Canon 50mm, F1.8 vs F1.4

[tinusvdb]

Hi Guys,

Sorry if I am asking a question that has been asked a lot of times, but I have searched the forum, and have not found much info on the matter.

I am in the market for a 50mm f/1.8:f/1.4 Canon lens. But after reading some reviews i am totally lost. The thing that makes me converned it that many reviews state that the f1.8 might be clearer from 2.8 upwards.

I really like the f1.4 but for three times the price I ask myself, "is it really worth getting the f/1.4?".
WHAT MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER ?

Can someone who has had both please help me choose the right one.

[OsmosisStudios]

Better image quality, better build, better AF system (faster, quieter), larger aperture

[inkista]

Actually, image quality's very similar from the two lenses, if you do the dpreview side-by-side. In fact, the 1.8's better on a crop than the f/1.4. On full frame, that reverses, though.

But yeah, mostly you're paying for build quality, USM, 2/3 of a stop more, and manual focus usability features.

If you don't care about the USM or the 2/3 of a stop, you could split the difference and hunt up an old used 50mm f/1.8 Mark I. They go for about $200 on the used market, iirc. Very similar build (metal mount) and MF ring and distance scale to the 50/1.4.

[tinusvdb]

But is the build quality that you are referring to not just the "feel" of the lens. I have come accross a lot of comments that the AF of the f1.4 breaks easily. Why is that ?

[tinusvdb]

Hi inkista

Thanks for that link, I really enjoyed that comparason tool. I have decided to go for the f1.8, Yay!, but my wife recons I must wait until Christmas to open it, arg!

[EddiePotatoes]

Originally Posted by tinusvdb

Hi inkista

Thanks for that link, I really enjoyed that comparason tool. I have decided to go for the f1.8, Yay!, but my wife recons I must wait until Christmas to open it, arg!

Ha! My wife's like that with my new Xbox 360.

I just got the f1.8 and love, love, love it! But it's my first step up from the stock lens.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by tinusvdb

But is the build quality that you are referring to not just the "feel" of the lens. I have come accross a lot of comments that the AF of the f1.4 breaks easily. Why is that ?

The 1.8 breaks easy also.. I broke my first one by just bumping it on the ground. It never could auto focus after that.

[tinusvdb]

Luckily I tested the one we bought last Sunday and found that it battled to focus. Took it back to the shop and they exchanged it, no questions asked . I am having a lot of fun with this lens!!!!