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Archive 2011Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
p.1 #1Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Was just wondering for those who use this lens how long they have had it, and if you have experienced the lens breaking as many say it eventually does.I am kinda torn between this lens and the Sigma.It appears the Sigma is better built.
-Jim
-Jim
Apr 24, 2011 at 07:46 PM
p.1 #2Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
My current one has been with me for 6 years.
4 years ago, on a shoot, I slammed the rear hatch of the SUV twice before realizing it was the 50 1.4 blocking it. I never even sent it in for calibration, works fine to this day.
4 years ago, on a shoot, I slammed the rear hatch of the SUV twice before realizing it was the 50 1.4 blocking it. I never even sent it in for calibration, works fine to this day.
Apr 24, 2011 at 08:15 PM
p.1 #3Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I had mine for 3 years. The guy who gave it to me had it 6. And now I expect Ian (ian.dobinson) should have it a good long time. It has performed perfectly and spot on focus...Don't believe they are all dysfunctional. 
Edited on Apr 25, 2011 at 04:38 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Apr 25, 2011 at 04:38 AM · View previous versions
Apr 24, 2011 at 08:17 PM
p.1 #4Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
i had mine since 2004, broke off once that costs me $70 (replace parts + calibration), now my lens seems sharper than before. Been using it since then with hood on without any problem. 
Apr 24, 2011 at 08:21 PM
p.1 #5Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I bought my first one about 3 years ago. It tended to have trouble focusing on closer objects, but I thought it was my AF settings.
After a couple of weeks, I decided to to a AF Microadjustment and discovered that something was wrong. I paid Canon's fixed $85.00 fee to repair it and shipped it in. It came back repaired in short order, and I took it to a evening Christmas party for my 92 year old father. Bad move, even on the LCD, the images were blurred! I had to use my 24-105 mm L in the low light and sacrificed some sharpness due to the high ISO.
Since I needed the lens for a upcoming low light shoot, I bought a new one at my local camera shop, and shipped poorly focusing lens back to Canon for AF adjustment. The new lens was perfect.
When the lens returned from Canon, it was perfect. I sold it at a loss, and have been using the new one for over two years with no issues.
I'd be very careful if buying a used one, in fact, I spotted the problem and asked the seller about why it had difficulty focusing on close subjects. My fault for going ahead when something did not seem just right.
After a couple of weeks, I decided to to a AF Microadjustment and discovered that something was wrong. I paid Canon's fixed $85.00 fee to repair it and shipped it in. It came back repaired in short order, and I took it to a evening Christmas party for my 92 year old father. Bad move, even on the LCD, the images were blurred! I had to use my 24-105 mm L in the low light and sacrificed some sharpness due to the high ISO.
Since I needed the lens for a upcoming low light shoot, I bought a new one at my local camera shop, and shipped poorly focusing lens back to Canon for AF adjustment. The new lens was perfect.
When the lens returned from Canon, it was perfect. I sold it at a loss, and have been using the new one for over two years with no issues.
I'd be very careful if buying a used one, in fact, I spotted the problem and asked the seller about why it had difficulty focusing on close subjects. My fault for going ahead when something did not seem just right.
Apr 24, 2011 at 08:24 PM
p.1 #6Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I just got mine in February, so I can't comment on its longevity.
I got it to replace the 50mm f/1.8 that broke when I looked at it wrong. (Okay, actually I dropped it.) Now that lens was a piece of junk, but what can one expect for less than $100.
I got it to replace the 50mm f/1.8 that broke when I looked at it wrong. (Okay, actually I dropped it.) Now that lens was a piece of junk, but what can one expect for less than $100.
Apr 24, 2011 at 08:31 PM
p.1 #7Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I've had one for 5-6 years, bought used on craigslist. It worked fine at first, but the AF stopped working about 3 years ago when I was shooting indoors at a wedding (I don't shoot professionally, this was at a cousin-in-law's wedding). I had used it only occasionally up to that point, maybe 1000 shots with it.
It sat in my bag unused and unfixed until a few months ago after trying to shoot my newborn son with a 17-55IS - f2.8 was just too slow indoors in incandescent light, even with the IS. I ended up fixing it at home (google for "canon 50mm lens stuck focus" for destructions). I repaired it more-or-less successfully, sometimes the AF freezes up but turning the ring manually seems to un-stick it. Also I think the focus is less accurate than before my home repair, but the keeper rate is pretty good. I use this lens almost exclusively since I've repaired it.
I've been thinking about the Sigma 1.4 more and more lately. With as often as I'm using the 50mm/1.4 I'd like something more solid, and I'm afraid of another Canon lens breaking the same way.
It sat in my bag unused and unfixed until a few months ago after trying to shoot my newborn son with a 17-55IS - f2.8 was just too slow indoors in incandescent light, even with the IS. I ended up fixing it at home (google for "canon 50mm lens stuck focus" for destructions). I repaired it more-or-less successfully, sometimes the AF freezes up but turning the ring manually seems to un-stick it. Also I think the focus is less accurate than before my home repair, but the keeper rate is pretty good. I use this lens almost exclusively since I've repaired it.
I've been thinking about the Sigma 1.4 more and more lately. With as often as I'm using the 50mm/1.4 I'd like something more solid, and I'm afraid of another Canon lens breaking the same way.
