I Don't Get $200.00 price Difference in Lens??

Diane S

I'm a newbie to the Canon 20D and to DSLR's in general.
I purchased the 17-85 lens with the 20D.

What I 'need' now is a lens for lowlight 'candid portraiture' shooting.
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM autofocus is $304.95 with the rebate, BUT the 50 mm f/1.8 autofocus (NOT USM) is only $80.00 .

Is the MAJOR price difference worth it? I have heard the f1.8 does just a good a job in lowlight. Does anyone know if the $80.00 will do the job?

thanks for the help. Diane

GraphyFotoz

Diane S wrote:

I'm a newbie to the Canon 20D and to DSLR's in general.
I purchased the 17-85 lens with the 20D.

What I 'need' now is a lens for lowlight 'candid portraiture' shooting.
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM autofocus is $304.95 with the rebate, BUT the 50 mm f/1.8 autofocus (NOT USM) is only $80.00 .

Is the MAJOR price difference worth it? I have heard the f1.8 does just a good a job in lowlight. Does anyone know if the $80.00 will do the job?

thanks for the help. Diane

Personally I want the Tamron Super Performance 90mm f2.8 for portrait and macro work. Around $450 but worth every penny I hear!

Andy

Mostly plastic lens on the f/1.8. A good peformer and value. The 50 f/1.8 is a fine lens, give it a try.

I use the 1.4, it's mostly metal, much more durable, and at f/1.4, brighter.

pathfinder

The 50 f1.8 is considered one of those bargains you ocaisionally can find. It is reasonably fast and pretty sharp. But the construction is not in the same ball park as the 50 f1.4 USM.

The 50mm f1.4 has a more durable and detailed lens barrel, and is sharper at f1.8 than the 50mm f1.8.

Worth the difference in price?? A lot of folks think so. I myself own the 50 f1.4, but I bought a pair of the 50 f1.8s for family members as gifts.

The lens barrel is much more nicely knurled for the f1.4 and I think the lens elements in the 1.8 MAY be plastic. But who cares if it focuses the light sharply.

Ya beat me Andy!!

Diane S

THANKS!! I guess you all just confirmed it.... if I can afford the f/1.4, I should get that one....but the f/1.8 will also allow me to shoot without the flash in lowlight, which is what I need.

I appreciate your responses.. I shall continue to mull it over .

tom e

Diane, you might also want to check the fredmiranda.com for sale forum as the 1.4 can be found used in mint condition for well under $300, and with hood usually about $290. the hood otherwise will be an extra $25 or so.

luckyrwe

The 50mm has a plastic lens mount, that concerns me. Then again you could buy another lens again and again and still have saved money.

Nappalonia

The first 50 1.8 that I purchased had some specs inside the lens, right out of the box, I returned it for a another one....6 months later, I have specs inside this one. I don't know if anyone else has had any issues with particles getting inside the lens, but it bugs me. So I'm putting some funds together for the 1.4:uhoh

Other than the particle issues, the lens performed well