Primes Canon or???

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Archive 2008 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #1 · Primes Canon or???

Hi again!

I need another help. I'm thinking in buying two primes, the Canon EF 50 F1.4 USM and the Canon EF 24 F2.8. This total +/- $600.

I've been reading some topics on this forum about primes and i've seen many lenses. I need want one 21mm to 24mm more or less, and one 50mm. Can you give me some advice, buy those two Canon's or go for some Carl Zeiss or Olympus lenses??

I just wanted to ask for a big favor, please place the name of the lens because i don't know them well. I know that Zuiko an Olympus and CZ is Carl Zeiss. But other i don't know. For example Rokkor, is it Minolta?

And finally if the budget could be under $400 it was great!

Thanks for helping!!!

Dec 04, 2008 at 08:44 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #2 · Primes Canon or???

Olympus OM Zuiko 24/2.8 (around $150-$175)

Contax Carl Zeiss 50/1.4 (around $160-$220)

There are more, but these are excellent lenses at very reasonable prices. Serious value and better than the Canon counterparts.

It also depends on what "look" you want.

Dec 04, 2008 at 08:51 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #3 · Primes Canon or???

I dont care about the look. I need quality!

What about the Contax Zeiss Planar T* 50mm/1.7?? Not as good as 1.4??

Dec 04, 2008 at 09:06 PM

HansenTsang
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p.1 #4 · Primes Canon or???

Canon quality is not bad on the 50 f1.4. Canon is not known to have a good wide prime thus started the search for alternative lens. Be aware that the Minolta Rokkor needs to be converted. The Zeiss and Zuiko has no auto focus and need stop down metering. If you are not familiar with manual focus and stop down metering it can be cumbersome.

You do get what you paid for including playing with alternative lens.

Dec 04, 2008 at 09:16 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #5 · Primes Canon or???

I'd buy:

Zuiko 24/2.8 ($150)
Zuiko 50/1.4 (serial # above 1 million, $100-ish)
Canon EF 50/2.5 CM ($200-ish)

I think Planar 1.7 is better than 1.4, microcontrast-wise, according to some things I've seen here and there.

I plan to sell some 50s I have spare in the next few weeks. PM me if interested.

E boa sorte na sua procura, patrício!

Dec 04, 2008 at 09:27 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #6 · Primes Canon or???

HansenTsang wrote:
Canon quality is not bad on the 50 f1.4. Canon is not known to have a good wide prime thus started the search for alternative lens. Be aware that the Minolta Rokkor needs to be converted. The Zeiss and Zuiko has no auto focus and need stop down metering. If you are not familiar with manual focus and stop down metering it can be cumbersome.

You do get what you paid for including playing with alternative lens.

There is always time to learn!

But stop down metering isn't that "forcing" underexposure?

Dec 04, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #7 · Primes Canon or???

I saw an YUS Automatic 28mm/2.8 with the adaptor for $90. Is this any good? And the Yashika ML 50mm/1.4 with adaptor for $160, good?

Dec 04, 2008 at 09:34 PM

mawz
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p.1 #8 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras wrote:

But stop down metering isn't that "forcing" underexposure?

Stop down metering involves manually stopping down the lens then metering at the shooting aperture because there is no lens/camera coupling.

Dec 04, 2008 at 10:17 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #9 · Primes Canon or???

Well, i think i'll go for the Canon EF 50/1.4 USM because it has a good IQ (fredmiranda.com and photozone.de) but i think i'll buy the Zuiko 24/2.8 to start. I found one zuiko in Italy for $167, so i think i'll go for this one.

Dec 04, 2008 at 11:25 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #10 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras wrote:
I dont care about the look. I need quality!

I meant the "look" of the photos taken through the lens. The "character" or "drawing style".

Dec 04, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #11 · Primes Canon or???

Oh, that. I like the look that those lenses produce.

Dec 04, 2008 at 11:41 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #12 · Primes Canon or???

Well the Zuiko 24/2.8 is ordered from the UK (not italy as mentioned). Just waiting for it.

Dec 05, 2008 at 02:08 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #13 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras wrote:
Well, i think i'll go for the Canon EF 50/1.4 USM because it has a good IQ (fredmiranda.com and photozone.de) but i think i'll buy the Zuiko 24/2.8 to start. I found one zuiko in Italy for $167, so i think i'll go for this one.

Someone actually LIKES the Canon 50/1.4?

Other thna the fact that its plagued with AF issues, and the fact that it produces boring pics, and the fact that in manual mode it doesn't have much focus-ring movement, it's a great lens.

Since you need to stay under $400 (I hope that's not for BOTH lenses) I'd recommend either:

Zeiss CZ 50/1.4 - a little richer than the Canon, and definitely sharper in the corners.

or

Pentax Super-Takumar 50/1.4 - VERY inexpensive, and well-loved around these parts. It's different from the Zeiss, and worth having.

Dec 05, 2008 at 02:45 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #14 · Primes Canon or???

Cableaddict wrote:
Pedro Pedras wrote:
Well, i think i'll go for the Canon EF 50/1.4 USM because it has a good IQ (fredmiranda.com and photozone.de) but i think i'll buy the Zuiko 24/2.8 to start. I found one zuiko in Italy for $167, so i think i'll go for this one.

