Canon Lens Question
Jan 12, 2017 19:22:38 #
I have a two part question for the Canon folks concerning two lenses. There are two 50mm standard lenses I have been looking at, the 1.4 and the 1.8. At B&H the price is about $125. for the 1.8 and about $350. for the 1.4.
Considering the "Nifty 50" would be a back up lens and have occasional usage is the technical difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 significant, and part 2 is the big difference in price worth it.
I would appreciate feedback from more experienced folks, I certainly am relatively new to Canon since years ago in the film days I had Nikon gear (F3)
Many thanks
Neil
Considering the "Nifty 50" would be a back up lens and have occasional usage is the technical difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 significant, and part 2 is the big difference in price worth it.
I would appreciate feedback from more experienced folks, I certainly am relatively new to Canon since years ago in the film days I had Nikon gear (F3)
Many thanks
Neil
Jan 12, 2017 19:31:49 #
I bought the 1.8 for indoor pictures and it gives more additional light than I thought it would.
Jan 12, 2017 19:37:11 #
I would suggest looking at the DXOMark tests (they have very similar ratings), reading reviews on the Canon lens website (the owner reviews on the 1.4, especially concerning AF are not especially good), and some reviews such as the following:
http://www.adorama.com/alc/0012817/article/gear/photo/50mm-lens-shoot-out-f18-or-f14
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/standard-medium-telephoto-lenses
https://www.dxomark.com/lenses/brand-canon/mounted_on-Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_III-795/launched-between-1987-and-2017/mount_type-Canon_EF/focal-from-50-to-50/aperture_max-from-1.4-to-22/launch_price-from-0-to-13000-usd/lens_use_case-lens_medium/lens_zoom-prime/sensor_brand-Canon#hideAdvancedOptions=false&viewMode=list&yDataType=global
http://www.adorama.com/alc/0012817/article/gear/photo/50mm-lens-shoot-out-f18-or-f14
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/standard-medium-telephoto-lenses
https://www.dxomark.com/lenses/brand-canon/mounted_on-Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_III-795/launched-between-1987-and-2017/mount_type-Canon_EF/focal-from-50-to-50/aperture_max-from-1.4-to-22/launch_price-from-0-to-13000-usd/lens_use_case-lens_medium/lens_zoom-prime/sensor_brand-Canon#hideAdvancedOptions=false&viewMode=list&yDataType=global
Jan 12, 2017 19:47:09 #
Trix,
Thanks, that is what I was looking for and being "new" to the game I did not know where to find it. that was GREAT info.
Regards
Neil
Thanks, that is what I was looking for and being "new" to the game I did not know where to find it. that was GREAT info.
Regards
Neil
Jan 12, 2017 19:49:04 #
archernf wrote:
I have a two part question for the Canon folks con... (show quote)
Given your description, I would go with the 1.8 STM. You don't seem to need a really robust lens, and 1.8 to 1.4 is not that much. What is you camera? FF to APS-C can add extra complications. I'm happy with the EF 50mm f/1.8, and if I want more light I have a converted manual focus FL 55mm f/1.2. They both do different things.
You seem to have a T6i - APS-C - so a 50mm would function as a portrait lens. Unless that is your goal, I'd go for the 1.8. It's cheap and cheerful, and well built enough for normal use.
If I want a 50mm, I have one, and it works, but my 1970s converted FL f/1.2 manual focus lens is my first choice.
Jan 12, 2017 19:52:53 #
I bought a new 50mm f1.4 about ten years ago, used it on my EOS-1n film camera a few times till my film guy closed up shop. I used it even fewer times on my EOS 60D and never on my 7D mark2. On the crop sensor it becomes an 80mm which is good for portraits but I use my 24-105 f4 L for that. The fifty has been sitting atop the dining room hutch mounted on the 1n for a number of years now and it's time for the two of them to say goodbye. Like you said, "occasional usage".
Jan 12, 2017 19:54:49 #
A
A, welcome to the Hog!
The 1.8 is inexpensive and the construction reflects that. It's charley built.
The 1.5 is slightly faster. That can help if you do a lot of indoor work.
If your gonna keep it for ten years, the 1.4 is probably worth it, if it's VERY occasional use probably not. Both will do a serve a similar purpose. Good luck
SS
archernf wrote:
I have a two part question for the Canon folks con... (show quote)
A, welcome to the Hog!
The 1.8 is inexpensive and the construction reflects that. It's charley built.
The 1.5 is slightly faster. That can help if you do a lot of indoor work.
