Not one 50mm I want to buy

JeffreyG wrote in post #16056914
I had the same opinion as the OP until I finally just bought the 50L. The 50L is an excellent lens, and while the price is high, having a 50mm prime is important to me and the lens does what I need.

I found the focus performance of the 50/1.8 to be unnacceptable, and while the 50/1.4 works well in good light it begins to hunt and miss in the lowest of light levels. The number one reason I have the 50L is because it focuses well.

That is the same 50mm prime journey that I took, for the very same reasons. We Michiganders must think alike.

i think the revamped f1.4 is going to be the next lens canon introduces...of course it'll have IS, and an $800 price tag to go with it...

I love my Pancake and for me AF is fast enough. I am never without it. I can't imagine shooting sports with it though.
The Sigma macro does AF faster than the Pancake but I don't think 2.8 is a real substitute for a fast 50. If a player fell on top of you, you could photograph the label in his shorts, though. My personal set of compromises at 50mm would probably not work for you. I listed them to demonstrate my own frustration at 50mm and the lengths some have to go to find a solution to what should not be a problem.

Scott M wrote in post #16056884
I'd hate to see the price of a 50mm f/1.2 L IS -- probably at least $2,500 based on Canon's current pricing of new lenses.

I am quite happy with my existing 50L, and have no need for IS based on what I use the lens for.

The 24-70 II added a huge price premium too. And that had no IS.

My conclusion is that IS doesn't add much to the cost of a new version of a lens. The new optical design does.

Both the 50 1.4 and the 50 1.2 need a re-design, IMO. Both are worth their current price points, but they each have their fair share of quirks that would warrant a re-design. Expect there to be a heft price premium for the upgrade, but I trust that provided the cost is within the one's budget, the cost would be worth it! (as is evidenced by the 24-70II, 70-200II, etc)

DreDaze wrote in post #16057245
i think the revamped f1.4 is going to be the next lens canon introduces...of course it'll have IS, and an $800 price tag to go with it...

CR is saying Canon's next releases will be UWAs (14-24/2.8 and 16-50/4 IS) for what that is worth. Still If I were a betting man, I would be putting money on the next 50 released having an Art stamp on it.

Yea, like others I have to figure out the compromises. I guess I was hoping that one of the 50s would have the compromises I was willing to make - but I don't think they do. If I thought I'd use 50mm more than 85, I'd probably get the 50L, but for price that I'd rather just swap out the S85 for the 85L or even just get the 70-200 II for 'occasional' use (I do a lot of hiking). For me once I'm in $1500 territory an extra $500 doesn't really make that much difference. But then I still won't have anything fast below 85mm! If the 50L were closer to $1000 I'd be more interested, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get a used copy for close to that (anyone got a scratched 50L for sale?).

Honestly once I started searching for a 50, there was more than enough info out there to decide. If the Canon 1.4 was fast enough AF for indoor sports, I'd probably get that and live with the bokeh and do what I do now outdoors - use the S85. Actually if the 1.8 AF was fast enough, I'd get that.

I didn't mean to start a 'what lens should I get' thread. I guess I just got surprised once I actually started looking at the 50's more seriously (and for some reason started a thread). There is so much on the boards and I've skim read a bit in the past, yet both the 1.4's were cheaper than I thought and the 50L was several hundred more. And the characteristics of each were not what I thought they were either.

For $500-800 could live with:
not great bokeh, not particularly sharp wide open but fast accurate AF
Good/great bokeh, not fast AF (but accurate) and reasonably sharp wide open

DreDaze wrote in post #16057245
i think the revamped f1.4 is going to be the next lens canon introduces...of course it'll have IS, and an $800 price tag to go with it...

A revamped 1.4 without IS for $800 would suit me just fine right now!

If your looking for a more reliable low light AF, a 5diii is a significant upgrade over the II or 7d. I sold both to get the iii. Couldn't be happier if you don't think about $$$.

I haven't shot indoor sports, but the canon 50 1.4 with the iii should be fine using ai servo. I used the 35l /5diii with pole dancers in super low light and crap spot lights and they turned out great. All the other photographers had to use flash which destroyed the feeling of the space.

snake0ape wrote in post #16057415
If your looking for a more reliable low light AF, a 5diii is a significant upgrade over the II or 7d. I sold both to get the iii. Couldn't be happier if you don't think about $$$.

LOL! Yes, were else but POTN can I go from looking at a $300 lens to eventually buying at $3500 camera!

Point is taken though and the 5DIII hasn't been off my radar entirely.

You know, when one decides they want an UWA TS-E then one expects to really pay for it, but get something good. But a 'decent' 50mm prime? Wasn't expecting what I found.

snake0ape wrote in post #16057415
If your looking for a more reliable low light AF, a 5diii is a significant upgrade over the II or 7d. I sold both to get the iii. Couldn't be happier if you don't think about $$$.

I haven't shot indoor sports, but the canon 50 1.4 with the iii should be fine using ai servo. I used the 35l /5diii with pole dancers in super low light and crap spot lights and they turned out great. All the other photographers had to use flash which destroyed the feeling of the space.

I try not to think about it. its sad. im not even that good of a photographer.

ejenner wrote in post #16057493
LOL! Yes, were else but POTN can I go from looking at a $300 lens to eventually buying at $3500 camera!

Point is taken though and the 5DIII hasn't been off my radar entirely.

You know, when one decides they want an UWA TS-E then one expects to really pay for it, but get something good. But a 'decent' 50mm prime? Wasn't expecting what I found.

"sorry" in advance ... http://www.getdpi.com/​forum/

No doubt Canon has held off on updating the 1.4 for as long as they have for fear of cannibalizing 50L sales.

That's typically the rationale when something is in obvious need of improvement.

ejenner wrote in post #16057493
LOL! Yes, were else but POTN can I go from looking at a $300 lens to eventually buying at $3500 camera!

Yeah, I hear you loud and clear. If it weren't for joining POTN (and the internet), I would still be very happy with my Rebel XTi and 50 f1.8 and about $10k richer.

Well the good side is that I just took out my sig50 (fixed by Sigma for AF issues), and started to shoot like hell in low light. Spot on for most of the time and sharp enough at 1.4 (center point). Still need to test it on a running kid indoors. So I am gaining more and more confidences for AF on this $400 lens every time I use it. (Bokeh is great) But then, I am using that can$$$on camera.

Mike Deep wrote in post #16057519
No doubt Canon has held off on updating the 1.4 for as long as they have for fear of cannibalizing 50L sales.

That's typically the rationale when something is in obvious need of improvement.

Makes sense. I think they should introduce a new 1.0 and 1.4 at the same time. Then there will a more distinguished differences between the two. Canon really needs to hurry. Otherwise, Sigma will take a big chunk in the prime lens market.

gasrocks wrote in post #16056702
If you can handle MF there is a whole world of wonderful 50's out there that can be easily adapted to work on your Canon...

+1

I have the EF 50/1.4, and it worked ok with me Rebel XT. But after I bought my first EOS 5D it was time for a better 50mm lens.
I got a Minolta Rokkor 58mm/1.2, converted it, and was happy
I own now Zeiss 50/1.4 and 1.7, Canon EF 50/1.4 and both 1.8 versions - but still I love the Rokkor most.

Images made with EF 50/1.0L, EF 50/1.2L and Sigma 50/1.4 show sometimes onion ring bokeh. I don´t like this, so I am even more happy with the Rokkor