Which Canon 50mm

[iPhoto]

I am thinking a need a 50mm lens to complete my Canon outfit based around the 7d. Which 50mm should I go for? I know they do a cheap 50mm but how does that feel and perform to the mid range 50mm etc.

M.

 

[magicaxeman]

I'd go for the 1.4, better build quality, USM and manual focus on the fly

 

[suj]

cannot comment on the f/1.4, but I own the f/1.8 and for it's price it is a great lens!
here's a few example of pics for you
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4984262424_68f37074b6_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4980521639_624704d4ac_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4979839996_e796994572_b.jpg

great for portraits, and gives some good bokeh!

I have heard the f/1.4 is much quicker at focusing, gives better/smoother bokeh and is worth the extra money, but I cannot afford it, so will stick to my f/1.8 version

 

[padderico]

if you have the money go for the 1.4 if not the 1.8 is bloody good value

 

[Rusk]

I have the cheapo 1.8 and its build is very very plastic but the pics are ace! Feels abit odd having the quality of the 7D and the plastic little thing of the Canon 1.8.

If you just want to experiment and decide if you like having the 50mm then go for it and upgrade if you need too

I am about to buy the sigma 50mm as it is very nice indeed! It is the EX (sigma for L) and half the price of the Canon L.

 

[andyred]

I remember reading a review on all 3 of the 50mm lens early this year, it concluded the 1.4 was the best buy, if you can afford the extra £200 over the 1.8, if you can't then you won't be disappointed with the 1.8. The 1.2 was fantastic, but is around £1000 more than the 1.4 - hence the money no object lens.

I picked up a 50mm 1.8 from Ian (Kerso) on here for a work colleague who was leaving and he has been blown away with it, he is very very pleased with the resluts he's getting.

 

[33L]

I have the 1.4 variant and upgraded from the 1.8, I feel the focus accuracy is better with the semi USM motor. Doesnt hunt and i feeol more confidence with it too. With any of the non L ones you just need to make sure you dont bash the barrel when extended. a cheap ebay hood for £3 solved this problem.

 

[neil_g]

I am about to buy the sigma 50mm as it is very nice indeed! It is the EX (sigma for L) and half the price of the Canon L.

and twice the perfomance of the canon..

 

[postcardcv]

I started with the 50 f1.8 and was always very happy with it, sure the build quality isn't great but for the money you really can't argue. I recently switched to the f1.4, it is a better lens and I'm glad I made the switch it's better built and the images are a bit better.

 

[micloi]

+1 (+10 really!) for the Sigma 50mm f1.4
You can get a 2nd hand one for just under £300 and it is a great lens.

 

[ianmarsh]

I think the 1.4 versions are worth the extra over the Canon 1.8. I love the look I get with the Canon 1.4 but by all accounts a decent copy of the Sigma is at least as good. There is a nice natural vignette with the Canon 1.4 wide open and shots are quite contrasty, which I like. I'm not desperate for pin sharp shots as I do moody portraits mainly, but even wide open the 1.4 is sharp enough for me. I've not yet seen any reason to go to the 1.2.

 

[alexhcowley]

if you have the money go for the 1.4 if not the 1.8 is bloody good value

As the owner of an F1.4, I would agree with this.

 

[Meeten]

I had teh 1.8 (Mk2), then the Mk1, and now have the Siggy 1.4

The Siggy is better - but there is a considerable price differential.

I'd suggest going for the 1.8 Mk2 and seeing how you get on with that. There is a thriving 2nd hand mkt for these, so you won't lose any more than £20 if you buy correctly from the onset.

If you find that this lens does not cover the range (aperture) that you shoot at, then I'd look to get some more pennies together and go for the Siggy 1.4.

And if that isn't enough ......:boxer: it's the big ol 1.2 ....

 

[joescrivens]

+1 for the sigma, and it's not just about the extra light with the 1.4 over 1.8 but also the thing that swung it for me was the bokeh, so much smoother on the sigma

sigma 1.4

canon 1.8