Someone actually LIKES the Canon 50/1.4?

Dec 05, 2008 at 02:54 PM

mawz
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p.1 #15 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras wrote:
Cableaddict wrote:
Pedro Pedras wrote:
Well, i think i'll go for the Canon EF 50/1.4 USM because it has a good IQ (fredmiranda.com and photozone.de) but i think i'll buy the Zuiko 24/2.8 to start. I found one zuiko in Italy for $167, so i think i'll go for this one.

Someone actually LIKES the Canon 50/1.4?

Other thna the fact that its plagued with AF issues, and the fact that it produces boring pics, and the fact that in manual mode it doesn't have much focus-ring movement, it's a great lens.

Go for it!

The lens is very well spoken in both sites, that's why i choose it. I was thinking first in the 50/1.8 II but according to both sites its worse than the 1.4 USM.
Don't forget i have a budget and that i decided to keep this 50mm as a fully workable lens in my 50D, AF, metering, all. Only the zuiko will come manual to learn a few things.

The 50/1.8 is only marginally worse than the 1.4 in most regards (it is distinctly louder and much cheaper built). But it's 1/4 the price. Is marginally better worth the difference? personally I don't think so. The 50/1.8 is the one EF lens everybody should own IMHO, even if you have a better 50.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:08 PM

debuggerus
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p.1 #16 · Primes Canon or???

+1 for the Tak 50 1.4.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:26 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #17 · Primes Canon or???

But i'm talking about the 1.8 II. The 50/1.8 is not on sale and i was thinking in a new lens.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:28 PM

mawz
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p.1 #18 · Primes Canon or???

Pedro Pedras wrote:
But i'm talking about the 1.8 II. The 50/1.8 is not on sale and i was thinking in a new lens.

Yes, that would be the 50/1.8 I'm talking about. The only difference between the I and the II is build (the I is much better built, but sells used for significantly more than the II does new)

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:36 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #19 · Primes Canon or???

It´s funny you guys say that, because in all reviews i've seen the 50/1.4USM (fredmiranda.com, photozone.de and slrgear.com) is better. The only point is that there's some blur under F2.0, but above they refer its really sharp. In the other things better and faster.

But i still want to know your opinion. If i find an 50/1.8 I used it's a good deal?

Dec 05, 2008 at 06:11 PM

debuggerus
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p.1 #20 · Primes Canon or???

Hmm, I had a different experience. I Find that both of my canon 50 1.4 are better in term of sharpness and bokeh than my 50 1.8 I and 50 1.8 II. I rarely used the 1.8s after I obtained the 1.4s. The only problem I had with one of the ef 50 1.4 was its AF stopped functioning after a while. With all that said, I dont use either EF 50mm anymore. I am using the rokkor 50 1.2/1.4 and SMC tak 50 1.4. Well, I am confusing you more...?

Dec 05, 2008 at 07:29 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #21 · Primes Canon or???

I know you might be tired of hearing this, but....
Just get the Rokkor 58/1.2
I've tried ef50/1.4, smc-a 50/1.2, but liked the Rokkor 58 most.

Dec 05, 2008 at 08:14 PM

asbalyan
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p.1 #22 · Primes Canon or???

mawz wrote: Is marginally better worth the difference? personally I don't think so. The 50/1.8 is the one EF lens everybody should own IMHO, even if you have a better 50.

I have owned two 50mm f1.8 in last one year, and end up selling both. Not sure whats the reason, those suckers never able to focus on point. To me, the quality control of those lenses are too cheap for shallow DOF of f1.8.

Although, I didnt find something really bad in lens... its just focussing issue which really a make or break issue to me....

If you like weired bokeh, this issue doesnt matter

Dec 05, 2008 at 08:16 PM

mawz
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p.1 #23 · Primes Canon or???

I'm not saying the 50/1.4 isn't better than the 1.8. I'm just saying it's not $300 better. I've owned two of the EF 50/1.8 II's over the years and always have liked it.

I'd rather have a EF 50/1.8 and a adapted f1.4 or f1.2 solution than the 50/1.4 USM.

The 50/1.8 II's are a good deal new or used (They're only $80 or so new). The mkI version gets pricey and I'd rather just buy 2 mkII's than 1 mkI despite the mkI's better build.

Dec 05, 2008 at 08:59 PM

Pedro Pedras
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p.1 #24 · Primes Canon or???

debuggerus wrote:
Hmm, I had a different experience. I Find that both of my canon 50 1.4 are better in term of sharpness and bokeh than my 50 1.8 I and 50 1.8 II. I rarely used the 1.8s after I obtained the 1.4s. The only problem I had with one of the ef 50 1.4 was its AF stopped functioning after a while. With all that said, I dont use either EF 50mm anymore. I am using the rokkor 50 1.2/1.4 and SMC tak 50 1.4. Well, I am confusing you more...?

But in those you have to focus manualy, and in the 50mm range i wanted something that was more practical.

Dec 05, 2008 at 11:29 PM

Silentlight
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p.1 #25 · Primes Canon or???

Others have mentioned Zuiko 24/2.8... make sure it doesn't say H.Zuiko on it. The H.Zuiko wasn't multi-coated.

Dec 05, 2008 at 11:41 PM


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