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EF 50mm f/1.8 II Vs.EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

anilkris
Apprentice

Hi

 

Can you please compare EF 50mm f/1.8 II Vs.EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. Which is good ?

 

* Will the extra dollars spend on EF 50mm f/1.4 USM give an advantage over EF 50mm f/1.8 II.

* I use EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. What advantage the 50mm provide if I am interested in profile and nature photography?

 

regards

Anil Krishnan

 

 

 

3 REPLIES 3

Skirball
Authority

There are a ton of discussions on the internet comparing these two lenses, I suggest searching around.

 

The 1.8 is popular because it is extremely cheap for a Canon lens.  Personally, I thought the money I spent upgrading to 1.4 was well worth it.  It’s much sharper wide open, the corners are sharper in general, and the better build and focus ring are worth the cost difference to me.  Others are totally happy with the 1.8.

 

In general, primes (< 2.8 aperture) have a wider maximum aperture than zooms, which gathers more light in than zooms, allowing you to shoot in darker settings.  That’s the primary reason people use them.  In addition, primes are generally sharper than zooms, the difference is much more noticeable in lower end zooms.   Whether this is worth it to you for profile and nature photography, I can’t say.   I’m not sure what profile means, but if it’s portraiture then yes, IMO it’s worth it to have a prime.

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

"... it is extremely cheap for a Canon lens."

 

This really says it all. Save up for the f1.4.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!


@ebiggs1 wrote:

"... it is extremely cheap for a Canon lens."

 

This really says it all. Save up for the f1.4.


When Ebiggs and I agree on something, it has to be true.

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