Canon EF 50mm F1.4: A second look at an old favorite

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I'm glad to see this lens I've had for a very long time can still create good sharp images!

[@sunlbx]

I like that its T-stop is around 1.6 There are lots of primes where geometrically the opening is F1.4, but the transmission is so bad it's around T1.8-1.9

[@sharkpyro93]

got it for $100 with the original packaging and stuff, can't complain for this price, got it cause im planning on moving from a 600D to a ML full frame, this should perform fine

[@FeedScrn]

You got a great deal. I just ordered one off of EBay for twice the price. At least it looks new around the mount and clean/new. Should be great for my 6D Mkii.

[@DartzIRL]

When this thing hits focus it's sharp. But on older SLRs (and dSLRs) you'll sometimes have it slightly out of focus at F1.4 due to natural production tolerances and wear and tear between the AF assembly and the film plane. Using it to focus in 'live view' makes a noticeable difference. I bought one new in 2019 for a holiday trip and it was both the only piece of equipment I owned with a factory warranty, and it was perfect for taking holiday photos. Indoors, outdoors, on a train or plane. It just worked. And didn't need a hard flash to go off with it. Then again, I was also using an Eos650 I got for 30 quid.

[@bakebreadinstead]

@DartzIRL I completely agree with the live view point - very marked improvement on my 90d. At f1.4-1 8 this thing is awful for missed focus through the view finder, especially for back-focus. I've adjusted to correct it from time to time, but it makes it unreliable at narrower apertures.

[@nicedward7544]

This and the old ef 200 prime were my bread and butter. I still use the 200 on Sony and think it's the best 200 ever made. It has so much character like the 50 1.4 that modern lenses just don't have anymore.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I just heard a rumor Canon is coming out with an RF50mm 1.4. Don’t know if it’s true

[@nicedward7544]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk I ditched Canon after using them for 20 years when I went mirrorless. I still use a couple old L lenses though. I think I'm about to switch once again to Nikon though lol. Not sure. I'm still using a Sony 7Riii which I love but the raw files from the z7ii are sweet. I also like Nikon's glass choices and their 1.8s have great character instead of the "must be clinical" glass everyone is making these days.

[@nicedward7544]

Loved this lens when i shot Canon. My only gripe was the build quality. The internal collar that moved the glass was notoriously bad. I went through 3 or 4 copies of this lens and got good at repairing them lol. I almost want to buy another one to use on Sony. Some of my best shots were made with that lens. I've been switching my stance over the years and going more to character glass over clinical sharpness.

[@ryansublermedia]

Just got this lens used for $115 this weekend for my R7. I find it to be very quick, extremely sharp and vibrant, and very unique. The professional in me wants to call it out for color fringing, but it’s really only in the brightest scenes. Which at that point may not even be the ideal lens. Also can’t complain if that’s the worst issue on a $115 option!

[@kani_mar]

Honestly the best lens that was ever built. Not for what it was able to do. But how it enabled multiple generations of photographers and videographers to start their journey. I learned photography on the EOS 60D and one of these bad boys. Still one of my favorite cameras. Great video! As always.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thank you!

[@KombatFlix]

dope review man

[@FeedScrn]

Two things: It was interesting to hear you say that you would not use a 50mm f/1.2 lens. And it was refreshing to see a 50mm f/1.4 lens used in a studio. Great images.

[@allee2445]

I think these ‘nifty-fifty’, when dialed down to 2.8 or 4, they can be almost as sharp as the more expensive ones

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

True. Especially for the 1.8s. Thanks for watching!

[@sunlbx]

as a matter of fact, this f1,4 is sharper than f1,2L at the same aperture and f1,8 stm is even sharper most of the time

[@carolingrimaldi]

The autofocus speed is phenomenal, sharpness: ++ @f5.6 even on APS-C/40M, sharpness acceptable @f2.0 on APS-C/24M

[@ruff1draft]

I have just bought the Nikon 50mm F1.4 for 150 UK pounds for my Nikon D5500

[@VerrellRenardo]

When using for fast moving subject, does this lens fast enough to capture focus?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Speed of focus can be an issue if you are primarily doing fast moving subjects. Newer lenses do focus faster.

