Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard Lens

great lens

Strengths: sharpness, fast focus, large apeture, good contrast

Weakness: soft at f/1.4, a little expensive compared to 50 f/1.8 II

I bought this lens to replace a 50 f/1.8 II. This lens is noticably sharper than 50 f/1.8 II at f/1.8 and f/2.8, and is marginally better at f/8.0 and f/20.0 (I only test these 4 apetures). Build quality feels better than 50 f/1.8 II as well - not as good as L glasses but hey you only pay $300 for it! Focus is a lot faster and quieter than 50 f/1.8 II. Contast of the images is very good. Bokeh is...
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I bought this lens to replace a 50 f/1.8 II. This lens is noticably sharper than 50 f/1.8 II at f/1.8 and f/2.8, and is marginally better at f/8.0 and f/20.0 (I only test these 4 apetures). Build quality feels better than 50 f/1.8 II as well - not as good as L glasses but hey you only pay $300 for it! Focus is a lot faster and quieter than 50 f/1.8 II.

Contast of the images is very good. Bokeh is good, but not as good as 85mm f/1.8. On APS cameras, it is a lightweight walkaround and portrait lens. Works good for low light thanks to the large apeture - I won't say great because the AF tends to hesitate sometimes.

My biggest complain is the price. I would hope the price be $210-$230 instead of the current overpriced $310. Furthermore, it is soft wide open. But it is tolerable.

By tii - Oct 26, 2005

I became aware of the 50/1.4 lens...

Strengths: Good build quality, big amazing 1.4 aperture,

Weakness: little expensive compare with 50/1.8

I became aware of the 50/1.4 lens through a photo web. After discussing the lens with a couple of good local photographers, I made the decision and bought this lens together with my first D-SLR, Canon 300d. I have used this lens for more than half a year. This lens is wonderfully sharp and fast. I love the superb picture quality and portability of this lens. In addition, it feels really good and...
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I became aware of the 50/1.4 lens through a photo web. After discussing the lens with a couple of good local photographers, I made the decision and bought this lens together with my first D-SLR, Canon 300d.
I have used this lens for more than half a year. This lens is wonderfully sharp and fast. I love the superb picture quality and portability of this lens. In addition, it feels really good and high quality. I like the 50mm perspective, and the freedom of zoom. I also think it is the perfect people lens. Most of the portrait photos I have taken are using this lens. I take more in door portrait than out door, I don't think the 85 mm will fit, that why I chose this one instead of 85/1.8. And this lens has the amazing big 1.4 aperture, it is extremely versatile regarding light, I don't even need to bring a tripod. I've done a lot of handheld low light photography with it, mostly around f/2, where it is really sharp. This big aperture will be far more important than any IS function can help you to catch an uncooperative child. And, it will make a wonderful back ground blur, which will looks nice for portrait photographs.
For anyone who wants or has a Rebel body and desires better photos, the 50/1.4 should be seriously considered. The combination proves the truth of the old saying: spend your hard earned cash on good quality lenses and scrimp on the body. Believe me, when you have a good lens no one will ever know or care whether you took a photo with a Rebel or a 1DS II.
I am still learning how to use this lens and I suppose I will be for some time. The major lesson I've learned so far with the 50/1.4 is to move in close to the subject and when you think you are close enough, move in even closer. You will be very pleased with this lens and the results. And it is not an easy thing to control this big amazing 1.4 aperture perfectly.

By bioltb - Jun 5, 2005

A phenominal lens for the price

Strengths: Razor sharp, f/1.4, USM (quiet), great bang for the buck

Weakness: Not the fastest AF, but still decent.

This is my only non-L Canon lens and it stacks up quite well to my L lenses. The only thing that tells you that this isn't an L lense is that it doesn't have the excellent build quality of your typical L lens and it's AF can be a tad slow. However, the photos you take with this lens will give you the impression that they were taken with an L lens. This lens is quite sharp wide open at f/1.4, but...
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This is my only non-L Canon lens and it stacks up quite well to my L lenses. The only thing that tells you that this isn't an L lense is that it doesn't have the excellent build quality of your typical L lens and it's AF can be a tad slow.

However, the photos you take with this lens will give you the impression that they were taken with an L lens. This lens is quite sharp wide open at f/1.4, but stop it down to 1.8 or more and wow, the sharpness is amazing. The bokeh at such wide apertures is also quite pleasing and adds a lot to your photos if you know how to take advantage of it. Being my only lens with an aperture wider than f/2.8, this is my lens of choice when there isn't much light to work with, and it performs admirably. I have a lot of confidence in my camera when this thing is mounted to it.

By cakier - Dec 30, 2005

This is a must have lens to every...

Strengths: delivers sharp images, great for all purpose use, high speed lens and quiet.

Weakness: no

This is a must have lens to every EOS owner. It definitely worth the money you invested. This lens is small and fit my EOS digital rebel very well (compared with the 28-135mm lens). The picture is sharp and beautiful.

By raise - Jan 5, 2005

Great lens for indoor pictures

Strengths: Fast f/1.4, USM, light weight, price, and great picture quality

Weakness: Some people said its USM has short life, but not for me so far.

I have used this lens before (borrowed from my friend) and it was a great experience. Now, I have gotten one for my own use and it surely did make my indoor pictures look great. This lens works really well when you are shooting low light indoor plus flashes are not permitted. Also, it works better than other lens when you are chasing kids/people as this lens has fast focusing speed. Since this...
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I have used this lens before (borrowed from my friend) and it was a great experience. Now, I have gotten one for my own use and it surely did make my indoor pictures look great.

This lens works really well when you are shooting low light indoor plus flashes are not permitted. Also, it works better than other lens when you are chasing kids/people as this lens has fast focusing speed.

Since this lens is not expensive at all (compares to other lens), people should really consider getting one. So far, I have no issues on this lens with Digital Rebel XT, and I think as for its three hundred dollars price tag and performace, it's hard to beat.

By bluejeff - Nov 1, 2005