Canon 50 mm 1.4 or 1.8??

[Dao]

Agree, If we started to have people reporting their working 50mm f/1.8 that last over 3-5 years, this thread maybe flooded.

Personally, I really do not think going to the F1.4 just based on the build quality. If the F/1.4 is 3x the cost of F/1.8, then for the same amount of money, I can buy 3 f/1.8s. And I am sure they should last longer than the single f/1.4 under normal use.

 

[Hobbes]

hmm is there a huge difference in af speed and noise between regular micromotor and USM?

 

[usayit]

yes.... people call the 50mm f/1.8 "zippy" for a reason. It is one of the reasons for the increased cost of the f/1.4 version.

IMO... the difference is not a big deal.. Pretty much think about your budget and buy accordingly. Both are good lenses. Selling the f/1.8 and upgrading to the f/1.4 isn't a big "loss" in money since the lens is pretty darn inexpensive. If you decide that you are happy with the f/1.8 then you just saved yourself a couple hundred USD.


In my case, I actually MADE a profit from my f/1.8 (Mark I, metal mount version) before going to the f/1.4 (mostly for better bokeh). I had the MarkI 50mm zippy for about 4 years prior.

 

[Hobbes]

yes.... people call the 50mm f/1.8 "zippy" for a reason. It is one of the reasons for the increased cost of the f/1.4 version.

IMO... the difference is not a big deal.. Pretty much think about your budget and buy accordingly. Both are good lenses. Selling the f/1.8 and upgrading to the f/1.4 isn't a big "loss" in money since the lens is pretty darn inexpensive. If you decide that you are happy with the f/1.8 then you just saved yourself a couple hundred USD.


In my case, I actually MADE a profit from my f/1.8 (Mark I, metal mount version) before going to the f/1.4 (mostly for better bokeh). I had the MarkI 50mm zippy for about 4 years prior.

hehe I have only heard of the mk1 version of 50 f/1.8 lens but I have seen and held the mk2 version which I think would probably be good for the Rebel series but kinda too small for bigger dslr like 40D or 5D

 

[usayit]

The MK1 version is about the same size as the current version. It has a very slightly better build including a metal mount and DOF range window.

Mine was used extensively on a 1d MarkII which is significantly larger than the 40D and 5D. Who cares? It worked well...