Is 50mm 1,4 a good lens for 1D MkII ? Please help

[nabla]

Hi !

I've read many threads about this lens, but still can't make up my mind.
I need a light and discreet lens for my 1D, to stop looking like a paparazzi everwhere I go.

But what about it focusing precision / noise on the 1 D ?
Isn't it really too soft at max aperture ?

Please advise !

Thanks.

Pierre

[JDArt]

That lens is good for any Canon camera. I consider it a staple. Buy it. You'll use it.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by nabla

I've read many threads about this lens, but still can't make up my mind.
I need a light and discreet lens for my 1D, to stop looking like a paparazzi everwhere I go.

But what about it focusing precision / noise on the 1 D ?
Isn't it really too soft at max aperture ?

Hi nabla/Pierre,

The 50mm F1.4 USM is considered by many as one of the better 'consumer' (non-L) primes.

It's build is not as super as the 'L's', but far better than 50F1.8. It has a micro USM AF motor so it focusses silently, but the micro-USM can cause difficulty when the lens ages, they wear out earlier than the glass does .

It's focussing precision is good, although not impeccable, and I have known of and seen examples where it can be a little soft wide-open.
A Canon Service check/AF adjust and/or stopping down to 1.6 or 1.8 usually 'cures' this.

On an 1D 1.3x crop camera this becomes a 65mm FoV lens, a tad 'longer' than 'standard 50mm', but still very usefull.

As JD said: buy it, and you'll use it

Hope this helps some, *my* €0.02 worth,

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Rumpole]

At a fraction of an L-lens, this is a good steal.

Stop down for half a stop and softness should not be a problem unless you are pixel peeping.

Whether you are using FF, 1.3x or 1.6x, I strongly recommend you to buy and keep one in your arsenal.


Cheers
KH

[JDArt]

I'd like to see the third-party manufacturers offer more high-quality primes. Do any exist from the likes of Tamron or Sigma?

[cyclohexane]

Sigma has well-regarded Macro primes, as well as a APS-C sensor size 30mm f/1.4 which is considered a good performer (though bad samples seem to abound). I think Tamron used to make primes back in the days of the Adapt-all mount, but I'm not sure about now- excluding the 300mm f/2.8.

[Dante King]

Another vote of confidence for the 50 1.4. Great glass for the money. You really can't go wrong getting it.

[lordarka]

Get it. It's a great performer at a great price. It is also small enough to be used very comfortably with the 1D Mark II...

Arka C.