Canon EF 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4

chrisjlee

Has anyone experienced using both? I'm not sure if i have a bad copy but the focusing takes a lot longer than a 1.8. I presume because there are more elements inside a F1.4 vs a F1.8?

Am I correct in assuming this?

photon

Me too...
Just to add support to your question... I recently bought the Canon 50mm f/1.8, and while I'm pretty satisfied so far (I've only had it for a day), I'm wondering if I made the right choice or if I should have laid down another $400 CDN for the 1.4.

TristanP

Not really answering your question, but my 1.4 focuses quickly. Never used a 1.8 to compare.

pathfinder

The Cano f1.4 has a micro-USM motor and should focus quite quickly.

Faster than the 50 f1.8 II, I think, which lacks the USM motor.

See here - http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=152

chrisjlee

pathfinder wrote:

The Cano f1.4 has a micro-USM motor and should focus quite quickly.

Faster than the 50 f1.8 II, I think, which lacks the USM motor.

See here - http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=152

If that is true than I just have a sh***y copy possibly. That or I have too high of expectations.

ScottMcLeod

pathfinder wrote:

The Cano f1.4 has a micro-USM motor and should focus quite quickly.

Faster than the 50 f1.8 II, I think, which lacks the USM motor.

See here - http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=152

Also, it's ring-type USM if i'm not mistaken, which makes it blisteringly quick to allow you to override the focus if it doesn't get it.

pathfinder

ScottMcLeod wrote:

Also, it's ring-type USM if i'm not mistaken, which makes it blisteringly quick to allow you to override the focus if it doesn't get it.

Yes, the 50 f1.4 allows manual focusing without deactivating the USM motor - see the link to Canon I posted in my previous post to verify this statement

chrisjlee

pathfinder wrote:

Yes, the 50 f1.4 allows manual focusing without deactivating the USM motor - see the link to Canon I posted in my previous post to verify this statement

True. Good point. But don't all EOS mount lenses allow manual override?

lekke

chrisjlee wrote:

True. Good point. But don't all EOS mount lenses allow manual override?

Yes, but this type of USM allows for the Full Time Manual. You can use it while the switch is still on the "AF" setting (it's just not wise to do it while the lens itself is in the process of focusing)

pathfinder

Precisely. On some lenses you have to turn the AF switch off first.

cmason

OK no experience here with these at all, but there can't be much glass nor much distance btw the elements in any 50mm to make them focus slowly, whether is uses a better motor or not.

DanielB

pathfinder wrote:

Precisely. On some lenses you have to turn the AF switch off first.

does the 70-200 have it? i don't wanna strip the gears on it...:uhoh

DavidTO

DanielB wrote:

does the 70-200 have it? i don't wanna strip the gears on it...:uhoh

No worries.

luke_church

DanielB wrote:

does the 70-200 have it? i don't wanna strip the gears on it...:uhoh

Yes, the 70-200L f/4 has full time manual focus. Don't worry, you won't strip the gears...

Luke

chrisjlee

lekke wrote:

it's just not wise to do it while the lens itself is in the process of focusing

Oh yes. I do know that.

DanielB

luke_church wrote:

Yes, the 70-200L f/4 has full time manual focus. Don't worry, you won't strip the gears...

Luke

yay