Canon Prime 50mm Advise!!!

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gingerweasel

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I am looking for advise on which Canon 50mm prime to get?

My options seem to be:

Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II SLR Lens
Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

The price difference is huge so I'm wondering what's the difference from a real world point of view. This will be used for family shots indoors/outdoors.

May also be used for portraits at camera club.
 
I've got the 1.4, haven't used it much but its pretty good and build quality seems ok, get good colour reproduction with it

Andy
 
Looking to buy today so thanks for the quick responses guys.
 
i'd go for the 1.4 first then if you find you want to shoot at less than 1.4 you can look at the 1.2. I think the 1.2 is over a grand :eek: so its a lot to blow
 
yeah cheapest I've found was £1055 which seems excessive for what I want.

All pennies saved will go to my 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 :)
 
Get the Sigma 50mm f1.4. It's generally regarded as being better than the Canon.
 
Canon 50mm F1.4
 
I have the 50mm 1.2L which is a stunning lens although it does have some issues - chromatic abberation being noticeable in some circumstances. Also due to the light cone from the back of the lens being so huge - it clips the bottom of the mirror box resulting in a flat edge on round specular OOF highlights. The 85mm 1.2L has the same issue, but these are extreme lenses, really pushing the limits of the design envelope.

On the positive side the 50mm 1.2L produces great colour saturation and virtually no flare even shooting directly into the light. I love mine, but I've also owned the 50mm 1.4, which is a cracking lens and much better build quality than the 1.8 version, so that's the one to go for if you don't want to spend all that wonga.
 
Well I've tried the 1.8, 2.5 macro, 1.4, 1.4 Sigma, and 1.2L.

The Sigma is in a similar league to the 1.2L. The 1.2 focus shifts, the 1.4 Sigma doesn't always hit focus accurately - works best using centre point focus on my 5D.

1.8 is a little nasty but is sharp. 1.4 Canon is not great wide open but improves as it stops down. The 2.5 macro is a great lens if you don't need the wide apertures of the others. It's focussing is a little noisy but reasonably quick if not going from close up to infinity.

Phil
 
Definitely favour 1.4 cos of the USM motor and better build quality.
 
I'm in two minds between the 1.4 and 1.2 - wondering whether the extra, and the build quality is worth it...
 
I have the 1.4, had the 1.8 and no nothing of the 1.2 apart from the price [ouch]. The 1.4 is an excellent lens at an affordable price. How many times would you need a 1.2 lens I wonder.....?

Dunc
 
Are you still headed for a 5D, John?

Are you sure a 50mm is what you want? As well as those who love 50mm, there are those who find it a bit of a funny focal length to work with.

My personal preference for a general use focal length is 35mm on a full frame body. The Canon 35mm f/2.0 is lovely.
 
Thanks guys, I opted for the 50mm f.14 USM.

Hi Will, good to see you around. I also purchased a Canon 7D Body which is charging as I type :-)

I had issues with reach on a D300 + 200mm so I figured the last thing I needed was a full frame. My wallet doesn't stretch to 600mm or 800mm primes, lol



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