Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM $299 @ Amazon - Free ship

Step up from the 1.8

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Product Features

• 50mm standard lens with f/1.4 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras

• 2 high-refraction lens elements and Gaussian optics help eliminate astigmatism

• Delivers crisp images with little flare at the maximum aperture

• Extra-small Micro USM focus adjustment and full-time manual focusing

• Measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 2 inches long; 1-year warranty

Amazon Linky

great price!

My second most used lens...lots of utility in this lens. Aside from the great Amazon reviews, here's another site with sample photos: http://www.motleypixel.com/reviews/?openfolder=Canon%20Primes/Ca... I paid $400 shipped for mine...so this is definitively a good deal.

Can you link to the $299 lens on B&H? I'm seeing $399.

Some test results on a Canon 50D (15mp):

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/565-canon50f14apsc?start=1

What are expert/enthusiast opinions of this lens on an APS-C (e.g., 600d)? I feel like this is too long for indoor use, and have been eying the 40mm f/2.8 pancake (albeit much slower than this, yet still faster than the 18-55 kit) lens instead, although I really feel like I should be using a 35mm indoors instead.

I have been using my 18-55mm kit lens as wide open as possible (which usually keeps me b/t f/3.5 and f/4.0) to keep ISO down and brighten my photos, which means I usually stay around 40mm and below.

thanks OP...in for one and a free filter

I decided to get one. Couldn't resist...

Now to sell my 50mm F/1.8...

As a note, because this lens is so good in low light you're going to have to fiddle with your metering mode. I use center-weighted average now, but used to use spot metering.

If you use evaluative the shot will tend to be too dark, since the background is usually brighter than your subject when you're indoors. You also have to watch out because it's easier to blow out your background (ie: your background may be all-white).

According to SLRGear, when this Canon is wide open at f1.4, only about a third of the frame is sharp, while everything else is pretty soft. Sharpness gets much better at f2 and above. Compare to Nikon 50mm 1.4.

Also, for those who want 50mm f1.4 but on a tight budget, consider the manual only Canon FD 50mm 1.4 on eBay. Usually costs under $100 with adapter for modern DSLRs. Optics are very good, all glass.

AmishBoy said:   Can you link to the $299 lens on B&H? I'm seeing $399.
Add it to the cart and you will see $299 (if you still don't see it, clear your browser's cookie and try it again)

Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

LexTalionis said:   AmishBoy said:   Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.html
Thanks, Lex. Will give it a shot.

if anyone wants to buy my 1 year old mint 50mm 1.8

here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290825925916

PM with ur best offer and we can talk

dogmeat said:   Sorry to disagree, but a 80mm prespective is a great portrait lens, but not the best for a fixed focal length general purpose lens. I think you'd be better off with a 18-50mm to work in that range (or even longer). This is a great lens, but not a great all-around lens.
I am making my first foray into DSLR videography and just picked up the T3i deal from Amazon. I know the lenses I got with it aren't what I need for my intended purpose, and am looking for the most cost-effective solution for man-on-the-street type interviews. Would be exclusively using manual focus to achieve the depth of field (bokeh) effect for my documentaries. Another videographer I contacted uses and recommends a 35mm f/2 prime. Would you agree?

dogmeat said:   Sorry to disagree, but a 80mm prespective is a great portrait lens, but not the best for a fixed focal length general purpose lens. I think you'd be better off with a 18-50mm to work in that range (or even longer). This is a great lens, but not a great all-around lens.

LexTalionis said:   AmishBoy said:   Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.html

He just said street level work, that leaves a lot a leeway on specifically what he wants to accomplish. Fast 50mm glass is pretty popular for certain shots. I don't think you'll find many zooms in any semi-pro or pro DSLR outfits; in fact, see how many cine-specific lens models you can find out there that are zoom compared to prime?

hammer45 said:   Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.
I believe what people say is that the difference in IQ is minimal. (I don't own either, so I can't attest to anything personally.) As to other attributes, I believe Lex has the right of it in his post.

LexTalionis said:   hammer45 said:   Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.

You will get twice AF speed with the USM which is HUGE! Also, there are more diaphragm blades = smoother OOF highlights. Lastly, the build quality between the two is VERY noticeable...I also hated the skinny knurled focus ring of the 50/1.8.

The biggest difference to me is focus accuracy. The 1.8 is not terribly accurate. I've found you can sometimes focus it multiple times and still have it move slightly each time, until you get it spot on. No such issue with the 50/1.4.

mannyv said:   Oh, one more note on this lens. In really low light (a few lumens) a filter will most like cause a green colored artifact. If you're in ultra low light, be sure to check the image preview religiously - that green reflection is really hard to photoshop out. Take that filter off and it goes away.

On the plus side, you can take pictures with only three lit candles on a birthday cake - without a flash.

It makes me wonder how much better the 1.2 is.
<Sigh> ... makes me wish I had a F/F. With a crop, the rough equivalent is either a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ($439 on Amazon) or Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM ($449 on Amazon). Do either of those ever get on sale near $300?

Lowest price ever. Couldn't resist... Green OP!

wahoo2x said:   JVEC said:   If some experienced users can help out a greenhorn, I'd really appreciate it! Perhaps some recommendations on a decent macro lens as well. I had a 50 that I never used on my crop body because of that, but the moment I went full frame I started shooting at 50 more.

I too have a Crop Body Canon and have this lens as I remembered how great 50mm was on my EOS film cameras, but I find that 50mm is too long for a walk around lens on this Canon. It only comes out of the bag when I really need that 1.4 Aperture, but then I still have to figure out how to compose what I want to shoot. You may want to look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (it goes for about $439) as a replacement for this lens on a xxD or a Txi body.