Apr 24, 2011 at 10:02 PM
p.1 #8Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Bought mine some 5 years ago new from B&H. Had it sent in twice for AF motor death. The first time was from a drop onto a hard table a distance of about 1-2 cm. I don't remember how it died the second time.
XsigmaSD wrote:
My current one has been with me for 6 years.
4 years ago, on a shoot, I slammed the rear hatch of the SUV twice before realizing it was the 50 1.4 blocking it. I never even sent it in for calibration, works fine to this day.
It seems with this lens and its durability, YMMV. 
XsigmaSD wrote:
My current one has been with me for 6 years.
4 years ago, on a shoot, I slammed the rear hatch of the SUV twice before realizing it was the 50 1.4 blocking it. I never even sent it in for calibration, works fine to this day.
It seems with this lens and its durability, YMMV. Apr 24, 2011 at 10:05 PM
p.1 #9Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
First broke in two years, second within a year. Sigma has been with me for almost two. Sigma works great still, both canons are paperweights.
Apr 24, 2011 at 10:17 PM
p.1 #10Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I had mine for 3 years and only sold it because I picked up the 50L.
Apr 24, 2011 at 10:33 PM
p.1 #11Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
lucas lumiere wrote:
I had mine for 3 years and only sold it because I picked up the 50L.
+1, great little lens
I had mine for 3 years and only sold it because I picked up the 50L.
+1, great little lens
Apr 24, 2011 at 10:52 PM
p.1 #12Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I had one for about 2 years and sold it. I never had a problem with it, but it rarely got used. I bought the Sigma and like the build quality and image quality.
Apr 24, 2011 at 11:31 PM
p.1 #13Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I bought mine new 11 years ago. It has never been (or needed) repairs. Since I only use primes, and it is in the normal focal length range, by a wide margin, it is my most used lens. It is stunningly sharp from the center, to the the farthest extreme corner of the image, when stopped down at f2.8 or so. I have many extremely large prints to demonstrate this.
I have owned about 19 cameras (including 35mm, medium format, 4x5 view cameras, 4 underwater cameras, and SLR digital) and 47 lenses during my photographic career. Since bodies come and go, and lenses last a long time, by a wide margin, it is the finest single photographic item I have purchased during my lifetime.
I have owned about 19 cameras (including 35mm, medium format, 4x5 view cameras, 4 underwater cameras, and SLR digital) and 47 lenses during my photographic career. Since bodies come and go, and lenses last a long time, by a wide margin, it is the finest single photographic item I have purchased during my lifetime.
Apr 24, 2011 at 11:32 PM
p.1 #14Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Got mine nearly 3 years now and still absolutely MINT condition and no problems whatsoever
Apr 25, 2011 at 03:20 AM
p.1 #15Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
reno.peterson wrote:
I had mine for 3 years. The guy who gave it to me had it 6. And now I expect Ian (ian.Robinson) should have it a good long time. It has performed perfectly and spot on focus...Don't believe they are all dysfunctional.
Yep still going strong. Love it . and I just picked up a great mate for it in the Sigma 30/1.4 . A great pair of Prime 1.4's
Ian.Dobinson
I had mine for 3 years. The guy who gave it to me had it 6. And now I expect Ian (ian.Robinson) should have it a good long time. It has performed perfectly and spot on focus...Don't believe they are all dysfunctional.
Yep still going strong. Love it . and I just picked up a great mate for it in the Sigma 30/1.4 . A great pair of Prime 1.4's
Ian.Dobinson
Apr 25, 2011 at 03:29 AM
p.1 #16Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Hi Jim. I bought mine new in 2004. It's still working just fine, no problems. I like 50's, and this is a very nice one.
Apr 25, 2011 at 04:31 AM
p.1 #17Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Ian.Dobinson wrote:
Yep still going strong. Love it . and I just picked up a great mate for it in the Sigma 30/1.4 . A great pair of Prime 1.4's
Ian.Dobinson
Your D is bold.
reno.peterson wrote
I had mine for 3 years. The guy who gave it to me had it 6. And now I expect Ian (ian.Robinson) should have it a good long time. It has performed perfectly and spot on focus...Don't believe they are all dysfunctional.Ian.Dobinson
Your D is bold.
Apr 25, 2011 at 05:41 AM
p.1 #18Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
Thanks to all.this is great stuff.
-Jim
-Jim
Apr 25, 2011 at 05:45 AM
p.1 #19Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
RobertLynn wrote:
Yep still going strong. Love it . and I just picked up a great mate for it in the Sigma 30/1.4 . A great pair of Prime 1.4's
Ian.DobinsonYour D is bold.
Yep subtle point for Reno. He called me Robinson
Ian.Dobinson wrote
reno.peterson wrote
I had mine for 3 years. The guy who gave it to me had it 6. And now I expect Ian (ian.Robinson) should have it a good long time. It has performed perfectly and spot on focus...Don't believe they are all dysfunctional.Ian.Dobinson
Yep subtle point for Reno. He called me Robinson
Apr 25, 2011 at 06:55 AM
p.1 #20Canon 50mm f1.4 - How long have you had it?
I bought my first copy in 2006 and its AF system broke in 2009. I had it repaired by Canon and then sold it. Right after that I bought another brand new copy and it broke on me within 1 year. I repaired 2nd copy myself and sold it too. No more buying Canon 50 f/1.4 for me.
Apr 25, 2011 at 07:12 AM