The Canon 50mm f1.4 USM A Capable Allrounder

Quick Facts

MRP : INR 29,900

Retail  : INR 26,000

Date introduced : June 1993

Maximum format size : 35mm full frame

Focal length : 50mm

35mm equivalent focal length  (APS-C) : 80mm

 This lens has been with me for a few years now and have been using it mostly to shoot environmental or full length portraits on my full frame 5D Mark 3 and more recently on my 5DS R and 5D Mark 4. A regular companion on my portrait shoots It gives that wider perspective from the additional angle of view that my other favourite portrait lens the 85mm f1.8 cannot.

Focusing Performance  7/10

in AF mode the 50mm f1.4 is quick to acquire focus in normal available light situations and studio conditions. But like on any lens with a wide aperture good eyesight and good focusing technique are needed to consistently get proper focus while shooting wide open on canon DSLRs  

Keeping the best focusing lenses in Canon's lineup such as the 70-200 f2.8 L and the 300 f2.8 as a benchmark I would rate this lens as 7/10 which is quite good.

Sharpness  7/10

This lens produces sharp images when stopped down to f2.8 or more. And not surprisingly is very sharp between f5.6 and f8.0 the sett spot for most lenses. When used wide open at f1.4 there is a soft dreamy quality to the images which i like but aficionados of super sharp images may be disappointed. 

Bokeh 7/10

 The wide f1.4 Aperture allows one to create smooth background blur(BOKEH) on a full frame camera. I find the bokeh to be mostly pleasing if not as smooth on as on the more expensive primes or zoom lenses in canon's lineup.On an APS-C camera it's performance is more more like that of f2.8 lens. 

Build Quality  6/10

It's well built with a metal lens mount and high quality plastic barrel unlike the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens which is mostly a cheaper plastic construction. 

Slightly lower build quality that the 85mm f1.8 EF lens.

Value for Money  9/10

I believe this lens represents good value for money. At it's street price of INR 26,000 this is great normal lens with higher optical performance and build quality than any of the kit lenses and also the 50mm f1.8 lens. It is a good all around performer with a full frame DSLR and can also double as a portrait lens on APS-C cameras.

Sample Images