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

[Snoweagle]

I've tried the 50mm f/1.2L USM, but the lens is kinda heavy for my EOS 400D, hence causing some kind of imbalance.

For the curious, I've finally settled down on the 50mm f/1.8 II.
Sorry for the disappointment to those who were hoping that i would get the 50mm f/1.4 USM.
If budget permits(i'm kinda strapped for cash right now), and since I'm rather inexperienced in photography, I've chosen the f/1.8 II as it is affordable and I believe I'm not that "high-level" yet. Getting the f/1.8 II first would allow me to experiment with the photos taken, and at the meantime understand the potential of a 50mm lens.

However, I've used the 50mm f/1.4 USM, and as the review says, it is indeed impressive. I would suggest that if you(who have a similar dilemma as me) wouldn't mind splurging, get the 50mm f/1.4 USM. The USM is truly silent, AF is quicker, and the bokeh created is much better.

I would leave this thread open for further discussion by other users. Comments are most welcomed, and I believe we all can learn from one another!

Cheers and have a merry christmas!

Great on your purchase. I mmyself have the f/1.8 II and is rather impressed with the image quality for its pricing. But the reason why i'm upgrading to the f/1.2 is for the contrast of L and also for venturing further into portraiture so the f/1.2 makes an excellent choice for quality.

 

[coolsigg]

buy 50mm f/1.2 cheaper than lasik~~ ;p

lasik now very cheap...i did mine at 2.5k nia...

 

[xunjas]

lasik now very cheap...i did mine at 2.5k nia...

50mm f/1.2 still cheaper than lasik~~ :sticktong

 

[pplneedthelord]

too bad the production of the 50mm f/1.0 has stopped

 

[Snoweagle]

too bad the production of the 50mm f/1.0 has stopped

Becos the f/1.2 one has taken over. BTW at f/1.0, it's also soft on the focused part but for the f/1.2, it's sharp.

 

[xunjas]

too bad the production of the 50mm f/1.0 has stopped

2nd hand f/1.0 is still very expensive, can buy u 3 50mmf/1.2 or 2 85mmf/1.2:sweat::sweat:

 

[gatchaman]

can i ask how much does the 50 mm 1.2L & the 85 mm L cost ?

 

[Snoweagle]

can i ask how much does the 50 mm 1.2L & the 85 mm L cost ?

50 f/1.2 - $2300+

85 f/1.2 II - $3600+.

 

[xunjas]

can i ask how much does the 50 mm 1.2L & the 85 mm L cost ?

85mm f/1.2 grey cost about 2.6K SGD.

 

[gatchaman]

sounds like something i would not part my money with, at least not for now ... cheaper lens & photoshop is the way to go for me no offence to those who don't believe in photo retouching : )

 

[xunjas]

sounds like something i would not part my money with, at least not for now ... cheaper lens & photoshop is the way to go for me no offence to those who don't believe in photo retouching : )

a step a time, most impt is to enjoy yourself in the process. =)

 

[gatchaman]

yup agreed xunjas!

 

[maswu]

srry to dig up this old post but what is full time manual focus? wat is it use for normally?

 

[Redkangoo]

Yup i sold off my F1.8 and get my F1.4..superb results...but is it worth 4x...i guess is up to individual...But if you didnt try, you will regret and kept think...
F1.2 is way off the budget

 

[calebk]

srry to dig up this old post but what is full time manual focus? wat is it use for normally?

It is for when you want to correct AF mis-focusing on the fly through manual focusing by turning the focus ring. If you are using the 50mm f/1.8, you'll have to set the AF switch to MF before you can do that correction. Full time manual focusing allows you to turn the focus ring while the lens' AF switch is still on AF mode.

 

[maswu]

oh...so thats what it means =) thanx calebk

 

[Lenpalien]

Here's one more thing to take into consideration when deciding between the 50mm 1.8 and the 1.4.

Currently, I'm using the EF50mm 1.8 with a Hoya UV filter. I have had quite a few issues with image ghosting, especially when shooting small bright objects in low light conditions. As an example, shooting a birthday cake with lit candles with my aperture set at around 2.2 or 2.5. I would invariably get a "ghost image" of the candle flames either at the bottom of the photo or sometimes off-centre. The ghost image disappears when I remove my filter.

Does anyone else have this same problem? And does anyone know whether the 1.4 is equally prone to ghosting? If the 1.4 is less prone to ghosting, then this would be one more reason to choose the 1.4 over the 1.8.

 

[xxpmrong]

Here's one more thing to take into consideration when deciding between the 50mm 1.8 and the 1.4.

Currently, I'm using the EF50mm 1.8 with a Hoya UV filter. I have had quite a few issues with image ghosting, especially when shooting small bright objects in low light conditions. As an example, shooting a birthday cake with lit candles with my aperture set at around 2.2 or 2.5. I would invariably get a "ghost image" of the candle flames either at the bottom of the photo or sometimes off-centre. The ghost image disappears when I remove my filter.

Does anyone else have this same problem? And does anyone know whether the 1.4 is equally prone to ghosting? If the 1.4 is less prone to ghosting, then this would be one more reason to choose the 1.4 over the 1.8.

I think you dont need a UV filter for 50mm 1.8, the front element is so deep that it does not really need to be protected.

 

[Snoweagle]

I think you dont need a UV filter for 50mm 1.8, the front element is so deep that it does not really need to be protected.

Not necessary. If any time got something flying directly at the lens or any small pieces of debris, u'll wished that u had installed a filter.

 

[midicity]

Here's one more thing to take into consideration when deciding between the 50mm 1.8 and the 1.4.

Currently, I'm using the EF50mm 1.8 with a Hoya UV filter. I have had quite a few issues with image ghosting, especially when shooting small bright objects in low light conditions. As an example, shooting a birthday cake with lit candles with my aperture set at around 2.2 or 2.5. I would invariably get a "ghost image" of the candle flames either at the bottom of the photo or sometimes off-centre. The ghost image disappears when I remove my filter.

Does anyone else have this same problem? And does anyone know whether the 1.4 is equally prone to ghosting? If the 1.4 is less prone to ghosting, then this would be one more reason to choose the 1.4 over the 1.8.

The ghosting is due to your filter. Invest in a better filter like the B&W. Else, don't use filter in front of your 50mm f1.8. If suay suay scratch the glass, get a new one.

I'm quite sure if you put your filter on even a 50mm f1.2, you will still see the ghosting.