Need a fast & sharp 50mm... - DPChallenge Forums

11/14/2012 04:32:21 PM · #1

I've been looking to upgrade my nifty-fifty with something that is at least as fast (most my shots are indoor/low light) and sharper than the 50 at 1.8. I am not sure about the 50/1.4 as most comparisions suggest its not sharp wide open either. The Sigma 50 i'd rather keep away (had Sigma 30 and had focus issues). I am open to get a pricier lens (Zeiss or even 50L at very extreme) IF they could deliver low-light sharp shots. It seems like there is really not a "shining star" 50mm lens for Canon out there... or is there?

And this on for a full frame 5DII...

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 16:40:58.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/14/2012 04:35:26 PM · #2

Originally posted by MEJazz:

I LOVE my 50 f/1.4
its my everyday lens.

but, I'm no pro... so perhaps someone with better experience could offer advice. :)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/14/2012 04:42:50 PM · #3

Most every post I've seen here says that buying your first L-glass is like taking that first shot of heroin â�� no matter how expensive* it gets there's no going back.

*Of course, HeroinÂ® was cheaper when it was available by prescription ...

11/14/2012 04:51:40 PM · #4

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I know... I can't wait!!!

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

11/14/2012 04:52:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by Denielle:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
Most every post I've seen here says that buying your first L-glass is like taking that first shot of heroin â�� no matter how expensive* it gets there's no going back.

*Of course, HeroinÂ® was cheaper when it was available by prescription ...

I know... I can't wait!!!

until heroin is again available by prescription?

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

11/14/2012 04:53:46 PM · #6

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by Denielle:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
Most every post I've seen here says that buying your first L-glass is like taking that first shot of heroin â�� no matter how expensive* it gets there's no going back.

*Of course, HeroinÂ® was cheaper when it was available by prescription ...

I know... I can't wait!!!

until heroin is again available by prescription?

both. LOL
kidding.

L glass

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

11/14/2012 05:13:00 PM · #7

I'm a self-described gear junkie and a lens snob. I have the 50/1.4 and I think it is an excellent lens, even on full frame. It is not an L in build quality, that's for sure, but it has survived years of nearly-constant bumping around in my bag and in use. With regard to sharpness wide open, you can't expect it to be so across the frame, but most of the central area will be quite sharp wide open, and much better by f/2.0. The bokeh is also much better than the 50/1.8.
The front of the lens does extend slightly with focusing, so you don't want to put pressure on it (no shooting up against glass, for instance).
What i'd do in your position is look for a good used copy and try it out. If it suits you, great. If it does not, you won't lose much if anything reselling it.

ETA:
Now, another idea would be to get a good used copy of the 35/1.4 L. That is actually close to a "50mm equivalent" on APS-C (it's about 56mm equivalent field of view). A great lens, at a price substantially lower than the 50L

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 17:15:42.

11/14/2012 05:24:32 PM · #8

I know that "L" feeling - i have recently acquired the 100/2.8L IS and a 70-200 f4L (non-IS) and was amazed by them. I did sell the 24-105 F4L IS that came with my 5DII kit - not that it was a bad lens but it just was not suited to 90% of my shoots (kids, indoor, low light).

I had ordered that 50/1.4 twice and end up either cancelling my order or returning it unopened as every time i end up reading comparisions to 50/1.8 and every comparision concludes its not worth upgrading to. Think i'll just get it and see for myself...

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 17:27:33.

11/14/2012 05:26:10 PM · #9

Originally posted by kirbic:

ETA:
Now, another idea would be to get a good used copy of the 35/1.4 L. That is actually close to a "50mm equivalent" on APS-C (it's about 56mm equivalent field of view). A great lens, at a price substantially lower than the 50L

I agree but i am on a full-frame and already got 35/2 to cover my 35mm at cheap :)

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

11/14/2012 05:31:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by MEJazz:

Think i'll just get it and see for myself...

I upgraded from the 1.8 to 1.4 and was VERY happy with the results.

