50mm 1.8 or 1.4

I walked into the store an hour ago and asked to see the 1.8

I put it on my camera.

I looked at it and through it.

And then, in a move my wife will never let me forget, I asked to see the 1.4

Less than 2 minutes later I bought the 1.4.

Many mental reasons - I haven't really shot with either of them to make a comparison - but I liked:

58mm filters will be just fine - I didn't want to buy 52mm filters.

It snicked onto the body solidly and looked more 'effective'

The one indoor pic I took with the 1.4 was at f1.4 speed 2400 - how good is that?

The comments in this forum from the many users - thanks, people.

Well watch out, i'm comin' thru again!

i bought the 1.4 a few months ago and it is a great quality lens. if you have the money, by all means go for it. Focuses fast and sharp, low app is awesome, rock hard sturdy lens, takes amazing quality pics. the smaller 52mm filters could be a pain if you already own 58mm ones. overall id have to say that you get what you pay for in photography and to me the 1.4 seemed worth it, and has been worth every penny.

heres a couple of images from my 1.8

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Simply put you are going to get a better lens with the 1.4

If you think you'll use the focal length a lot, the 1.4 is the better buy. However, if you use the lens sparingly, the 1.8 fits better.

Since you mention sports, the 1.4 has a more accurate/consistent AF system, which you might find handy. However, you said outdoor sports, where other primes or zooms might be handy. But yeah, it can be used outside too.

Did the saga ever end?? Or are we still in the 1st quartet of "The Ring". Was there a definitive answer??

The only people I ever read on this forum giving the 1.8 a bad rap are those that have the 1.4. (which is not to say all 1.4 owners are snobbish, some do indeed give the 1.8 its rightful due )

I have them both, I use them both (the 1.8 is like a lens cap for me now), I love them both.

If you shoot lots of ranges of something other than 50mm or are on a budget, then get the 1.8. The low light & portrait capabilities for such a cheap lens can not be overlooked.

If 50mm is your range of preference AND you can afford it, get the 1.4, you won't regret it.

Here is another vote for the 1.4, but I have never used a 1.8.
What sold me on the 1.4 was FTM and the bokeh. If these things are not as important as price go for the 1.8. As you can see the 1.8 does yield some really amazing pictures.
Cheers!

If money is not an issue go for the 1.4. I love mine but I've never used the 1.8. It may or may not be worth it. For me, it's a matter of being happy with my decision and not spending the rest of my life wondering what I passed up. After touching both of them in the camera store, the 1.4 won me over. Focus is silky smooth and overall it's built very well.

If you can afford the Acura, why buy a Honda? It's still a Honda but the heated leather seats will remind you every morning why it was the right choice.

YES
Not just sharpness but also colour tone is better

Here is a nice comparison of the 50mm 1.8, 1.4, and 1.0L.

You be the judge.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/32112​3#2723593

maceo920 wrote:
Here is a nice comparison of the 50mm 1.8, 1.4, and 1.0L.

You be the judge.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/32112​3#2723593

First of all, I have the 1.8 version and absolutely love it. I'm also sure I would love the 1.4 but to me it's not worth the difference in price, especially when you read a comparison like the above link.

Sorry Tim!

lol@johnny! Great link mace.

The 50mm F1.8 is a great value lens, and when used within its limits it makes good photos. Many people will never need the 1.4, some will - use the right tool for the job.

Here's a 50mm f1.4 EF pic I prepared earlier today. 800iso. f2.0
I loved my 50mm f1.8 NF so much I still have it.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

The f/1.8 is absolutely easily worth what you pay for it, I think. That said, I'm looking at an upgrade to the f/1.4, simply because the f/1.8 seems to hunt around a bit in lower light.

I'm also spoiled by USM. The absence of it on the f/1.8 is very noticeable...

Steve

Basically it comes down to how much you use the lens. If you use it a lot, then a higher priced lens is worth it, while if its used rarely, its value is not as great.