[@VerrellRenardo]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk When compared to the 50mm f1.8 STM, which one is faster for capturing the focus of a fast-moving subject?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

@VerrellRenardo if you’re talking about the RF 1.8 I would say it’s slightly faster. I have not worked with the EF 1.8 much.

[@robertmccutchan5450]

You're right, they are cheap! I just bought a like-new copy for $200 USD, and you can get them as low as $150 USD for copies in good condition. Thanks for posting!

[@HoggetBlanker]

Great timing! I was just looking at a good deal for a used one over the weekend and was trying to make up my mind as to whether it's worth getting. I still use the EF 50mm 1.8 STM and wonder if the image quality is that much different, but you say it's better than even the RF 1.8. How is it different, if you don't mind me asking? What specific qualities do you prefer in the older lens over the newer one?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

So it’s better all around than the EF1.8…. In terms of the RF1.8 first of course you have the extra stop which give a little more sharpness (to my eye) across the range. I think the RF glass has a slight edge in coatings/ flare, and the 1.4 has the edge in sharpness and, it feels like in aberrations. This is all very close you have to understand; the big noticeable step is the L glass which has EVERYTHING better, not just the stop. Let me put it this way, it kept me from just buying the RF 1.8 and keep my powder dry until I can do an L lens. Hope that helps - your mileage may vary!

[@nicktheobald6955]

Biggest issue with these 1.4's is the build quality. Even new they can feel pretty cheap and used they have rotational free play (makes manual focus erm, interesting if you are trying for a very small adjustment). They also can be soft, even stopped down and you aren't guaranteed to sort it with AF micro adjustment. I've had 2 and both were like this (admittedly they were from the used market). Also fragile - watch that front extension! You must have a good one. Does make me think about giving it another go though - mmmm?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

My experience has been that if you are comparing to to 1.2 , sure, but the 1.8 is even worse in everything you name. Now what I didn’t say was that the separation in quality between this and the 1.2 is vastly larger than the difference between this and the 1.8. This is not midway between the 1.8 and the 1.2, it’s more like 2 steps above the 1.8 and 8 steps below the 1.2.

[@carolingrimaldi]

At f1.4 not so shiny... but f5.6 (my studio setting with flash light) no regrets on my Fuji X-H2 (APS-C, 40MPix) in terms of sharpness!

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Exactly. It takes top glass to be great wide open but I never shoot that way either 👍

[@carolingrimaldi]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk - jep, outdoor mostly stop down to 2.0, then sharpness is okay and even perhaps more than one eye is sharp :)

[@classic.cameras]

I read on the Canon Lens Museum that this lens has the same optical design as the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 which came out in 1980. So its a VERY old lens. 🤣

[@matthewsinger]

What's your opinion of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art? I remember using a friend's Canon f/1.4 years ago on my 50D and being impressed. But I used one again recently on my R7 and was disappointed (then again, I wasn't using it for portraits). But I also recall the Sigma 50 f/1.4 getting high praise for its price, which is in that $500 range on the used market.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I’ve heard very good things about it but but have never used it. Is it EF? I don’t think canon has yet opened RF to 3rd party.

[@matthewsinger]

It's an EF mount lens that came out 10-ish years ago?

[@CZOV]

Shoot it at f2 at night on the street, shoot it at f2.8 during the day, perfect old gem.

[@MannyScoot]

I'll put this lens against a new RF 50 1.2L and It will take the RF for a good run ..... do a head to head video !!!!!

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

HAH! That 1.2 is top dog, I don’t need any incentive to spend that money! 🤣

[@TheFcb5]

I find the 1.4 being soft compared to the rf 50mm 1.8. The 1.8 is definitely sharper.😊