50mm lenses for Canon!

So, I shoot a canon 7D.

I am wanting to upgrade my Canon 50mm 1.8 II

I was thinking the 50mm 1.4 by Canon.


Read very good reviews and seen some really good pictures with the same camera.

I also heard about other companies who made them around the same price for a 1.4?


Thoughts?

Or maybe someone with experience with multiple 1.4s

Priews would be awesome!

This, overall, would be for portraits and skateboarding shots.

Here's a recent discussion comparing the Sigma 50/1.4 to the Canon:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1304451

There are tons of threads on here about the 50's.

CaliWalkabout wrote in post #16003713
Here's a recent discussion comparing the Sigma 50/1.4 to the Canon:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1304451

There are tons of threads on here about the 50's.

I'll have to look up sample shots of both on a canon 7D!


Both honestly look really good to me, and its nonprofessional work so

I had all 3 cheap Canon 50's at the same time, the 50 1.8 Mk II, 50 1.8 Mk I, and 50 1.4. I compared them all and sold the Mk II and the 1.4, keeping the Mk I.
The 1.4 was not much improvement at all over the 1.8's in terms of optics, build was not great either (and no better than the Mk I), AF was iffy.

You may want to check out this current thread, which discusses all three Canon 50mm primes. My impressions are in post #16.

Scott M wrote in post #16003889
You may want to check out this current thread, which discusses all three Canon 50mm primes. My impressions are in post #16.

Are there other primes that are close to the 50mm that would be better?

I wouldn't mind something between like 40-55/60mm.


I just want a solid really good prime, but I definitely can't afford the 50mm 1.2L

Honestly 1.8 is a must, but prefer 1.4!

I've had every Canon 50mm lens except the f/1.2, plus the Sigma 50. I would opt for the Canon 50 f/1.4 for what you are planning to shoot.

If you don't already have the Canon 85 f/1.8 though, I would prefer that lens for any skateboarding type action shots when paired with your 7d. The 7d/85 f/1.8 combo is a great set to capture action shots with when you consider how fast the 85 can acquire focus.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16003930
I've had every Canon 50mm lens except the f/1.2, plus the Sigma 50. I would opt for the Canon 50 f/1.4 for what you are planning to shoot.

If you don't already have the Canon 85 f/1.8 though, I would prefer that lens for any skateboarding type action shots when paired with your 7d. The 7d/85 f/1.8 combo is a great set to capture action shots with when you consider how fast the 85 can acquire focus.

I only have the 50mmMKII and the 10-22 Canon wide angle.


I can use the 50mm well for skating since I can be pretty close, and not have to back too far up.

I just really want something solid that will produce great portrait stuff.

I love the 50mm 1.8, but I want something slightly better.

I'm not sure what it is but, the lens just seems a little off to me.

I may just dive in and get the 50mm 1.4 used from somewhere for cheap, or maybe from a store and return it in a few days if I don't like it.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16003937
I only have the 50mmMKII and the 10-22 Canon wide angle.


I can use the 50mm well for skating since I can be pretty close, and not have to back too far up.

I just really want something solid that will produce great portrait stuff.

I love the 50mm 1.8, but I want something slightly better.

I'm not sure what it is but, the lens just seems a little off to me.

I may just dive in and get the 50mm 1.4 used from somewhere for cheap, or maybe from a store and return it in a few days if I don't like it.

I understand where you are coming from and while all the 50mm lens are capable of helping you get a great shot, each has it's own quirks you need to learn to live with and be able to shoot around. The 85 on the other hand is a reliable, solid and very fast lens.

Good luck and best wishes on whichever you decide upon though and be sure to post pics when you can.

I recently upgraded from the 1.8 to the 1.4 and I wished I had done it years ago.

I've owned the 1.8 and shot a few times with the 1.4, between the two I'd definitely opt for the 1.4. The build feel and the focus ring on the 1.8 ruin it for me, I'm also not a big fan of the 5 blade aperture. I'm still waiting for Canon, Sigma and Samyang to release new 50mm's... the Samyang is rumored to be a 1.2 and while there's no word yet from the others, it seems likely that both will be released within the next couple of years.

With a 7D, consider the sigma 35. I just got it tonight, and it's quite an impressive lens. Very sharp from edge to edge. I would keep the 50 1.8 unless the bokeh bothers you. If so, then the sig50 is more of a step up than the canon 1.4.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16003915
Are there other primes that are close to the 50mm that would be better?

I wouldn't mind something between like 40-55/60mm.


I just want a solid really good prime, but I definitely can't afford the 50mm 1.2L

Honestly 1.8 is a must, but prefer 1.4!

There is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, but it seems difficult to get one that focuses properly. Sigma also makes a 35mm f/1.4 that is getting great reviews. Canon makes a 35mm f/1.4 L that is more expensive, but has been a favorite of Canon shooters for years.

There is also the Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake which has very good image quality for a very low price, but it's maximum aperture is slower than you indicated you were looking for.

If you can live with 2.8, the Canon 60mm 2.8 is outstanding. Plus, it's a macro lens. It's the sharpest lens I've ever used and that includes all my L lenses.

Not to be a party pooper, but here's a comparison I did recently

L-R: 50 f/1.8II, 50f/1.2L, 85 f/1.2LII
All wide open

At web level there's like not much difference: