Nifty Fifty...

MadFrankie

MadFrankie

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Gary
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I'm looking at getting a 50mm lens for my Canon 450D...I used my friends camera, (a Nikon), at the weekend and was amazed by how good and versatile the nifty fifty was...

So now I want one :bonk:

The question is, which one do I go for?

1) The cheap and chearful - EF 50 mm f/1.8II

or

2) The slightly better - EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Does the 3x extra cost of the f1.4 mean it is a much better lens, do the benefits outweigh the cost or is the f1.8 a much better value lens etc etc...

Any help would be greatfully received.......

:shrug:
 
easy i would go for the 50mm f1.4 version because;

it has USM

it has a 1.4 aperture which you might not use but it will still beat the canon f1.8 at f1.8

metal mount

better IQ though not by much but still worth it

i would definitely get the f1.4 version.
 
Ditto as mastertrinity - having said that I have the 50mm F1.8 and for the price it's unbeatable - and from f2.0 the IQ for both lenses is virtually identical - and excellent.

You can often see the 1.8 on here for as little as £50-£60.00.

I'd say try on here for the 1.8 first then if you feel the need to go to f1.4 you can always resell on here and buy the f1.4.

You can compare the two lenses here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3
 
Thanks you two, I went on the digital picture to comare the two lenses and that's why I asked here, I couldn't decide if the f1.4 was much better than the f1.8 for the price difference...

I usually use the old motto, choose a lens then save up for the better one, but for £60 I thought the f1.8 was worth a punt, but I really like the build quality etc of the f1.4...

Decisions, decisions...
 
Get the 1.8 - it's cheap as chips, and when it comes to sell, you won't really lose anything.

I did that, and THEN ended up with the Sigma 1.4...... which is better, but as you mentioned 3x the cost ...
 
You'll not be disappointed whatever lens you choose. If you're going to spend £200 + on a lens though you might be better buying the 85mm f1.8 which is far better than both of the 50's.
 
get the 1.8 from kerso for £70 delivered.

I have my one attached to my 5D at all times, its a great lens!

dont get me wrong i would live the 1.4 but i love the 1.8 because its so cheap, i use it everyware and dont mind it getting a little grubby.
 
you might find a 2nd hand mk1 version of the f/1.8. That has a metal mount and is considerably more robust. Prices seem to hang around or just above £100 currently. For the money both are exceptional value for money! :)
 
I bought a 50/1.8 early on in my photography journey because it was cheap and everyone raved about it. I sold it as I never really used it and didn't really get it.

Later on, I decided to get the 50/1.4 as I wanted to learn and play with the shallow dof. I love this lens and wouldn't part with it. So, the f1.8 didn't do it for me, but the f1.4 has.
 
hepburn said:
you might find a 2nd hand mk1 version of the f/1.8. That has a metal mount and is considerably more robust. Prices seem to hang around or just above £100 currently. For the money both are exceptional value for money! :)
Click to expand...

:agree:
I have a MK1 version & it's fantastic for portraits.
 
I'm in a similar quandry - but you should check out the Canon 50mm f/1.8 mark I lens - it has a metal mount, focus distance window and the focus ring is in a better place. It usually sells, from what I can see, about double the price of the mark II, but just by comparing images you can see the mark I is substantially better quality.
 
trencheel303 said:
I'm in a similar quandry - but you should check out the Canon 50mm f/1.8 mark I lens - it has a metal mount, focus distance window and the focus ring is in a better place. It usually sells, from what I can see, about double the price of the mark II, but just by comparing images you can see the mark I is substantially better quality.
Click to expand...

The glass is identical in both versions.
 
Just had my 50mm 1.8 delivered form Kerso today. My budget didn't allow me to consider the 1.4 though.
However i also picked up another lens (55-250mm f4) for what would've been the same price as the 50mm 1.4

So it might be worth looking at the point of view as 1.4 = 1.8 + part/all of another lens/flash etc. Just a thought.
 
No1, that's exactly my dilemma!

I have about £300 to spend and I'm after a 50mm lens and / or Speedlite 430ex II. DO I blow it all on the lens or get the cheaper lens and the flash...

I hate my hobby, too many choices and NEVER enough cash! ;-)
 
If it was me I would get the 50mm 1.8. These types of lenses are a lot sharper a full stops above what they can go. As said above, a mark 1 version of the 1.8 it a good idea, someone sold one on here for £80 a few weeks ago.
 
Andy said:
As said above, a mark 1 version of the 1.8 it a good idea, someone sold one on here for £80 a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...

I think they fetch a bit higher generally Andy. The ones I've seen have gone for between £100 to £120, depending on quality etc.

I personally wouldn't sell my MK1 for less than £100 currently, and even at that price it's not for sale. It doesn't get frequent use but it's a stonking performer when I want it. Maybe I got a really good copy :)
 
MadFrankie said:
No1, that's exactly my dilemma!

I have about £300 to spend and I'm after a 50mm lens and / or Speedlite 430ex II. DO I blow it all on the lens or get the cheaper lens and the flash...

I hate my hobby, too many choices and NEVER enough cash! ;-)
Click to expand...

I went out for a 580ex but came back with the 50mm f/1.8II and the 430EXII, couldn't have been happier.

Haven't regretted yet 1 year on.
 
PerfectSpeed said:
I went out for a 580ex but came back with the 50mm f/1.8II and the 430EXII, couldn't have been happier.

Haven't regretted yet 1 year on.
Click to expand...

Damn it, looks like you've just made up my mind... 50mm and 430 flash it is then!

Who needs money anyway !?! :bonk:
 
MadFrankie said:
No1, that's exactly my dilemma!

I have about £300 to spend and I'm after a 50mm lens and / or Speedlite 430ex II. DO I blow it all on the lens or get the cheaper lens and the flash...

I hate my hobby, too many choices and NEVER enough cash! ;-)
Click to expand...

Do it.
I have the 430 and had the 50/1.8
In due course, I am sure that you will be able to upgrade, and there is always a mkt for the 50/1.8. Think of it as a loan - it should cost you no more than £20 by the time you sell it ..... :thumbs:
 
I got the 50/1.8 from the classifieds on here and whilst I haven't tried the 1.4 I really like the 1.8 it is a great portrait lens - I love trying to capture the facial expressions of my two young boys and it is helping me with my appreciation of DoF and MF!

Which ever you go for you will experience a new facet of photography and I'm sure, enjoy the experience too!

Personally, I'd go for the 1.8, see if you like the "style" then if you wish upgrade to the 1.4 later

Buck
 
Just a quick update, I had just ordered the 50mm 1.8 and speedlite 430 from Kerso on this forum at a great price but my wife's car has just had a puncture so I had to cancel the speedlite.

However, I'd just like to say what a great chap Kerso is, rather than moaning or not letting me cancel the order, he has been above and beyond...

If you're after lenses etc I recommend him whole heartedly!
 
Ooooo - I hadn't appreciated the MkI's were sought after.
Just checked and mine's a MkI :D

Last used in Jan to take a panorama at 5am - stupid exposure settings but the result was very pleasing.
8 exposures, ISO 3200, f1.8, 1.6s - It doesn't get much darker than that :D:D
Pronounced vignetting made stitching a challenge - I ended up correcting the vignetting in Lightroom first, then it was fine.
 
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