Canon 50mm f/1.4 Lens Sharpness

RogersDA

I thought the 50mm f/1.4 lens was going to be a lot sharper wide open.
Live view + autofocus used to capture both images. The camera was mounted on tripod using a RRS clamp and RRS BH-55 ballhead, and a cable release used to take the photos. The camera was pointed straight down towards the card.

Canon 5D MII + 50mm f/1.4 lens @ f/1.4, ISO 640, 1/1600 sec.


Canon 5D MII + 50mm f/1.4 lens @ f/8, ISO 640, 1/50 sec.

Malte

It's not in contrast based AF is it, like in video mode? Cause that'll miss as much as it hits.

Malte

JimKarczewski

50/1.4 is absolutely sharpest from 5.6 to 8. I haven't nailed down exactly where, I thought at one point I saw some MTF data showing all the apertatures from 1.4-22, but now I can't find them!

I use my 50 usually at minimum f2, maybe 1.8 sometimes but RARELY at 1.4 unless I really need the lack of DOF. It's not a perfect lens, but it's the absolute sharpest out of all the lenses I currently own. Now if Canon would just fix the reliability factor, I'd be really happy. It's been in 3x now to CPS in 4 years to have the USM focus motor replaced and/or repaired. Very finicky lens almost makes me think about upgrading to the 50/1.2 if I wasn't already planning on getting the 85/1.2

divamum

The 50 1.4 is kinda known for being soft at maximum ap, but once it's stopped down to 2.2 or so it's good n' sharp. My copy is just about acceptable at 1.4, although I do find it frustrating to see the softness when I shoot it wide open; I've considered swapping out to the Sigmalux, but the cost/weight have kept me with the Canon and, even though it isn't my favorite lens (the 135L wins there), it's probably my most-used and it does get me some great shots.

RogersDA

Thanks for all of the insights & comments. This was an eye-opener on this lens. Maybe I was confuddled and was thinking of another lens that was sharp wide-open. When I can I will redo this at various other apertures.

Anybody want to buy it? I just have not (and do not think I will) used this lens that much.

JimKarczewski

Well, I'm sure the 50/1.2 is better wide open than the 1.4, but if you really want sharp at 1.4 I think you'd have to look at the Zeiss 50/1.4. For $1500 I'd expect it to be sharp at 1.4. For the $350 Canon, I'd expect sharp, but nowhere near perfection. Unlike the other lenses that MUST be sharp wide open, like the 200/1.8 (discontinued. Booo), 200/2, 70-200/2.8, 300/2.8, etc. Those are meant to be shot wide open.. why you spend the big $$$$

ziggy53

There is no mention of shooting distance. The Canon EF 50mm, f1.4 USM has an MFD of 18", .45m. I recommend any critical testing at twice MFD so I suggest testing at 3 ft./1 meter.

The 50mm, f1.4 does have halation at f1.4 which responds fairly well to USM sharpening. By f2.2 it is pretty much free of halation but it is somewhat vulnerable to lens flare.

The EF 50mm, f1.2L USM is not sharp at f1.2. It also suffers from different deficiencies, so it's no panacea.

You have to go to the EF 85mm, f1.2L USM (or the MKII version) to find a Canon lens that is sharp at f1.2. That lens has very good to almost excellent center sharpness with good to very good edges.

kdog

ziggy53 wrote: »

You have to go to the EF 85mm, f1.2L USM (or the MKII version) to find a Canon lens that is sharp at f1.2. That lens has very good to almost excellent center sharpness with good to very good edges.

Well, it SHOULD, at six-times the cost of the 50 1.4. :wow

LKN Dave

I use the 1.4 from 2 - 2.8 most of the time, wide open when I need a very small DOF. With all it's problems, it is still my favorite lens that I own.

RogersDA

ziggy53 wrote: »

There is no mention of shooting distance. The Canon EF 50mm, f1.4 USM has an MFD of 18", .45m. I recommend any critical testing at twice MFD so I suggest testing at 3 ft./1 meter.

The 50mm, f1.4 does have halation at f1.4 which responds fairly well to USM sharpening. By f2.2 it is pretty much free of halation but it is somewhat vulnerable to lens flare.

The EF 50mm, f1.2L USM is not sharp at f1.2. It also suffers from different deficiencies, so it's no panacea.

You have to go to the EF 85mm, f1.2L USM (or the MKII version) to find a Canon lens that is sharp at f1.2. That lens has very good to almost excellent center sharpness with good to very good edges.

Those test shots were more than 2 ft away from the cards, and probably closer to 3 feet. The images were cropped to what was shown above. The 50mm f/1.4 lens is no longer in my possession having been procured by someone else.

LiquidAir

At f/1.4 the Canon 50/1.4 is disappointingly soft. At f/2 you can put the Canon 50/1.4 up against almost any 50mm made and it holds its own. Its a great lens, but you wouldn't know it if you only test it wide open.