50mm1.4 vs 1.8

JaimeGibb · Jul 31, 2008

So the 50mm 1.4 is $350, whereas the 1.8 is only about $100. Is there really that huge of a difference between the two? Is the 1.4 worth the extra $250?

The lens will be used for portraits mainly!

Mullen · Jul 31, 2008

Better build quality and that extra f-stop. If those are worth $250 to you get the 1.4, if not go with the 1.8.

Personally, I went with the 1.8, but that was mainly because I'd spent enough already for one order.

Alex_B · Jul 31, 2008

I like my 1.4 ... but cannot really compare. maybe the 1.8 is almost as good.

rufus5150 · Jul 31, 2008

I own a 1.4 and have used both. The 1.8 is slower to focus and louder... much, much louder. The build quality is more solid on the 1.4 -- the 1.8 feels like a toy it's so light.

On Image quality for day-to-day use, they're very comparable. I rarely shoot outside of 2.8-5.6, but I've been satisfied with the 1.4's performance at 1.8 and 1.6 -- they're a bit soft. The 1.8 is pretty soft at 1.8. The 1.4 is super crisp between 2.2 and 5.6 and the 1.8 seems to be super crisp at around 2.8 to 4, but my understanding is that can vary from lens to lens.

dEARlEADER · Jul 31, 2008

I have heard (but not seen myself) that the bokeh on the 1.4 is more pleasing.

edit: oops... just saw that you are a Canon shooter... I was speaking of the Nikon lenses... sry...

Big Mike · Jul 31, 2008

This was the most often asked question on photography forums....before DSLR cameras became the norm.

The others have laid it out already. The 50mm F1.8 is made to be cheap, it's body is mostly plastic, including the mounting ring. The focus is gear driven (slow & loud) and it feels like a toy. The glass, however, is pretty decent, which makes it a great bargain at that price.
The 50mm F1.4 has a much better build quality and better focus motor. Some say the image quality is better. Actually, at only $325, this is still a pretty good deal for the quality you are getting.
There is also a Canon 50mm F1.2 L....which is $1379.

usayit · Jul 31, 2008

If you can comfortably afford it, go with the f/1.4 If not, go with the f/1.8. Both are good lenses and you can't go wrong with either. The f/1.8 is 90% of the f/1.4. The 10% difference is smoother bokeh and build (USM versus macro motor). The f/1.4 is not worth it if you have to pull strings to get the extra $$$.

I threw in my f/1.8 lens (metal mount no doubt) to sweeten the deal for a cousin of mine. Allowed me to have a reason to get the f/1.4.

Now the 50mm f/1.2, that's a completely different beast that warrants another thread all of its own.

ksmattfish · Jul 31, 2008

The f/1.4 is 2/3rds of a stop faster, has a DOF scale, and has more blades in the iris diaphragm which may effect the shape of out of focus highlights (making them more round, smoother).

As mentioned above, the f/1.4 seems more sturdily built. I own both (Canon), and once I dropped the f/1.8 from shoulder height (I'm 6') on to a granite chapel floor. it bounced over 4' in the air and I caught it. It still works flawlessly, and except for shaking up the dust inside the lens there isn't a mark on it. It may seem "plasticky", but I'm telling you, it's a tough lens!

In a Pop Photography (or was it Petersons?) mag lens test the Canon 50mm f/1.8 beat every Canon L zoom they tested it against for resolving fine detail. The f/1.4 is a wonderful lens, but the f/1.8, although it looks cheap, isn't too shabby.

Except for the extra speed, I bet most lens tests would show the f/1.4 and f/1.8 beats the f/1.2, particularly in corner sharpness and distortion. F/1.2 lenses are troublesome beasts to design.

iflynething · Jul 31, 2008

From 1.8 to 1.4 could be one eye of a person in focus, and the nose out of focus. The DOF is just so narrow, sometimes they can be hard to shoot with wide open

I'm hypocritical in saying that because I know if I had the $320, I would definately get the 1.4 for the extra stop

~Michael~

Josh66 · Aug 1, 2008

dEARlEADER said:
I have heard (but not seen myself) that the bokeh on the 1.4 is more pleasing.

edit: oops... just saw that you are a Canon shooter... I was speaking of the Nikon lenses... sry...

Still applies... The 1.4 has more aperture blades - smoother bokeh.

edit
lol, didn't notice - usayit & ksmattfish both mentioned this already...

JaimeGibb · Aug 1, 2008

Oh wow!!! Thanks so much all. Definitly a lot of info. I guess if I have the money Ill go for the 1.4. I have the 85mm 1.8 and just purchased a Sigma 70-200 which ate my savings. But, my boyfriend is offering to help me pay so that may be reason to get the 1.4

pm63 · Aug 1, 2008

Sorry to hijack the thread, but do any Nikon shooters know of the main differences between these two lenses for the Nikon system?

lukeap69 · Aug 1, 2008

I had the 50 1.8 and it was sharp. I just didn't like the build and hunting very much at low light (my own experience, maybe others have different story). So I sold it and got myself a sexy Sigma 50 1.4 which is BTW more expensive than its Canon counterpart.