Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 35mm Primes
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 35mm Primes
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[Nov 15, 2001]
Smallman
Expert
Strength:
High levels of sharpness and contrast from f5.6 to f16. Smooth bokeh. Fast AF. Full time manual focussing possible even in AF mode. Accurate focussing with EOS 1V
Weakness:
Barrel distortion evident near frame edges. This could be a problem with some architectural subjects. The AF motor on my lens failed two months after purchase. Not so good sharpness and contrast at f1.4 and f2. Inaccurate focussing with my EOS 30 ( Elan 7E). I don''t know if this is a one off or generic problem with the lens or the camera. An excellent standard lens. My testing has this slightly better than the Leica M 50/2.0 from f8 to f16. Customer Service AF module replaced promptly by Canon Australia. No further problems. Similar Products Used: Canon EF 50/1.8 Leica M 50/2.0 |
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[Nov 03, 2001]
LRothman
Expert
Strength:
Super Fast Auto Focus Nice Balance Very High Build Quality Top Flight Image Resolution and Colors
Weakness:
NONE I have only 3 words for anyone considering this lens or any other 50mm prime....JUST GET IT. It is laser fast on focus, "L" quality built and renders awesomely saturated and crisp images. This lens will make you as good a photographer as you can be. I got it just in time for a wedding shoot and it made my day. I only wish Canon priced all of their wonderful lenses so reasonably. Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: N/A |
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[Oct 10, 2001]
LRothman
Expert
Strength:
Utter lack of distortion Crisp image edge to edge Zippy and quite auto focusing
Weakness:
absolutely NONE This is one lens that does everything right. It is crisp, saturated, punchy...and all of the other positive things one would say about a lens. Focusing is immediate in next to NO light. Built quality is admirable, and I frankly don''t know why they didn''t just put an "L" next to the model number Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: Sigma 2.8 50mm Canon 1.8 50mm |
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[Oct 04, 2001]
jmburnha
Expert
Strength:
Fast apeture, extremely sharp, quiet (USM), Focus ring (FTM), weight, and 58mm!
Weakness:
Build, (got a little rain on it and the AF crapped out for a couple of days:-( A must have lense considering the three options. Not only is the 1.0L expensive, but heavy and clunky. The 1.8 feels like you can crush it in your hands. The image quality can''t be beat and the only thing in question is build. But assuredly better than the 1.8. This lens stays on my 1N 85% of my shooting. Customer Service None required Similar Products Used: NEW FD 50 f1.4 , FL f1.8, Ziess T-Planar 50 f2 (extremely nice glass) |
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[Sep 30, 2001]
datFOX
Beginner
Strength:
duh, f1.4, quick and quiet, balances on EOS-1v(without booster!) nicely
Weakness:
If this is too expensive, go for the f1.8, you shouldn''t be too disappointed, but believe me that an extra 1/2 a stop comes in handy Wow! What can I say? Very versatile for a prime! With this lens, you can take loose portraits or small group shots indoors, without flash and be unobtrusive while your at it! I did exactly that not too long ago with the lens wide open on Kodak T400cn, then when I blew up the print to 20x30cm (8"x12"), they still looked soooo sharp. I even had a softener A on the lens! They outshined the photos on my AF Nikon 85mm f1.8 hands down! I was quite unsure of this lens'' optical quality when I first got it, it got rave reviews on this site (and others), but now after trial and success, I am a believer! I''d love to have a big white lens, but this is just as good. Overall, it just gives a feeling of simplicity, no bull, just great photography! Customer Service never needed tech support for any of my cameras and lens Similar Products Used: some 50mm pentax |
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[Sep 28, 2001]
Igor Osatuke
Professional
Strength:
Everything but the weaknesses
Weakness:
1. Noisy usm drive. 2. Price and no shade. But these are really marketing tricks and have nothing to do with the lens itself. 3. The DOF scale is a nice joke I bought this lens for of its optical quality and found it extremely good. I made a quick test of this lens, 28-70mm 2.8 zoom, and 28-135 IS. No surprise - this prime makes the clearest image. Not considerably but still noticeably better. Bokeh is very pleasant and in-focus areas are sharp and contrasty. Just what a prime lens is expected to be. However for the money I would expect a silent USM drive. This lens is shockingly noisy compared to with ring usm lenses. But then I can live with that. Autofocus speed is fast but the noise of the motor creates an impression that the lens is struggling. And c''mon Cannon, include the shade with the lens! It is almost a sin to rip people off like that. (of course if the same shade said Hassellad it would be three times the price,) Oh well. The only thing is that I have to force myself to use this lens because the 28-70 2.8 is so much more versatile. So so far it did not see much action, but the photos I took with it are wonderfull (from an optical stand point I mean - I will let my critics decide what they are worth artistically) Anyway the glass is good, the price is OK but could always be better. Weight and size are negligible. A very good piece of equipment if one can find a good use for it. The price paid includes a shade and extended warraty. The lens was about $340 Customer Service Mine is a gray market specimen. I bought an extended Mack warranty. Never used it, hope never will. I called Canon on various occasions and they were knowledgeable. However my e-mails were never an Similar Products Used: Nikon 50mm lenses both MF and AF 50mm 2.8? Kiev with Nikon mount - d*** good! Chinon 50mm 1.8 (paid $15.00 for lens and camera) Russian Helios lenses for Zenit |
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[Sep 15, 2001]
cprisoner
Intermediate
Strength:
USM f/1.4 kicks major ass Tac sharp
Weakness:
None! Probably one of canons best lenses.. probably THE best for a non "L" lens. I had people commenting on how d*** sharp the pictures I took came out. Gives a nice blurred background everytime you need it. I would HIGHLY recommend this USM lens to anyone interested in a 50mm... dont even look at the f/2.8.. pay the extra for the higher speed. Its worth every penny! Customer Service None Similar Products Used: Only Canon lenses |
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[Aug 21, 2000]
Ernst Engelbrecht
Expert
Strength:
f 1/1.4
Weakness:
Sealing, wish they could make this one in a L lens. This is the greatest lens I have ever owned, one of the reasons why I have not as yet bought the 28-70 f/2.8, It can not compete with the f1/1.4 for speed. It is always on my 1V. I can shoot ISO 100 everywhere. Customer Service Not very good in Africa, in fact they are pathetic. Similar Products Used: 28-70 f/2.8 USM L |
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[Jun 22, 2000]
Yu Pok Hon Wally
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
EF 50mm f/1.4
Strength:
Big max. aperture, fast and quiet AF, FTM focus, very well built, sharp with very good color contrast.
Weakness:
none This is definitely one of the best lenses in my gear bag. The 8 diaphragm blades gives much better background blur than the cheaper f1.8 brother (with only 5 diaphragm blades). I like this lens a lot and I always have it one my EOS 3. Customer Service haven't tried before Similar Products Used: Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II |
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[Jun 09, 2000]
Jan Mattsson
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
EF 50mm f/1.4
Strength:
Sharp
Weakness:
Useless DOF scale THE standard lens for EOS systems; the 1.8 doesn't have FTM, the 1.0 is very expensive and no sharper than the 1.4. Quite usable wide open. Customer Service Haven't had reason to try it. Similar Products Used: None |