Canon 50mm 1.4 Soft?

FMX wrote in post #15406629
I used One shot to get the focus, then switched to MF so that it wouldn't change.

Ah, that might be a problem. Switching the AF/MF switch on the lens can move you out of position enough to throw focus off at f/1.4. I think it can also slightly shift the lens focus.

I believe your f/1.4 shot is simply OOF. Could be that the lens needs some MA or you shifted things enough to move the focus plane off the subject. My 50 f/1.4 is significantly sharper wide open than what your image is showing.

Use tripod, get out of Servo AF and don't switch to Manual focus and do not recompose. Use a focus chart taped to a a wall. The DOF is so shallow at 1.4 that the slightest shift in focus will throw off your sharpness.

The first thing I would do is shoot something that is wide an angular to the shooter, so as a brick wall at 45 degrees or a ruler.

That way you can see whether it is sharp anywhere at all. If yes then you have an AF problem. If not the thing has some elements out of whack.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …ample-Crops.aspx?Lens=115

I just received my 50mm 1.4 and I'm having similar issues on my 60D. Except I am using a tripod. I take the shot w/ af on it looks just like your first shot. When I switch to mf and live view I'm able to get the shot a lot sharper. Maybe that is your issue also. I want to try it on a focusing chart before I decide to send it back to B&H.

DIY Focusing Chart

http://www.peleng8.com​/how-to-detect-back-focus.html

The way to decide on lens sharpness is with Live View MF. On a tripod. With no IS.

Once you decided that your lens is sharp, then you shoot the target, per instructions with AF. On a tripod. With no IS. Then you can decide whether your lens is fron- or back-focusing.

If it is sharp on-target...

You need to work on your technique...

you need to use the tri-pod not only for motion blur, but to make sure your focus plane doesn't change

at 1.4 it's smaller than you think, just a slight movement forward or backward can make a difference

davidc502 wrote in post #15407340
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …ample-Crops.aspx?Lens=115

Interesting. So it is definitely confirmed soft at 1.4 anyway. Then... there is virtually no reason for me to spend 3x more than the 1.8, other than focusing speed.

Even the 50L is pretty soft at 1.2 in comparison to 2.8.

FMX wrote in post #15409045
Interesting. So it is definitely confirmed soft at 1.4 anyway. Then... there is virtually no reason for me to spend 3x more than the 1.8, other than focusing speed.

Even the 50L is pretty soft at 1.2 in comparison to 2.8.

There is a LOT more to life than sharpness. It took me a while to figure that out. The 50 f/1.8 is a bargain but it is an inferior lens to the 50 f/1.4 (mechanically, AF performance, bokeh performance). The 50L is another league all together for contrast, color, bokeh.

Yes, all 3 are softer wide open than they are at f/5.6, but so are most lenses. The question is whether or not the overall image is sharp enough, and many times they are.