CANON Ultrasonic EF 50mm f1.4 AF/MF

[Gina]

I have been given advice by some helpful members to look at buying the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens and have come across a CANON Ultrasonic EF 50mm f1.4 AF/MF. The seller states ... for film cameras only, not digital. Is this right? :o

The guy selling it doesn't know for sure so does anyone know if this lens could be for film SLR's only and whether this would be a better choice for me as my preference is portrait work if it could be used for a DSLR?

Any advice welcome.

Gina

http://www.cmbhightreck.plus.com/Canon%20ultrasonic.jpg

[Ian]

I have been given advice by some helpful members to look at buying the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens and have come across a CANON Ultrasonic EF 50mm f1.4 AF/MF. The seller states ... for film cameras only, not digital. Is this right? :o

The guy selling it doesn't know for sure so does anyone know if this lens could be for film SLR's only and whether this would be a better choice for me as my preference is portrait work if it could be used for a DSLR?

Any advice welcome.

Gina



It should definitely work on all EOS DSLRs. If it's an early example, there is a possibility it won't be optimised for use with digital sensors, but all that means is that you will see more vignetting (corner shading) and resolution drop off in the corners than a more modern version.

The 1.8 is still probably the best value option if you want a 50.

The difference between 1.4 and 1.8 is 3/4 of a stop, but 1.8 is already very bright; 1 1/4 stops brighter than f/2.8.

Ian

[Ian]

In reference to the use of a 50mm lens as a portrait lens, on your current EOS (450D?) it's not bad as the field of view is equivalent to 80mm. The classic portrait lens focal length is 100mm in 135 format (full frame) terms. A 50 on a full frame camera, like the EOS-5D, which I know your are considering, is a bit too short to be ideal as a portrait lens.

Ian

[Gina]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

I think it's going to be a while before I can afford a 5D so am going to plod on with my 400D until then. I will definitely consider your advice and let you know what I decide.

I wish I was rich!

[kennykodak]

Gina,
if the lens shown is being offered to you used with no defects and at a reasonable price, go for it. it will serve you well as a portrait lens on a small sensor camera and equally as well as a normal lens on a full frame sensor.
good glass.

[coupekid]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

I think it's going to be a while before I can afford a 5D so am going to plod on with my 400D until then. I will definitely consider your advice and let you know what I decide.

I wish I was rich!

Gina,
Go for the 1.8 lense, at less that a ton it really is a steal.
I bought mine some time ago, and love it!

Its great for indoor shots, and playing with DoF is fun!

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/thumbs/toastupld.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/13047)



81 pounds on Amazon, and you may want to read the reviews :)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Your Store

[Ian]

Gina,
Go for the 1.8 lense, at less that a ton it really is a steal.
I bought mine some time ago, and love it!

Its great for indoor shots, and playing with DoF is fun!

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/thumbs/toastupld.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/13047)



81 pounds on Amazon, and you may want to read the reviews :)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Your Store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50mm-1-8-Lens/dp/B00005K47X/ref=dp_cp_ob_ce_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1238614726&sr=8-1)

Photozone.de shows that the 50 1.4 is very slightly sharper, but there is a bigger difference between centre and corner sharpness compared to the 1.8 model. The 1.8 shows less distortion as well. On the other hand, the 1.4 has 8 apreture iris blades to the 1.8's measly 5, meaning out of focus highlights will be almost round, not pentagonal like the 1.8's. There is evidence that the 1.4 has more sophisticated lens coatings, so it deals better withe flare. And the 1.4 has silent and fast USM autofocus, while the 1.8 has a conventional AF motor which you can hear (gasp!). On the other hand, the 1.4 isn't an L-series lens, so it's actually quite cheaply constructed.

I would go for the 1.8 as I don't see the 1.4 earning its more than 4x price premium (£82 versus £343).

Ian

[Gina]

Thanks everyone for your very good advice, i'll let you know what I spent my money on as soon as I get the new lens.