Upgrade 50mm f/1.8 to 50mm f/1.4?

[Baker]

Is it worth it for me to get rid of the 1.8 for the 1.4? I have recently started doing more and more portraits. I will be getting the 85mm f/1.8 soon and was thinking it might be time to move up from the 50mm 1.8. Any thoughts? I would love to hear from someone that has had both lenses or at least had a chance to compare them. I bought the 1.8 back when I was in high school and didn't have the money for the 1.4, but now that I have the cash I'm thinking I should upgrade. Better build quality, wider aperture, slightly sharper, FTM focus.

[Daniel Browning]

It

[Jon Ruyle]

Am I the only guy happy with his canon 50 f/1.4?


No, it isn't razor sharp at f/1.4, but the even the 35 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.2 aren't either (they're sharper than the 50, I admit). No, the build quality isn't as good as some lenses, but it's fine with me. The bokeh isn't as good as the 50 f/1.2, but it is far better than that of the 50 1.8. (The vignetting is pretty bad at f/1.4, no question).


I've never used the sigma- so I'm not comparing the canon to that. But it's hard to imagine someone upgrading from the canon f/1.8 (as I once did) being disappointed. I've taken lots of nice pictures with my 50. IMO an upgrade (be it to canon or sigma) is worthwhile.

[Keith B]

Am I the only guy happy with his canon 50 f/1.4?


No, it isn't razor sharp at f/1.4, but the even the 35 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.2 aren't either

They aren't?


If it gets sharper than the 85 1.2 I don't need to know about it.

[Jon Ruyle]

No, it isn't razor sharp at f/1.4, but the even the 35 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.2 aren't either
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They aren't?


If it gets sharper than the 85 1.2 I don't need to know about it.

I'm not talking about stopped way down, I mean at f/1.4. My new 85 f/1.2 is definitely sharper at f/4 than f/1.4. And it has major CA at f/1.2. (gone when stopped down).


I'm not saying I've used a sharper lens at f/1.4, but it isn't what I call "razor sharp".


Are you telling me your 85 f/1.2 is super sharp wide open?

[Gred]

the 1.4 is a well worthed upgrade from the 1.8. not only sharper but the full time manual is a must have feature with such a shallow DOF, it made the difference for me


but the question here is not which 50mm gives you the more bang for your buck it

[Keith B]

I'm not talking about stopped way down, I mean at f/1.4. My new 85 f/1.2 is definitely sharper at f/4 than f/1.4. And it has major CA at f/1.2. (gone when stopped down).


I'm not saying I've used a sharper lens at f/1.4, but it isn't what I call "razor sharp".


Are you telling me your 85 f/1.2 is super sharp wide open?

Yeah that is pretty much what I'm saying.


This shot is 1.4 solely to get a little more depth. My 85 1.2 is nails.


800px portion taken from a larger image and displaying at 100%. No sharpening applied.


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[Sean Setters]

I'm relatively happy with my Canon 50mm f/1.4. I've never owned the 50mm f/1.8, but the reason I bought the f/1.4 version is because I borrowed the f/1.8 from a friend and absolutely hated the build quality and loud/cheap AF.

[Baker]

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I borrowed the f/1.8 from a friend and absolutely hated the build quality and loud/cheap AF.

Another reason why I am thinking of upgrading
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dont forget the other choices as well~ the 100mm maco and non macro are very good! the 85mm 1.8 is excellent from what i have read,and seen! i personally have used the 100mm macro non is and it is very nice!

I want the 100mm f/2.8 IS Macro but that can wait. If I replace my 50mm f/1.8 it will be with another 50mm

[iso79]

I had the f/1.8. It was cheap, awful AF. Sold it for how much i paid for it. I have f/1.4. I