4 and really crisp gig photos at f1.4 standing at the edge of the stage. Never had an issue wide open with mine, which is when I really ever use it f1.4 to f2.8.
 
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The other advantage of any 50mm lens is it's so small. Suddenly that big DSLR with say a 24-105 that looked huge and threatening looks tiny and insignificant with a 50mm lens on. I've found it's an unthreatening combination for street.
 
Byker28i said:
The other advantage of any 50mm lens is it's so small. Suddenly that big DSLR with say a 24-105 that looked huge and threatening looks tiny and insignificant with a 50mm lens on. I've found it's an unthreatening combination for street.
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:D

Sigma-1.4-DG1.jpg
 
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LOL are you compensating for something :D

The canon 50mm are tiny on a 5D mk3. Gothgirl has a Canon 50D (no grip) so slightly smaller camera
 
Byker28i said:
Neither of the f1.8's felt pin sharp when I got my 5d mk3, but the f1.4 was faultless. Lots of keepers wide open, easy to focus in dark conditions.
Great lens, even wide open, I have some very close up photos of babies feet/toes at f1.4 and really crisp gig photos at f1.4 standing at the edge of the stage. Never had an issue wide open with mine, which is when I really ever use it f1.4 to f2.8.
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Sorry to jump in but I am just about to order a F1.4 for my 5D iii mostly for portraits and newborns. I d dithered a lot over which to choose but I've never found one that screams pick me!

Your comments reassure me that the F1.4 is good for what I want. But this thread still leaves me a bit undecided!!!
 
Well I've sold my MK II
And am aWaiting the delivery of the STM :)
 
Studio488 said:
1.4 is a great lens and build quality is about a million times better than the standard 1.8 nifty fifty.
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I've told you five million times not to exaggerate. :)
 
Byker28i said:
Lol do you have one? I have the f1.8 metal mount, had and sold the f1.8 plastic, have the f1.4. I've rented the f1.2, brilliant but can't justify the cost by how little I use it.

f1.8 mk1 was great, we had one being passed around here a few years back that had a broken focus motor. Great lens for the money, shot some great portraits with it in the studio on a 40D and 50D
Nought the plastic mount one for my son, didn't like it much, felt too cheap and had the opportunity to buy a f1.4. Son now has my old f1.8. Really can't fault them on price v performance. For the money they are brilliant

Neither of the f1.8's felt pin sharp when I got my 5d mk3, but the f1.4 was faultless. Lots of keepers wide open, easy to focus in dark conditions.
Great lens, even wide open, I have some very close up photos of babies feet/toes at f1.4 and really crisp gig photos at f1.4 standing at the edge of the stage. Never had an issue wide open with mine, which is when I really ever use it f1.4 to f2.8.
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You must have the one golden lens every review I've ever read slates the 1.4 wide open for lacking contrast and sharpness and mine certainly followed this pattern! It was a little better at 1.8 than the plastic fantastic it replaced and from there own down they were virtually identical. I did prefer the f1.4 for it's USM focus sing but now the plastic fantastic is back on a metal mount has an stm motor and reading reviews is noticeably sharper at f1.8 then I can't see why anyone would buy the 1.4 these days it's time has passed!

The goblin said:
Sorry to jump in but I am just about to order a F1.4 for my 5D iii mostly for portraits and newborns. I d dithered a lot over which to choose but I've never found one that screams pick me!

Your comments reassure me that the F1.4 is good for what I want. But this thread still leaves me a bit undecided!!!
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It's a good lens as said I'd save a few quid and get an STM 1.8 but both will do what you want. Personally since my son was born I sold my 50mm for a better 35mm as I find he is always to close for the 50mm!
 
a1ex2001 said:
It's a good lens as said I'd save a few quid and get an STM 1.8 but both will do what you want. Personally since my son was born I sold my 50mm for a better 35mm as I find he is always to close for the 50mm!
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I had the 40mm pancake and thought the STM was really slow!
 
On the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens, the STM version definately focuses quicker than previous versions. I would imagine that the 50mm is similar and a whole lot quieter, which was another factor that the OP is looking for.
 
I'm looking at upgrading my 18-55 & 55-250 to the STM versions as well , reviews seem to be positive across the board
 
gothgirl said:
I'm looking at upgrading my 18-55 & 55-250 to the STM versions as well , reviews seem to be positive across the board
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They are both excellent lenses, a step up from the non-STM versions of both.
 
Should be a big step up got me as I don't even have the MK II kit lens , just the original MK I
18-55 IS
 
Dont discount the original 18-55 as it's only worth about £30 you can use it in other situations

Shot my son took with his old 400D and plastic 18-55
125707518.jpg
 
a1ex2001 said:
You must have the one golden lens every review I've ever read slates the 1.4 wide open for lacking contrast and sharpness and mine certainly followed this pattern! It was a little better at 1.8 than the plastic fantastic it replaced and from there own down they were virtually identical. I did prefer the f1.4 for it's USM focus sing but now the plastic fantastic is back on a metal mount has an stm motor and reading reviews is noticeably sharper at f1.8 then I can't see why anyone would buy the 1.4 these days it's time has passed!
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Not had the STM so can't comment on those, but the 1.4 is a step up from any of the previous canon 1.8's. in my experience. The f1.8 is just a bargain for the price and performance
Plenty of user reviews suggest it's ok, which fits with my experience. I thought it might show up when I got my 5D mk3 but that wasn't my experience
However, Fred Miranda is usually a decent place for user reviews
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/29/sort/7/cat/2/page/2


If you look at the DXOMark reviews, who technically test the lenses then they still rate the 1.4 at best wide open, against the 1.8STM as best at f2.8
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Cano...f1.4-DG-HSM-A-Competitive-optical-performance

Sigma art blows all away, but then significantly more
 
Byker28i said:
Not had the STM so can't comment on those, but the 1.4 is a step up from any of the previous canon 1.8's. in my experience. The f1.8 is just a bargain for the price and performance
Plenty of user reviews suggest it's ok, which fits with my experience. I thought it might show up when I got my 5D mk3 but that wasn't my experience
However, Fred Miranda is usually a decent place for user reviews
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/29/sort/7/cat/2/page/2


If you look at the DXOMark reviews, who technically test the lenses then they still rate the 1.4 at best wide open, against the 1.8STM as best at f2.8
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Cano...f1.4-DG-HSM-A-Competitive-optical-performance

Sigma art blows all away, but then significantly more
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Everyone has different experiences and opinions, end of the day all the cheap 50's are decent but not outstanding and have weak spots but I'm sure the op will be pretty happy with what ever they get I've got some lovely shots from my plastic fantastic and some equally nice from the f1.4! I might even get another 50mm one day I'm still hoping for the mythical f1.4 refresh to arrive they got round to the 100-400mm in the end so maybe it will happen!

The sigma art is also massive something which put me right off the 35mm art!
 
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