Canon 50mm f1.4 USM is slow?

Hi, I'm new this photo forum website and pretty much new to photography as well. I recently got a 50mm f1.4 and noticed that the autofocus would hunt, hunt, then adjust a bit then finally get into focus. Is this regular with the 50mm f1.4 USM? I've heard the USM doesn't last long so I'm worried. Thanks everyone!

What camera are you using? What light levels are you shooting in, and using which focus points? Those factors will all affect focus speed.

For example, my 350d was almost impossible to focus at night using all focus points. My 5d, on the other hand, can focus quite quickly and reliably when on center point.

Finally, what lenses are you comparing it to? Some lenses focus faster than others, all else being equal.

Use center only as focus point.
I found this lens painfully slow at first, but it was my first non L lens.
Also, is the light poor where you're shooting? I found the same problem.....

If you are shooting wide open, I suggest you to use the center AF point to focus, it is more sensitive. And are you shooting too close to your object, check your closest focusing distance. And the 50mm f/1.4 has an older style USM motor, it is a different kind of the USM you found commonly on the L series.

Thanks you guys I tried different lighting and it seemed to focus faster if its not too dark.

Evandot wrote in post #14834220
Thanks you guys I tried different lighting and it seemed to focus faster if its not too dark.

It's a great lens once you get aquatined with it.

This was taken in poor lighting