50mm Shootout

There is an article here that compares 6 or so 50mm lenses from various manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, etc.).

After reviewing this article, I can say that the Pentax 50mm f/1.4 lens is TOPS. I can say this because:

1. I own one.
2. It is NOT reviewed in this article!
3. It IS reviewed in a TOPS =D post over at Mike Johnston's blog.

Sometimes its frustrating being a Pentax owner!

Anyway, for all you Nikon and Canon owners, enjoy the article...

where are the image tests.. I dont want to look at charts, but photos

Hi Pawal,

I don't think there are any images. I suspect, that any of the lenses can give results very similar to each other, after applying corrections in editing for ca, distortion, etc. If you have a canon camera and $70.00, the answer is pretty easy ;-). If you want macro and Sigma, etc.. Not really that much choice.

Best wishes,

Ray

Ray West said:

Hi Pawal,

I don't think there are any images. I suspect, that any of the lenses can give results very similar to each other, after applying corrections in editing for ca, distortion, etc. If you have a canon camera and $70.00, the answer is pretty easy ;-). If you want macro and Sigma, etc.. Not really that much choice.

Best wishes,

Ray

Click to expand...

Canon also makes a 50mm f2.5 macro (only goes to 1:2, not 1:1). Not reviewed, but Photodo used to rate it as sharper than the 50/1.8.

Personally, I'm really really happy with my Canon 50mm f1.8 II. I've got my wish list improvements, but optically it's everything I could want, barring extreme fantasy.

Don't know about the review but having owned both of Canon's 50mm lenses (not the L) I can say that both are utterly horrible wide open. I had been using them as available light short tele on a 20D but am now far far happier with an 85mm wide open on my 5D.

Erik DeBill said:

Canon also makes a 50mm f2.5 macro (only goes to 1:2, not 1:1). Not reviewed, but Photodo used to rate it as sharper than the 50/1.8.

Personally, I'm really really happy with my Canon 50mm f1.8 II. I've got my wish list improvements, but optically it's everything I could want, barring extreme fantasy.

Click to expand...

got the 50 mm macro, thats a pretty darn sharp lens, on FF, too

In my view the mechanical construction of the 50/1.4 and 50/1.8 Mk II is a disgrace to Canon and a blot on their otherwise good reputation. With both lenses, especially the 1.4 the lens barrels flop around all over the place, both side to side and in & out. I've examined several examples and they are all the same. I even had my 1.4 repaired with new guides and it was just as bad. Optically they may be reasonable but if the barrel doesn't hold still you will end up with fuzzy pictures in some circumstances. It's not always feasible to focus and press the shutter an instant later. I gave up on my 1.4 for general use and use a 1.8 Mk I which has excellent robust construction, just like the 35/2. The flare control of the 1.8 isn't great though.

I'm hoping that Zeiss will eventually bring out their 50/1.4 in EF fitting. Or my other hope is that Canon will see their error and re-introduce the lens in new mechanicals (maybe with new glass as well) as a 50/1.4L even with a price increase. As camera sensors add megapixels the need for decent glass increases and Canon's current 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 are not up to the job.

What about the 50 2.5?

I have the 50 2.5 macro lens - what a joy that lens is to me! Slow to focus, but the images are razor sharp. Did not like the results on the 1.6 crop, so it's why I originally bought the 5D. I have the 50 1.2 that I am learning - a still different result with it's bokeh.

Why is it I rarely hear much about the 50 2.5?

Hi Kathy

cause it's a 2.5 - and more expensive.
BTW: The 100 macro is better - and even more expensive ;-)

$239 us...

That 50 .25 is about $239.00 us - not an L Lens. Mine is about 6 years old and I still see it for sale at that price - new. Not like the 50 1.2 - $1600. for that one.

ouccch, I remind having paid much more here, a while ago.

A quick internet research - the cheap online-dealers only, maybe not even be able to deliver for ?? - have it from 340 $ - to 440 $...

Anyway, anyhow: Canon, Nikon, Adobe, etc must think, that we' re just swimming in money, over here.
BTW, would be a good topic for a thread ;-)

Ben Rubinstein said:

Don't know about the review but having owned both of Canon's 50mm lenses (not the L) I can say that both are utterly horrible wide open.

Click to expand...

...and i'm the guy who bought it!

Surprisngly, I like the 50 f1.4 at f2, below this it does look smeary, if that's the right term.