Upgrade from 50 1.8 to 50 1.4?

Looking for opinions on this.

I have the nifty-fifty. It has served me well for the most part, but I find it a bit frustrating to use. Mostly, the AF is too twitchy. If I focus on my sons eye for a portrait the AF will lock on, but then it will go spastic and micro focus back and forth until I take the picture. At f/2, this often causes the image to be out of focus just enough that its not a keeper.

I have used the 1.4 once, for a engagement session for my bro-in-law. It was outside in the morning sun so lighting was optimal, but it never once twitched on me and I attribute that to the USM.

I have gotten $250 in b-day/bonus/payment to put towards the $400 price tag.

Should I stay or should I go?

Sell nifty fifty and get a Sigma 30 1.4 IMO or I think upgrading to 1.4 is a great choice as well. Good luck to you

If I were spending $400 on a 50mm I would see if I could muster another $100 for the Sigma version. Check out digitalrev's comparison between the two f/1.4 lens. Pay particular note of the out of focus areas and see where the sigma excells.

Build and focus are much better on the 1.4. Or, go for the sigma which is apparently just as good!

I kinda want to pick up the 50mm 1.8 just for the kicks n giggles.
I say keep it! And get a 28mm/30mm/35mm and play with those focal length.
It would definitely give you a different perspective!

Tiggity-T wrote in post #14182749
Looking for opinions on this.

I have the nifty-fifty. It has served me well for the most part, but I find it a bit frustrating to use. Mostly, the AF is too twitchy. If I focus on my sons eye for a portrait the AF will lock on, but then it will go spastic and micro focus back and forth until I take the picture. At f/2, this often causes the image to be out of focus just enough that its not a keeper.

I have used the 1.4 once, for a engagement session for my bro-in-law. It was outside in the morning sun so lighting was optimal, but it never once twitched on me and I attribute that to the USM.

I have gotten $250 in b-day/bonus/payment to put towards the $400 price tag.

Should I stay or should I go?

I thought once a lens lock on, it stops auto-focusing. Do you keep the shutter button half way compressed? Or do you release and try to re-focus? Are you shooting at 1.8? How far are you standing from the subjects? At f/1.8 and 10 feet away, the depth of field is super thin, approximately 0.3 ft. That means if you lean forward or back just a little bit, you lose focus too.

I am selling my 50 1.8 too and my Sigma 50 1.4 is in transit. I would recommend you as other suggested to spend bit more and get Sigma.... much better built quality.

You already have 250 plus you can sell your 50 1.8 for 80 which will give 330 cash and you can add another 100-150 to get sigma 50mm.

I know people are complying about AF on Sigma 50 but I will let you know my experience once I receive mine

The 1st shot is taken with the Sigma 50 f/1.4 at f/1.8. Take note of the circular out of focus highlights coming through the pine tree behind the "rare" owl in the foreground.

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On second thought save an extra $1,200 and get the 50L JK
Dang those Sigma pics look good

adamg5 wrote in post #14183146
On second thought save an extra $1,200 and get the 50L JK
Dang those Sigma pics look good

Thank you and it has earned a fair amount of time on my 7d. Almost as much as my 135L. I find the bokeh very similar between the two lens. I guess I may have to pick up another body if I can afford to.

One more taken at f/2 just a little while ago of my beautiful and always willing to pose granddaughter.

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shinyknights wrote in post #14182917
I thought once a lens lock on, it stops auto-focusing. Do you keep the shutter button half way compressed? Or do you release and try to re-focus? Are you shooting at 1.8? How far are you standing from the subjects? At f/1.8 and 10 feet away, the depth of field is super thin, approximately 0.3 ft. That means if you lean forward or back just a little bit, you lose focus too.

I should clarify when I say it locks on. If I am in AI servo mode, it will focus in on its intended target and track it just fine, but it will stutter back and forth, even when the target is stationary. I primarily shoot my 3 year old and 4 month old, so I use AI Servo to keep up with them on playgrounds, in playrooms, and whatnot. No matter the distance, it will spas. If I am in One Shot mode I will miss a large percentage of the shots. I have purchased the auto micro-adjust software for the 7D but it fails to calibrate properly on my nifty fifty because it can't get a consistent focus out of it.

The only caution I have about the Sigma is the focusing consistency since that is what I am trying to fix by buying a new lens. The only cons that I have read about it are the price and the focusing. How would those who own one honestly say it performs in the focusing department?

Tiggity-T wrote in post #14193601
I should clarify when I say it locks on. If I am in AI servo mode, it will focus in on its intended target and track it just fine, but it will stutter back and forth, even when the target is stationary. I primarily shoot my 3 year old and 4 month old, so I use AI Servo to keep up with them on playgrounds, in playrooms, and whatnot. No matter the distance, it will spas. If I am in One Shot mode I will miss a large percentage of the shots. I have purchased the auto micro-adjust software for the 7D but it fails to calibrate properly on my nifty fifty because it can't get a consistent focus out of it.

The only caution I have about the Sigma is the focusing consistency since that is what I am trying to fix by buying a new lens. The only cons that I have read about it are the price and the focusing. How would those who own one honestly say it performs in the focusing department?

My nifty fifty focuses just fine and doesn't hunt after locking. maybe your copy was defective?

I'm a fan of the nifty fifty and the AF gets a little spastic in low light but the lens is great and had a fun shoot with the kids tonight. Some folks have chimed in already but I'd keep the fifty and save up for the Sigma 30mm 1.4 as it would a great addition to the lenses you already have.

Go for it, the canon 50mm f/1.4 is an excellent lens. I owned it for around 6 months before upgrading to the 50L, prior to that, I tried 3 copies of the sigma 50 f/1.4! Unfortunately, none of the copy works out of the box, all have focusing issues. On the other hand, the canon 50mm f/1.4 works like a dream out of the box, AF is accurate. People complaint about the weak AF mechanism on the lens, but if you keep a lens hood on the lens all the time, it will protect the extended barrel. I know users who have their canon 50mm f/1.4 for more than 8 years and still works like a dream, their secret is to have the lens hood. If you are wondering why I still sold mine for the 50L, just because I want the f/1.2 and a better built heavier 50mm on my 5d mk II.