p.3 #1 · Have you used these lenses? Trying to decide on a mid-length lens
The 50's are no great AF performers, but it's more than acceptable to me, except maybe for low available light situations where the 1.4 starts hunting a lot. The 2.5CM or the 1.4 is a matter of preference for speed over contrast wide open. The 1.4 had a nice dual character. Gradually from a little soft from 1.4 to tacksharp from 2.2 on until 5.6. this makes it great for portraiture on a crop camera. If you prefer close focus and high contrast and resolving power at every opening the 5cm 2.5 is the one to go. The 1.8 is a budget piece of glass. Plastic low quality build. Not my cup of tea but a no brainer if you don't want to spend a lot of money. Have EOSfun
p.3 #3 · Have you used these lenses? Trying to decide on a mid-length lens
50mm 1.4 is the lens i use most when i want super sharp photos.
EF 1.4 50 well-priced for what it does, sharp from 1.8 onward, not really stellar in any way.
So, is the 50 1.4 (canon) a love it or hate it lens? I don't think I've read as much negative feed back before this thread!
I would also like reasonable AF speed. Some have indicated the 50 isn't stellar, but at least is a version of USM compared to the 1.8...or am I wrong?
And now for a different point of view; since my experience seems to be different. I can't comment on zooms, since I don't own or use them. Since I use only primes, and the Canon 50 f1.4 is mid focal range, it is, by a wide margin, my most used lens. I've owned and used it for 11 continuous years. It is sharp but low contrast in the range of f1.4 to f2. It is spectacularly sharp in the center, the edges, and in the distant corners, from f2.2 through f11.
I own and use Canon 100L, 200 f2.8L, 300 f4L IS, 400 f5.6L, 500 f4L IS, and C/Y Zeiss 28 f2.8 and Zeiss 35 f2.8. My Canon 50 f1.4 is every bit the equal of these other lenses in image quality and has consistently produced spectacular images every time I use it.
I use a Canon body well known for image quality (5DII), shoot it from a tripod whenever possible, use optimum apertures, and print quite large and am very demanding of top image quality in these large prints. I don't shoot professionally and have no interest in doing so.
I also borrowed a 24-105L for two days, to consider owning an L zoom. It did not meet my personal standards for image quality in very large prints, and I don't think there was anything at all wrong with that lens. It was an excellent zoom lens; it was not a Canon L prime.
The 50 1.4 terrible AF if you can live with the crummy 50 1.4 AF I think it makes more sense.
All I can say about this, is are you talking about the same model lens that I own and use? When using the Canon 50 f1.4, and the center focus point of the 5DII, I've never had it hunt or miss focus. I can depend on it to nail the focus every time. I do believe there is some variation in individual examples of a Canon lens model, and perhaps I got one of the better ones.
p.3 #4 · Have you used these lenses? Trying to decide on a mid-length lens
Don, I appreciate your positive review of the 50 1.4! Finally someone giving it some love! To be fair, the large majority of what I've read on it was positive, but there were quite a few negative remarks in this thread.
On a side note, I have considered some Alt lenses, but decided to stick with AF lenses...my wife will be happier that way. I know there is that AF option via conversion on the Zeiss? lenses, but the price is prohibitive.
p.3 #5 · Have you used these lenses? Trying to decide on a mid-length lens
The 60/2.8 Macro is one of the best Canon lenses I've ever owned. I only got rid of it because it was redundant as I had the 50/2.5 and 100L and had shifted away from shooting much APS-C format. If the 60 covered FF, I wouldn't be using the 50 -- the 60 is sharper and better AF, and just over 1:1 mag on 1.6X sensor.
For simple crop set-up with best IQ, I'd go:
17-55/2.8 IS
60/2.8 macro
70-200/4 IS
p.3 #6 · Have you used these lenses? Trying to decide on a mid-length lens
Thanks again everyone for your input. I was out of town for a few days which is why I didn't get back to some of you.
I have really appreciated all the thoughts, opinions and info. Now time to sell some stuff, save up and keep an eye on the B&S board.
