Diff between 50mm F1.8 and F1.4

[DieselGirl]

In shooting with both of these lenses, can anyone tell me what would be the benefit of spending more money on the F1.4 is versus spending less than $100 on the F1.8

I have shot a lot with the F1.8 and couldnt be happier with the results. Am I missing out on anything having not gotten the F1.4?

What is your experience with these lenses?

[RichardtheSane]

If you need to you can shoot at F1.4 and increase your shutter speed some mor ein low light

And IIRC the 1.4 uses a USM motor too.

Unless you do a lot of low light photography the extra cash for the 1.4 probably isn't worth it :)

[evilenglishman]

I've used both and can't see any point to the 1.4 unless you want USM.
sure the 1.4 is metal but optically speaking its not worth the extra

[scottbergerphoto]

This has been discussed ad nauseum. The 1.4 is:
1.faster
2.better built (metal not plastic mount)
3.smoother bokeh(how out of focus areas appear)
Both provide excellent image quality. It all depends on your cash flow. If you can afford the 1.4 buy it.
Regards,
Scott

[Olegis]

I don't have the 1.4, but I'm very happy with my 1.8 Mk II. This lens may look like a toy, but optically it's nearly perfect.
Here are few examples, shot last friday : http://www.pbase.com/olegis/katya&page=all

[scottbergerphoto]

I don't have the 1.4, but I'm very happy with my 1.8 Mk II. This lens may look like a toy, but optically it's nearly perfect.
Here are few examples, shot last friday : http://www.pbase.com/olegis/katya&page=all
Beautiful pictures. A competent photographer can do more with less, while even the best equipment won't shine in the hands of someone less competent.
Scott

[Belmondo]

A competent photographer can do more with less, while even the best equipment won't shine in the hands of someone less competent.
Scott

I know, but do you have to rub it in?

[DieselGirl]

A competent photographer can do more with less, while even the best equipment won't shine in the hands of someone less competent.
Scott

I know, but do you have to rub it in?

He just did..

just kidding!

[DocFrankenstein]

I know, but do you have to rub it in?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[drisley]

Curious, is f1.4 one full stop faster than f1.8?
Or is the difference 2/3 stop?

[nosquare2003]

One stop slower than f1.4 is f2.0

1.4 vs 1.8 is about 2/3 stop.

[Roy NN7DX]

Me? I hate the 50mm/f1.8... It's cost me a lot of money...

It was my first good DSLR lens so it's the lens I compared all other lenses to... That isn't a smart thing to do because you may start buying new lenses to try to equal the image quality of the thrifty fifty...

Where are the rest of the good inexpensive non-zoom lenses? Yeah, and I don't care if they are built like the 50/1.8 if they can deliver the goods like that lens does... If they are like me, most folks don't need industrial strength lenses...

I hope the rebirth of SLR's in digital form will spur some good inexpensive prime lens production again... In case you didn't know, Vivitar wasn't always a joke lens company... At one point they offered SLR film camera lenses that were pretty good...

That felt good...

Thanks for listening...

[Jmurman]

I don't have the 1.4, but I'm very happy with my 1.8 Mk II. This lens may look like a toy, but optically it's nearly perfect.
Here are few examples, shot last friday : http://www.pbase.com/olegis/katya&page=all

Olegis, those are very nice photos. I Like the quality of your 50mm 1.8 better than the 70-200 2.8.

[mdude85]

I'd get the 1.8 II over the 1.4 USM. I think the 1.4 is like $200 while the MK II can be had for around $70. That's a pretty big difference for what amounts to a hardly noticeable difference in bokeh and a metal body.

[Haifidelity]

You're not going to gain much in terms of image quality, but there is a *SLIGHT* difference--mainly in out of focus rendition (perfect on the 1.4, whereis the 1.8 can sometimes render harsher bokeh).

One dissapointment with the 1.4 is the focus accuracy and speed isn't much better than the f/1.8.

If you can afford it, why not.

[Olegis]

I don't have the 1.4, but I'm very happy with my 1.8 Mk II. This lens may look like a toy, but optically it's nearly perfect.
Here are few examples, shot last friday : http://www.pbase.com/olegis/katya&page=all

Olegis, those are very nice photos. I Like the quality of your 50mm 1.8 better than the 70-200 2.8.

Thanks. As a matter of fact I feel completely the opposite, but maybe it's just me 8)

[Aylwin]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned colors. I find the 1.4 reproduces better colors than the 1.8. Or maybe it's just my brain trying to justify the upgrade. :roll:

[MikesJo]

olegis, what post processing did you do, if any. If you used USM, do you remember your settings? I get some good focused shots w/ the 1.8 but some of mine seem soft. I just got the 10D and 50mm 1.8 last week :P. So sorta getting used to it slowly. A lot of people on dpreview say it's either the person shooting or the equipment. I don't want to send my camera into canon yet if it's me that's getting sorta soft pics.

[MikesJo]

whoa, your shots are dead sharp :?.

do you shoot at default settings on the camera? Raw or jpeg?

[khiromu]

For the price of 50/1.4, I bought 50/1.8 AND 35/2 and I think I am happier.

[DieselGirl]

For the price of 50/1.4, I bought 50/1.8 AND 35/2 and I think I am happier.

How do you like the 35mm?

I guess I have a fear of collecting too many fixed focals but it sounds like a great idea and great way to budget your money into a few lenses.

[Vita Rara]

How do you like the 35mm?

I guess I have a fear of collecting too many fixed focals but it sounds like a great idea and great way to budget your money into a few lenses.

Totally. Don't fear the fixed focal length. I have the nifty fifty and just got the 28 f/2.8. They are both fine lenses. I'm now shopping for something shorter then the 28. Then I'll pick up maybe the 85. That should round out my prime collection quite nicely and for a lot less then L zooms, and the fixed guys travel well on my motorcycle. :) And the image quality is fine fine fine.

Mark

[abel]

nice i didnt realize the 35 f2 was about $220...

im shooting a big name concert in a couple of weeks and i might have to pick one of those up to go along with my 50 f1.8

good deal. can u post some images youve taken with your 35 f2?

[DieselGirl]

How do you like the 35mm?

I guess I have a fear of collecting too many fixed focals but it sounds like a great idea and great way to budget your money into a few lenses.

Totally. Don't fear the fixed focal length. I have the nifty fifty and just got the 28 f/2.8. They are both fine lenses. I'm now shopping for something shorter then the 28. Then I'll pick up maybe the 85. That should round out my prime collection quite nicely and for a lot less then L zooms, and the fixed guys travel well on my motorcycle. :) And the image quality is fine fine fine.

Mark

I can't argue with you on the quality of the images of most fixed focals. They are pretty fine looking in quality. The only downfall is at times, I don't know what focal length I will be needing so having a zoom lens is just much more convenient rather than packing up multiple fixed focals.

I guess over time with practice I will learn what I will need in certain settings. Now I am totally confused! HeHe!