Canon 50mm f/1.8 vs. 50mm f/1.4

Hi folks... I enjoy using my 50mm f/1.8, and don't regret the purchase one bit (probably best bang for my buck so far). However I'm hoping to improve the quality of my photos and would like to know if others have decided for or against this lens upgrade.

The 1.8 isn't an expensive lens, but if it isn't worth forking out the coin, I'd rather save it for one that is expensive.

I've borrowed my friends 85mm 1.2L for a while which is a beast of a lens, and requires surgeon precision to control DOF, when wide open. I don't want this, nor do I want a slow AF (which plagues the 85mm 1.2). The 1.8 is probably my fastest AF lens... is the 1.4 comparable in AF speed? I'm shooting with a 7D.

Tags: 50mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8, Canon 7D

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Permalink Reply by rob castro on June 5, 2011 at 12:39pm

hi chris. i also own a EF 50mm f/1.8. i'm not sure how it compares with the f/1.4 when it comes to AF speed. from what i've read there is no significant image difference between the f/1.4 and f/1.8 when used at f2 and up. so unless you need a faster lens the f/1.8 is still the best. also, the f1.4 suffers from focus shift. this is true even for an L series or carl zeiss. it's just the nature of the lens. i happen to own a carl zeiss 50mm f/1.4 planar and have experience focus shift. hope this helps. cheers. - rob

www.juzno.com

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Permalink Reply by VanS3n | Christian Lozañes on July 30, 2011 at 5:46am

Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II is not a really a good built ... its plastic body puts you on edge at times... you drop it.. and its more likely to end up as a paper weight.

the Canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM is a better and durable lens... the f1.4 gives more flavor to your shots .. and the USM is more faster in AF speed...

I have both lenses btw.. I have my own 50mm 1.8 II which is now paper weight after I dropped it while changing lenses in a festival... the plastic mechanism fell apart.. and I tried to have it fixed and the shop told me to just get a new one.. luckily my wife has her own 50mm 1.8 II which I used until I invest on the 50mm 1.4 USM...

we used more the 50mm 1.4 USM and are satisfied on how it performs... I just use the 1.8 as back-up or when my wife uses the 1.4 and I need a fast prime as well..

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Permalink Reply by David Harvey on August 1, 2011 at 6:51am

Both of those lens are going to help give you great quality with the 7d. I have a 1.8 and my friend has a 1.4 and I can't tell much difference but I know it's there. I definitely know it's there with the build of the lens. I've dropped one 1.8 but it was under a year warranty. The 1.8 is great. I use it on a T2i and shoot a lot of video with it too. I'll probably get a 1.4 soon and a 7d. I at least want the 7d and the 1.8 would do.