The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is a wonderful lens at a reasonable price point. The build quality is not "L" lens quality but it is a hundred times better than the f/1.8 version. Nice and solid like a tank. The ability to shoot wide open at f/1.4 is a godsend. Most people would agree that f/1.8 should be good enough, but the fact that the f/1.4 has more aperture blades produces round circle bokeh that we all love so much. The background is beautifully blurred to isolate your subject. It also has a full-time manual focus ring so you don't have to worry about flipping any switches. I paired this on a Canon 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. I have had my eye on the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 but really don't see the need at this point as my feet becomes my zoom. Too tight? Take a few steps back. Too wide? Then get closer! I love that the size of the lens itself is not over-powering like the f/1.2. It sits nicely balanced on my 5D. This is a very versatile lens that anyone will love right away. It is absolutely amazing how small the plane of focus is and the ability to blur out the background is incredibly beautiful. Don't even think twice about it. You'll be getting a completely better lens all around.

gbread78

Orange, CA

I'll just begin by stating that I've owned the 50/1.2L. In terms of sheer performance, the 50/1.4 nearly equals it at every aperture and setting. The final images are nearly distinguishable and one has to wonder whether the 50/1.2L is even worth the price considering the minor discrepancy between the two lenses. Unless if you're shooting in a war-zone or you absolutely need the extra 2/3 of a stop--which could be important in some shooting conditions--then I highly recommend getting the 50/1.4 instead. It's smaller and offers the best bang for the buck. A lot of the pictures I've taken with this lens are sharp and have a certain character to them that makes human-subjects extremely flattering. (It's about 80mm on a crop body, so that's almost expected, however. Especially if one decides to open the lens up at full aperture.) If there were any cons I would give the lens, I would admit that he focus misses every now and then. But I noticed that a lot on my 1.2L, so more than likely, it's probably attributed to shooting at usch thin depth-of-fields.

hermaj10

Conover, NC

I went back and forth between the Canon 50 mm 1.4 and the 1.8. However, since my house has so little light, even in the middle of the day, and I knew we were in for a long cold winter, I eventually decided to spend the extra money and go for the 1.4. I am SO HAPPY I did. This lens has literally not left my camera since I got it. The Canon 50mm 1.4 lens is very lightweight, and performs beautifully in low light situations. This lens is built very well, and you can tell by just holding it that its quality construction, not all plastic like some other lenses. This lens is great for taking pictures of my two children indoors. However, just a word of warning. We have a mid-size house, no mansion, but not small by any means, and I do sometimes find the 50mm length to be just a little bit tight inside the house. I'm seriously considering adding another length lens to my camera bag as well, but have a feeling the 50 1.4 will always remain my favorite!

JL1129

Somerville, NJ

This is one of my favorite lens for canon SLR cameras. Although I shoot primarily on a 1.6 crop sensor SLR camera, the 50mm focal distance is ideal for me when taking portraits of my small baby, as well as torso-up group photos. Some people have problems shooting 50mm on a crop indoors, but I haven't had any issues. The large aperture allows for extremely high quality pictures in very low light without a flash. I bought this lens to avoid having to use bright flashes when taking pictures of my baby sleeping or playing...flashes were to distracting or alarming for her. After getting this lens, I rarely went back to my 18-55mm kit lens due to the amazing image quality. Beware that this lens at f/1-2 has a ridiculous short focal depth and can take some getting used to. The autofocus of the f/1.4 is much improved from the f/1.8 lens, although it is still a bit noisy. I have heard many complaints about the 50mmL lens, and as such will be sticking with this one instead, especially for the value. If you are comfortable with the 50mm focal range, this is the best Canon prime lens on the market.  

pdrober2

Durham, NC

I am an amateur photographer at best, and so was considering buying the Canon 1.8 50mm lens because the cost was so much less than the 1.4.  After reading several reviews of the 1.8, however, and testing it out for myself I deicded on the 1.4. The build of the 1.4 is much more solid than the 1.8, which is evident from the moment you pick it up.  The mount is made of metal rather than plastic, which makes it less likely to wear away or break, something that is important espeically if you like to switch lenses out and you wouldn't want this to be yoru primary lens.  The 1.4 also seems to focus much better and more easily than the 1.8, which makes for more clear pictures at low aperatures. Having a lens like the Canon 50mm 1.4 is great for all around phtography, as the low f/stop range makes low light pictures more clear and more possible in general.  I would highly recommend this lens over the 1.8 as it will work better and last longer.