<-- shot WITH the 50mm 1.4

11/14/2012 05:41:37 PM · #11

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by MEJazz:
Think i'll just get it and see for myself...

I upgraded from the 1.8 to 1.4 and was VERY happy with the results.

<-- shot WITH the 50mm 1.4

That's a sharp image. But it does look like you used a flash which means lens was probably stopped down...

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 17:45:47.

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

11/14/2012 05:42:12 PM · #12

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by MEJazz:
Think i'll just get it and see for myself...

I upgraded from the 1.8 to 1.4 and was VERY happy with the results.

<-- shot WITH the 50mm 1.4

That's a right good shot of the lens, but the background sure is blurry :O)

Ray

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

11/14/2012 05:42:12 PM · #13

...Must be an echo in here.

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 17:42:38.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

11/14/2012 05:47:17 PM · #14

Not the best example. Just look through these, though.

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

11/14/2012 05:51:49 PM · #15

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Not the best example. Just look through these, though.

I was pulling your leg Art... honest. :O)

Dseale

Sony Alpha a7 III

Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA

11/14/2012 05:55:29 PM · #16

Have been doing some research on the subject because I've been wanting to upgrade my 1.8. I'm actually seriously considering the Sigma 1.4. Some reviewers and users say that it is comparable to the Canon 1.2 L for half the price. The bokeh is excellent and has more of round bokeh balls compared to the 1.2L which are more squarish. A lot of users also say that it takes a little time to get the focus just right, with the extreme DOF, but when its right it is super crisp. This is all from doing some research not from personal experience but hope to find out for myself soon..

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

11/14/2012 06:43:07 PM · #17

well see for yourself. shockingly, it seems the 50/1.4 outperform the 50/1.2 in this shots. both are not very sharp wide open:

canon 1.4 vs 1.2

and i'd argue that the canon 1.4 outperforms the sigma as well.

canon 1.4 vs sigma 1.4

i own the 1.4 and love it, its my main lens for portraits. i rarely shoot wide open but when i do its so hard to hit focus in that shallow DOF that i never really noticed its sharpness.

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 18:43:33.

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

11/14/2012 06:48:43 PM · #18

I have extensive experience with Sigma 30/1.4 and would not play the Sigma lottery again. If you use it in manual focus mode, its excellent but the autofocus is only good for close-by subjects. It probably does produce beautiful images if you can get the focus right.

MAK

Leica CL

11/14/2012 06:50:05 PM · #19

Leica R 50mm sumilux or sumicron (f1.4/f2) with a canon adapter. I used one on my old Canon system and the results were mind-bending

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/14/2012 07:05:19 PM · #20

Originally posted by MAK:

Leica R 50mm sumilux or sumicron (f1.4/f2) with a canon adapter. I used one on my old Canon system and the results were mind-bending

If it comes to using 3rd party lenses via adapters, there's the Zeiss Planar 1.4/50... But it seems to have a lot of CA wide open and is reportedly soft as well (at 1.4)

Message edited by author 2012-11-14 19:07:41.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

11/15/2012 02:21:27 AM · #21

I've got the 50 1.4 sigma and mates got the canon 1.2 L and 1.4 and the sigma is a cracking lens, L has it but still it's hard to focus fast at 1.2 on 5dmk2, but for the money I'd get the sigma over the canon, yeah it can search a little but it's a 77mm front optic and a big lump of glass, not sure on what size the canon 1.4 is.

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

11/15/2012 07:26:54 AM · #22

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

the canon 1.4 is only 58mm

ShutterPug

11/15/2012 11:56:52 AM · #23

I just won an auction for the Canon 50mm 1.4 USM for $58 - along with the $200 it cost me in bids. lol Still thats cheaper than the $400 B&H sells it for. I can't wait to get it now and then I will offer my old nifty-fifty 1.8 up for free to a worthy member here.

11/15/2012 12:00:21 PM · #24

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

ooohhh... please do share where that auction is! :)