50mm f/1.4 - is it ment to be faster focusing than the 1.8?

[verty]

Hey Guys,

Just wondering if the f/1.4 is ment to be faster at focusing than the f/1.8 version? also more quiter??

i can see the difference in image quality between the two but focusing and speed seem exactly the same to me, and the f/1.4 is not focusing in low level light at all!

[StealthLude]

I dont own the lens... yet....

but that sounds about right to me. I have the 1.8 version but I held off buying the 1.4 version because I wanted faster focusing and better low light AF... But from what I read thats not the case. Its not a USM lens, its a micro USM lens...

This is one reasing on holding out on this lens and waiting to get the 85mm 1.8 lens for my low light use.

Im still considering buying the 50mm 1.4, but I need to get my hands on one to try it out.

[verty]

jeezz.. shame i start to hear all these ****ty things about the lens now when i have it...

[LightRules]

I would say it's slightly faster, but even more important, it's more accurate in AF with a brighter VF.

[ijohnson]

The 1.4 is a far superior lens. I've owned both, still own the 1.4. The 1.4 produces better images, focuses better in low-light, much better build quality, much bigger and easier manual focus ring, and its a lot faster (2/3 stop).

Awesome lens.

[sonnyc]

At one time I owned both version of 1.8, a 1.4 and a 2.5 macro.

The 1.4 is definitely faster focusing than all of them but the the macro one is the sharpest, then the MK1.

[blackshadow]

The f1.4 is about the best low light lens I have ever used when it comes to focussing and speed.

[steve75]

i love the lens, but i do have inconsistent results when using AISERVO to track moving targets....... In One shot mode though i can't complain, fosusses plenty fast enough for me all be it not quite as quick as my 85mm.

[grego]

It could be better in some aspects, but its definitely a value out there as far as lens go along with the 85 1.8 for good quality lens.

It has its advantages over the 1.8 version. If you like portraits and stay with the 1.6 crop its a very good lens to have. Much better deal than the f/1.2L version(not that it doesn't have its advantages).

[cdifoto]

Originally Posted by verty

Hey Guys,

Just wondering if the f/1.4 is ment to be faster at focusing than the f/1.8 version? also more quiter??

i can see the difference in image quality between the two but focusing and speed seem exactly the same to me, and the f/1.4 is not focusing in low level light at all!

It won't eliminate the need for contrast to autofocus. It's a better lens than the f/1.8 but even the top L glass needs contrast to AF.

[YosemiteJunkie]

The 1.4 has USM and the 1.8 don't. So.... It's gonna be faster focusing (and more accurate)

[StealthLude]

Originally Posted by YosemiteJunkie

The 1.4 has USM and the 1.8 don't. So.... It's gonna be faster focusing (and more accurate)

Its not USM, its micro USM, there is a difference.

Nevertheless, its still a more accurate focusing lens than 50mm 1.8

I still plan on upgrading my 1.8 to the 1.4 version of this lens. From what i see and read it does not seem like its a faster focusing lens, and can have problems focusing in low light (compared to the 85mm 1.8 lens)

Id buy the 50 1.4 sooner but im too busy blowing cash on other lenses

At the end of the day, the 1.4 is better than the 1.8, and in many ways.

Build, mount, focusing, speed, IQ, ...

[cdifoto]

Originally Posted by StealthLude

Its not USM, its micro USM, there is a difference.

Micro USM is still USM. Ring USM is the other (better) type of USM. If micro USM wasn't USM, it wouldn't be called USM and it wouldn't be stamped on the lens barrel.

[verty]

i did some more tests and noticed this lens works better when i have the speedlight on.. but im thinking maybe its the 350d that is making it focus alil off.. i have a friend who has a 5d and a 20d.. next few weeks im gonna test the focusing on them lenses and see how i go.. if the focus on them is alot better what can i do to fix the focus problem on the 350d?

[grego]

Originally Posted by verty

i did some more tests and noticed this lens works better when i have the speedlight on.. but im thinking maybe its the 350d that is making it focus alil off.. i have a friend who has a 5d and a 20d.. next few weeks im gonna test the focusing on them lenses and see how i go.. if the focus on them is alot better what can i do to fix the focus problem on the 350d?

Well the speedlite will help all your lens in low light. That's where Nikon seems to have an advantage, in low light.

With that said, the 350D lacks a few advantages the higher end cameras contain. It has a cross sensor for 2.8 and bigger lens that helps AF. So on a 20D, you'd get better precision with it. And then the flash of course would help.