50mm lens help?

[TeeZeeMee]

I am looking at getting a 50mm lens and i dont really know the prominent effects of "f/1.8" over "f/1.4" and what i should get.

any advice?

please

 

[MLeeK]

The biggest difference is the build quality.
IMO-unless you know why you need the f/1.4 or you have the budget to buy it right out the gate... go with the 1.8. You can't shoot effectively at f/1.8 let alone 1.4 99% of the time.
There is a difference in IQ, but for the price? the 1.8 is worth it's weight in gold. It's going to be sharper than any lens you've probably used to date by far.
I'd LIKE to have the 1.4 NOW, but I have 2 of the 1.8 and I don't NEED it enough to justify the cost over buying other lenses or equipment.

 

[Josh66]

What mount are we talking here?

If Canon, I say go for the 1.4.

MLeeK, why do you have two 1.8's?



edit
Just noticed the OP's avatar, lol. 1.4 then.

 

[MLeeK]

I do a LOT of teaching. It comes in handy to have multiples. It's a cheap lens and I bought a used one even cheaper than dirt! Plus my kids shoot too. So they need to have it

 

[analog.universe]

The USM and build quality of the Canon 1.4 would make me choose it over the 1.8...

 

[usayit]

The aperture diaphragm in the 1.4 is better than the 1.8. Shot with both starting with the better mark I version of the 1.8, both are fine for most... the 1.4 for those with a more modest budget and certain tastes

 

[vtf]

^^^^^^^what they said. My suggestion with whichever you choose is to shoot initially around f4 to f8 and get familiar with the lens outdoors. Try to stay away from the urge to shoot at 1.8 indoors, a beginner first mistake. BTW the 1.8 is a good lens at a good price, the 1.4 is for the more serious imo.
Good Luck :thumbup:

 

[cgipson1]

Ditto on the "don't shoot at 1.8"! Every rookie that buys a new 50mm does that, and ends up thinking the lens is defective! lol!

 

[analog.universe]

I'll amend that to say: "Only shoot at 1.8 or 1.4 sometimes, when you understand the sacrifices involved in doing so."


Otherwise we'd all own lenses with f/5.6 maximum apertures....

 

[luvmyfamily]

I need help toooooo! So I will keep my eye on this thread

 

[IByte]

I need help toooooo! So I will keep my eye on this thread

Same here since I invested in Nikon 50mm 1.4.

 

[Judobreaker]

the 1.8 is worth it's weight in gold.

Well yeah but it's not very heavy is it...?

 

[Patrice]

I only own 3 1.4 lenses, an 85 af-d, a 28 af-d and a 35 Ai (not the best 1.4 ever made). These were acquired for other qualities besides being f/1.4, they are seldom used at f/1.4

Objective qualities like build and sharpness, and subjective qualities like bokeh, colour, ease of use, centre and off centre rendering, etc...

 

[luvmyfamily]

Ditto on the "don't shoot at 1.8"! Every rookie that buys a new 50mm does that, and ends up thinking the lens is defective! lol!

I have learned my lesson!! f/4!!!

 

[Hickeydog]

Well yeah but it's not very heavy is it...?

Have you seen the price of gold lately? I think the 1.8 would be worth about $8200.