sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

OK I am sold on the Canon 50mm but what is the difference in f1.4 & the f1.8? Is there that big of a difference in photos? I just bought a reversal ring for macro shooting, it is 58 mm Reversal Adaptor ring. I would also need a to get a 52mm Reversal ring. Is this what is be talked about when shooting macro with these lenses?

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I would expect that the difference for Canon is the same as I have found for Nikon. The 1.4 will be sharper and better built, well worth the extra $$.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

How about the Canon f/1.2? Much faster, therefore wonderful in low light, but also very much more expensive! It is also quite heavy

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

The f1.8 is a plastic lens mount. The f1.4 is a metal mount which is much more sturdy (& more expensive). The glass is pretty much the same. I recently purchased the f1.4 because I'm kind of tough on my equipment & didn't want to risk cracking the mount.

andrew.haysom Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Agree with Photogdog, I looked at both the 1.4 and 1.8 and the primary reason for choosing the 1.4 was the build quality. The 1.8 looks very plastic (because it is).

I'm very happy with the 1.4.

Like the others, the 1.2 was out of my price range.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

The 1.8 is and has been producing the best results for the dollar invested. That said, wider apertures are always desirable if you can afford the luxury. Stepping up to the 1.4 is not so bad. Moving to the 1.2 is huge financially speaking. All will produce great results in capable hands. Lots of discussion about the way the 1.8 feels because of the build. I have been using one for over ten years. If it failed to function tomorrow, it would not be a disappointment because of the way it feels.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

This subject has been discussed at different times but I think it boils down to, how much do you want to spend, how much will you use it, and how will you use it?

I prefer the f/1.4 over the f/1.2L and the f/1.8. On Christmas Day I took a lot of photos of the family with the f/1.4 on my 5D MK III. When my daughter was previewing the photos, she made the comment about the way the subject was clear and the background was wonderful and wanted to know which lens I used. Her favorite lens has been the Canon 50mm f/1.8 but now she wants the f/1.4. She said the background was a lot smoother than with her f/1.4. I explained to her the reason was two-fold; a full frame body and the f/1.4 has 7 aperture blades while the f/1.8 has 5.

In some instances the f/1.8 is the sharpest of the three lens at certain settings but being sharp is only a part of the equation.

I would go with the f/1.4 any day.

phil barry Loc: uk

check out this shot using canon 50mm lens bounced flash off wall to camara left and this is the cheap 50 mm.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

I disagree. I've owned both lenses and the picture quality differences are almost zero! The best bang for your buck is still the 1.8 version. However, it is true that it's made from cheap plastic. So if you can get over the build quality and you are not too hard on your equipment, then the 1.8 is the way to go for sure.

erfrench Loc: Jersey, C.I. UK

I bought the 50mm 1.8 three years ago. The UK prices are so much more than the USA prices. If I remember the 1.8 was about a third of the 1.4.

It may be plastic but a great lens for the price. I am delighted with all the results.

Happy New Year!!