Just get the 50mm f1.8 already!

Not sure you really understand what macro is. From this post, it seems evident you don't. Wide angle lenses are less desirable for macro work because the short focal length means you have to get right on top of the subject (optical formulas dictate that at 1:1 your lens' front nodal point is only 2x the focal length from the subject). Longer lenses mean you can work further back from your subject, thus minimizing disurbance.
And you might want to re-check the specs on your lens. I don't believe anyone, anywhere, makes a 24-135 that's an f/1.4 aperture. I don't think there are even any constant-aperture f/4s with that range.

itswillist wrote:
no matter what focal length I'm at it's never soft around the sides .. forget the 50 .. does it have a depth of field preview ? if so it may be worth it ..
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To follow up with what Jon says, I'm not sure you understand this as well as you think you do......Canon lenses don't have depth of field preview - Canon cameras do, but it's a function of the camera stopping the lens down and it's a function built into the body, not the lens.

Also, if you don't believe a lens with a focal range of 24-135 has some issues with softness or distortion at the edges (especially a consumer grade lens), then I submit that you probably haven't done any critical testing of your lens.

Mark

i hear, and legend has it, if you get the 85MM, girls will want you more, your boss will give you a raise every week and little birdies and butterfly's will follow where ever you go.
does this sound correct?
-zacker-

Just get the fastest one you can afford and you will be happy.

zacker wrote:
i hear, and legend has it, if you get the 85MM, girls will want you more, your boss will give you a raise every week and little birdies and butterfly's will follow where ever you go.
does this sound correct?
-zacker-

All true, except the part about the girls, your boss, and the birdies and butterflies.

ron chappel wrote:
This is EXACTLY what i am doing !

I've decided that the 85/1.8 + 50/1.8 combo is ten times more usefull to me than the 50/1.4 alone.

Or to put it another way-why would anyone buy the 50/1.4 when you can instead have the 85/1.8 AND the 50/1.8 for just a little more ?

That's where Canon's double-up rebate came into play. I bought both the 50/1.4 and the 85/1.8. I'll worry about making the payments next month.

Rick "who gets more utility out of the 50 with the small sensor" Denney

Best advice you'll ever get, here or anywhere.

Well then why don't you just put your 50/1.8 on eBay?
Unless you bought it too expensive in the first place, chances are that you won't lose more than 10$ and use the money towards the 50/1.4.

The 'buy expensive things so you don't have to buy twice' logic does not work for this little lens ... from all I've heard it has a great resale value (can't speak from experience here, as I upgraded from the MKI version that is actually quite sought after to the 50/1.4)

PS: I loved the 50/1.8 MKI, but the 50/1.4 just gives me more keepers ... especially in backlit situations (here the bokeh of 50/1.8 definitely was not so great).

Best regards,
Andy