50mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4

[Nitroburner9]

Hey everyone, I have a feeling this question has been answered before but Im struggling to get an answer. I currently have a 450D and I am wanting to move more into the urban and portrait photos I am between the 1.8 and 1.4, but my question is not which one is better, but which one is more reasonable. By no means am I a professional, but I would like to get my photos in the local galleries. Which lens would you think I would benefit the most from within the price ranges. I am trying to make the best buy, but does the extra $260 for the 1.4 make it that much better than the 1.8?

[A.C.]

The 50 1.4 will give you better results under low-light because of the larger aperture. It also features USM (fast/silent AF).

I've been using my friends' 50mm 1.8 on my 5D for the past few days and it's been a decent lens. The AF performance is a bit inconsistent, but other than that, it is well worth the ~$80 dollar price tag...

I haven't had a chance to use the 50 1.4, so I won't make a comment on it.

But if you can spend the $260 dollars more for the 50 1.4, I would get that instead. Overall, it seems to be a better performer and the larger full stop aperture is really convenient in low-light conditions.

[Nitroburner9]

I think I will really go for the 1.4, It seems to be well worth the extra money. Upon reading reviews it seems that the autofocus on the 1.8 is a bit slow and unpredictable. I plan on doing alot of architecture photos now that I am going to school for it. It will be my next purchase. Thanks for the help!

[philmar]

I imagine autofocus is more critical for street photography that it is for architecture

[form]

The f/1.4 is occasionally sold for around $250 or less used; that's a good time to buy one. The AF on both is relatively fast, but the f/1.4 will give you better bokeh and another 2/3 stop.

[k_wakasugi]

I had the 1.8 and it's great for the price. I mean it's hard to beat $80 brand new. I shoot a lot of low-light indoors type stuff, so I felt like I needed more speed. I sold the 1.8, bought the 1.4, and I must say that the USM AF, and the build alone were with it. The 1.8 feels like a toy compared to the 1.4.

[blighty]

Yeah I've got the 1.8 and the basic rule with it "don't use auto-focus". Great for low-light, but too erratic on the street I find.

[Gab1707]

I have been deciding the same thing. At the end I chose the 50mm 1.4 now I only need to find it in stock!

[plucks]

I bought the 1.8 on amazon for 100$ free shipping and that included a filter+hood. Its a good buy for the price and retained resell value well. I would go for the 1.8 first. Cheap and sharp.

[kclancy]

I picked up a 1.8 in December and man for $80 I can't believe that little thing. I've been shooting portraits and product shots with it and love it. The 1.4 is probably better if you're looking for better build quality and little extra for low light. But at $80 you can't go wrong even trying the 1.8

[chris78cpr]

I use the F1.4 and i like it, the F1.8 is also a great lens.

My opinion after using them all is the best lens is the 50mm F1.8 mk1 with the metal lens mount. It's between the F1.8 and F1.4 in terms of price but must be bought used.

Great lens, much sharper than the other two at the wide open apertures.

Chris