Canon 50mm f1.4 vs. f1.8

[tweetykl]

Ok, other then price difference what is the difference? One of my friends is set that f1.8 would do everything I need but if I am going to invest in a lens, I want to make sure it is the right one. Don't really have any place I can try it out that I know of. The one camera shop closed. I mainly take pictures of my family inside our house which tends to have poor light due to all the rain the Northwest. I would love any suggestions!

[tweetykl]

Do I need a lens hood? Which brand for that too please!

[daft_biker]

The f/1.4 does pretty much the same as the f/1.8, it just does it better.

Other than cost and a little extra weight I don't think there are any real downsides to the f/1.4 over the f/1.8.

The f/1.4 also has a good USM for AF which allows you to fine tune focus manually at any point, the f/1.8 doesn't. Whilst it's not a feature I use often it's one I like to have.

[OsmosisStudios]

The 1.8 is built like a toy: its ALL plastic except for the glass. The 1.4 is built like a lens.

[castman]

I have the 1.8 it works great! The price is great too! I think if you are going to be using it alot then I would go with the 1.4. I have found it is great for a place that you have alot of room to move around get a great photo. But it you are stuck in one spot and can't move in and out then you have to change and go to a zoom. It does work great in low lighting. Try leaving your zoom at 50 and take photo's and hoe much you would use it. I think will show you how a prim lens is going to work for you.

[Saralonde]

If you have never used a prime and feel a little unsure, the 1.8 is a great way to test it out. I had the 1.8 as my first prime lens. It took me awhile to get used to it, but I decided to "force" myself to use it exclusively for a week and by then I was sold. It broke after a year and I bought the 1.4 (and the 1.8 and the 100mm 2.8, LOL). The plastic construction is definitely a minus, but for less than $100, the 1.8 is decent.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by Saralonde

I had the 1.8 as my first prime lens......It broke after a year and I bought the 1.4.....

The 1.4 was my first prime lens and it's still going strong.....I've used a zoom lens twice since!

I used to shoot everything with my 50mm - action, landscapes, family stuff and used it with extension tubes for macro (on a tripod).

....but that was a few years ago on film. I don't get so much use out of it these days on APS-C digital but still wouldn't be without it for portraits.

[natek313]

Originally Posted by tweetykl

Do I need a lens hood? Which brand for that too please!

Do you need a lens hood to use the lens? No, but I would recommend getting one. It will give your photos better contrast, and it will give your lens a little bit of protection.

I buy the Canon hoods to go with my Canon lenses.