50mm Prime only challenge thread

[dlaf]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

What is this thing?

Originally Posted by NathanBlack

Sony a100 - Sony 50mm 1.4 lens

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by wulf

I have not got time to search for it right now but, in a recent discussion, someone shared a link to a site that compared the result of 50mm prime lenses. I think it looked like the f/1.8 did have marginally better results than the f/1.4. Of course, that depends on make and model rather than just the generic classification.

Hopefully someone will remember or know what I am talking about and provide a link.

Wulf

Yeah, the only one I found when I was trying to confirm my discussion was one for the Canon lens, and we all know that different manufacturers have different lens qualities of course.

[Supermassive]

Originally Posted by jdepould

Very cool, sexy.

thank you, sir!

[RussHeath]

I've heard the same thing about sharpness between the two, and I've used both the 1.8 and 1.4. My Dad has the 1.4, which he has loaned to me on occasion before I got my 1.8. I did not perform any head-to-head type comparison, but having used them both I noticed no obvious differences.

Feel free to love or hate Ken Rockwell all you want, but he reviews the f/1.8 here and the f/1.4 here, making some direct comparisons. His take is that the 1.8 has slightly less distortion, and is "just as sharp." At another point during the reviews he comments that you need to stop the f/1.8 down a stop further than the 1.4 to get the same sharpness. Either way, he describes them both as "super sharp." So it probably doesn't matter.

I do find that I use the 1.8 at f/1.8 quite often, making me wonder if I would gain something by getting the 1.4. If I can get my Dad's 1.4 for a week maybe I'll shoot some comparison shots . . .

[Nobie]

Originally Posted by RussHeath

I do find that I use the 1.8 at f/1.8 quite often, making me wonder if I would gain something by getting the 1.4. If I can get my Dad's 1.4 for a week maybe I'll shoot some comparison shots . . .

I find myself dialing down to 1.4 often, but usually just because I can.

If I stop at 1.8, I think to myself, "Well why stop here? you paid extra for that one more click...so click it!"

[silentnight_913]

MTF charts for 50mm -
Nikon f1.4 : Here
Nikon f1.8 : Here
Canon f1.2 : Here
Canon f1.4 : Here
Canon f1.8 : Here
Olympus f2.0 : Here

[Nobie]

Originally Posted by silentnight_913

MTF charts for 50mm -
Nikon f1.4 : Here
Nikon f1.8 : Here
Canon f1.2 : Here
Canon f1.4 : Here
Canon f1.8 : Here
Olympus f2.0 : Here

I still don't understand those graphs. I read the "how to understand" section, all I got from it was that "the higher and straighter the better." Then it said that you can't get a final evaluation from it due to other data needed like colors and softness or something. I'd need to see shots instead of reading about it. Then of course if you are using a D3, D300, or D40...all that goes into play as well. Hmmmm, this is just like my other hobby...guitars. The amp, guitar, pickups, strings, effects, tubes, speakers...they ALL affect the final result.

[teinee]

This is all some really great information for me on the difference for the Nikon 50s. I will definitely be keeping track of this and doing some research before I make up my mind. From what I have been reading here on DPS I mainly want it for lowlight situations. I will be taking pictures of a friends wedding in Aug., very small, which is good because I do not really do portraits, and I want something better than what I had for another friends wedding last Aug. (this years bride loved last years brides pics). Time for research.

[Saralonde]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Yeah, the only one I found when I was trying to confirm my discussion was one for the Canon lens, and we all know that different manufacturers have different lens qualities of course.

Yes, the 1.4 Canon is better than the 1.8 Canon. Interesting that the reverse is true for Nikon.

[J-Easy]

taken with my canon 50mm 1.8