Do I need that 50mm 1.4 ?

Hi Guys

I have a 17-55 2.8 IS & a 85mm 1.8 on a 30D, and I am thinking of adding a 50mm 1.4. I want it for its performance below 2.8, i.e. for low light (churches), and shallow DoF (ring shots/table details). What concern me though is that is appears that for every good one of these, there is another average (or poor) one that is very soft wide open.

The question is, bearing in mind that the 17-55 2.8 IS is great wide open, am I really going to get anything more from the 50mm 1.4 ?

Jono

I own both the 1.8 and 1.4 mm adn to be honest, it is very close. The 1.4 had the edge, but not by much!

I disagree ... I had the METAL 1.8 lens and the 1.5 blew the doors off it. The 1.4 is by far worth the money ... sharper, faster, better colour, faster AF. If you have the extra money, get the 1.4 without hesitation.

I guess its really the performance of the 17-55 2.8 IS vs. the 50mm 1.4 at 50mm that I need help with (I'm very happy with the 85mm 1.8!). If the 50mm isnt reasonably sharp between 1.4 and 2.8 I'm not sure what advantage I'm getting ?

You'd be better off with a macro for ring shots and such, since both lenses have a rather long MFD of 1.5 feet. f/2.8 is plenty shallow for most other details, IMO. The only real remaining benefit would be the f/1.4 for lowlight. If you need it, you need it.

The f/1.4 (my copy at least) is plenty usable at f/1.4 if you can get the focus due to shallow DOF and only gets better beyond that.

NO...you don't....buy a 70-200 instead

If you already have the 85mm, I would go for the sigma 30mm 1.4 instead.

The sigma is very sharp even at 1.4. and is a great focal length for your 30D. I also have the 50mm 1.4 (and the 1.8 too) and it never gets used anymore since I bought the sigma. (It also has amazing flare resistance!! Wow!)

If your style is geared heavily toward available light, then I would say that the 50 1.4 will be a valuable lens to have, especially for the price. I keep it on one body for the 'getting ready' shots and I sometimes use it during the reception here and there when I want to give the flash a rest.

picturecrazy wrote in post #2483748
If you already have the 85mm, I would go for the sigma 30mm 1.4 instead.

The sigma is very sharp even at 1.4. and is a great focal length for your 30D. I also have the 50mm 1.4 (and the 1.8 too) and it never gets used anymore since I bought the sigma. (It also has amazing flare resistance!! Wow!)

I agree. The Sigma 30 is one fine lens in low light situations.

Just keep in mind if you think you might go full-frame at some point, it's more wise to get the Canon 28mm f/1.8 ... the Sigma is pretty expensive if you're not going to stick with it.

Thanks guys, I think I will try a 50mm and hope I get a good one. A local chain has a very good return policy, so won't have any probs returning it if I'm not happy. The Sigma 30 sounds great, but I am getting a 5D as my main body later this year so I'm not keen to get any more lenses that are not interchangable.