Not long after I bought my camera I added the 50mm f/1.8 to my camera bag. I was thrilled to have a prime lens & all that extra light capable of coming into my shots. It has been on my camera all the time- it’s what stays on there until I have a specific need to change out for some other reason. I really didn’t think there was anything wrong with it at all- until I started my class. I was using it to take full body shots & I just wasn’t getting the tack sharp image that I was looking for- even when closing down to f/9.0 or higher.
So a dear, sweet, GENEROUS friend said she would loan me her 50mm f/1.4 to try so I could get an idea if it was my lens that was the issue. Well- it wasn’t until after it was already shipped off to me that we talked about my expectations when shooting people from father away. I was thinking that when I look at the image in full size on my screen- I should be able to see faces JUST AS tack sharp as I do when I am up close. Yeah- she told me I was being unreasonable. But the lens was already on it’s way to me.
SO – her lens arrives & the first things that took me back was how the same focal length from the same company would be so much larger in size. Now that I have her lens here for a couple weeks & I am putting it to the test. First thing I like is that it’s QUIET in comparison to mine. It “hunts” for focus a lot less & my images are ever so slightly sharper SOOC. I like that it’s heavier & feels more sturdy. In fact- I love it so much- I am going to just buy it from her so I don’t have to be sad to send it back. (for the record- I do think that it is sharper when shooting from afar)
I was totally diggin’ the “low key-ish” with the shadow here.
This set processed with Paint the Moon’s Eclipse action that I mentioned yesterday.
(It’s one of my top picks)
Melanie says
Awesome post Gina! Super informative. First off those shots of your girl are amazing, love the way the light is just glowing! I am loving my new 50mm, but it is really all I know. I’m sure I’ll always want something new… that’s how it goes now!
HOW COOL that your keepn the 1.4!!
Eva says
Gina,
I love that low-key image of your girl. Breathtaking!
I also just recently upgraded my 50mm to the 1.4 after *cough* a long time and couldn’t be happier!
Tamar SB says
You share so much great info! Love the pics, all of them!
Melissa Bliss Rich says
Beautiful shots Gina! I tried the 50 1.8 in a store before getting the 1.4. I loved it, but ended up getting the 1.4 because of the sturdier construction and that bit of added aperture. I can be a bit clumsy, lol and I figured it would last longer. Unless you actually hold them each in your hand it’s tough to understand the price difference.
Interesting comparison. You are great at sharing your insights! 😉
L. says
I always wondered just how much of a difference there would be between the 1.8 and 1.4–I ultimately went with the 1.8 because of the cost factor and also it was the only prime lens that would actually work on my old camera body. Now I’m tempted to revisit the matter, especially as the husband still owes me a birthday gift. 😀 Beautiful photos as always!
Kristin says
great post! so informative!! love the shots you take of your girls. just amazing!!
Susan @ Sunflower Status says
Nice! I’ve been feeling the same way about my 50mm (1.8). It does seem to hunt for awhile to find focus as well and isn’t always as sharp as I think it should be. (I thought it was just me!) But for Under $100 it was a great starter lens. Looks like I have something new to add to my wishlist.
Jaymi says
ooh I’m jealous, I want the 50 1.4 so bad! I agree, the 1.8 is a little loud for me too and takes to long to “hunt” for focus! The 1.4 is definitely on my (long) list of lenses I want to get!
Pam Bowers says
How fun to get to compare. I have the 1.8 also and don’t love it near as much as everyone else. I love how your girls are such willing models. They are so pretty. These pics are stunning.
Kim says
I would honestly like to get the 1.2, but I don’t have $1200 lying around. One day I may upgrade to the 1.4. I just don’t see my husband being too supportive of the idea of me buying a lens at the same focal length I already have. I think he would be more understanding for a macro (but not by much). lol
Lovely shots. 🙂
Susan says
Just beautiful. I recently got the 1.4, and I love it!!
Teri says
Beautiful photos. Love the info always lookin for more lens info!
Linda R says
Thanks so much for all this info. I have Canon Compact-Macro 50mm 2.5 lens. I just love this lens.. But Now you got me thinking!!
Hugs~
Meagan says
Nice to see the comparison! I upgraded to the 50 1.4 last year and I liked it SO much better. Just the sturdiness of it alone made it worth it to me. I also like that it’s really, really sharp at 2.5. That little bit extra can make a big difference inside.
And that B&W of your girl? So beautiful!
tiarastantrums says
oh I struggle with the same issues as you – glad you found a lens you are enjoying!
Kim C. says
Gorgeous shots! I love the moody low key!
No Greater Love says
Ahhh…..that is so funny. I just shot a bunch of pictures of Elijah at the park today, and I deleted most of them, because again, when I got them on the computer and zoomed in on his face, it wasn’t as clear as I was wanting. But, I guess my expectations are wrong, huh? It’s not going to be as sharp as a close up! Good post! Can’t wait until I get the 1.4 someday.