50mm f1.8 MKII vs 50mm F1.4 USM

[SileNceR_RH]

Does anyone actually have each of these lenses?

I've been reading up a little and it sounds like both are quite nice except the bokeh is a bit of a letdown (along with strength/build quality of the casing) for the 1.8

There is of course the ~$300 price difference also.

I'm thinking I might get a 50mm 1.8 in the intermediary then save and grab a 1.4 down the track (or when I break the 1.8, as everyone who has thte 1.4 seems to have done?)

If someone has both, are you able to post up a couple of photos that are a direct comparison?

[Kris]

Bit of a diff, BHPHoto video has a good price with the USD, no fees for you as its under $1k

1.8 is flimsy, total plastic, slow focusing, borderline bokeh and noisy.

1.4 has USM motor, faster focusing, better contrast, better construction, faster lens

In terms of light gathering abilities for both, there isn't too much! If your budget allows and you want a lens that can survive a bit of rough handling on the odd occasion and better oof areas, go the 1.4

1.2 is at a good price too these days! If you like back focusing

[PiroStitch]

With the strong conversion now, you can get the 1.4 from b&h for about 355 delivered.

[adam]

Or you could get the f/1.4 second hand from some USA forums, even cheaper

I've got the f/1.8 II version and it's still working fine 3 years on.

Been looking for excuses to *upgrade* but this small, light and low-costed lens still makes me happy! Also the thought of buying another 50mm lens when I've already got this f/1.8 version.... Keeping my money for the 35L instead (which I see you have got Kris! )

Does the f/1.2L have backfocusing issues?

[Kris]

35L is a ripper

Yep 50 1.2 has back focus issues when close up... not so much a issue I hear if you're farish from the subject. Well documented issue on DPreview/FM

[devilla101]

I have the 1.4 and have used the 1.8 mkI

Both lenses are really good.

Difference is the build quality and focusing speed.

Also its hard to focus on the 1.4 cause of very small plane your focusing on. Move a bit and your shot will be OFF

[SileNceR_RH]

Comparing to the 400D kit 18-55 3.5-5.6 lens, bokeh wise, is the 50mm 1.8 similar or better?

I know my other kit lens the 75-300 seems to have much nicer bokeh, how does that compare to the 1.8, or is that similar to the 1.4?

[!~DeViNe~DaRkNeSs~!]

Comparing to the 400D kit 18-55 3.5-5.6 lens, bokeh wise, is the 50mm 1.8 similar or better?

I know my other kit lens the 75-300 seems to have much nicer bokeh, how does that compare to the 1.8, or is that similar to the 1.4?

the 50mm 1.8 is quite different to the kit lenses, for the fact it goes to 1.8 vs the kits best at 3.5 is a good place to start the comparison. if anywhere near evening u need the flash with the kit lens whereas the 50mm is fine in lowish light.

[SileNceR_RH]

Yeah i've seen examples of the light let in, but how does the appearance of the bokeh compare?

My 18-55 has hexagonal (or similar) shapes in the out of focus areas, where the 75-300 tends to be much smoother and more polished - how do the 1.8 and 1.4 50mm prime lenses compare? I know the 1.4 is smoother, i've seen example photos with both, but is the 1.8 closer in terms of bokeh to the 75-300 than the 18-55?

[edit: I just found this http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/50v50 ]

[robert]

I've got the 1.8 (mk II) and very happy with it, no experience with the 1.4

Here is a bit of a comparison,
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/50v50

also for bokeh comparison pics
http://www.friday.com/bbum/2007/10/18/c ... 14-vs-f18/
http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

Robert

[daniel81]

50mm 1.8 II was my first lens upgrade from the 400d kit lenses. The difference between that and the EFS 18-55 is staggering in terms of sharpness, low light speed & bokeh. There really is no competition between the two. I bought the EF S 17-85 IS USM for a bit more versatility, but still go for the 50mm prime when i can - it is that much sharper and faster. I will one day go for a faster, wider prime with USM to go along with it though... 50mm has its limits, and focusing can be a tad slow at times.

[SileNceR_RH]

Thanks Robert that's the type of thing I was looking for.

Daniel - the 50mm 1.8 II is sharper than the IS 17-85?

[Kris]

You're comparing two TOTALLY different lens mate.

A prime vs a zoom, primes are always sharper. Both lens are like chalk and cheese, if you're to compare the 50 1.4 to the 50 1.8, the 50 1.4 is sharper at 50 1.8 then the 50 1.8 at 1.8

[SileNceR_RH]

Ah thanks.

Still trying to get my head around how all this works...

[Grev]

I've tried all 3 versions of the 50mm prime on a 5D, and with just a brief answer, I will say that the f1.4 version is worth that little extra money.

I shot wide open with the 5D and the 50mm f1.2, thought the focused point (the Canon logo of the nearby 1Ds MkII, which I'll get to later) was a bit soft, and now I know there's a back focus issue with the lens then I know why it was that soft.

I also used the 1Ds MkII with the 85mm f1.2, was pretty nice, that's all I can say.

[SileNceR_RH]

My 50mm F1.4 should be here in the next week or so

Aren't birthdays great?