Canon 50mm f1.4 - opinions

Scotto

Going to treat myself to a 50mm lens just after Christmas.

I have read various reviews on the Canon 50mm 1.4 and most says it a reasonable lens for the money. I am just curious what 'real' people who have this lens think about it.

A SmugMug with full resolution examples would be fantastic

Thanks

ivar

I actually purchased this lens a few weeks ago. I had the 50 1.8, but it was slow, and I didn't like the image quality that much. I think the 1.4 is MUCH nicer. It is also extremely sharp, i found.

This is a shot with the 50 1.4 on the 30d:


You can click on the photo for the original size. I don't have enough shots online yet to have a separate album for 50 1.4 shots only.

From that photo, this is her left eye:

You can see two people standing around her (one with hat), and also a palm-tree

There was a bit of exposure correction applied (+0.5), other than that, it is straight out of camera.

I am very happy I bought it. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more on it.

Scotto

Thanks for that Ivar, that's the sort of thing I need to see/read.

My mind is already made up to be honest, can't wait to get it

jjvfx

I was also thinking about picking up this lens. How about for basketball sitting under the hoop? Would it focus fast enough on a 1d Mark II body at f/2.8

Ann McRae

I am not sure how fast the focus is, but have used that lens lots in very low light:
ISO1600f2.?

rwells

jjvfx wrote:

I was also thinking about picking up this lens. How about for basketball sitting under the hoop? Would it focus fast enough on a 1d Mark II body at f/2.8

Works well for me

ISO 400 - f/2.8 - 1/250 - 50mm (f/1.4 lens) - 30D


ISO 400 - f/3.2 - 1/250 - 50mm (f/1.4 lens) - 30D

Candid Arts

I too have this lens and absolutely love it. The wide aperture is amazing, bokeh is so smooth. What body are you using it on? Because if you're on a crop body, and looking for an actual 50mm, then this won't be it as the crop body will make it more a 80mm(assuming a 1.6x). In that case you'll want more like a 30-35mm prime.

Anyways, it's a beautiful lens. I have noticed MINOR chromatic aberration SOMETIMES...not very often.

If you check out this link, all these photos were taking with my 50mm at ISO 100 with different apertures. You can check EXIF's for them if you'd like. The #13 photo is in for the top 20 for DSS 14 right now.

http://candidartsphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/6824232_hrzyR#436133029_N7Rc7

Sorry for the watermarks, I haven't figured out how to get rid of them just for posting purposes while leaving them on on my site.

Here is another example of the bokeh it's capapable of:

and another:

And one last one:

Scotto

Again, thanks for the replies guys.. really is appreciated

Candid, I will be using the lens on both my 40D & 20D

Candid Arts

Scotto wrote:

Again, thanks for the replies guys.. really is appreciated

Candid, I will be using the lens on both my 40D & 20D

Oh ok. Nice. Yeah those were all shot with either a 40D or 50D. Just making sure you knew it's be a 85 not really a true 50mm. Well good luck. It's an amazing lens.

dlplumer

Canon vs. Sigma 50mm 1.4
I am also considering this lens, but the Sigma 1.4 is a strong contender and is better rated in Pop Photo. Any opinions?

Thanks,

Dan

LKN Dave

I love my Canon 50 1.4. I now have to get a 5d so I can keep it on the camera all the time.

Manfr3d

dlplumer wrote:

I am also considering this lens, but the Sigma 1.4 is a strong contender and is better rated in Pop Photo. Any opinions?

Thanks,

Dan

I had the chance to briefly try it in a shop against a 50mm 1.8 II. I was impressed by the build quality and feel, but not by the focusing speed and performance. It was very slow to focus and the 50mm/1.8 was as sharp at f2 on my 5D Mark II. If you care I can post/send you the comparison pictures.

Maybe I had a good 50mm/1.8 in hand and a bad 50mm/1.4 EX, who knows? The best thing is if you try them out for yourself in a shop, trust me it makes the decision much easier. I ended up buying the 50mm/1.8 II and have no regrets.

dawssvt

I have this lens as well and I absolutely love it!

Scotto

That's it - decision made, I'm going to get one

Candid Arts

Scotto wrote:

That's it - decision made, I'm going to get one

Good choice. Beautiful lens. Only reason I wouldn't get it is if I had the money for the 50mm f/1.2L.

ivar

Scotto wrote:

That's it - decision made, I'm going to get one

Scotto

I've got it and I am impressed

One of the first few taken with my new Canon 50mm f1.4

dlplumer

Scotto wrote:

I've got it and I am impressed

One of the first few taken with my new Canon 50mm f1.4

Nice. This thread convinced me to get one as well. Post some more when you get a chance.

Dan

Scotto

dlplumer wrote:

Post some more when you get a chance.

Dan

Last one I promise...

I am seriously liking this lens

richtersl

Nice! Now you have me thinking of getting this lens as well!