If your gonna keep it for ten years, the 1.4 is probably worth it, if it's VERY occasional use probably not. Both will do a serve a similar purpose. Good luck
SS
Jan 12, 2017 19:59:51 #
Hello archernf:
I have the 50mm f1.4 Canon I like it for it has a metal foot as to the f1.8 which has a plastic foot. All my lenses have metal foot on them. Its choice you will have make choose wisely good strong glass will last you lifetime!
I have the 50mm f1.4 Canon I like it for it has a metal foot as to the f1.8 which has a plastic foot. All my lenses have metal foot on them. Its choice you will have make choose wisely good strong glass will last you lifetime!
archernf wrote:
I have a two part question for the Canon folks con... (show quote)
Jan 12, 2017 20:12:48 #
I actually think the 1.8 (the new STM version) is the better of the two lenses regardless of price. Not as pretty to look at, but sharper, smaller, lighter and to my eyes just renders in a more pleasing way.
Jan 12, 2017 20:38:39 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
I have the 1:8 and like you I do not use it very often but I believe it will fill the bill for you requirements. Some of the comparison I have read in reviews there is not that much difference under ordinary use. The bang for the bug I believe to be in favor of the 1:8.
Jan 12, 2017 22:07:11 #
I have the 1.8 MK2. I love it I shoot MF with it. Purchasing now I would go with the STM or maybe not as I don't do Video. The 1.4 is more money and aged goods. The value for me is just not there. If I wanted to spend spme real money and it was not an issue I would look to Sigma art.
Again look to Canon Refurbished.
J. R.
Again look to Canon Refurbished.
J. R.
Jan 12, 2017 22:15:49 #
RichardSM wrote:
Hello archernf:
I have the 50mm f1.4 Canon I like it for it has a metal foot as to the f1.8 which has a plastic foot. All my lenses have metal foot on them. Its choice you will have make choose wisely good strong glass will last you lifetime!
I have the 50mm f1.4 Canon I like it for it has a metal foot as to the f1.8 which has a plastic foot. All my lenses have metal foot on them. Its choice you will have make choose wisely good strong glass will last you lifetime!
Actually the 50mm f/1.8 Mark III (Current issue (STM)) has a metal mount, the Mark II now discontinued had plastic.
Jan 13, 2017 07:13:41 #
Thanks all for the helpful responses, the 1.8 it will be. And as pointed out the new 1.8 has a metal mount.
Have a great day!
Neil
Have a great day!
Neil
Jan 13, 2017 09:30:53 #
I love the 50mm focal length on both full frame and cropped frame bodies. My favorite of the Canon 50mm lens is the f/2.5 macro. The focus is a little noisy and the AF is adequate. The manual focus is very good on this lens.
The f/1.8 versions of the the 50mm are very similar in image quality with the STM version having a little more pleasing bokeh. I do not like the STM version for still photography because of the difficuly of manually focusing the STM type lens- this is a personal opinion (I do a lot of night photography).
The f/1.4 version is one I prefer for low light conditions. Although I rarely use it wide open, it's AF is considerably better in extreme low light conditions. I have had this lens for years and I have never experienced any of the issues that some users have had with this lens. The sharpness difference between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 are very slight even at the pixel peeping level- the f/1.8 may have a slight edge. The f/1.4 version has considerably better contrast and color rendition than the f/1.8 versions. At least this is true with my copies.
The f/1.8 versions of the the 50mm are very similar in image quality with the STM version having a little more pleasing bokeh. I do not like the STM version for still photography because of the difficuly of manually focusing the STM type lens- this is a personal opinion (I do a lot of night photography).
The f/1.4 version is one I prefer for low light conditions. Although I rarely use it wide open, it's AF is considerably better in extreme low light conditions. I have had this lens for years and I have never experienced any of the issues that some users have had with this lens. The sharpness difference between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 are very slight even at the pixel peeping level- the f/1.8 may have a slight edge. The f/1.4 version has considerably better contrast and color rendition than the f/1.8 versions. At least this is true with my copies.
Jan 13, 2017 09:36:00 #
haroldross wrote:
I love the 50mm focal length on both full frame an... (show quote)
For night photography and manual focus the 50mm f/1.2 L is vastly superior.
I own both the f/1.2 and the f/1.8 STM. The only reasons to not use the f/1.2 are price and weight. 50mm is my favorite focal length as well, and I actually like the f/1.2 Canon more than my Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux. There is just a certain quality in the way it draws between f/1.2 and f/2 in available darkness that I haven't seen in any other lens.
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