Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
The Canon EF 50mm provides super-sharp results in the centre of the frame at any aperture, even wide open. The edges are softer than the centre at f/1.4 and f/2, but by f/2.8 they've caught up, and from there on this lens delivers stunningly sharp results. This lens really shows what a full-frame EOS sensor can do.
The metric markings are easy enough to make out, but imperial distances are labelled in dark green and they're not so easy to see. There's only one set of depth of field markings too, for f/22, which isn't an aperture you're likely to use every day. But it's a good lens to use. Canon's 50mm USM autofocus system offers fast, near-silent focusing, and this lens offers full-time manual override, too. Just turn the focus ring on the front of the lens to fine-tune the focus as required.
50mm 1.4 lens Auctions
Features
- Focal length: 50mm
- Minimum focus: 0.45m
- Lens elements / groups: 7/6
- Aperture blades: 8
- Aperture range: f/1.4-22
- Mount: Canon EF/EF-S
- Focusing options: Auto/manual override, Manual
- Filter thread: 58mm
- Included accessories: Front and rear caps
- Weight: 290g
- Dimensions (diameter x length): 73.8 x 50.5mm
Nikon 50mm AF-S Nikkor f/1.4G
The Nikon 50mm lens produced amazingly consistent definition across its whole range. It does dip a little at f2 and f/1.4, but not by much, and the results still look crisp - though you do need perfect focussing technique because the depth of field is so shallow. There is a fair amount of corner shading at f/1.4, but this is largely gone by f/2 so it's not a big problem.
With the Nikon 50mm lens, aperture control is handled by the camera body. This lens has a plastic barrel but, like other Nikon lenses, does feel very weil made. Nikon's Silent Wave autofocus motors are every bit as smooth and quiet as Canon's, though this lens doesn't seem quite as quick to focus as the Canon. Like the Canon, though, it has full-time manual focus override and the focus ring has a slightly smoother, firmer feel too. There's a distance scale under a window on the lens barrel, and it's marked in feet and metres. There are depth of field markings for f/U and f/16, which is just about worth having.
Features
- Focal length: 50mm
- Minimum focus: 0.45m
- Lens elements / groups: 8/7
- Aperture blades: 9
- Aperture range: f/1.4-16
- Mount: Nikon FX/DX
- Focusing options: Auto/manual override, Manual
- Filter thread: 58mm
- Included accessories: Front and rear caps, lens hood, soft pouch
- Weight: 280g
- Dimensions (diameter x length): 73.5 x 54mm
Sigma 50mm f/l.4 EX DG HSM
The Sigma 50mm lens has a colossal front element promising superior peripheral brightness (reduced corner shading) and improved contrast at wider lens apertures. The finish and the contrals are rock-solid. This is one area where the independent lens makers like Sigma are every bit as good as camera-makers' own lenses, and sometimes better. Sigma's HSM autofocus motors aren't quite as quiet as Canon and Nikon's, but the differences are small. You get full-time manual focus override, and the focus movement has a smooth, if slightly heavy feel. The distance scale is very clear and there are depth of field index markers for f/8 and f/16. It would be better if there were markers for wider apertures, too.
The Sigma 50mm lens produced similar resolution levels throughout the aperture range. The results looked perhaps slightly crisper at wider apertures with same shots, but not with others - the depth of field is so limited that it's difficult to rule out tiny focussing variations.
Features
- Focal length: 50mm
- Minimum focus: 0.45m
- Lens elements / groups: 8/6
- Aperture blades: 9
- Aperture range: f/1.4-16
- Mount: Canon, Four Thirds, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony
- Focusing options: Auto/manual override, Manual
- Filter thread: 77mm
- Included accessories: Front and rear caps, lens hood, soft pouch
- Weight: 508g
- Dimensions (diameter x length): 84,5 x 68,2mm
Excerpt from "fast 50 mm prime lenses". Read the full test and results in Digital Camera World - september 2009. Digital Camera World is The magazine for today's photographer.
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