BryanB

Highland, UT

I am a Canon girl, and started out with the 50mm 1.8 lens because of the cost. That was a great lens and I loved using it. However I upgraded to the 50mm 1.4 and quickly sold the other lens. The main reason is that the 1.4 lens is MUCH MUCH better in low light situations. I can use this lens in my house without having to use a flash with it. I had to use a flash with the 50mm 1.8 lens if used indoors. I don't like having to use a flash indoors because it can cause harsh unflattering color on the subject. But that is all fixed with my 50mm 1.4 lens. No flash needed. Also, this lens takes sharp tack photos, even in low light, and even wide open. And the bokeh that this lens creates can't be beat, even much better than the 1.8 lens. I have other longer portrait lenses, the 85mm and the 100mm, which are great for outdoors because of the length. The 50mm is great indoors because the shooter doesn't have to stand very far away from the subject.

tntutter

Plattsmouth, NE

I love that this lens performs so well in low light because you can get such a wide aperture (meaning you can use a fast shutter speed to avoid camera shake in those low lights).  When you're hitting your focus right, its images are pretty much crystal sharp.  One thing to keep in mind with a 50mm is that your depth of field is usually pretty shallow (especially if you're shooting toward the wide open end), making focus a little tricky.  Therefore, I recommend if you want to this lens, use a depth of field calculator.  You can find one online anywhere.  If you have an android smartphone or iphone / ipad, there are free DOF calculator apps, as well.  This will help you negotiate the trickiness of DOF and the 50mm. 50 is considered what is most natural to the eye, so your photos will have a nice natural feel to them.  Remember it's a prime, so you can't zoom.  Zoom "with your feet" instead. There is its cheaper counterpart the 50/ 1.8, also called the "thrifty fifty," but I wouldn't get any prime lens that doesn't open up to at least 1.4.

ladyrussiamoon

Elgin, IL

The Canon EF 50mm 1.4 is the first lens I bought for my camera. It is a great low light lens and great for portraits, although 50mm is a bit far on a crop sensor. The build quality is not bad, and the autofocus is decent although not on the same level as L lenses. The bokeh is creates is pretty good and is a huge improvement to the hexagons created by the 50mm 1.8 lens. The autofocus and build quality is also better than the 50mm 1.8. The 1.8 is plastic and doesnt have a distance scale whereas the 50mm 1.4 does. the 1.4 also has a metal mount, but is not weather sealed. It is a decent value if you value autofocus speed and build quality, but it is a little steep for a very old lens with an outdated autofocus mechanism. However, I have probably no complaints about this lens other than it hunting a little in low light, although my camera isnt the best low light dslr either. All in all, I would recommend this lens.

bluong

Santa Ana, CA

This was a gift to myself as an upgrade from the original Canon kit lens.  After reading many reviews, I was initially hesitant on buying the f1.4 versus the f1.8 Canon 50mm lens.  After checking it out in person, the 1.4 was a no brainer due to the feel, construction and image quality.  The cost difference between the two is what initially spurred the comparison between the two lenses, but after having them both side by side and comparing the image quality, I knew what my purchase would be. The bokeh that you can achieve with the 1.4 is breathtaking and will give you the "magazine cover" type shots I've been looking for.  The body is not the plasticy feeling you get with the f1.8 and is a solid construction that is meant to last. This is a great lens for portraits and I would recommend this for users with either a full frame or crop body.  One of the sharpest lenses in the Canon line and is a great prime lens. 

kevch25

Dallas, TX

The Canon 50mm 1.4 lens is a great lens! The 50mm is probably the most popular focal length of that of many amature photographers. It is a highly recommended lens, for any level of photography. It is a good length for indoor photos and good for low light situations. With f/1.4 you can get that dreamy shallow depth of field, yielding backgrounds blurry and bringing the attention to your subject. Being this is a 50mm though, a prime lens, not a zoom, you have to zoom with your feet. Moving closer/further away from your subject accordingly. I have owned the Canon 50mm 1.4 and the Canon 50mm 1.8 and I do believe the 1.4 is worth the extra money. It has a good solid construction and is very sharp. The Canon 50mm 1.8 is built poorly in comparison. If you are considering purchasing this lens, you can have confidence in doing so! I would highly recommend purchasing a lens hood for it as well, it reduces sunflare and protects your lens!

Acsnmama

Columbia, SC