Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Review

Find it here (Amazon Affiliate link):

Check some of my other videos for examples of this lens in use.

I've been using this lens since I got my first DSLR. It used to stay on my camera every day, but its place has been taken by my Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS. There aren't many practical reviews around so I thought I'd share my thoughts. I love this lens!

Check my channel for a review of the 50mm f1.8 (should be ready this February)

[christopherfrost]

@Jonnyriffic Yes, it does. With a crop sensor camera you need to apply a 1.6x difference. So 50mm on crop is the equivalent of 80mm. In order to get the equivalent of 50mm on your crop centre camera, you need about a 30mm lens

[christopherfrost]

@ShinotamaTakemuro Thanks for the comment. I'm not sure what you mean though. Canon cameras do not have image stabilizers built-in - only some of the lenses do. If you get a lens with a stabilizer, it can be used during filming

[christopherfrost]

Thanks for your comment! A review of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is coming in about 2 months' time.

[christopherfrost]

@mattyfresh721 Yes, I mean when the lens aperture is set to f1.4. Glad you like your 60D!

[michaelrhodes]

Cris, I purchased this lens after seeing your review along with others, and have not been disappointed. Have been using it for several months and still amazed at what this lens can produce. While I really wanted the 1.2 - for the money the 1.4 is still superb.

[christopherfrost]

@LunaCherry2 Hmm, right. Trying to get a full body in shot but an out of focus background is hard with any lens, because the full human body is a large subject, so you have to stand quite far back. I just tested it on my mum, and it doesn't really work. At f1.4, I'm seeing a background that's only very, very slightly out of focus, because I have to stand 4 meters away. The best thing to try might be the Sigma 20mm f1.8. You should rent / borrow it from somewhere and try it.

[christopherfrost]

@Jonnyriffic You can get any lens you like! Millimeter is refering to focal length - how 'zoomed in' the lens is

[christopherfrost]

@therondoshow It depends on the lens. The picture is sharpest at f5.6. HOWEVER, when shooting video, it's all pretty much the same. The resolution of video (even 1080p) isn't quite high enough for lens issues to come through

[christopherfrost]

@LunaCherry2 There was a wall about 10 meters behind her and there was only very gentle blurring. It's really not gonna work with this lens, I'm afraid. Yes, like I said, you'll have a chance with the Sigma 20mm f1.8 lens. It's a wide angle lens so you can get close to your subject, but f1.8 is a nice wide aperture, so MAYBE you can throw out your background. It's a strange lens though - you will have to borrow one from somewhere and try...

[christopherfrost]

@romanhit I heard the Sigma is better wide open, but not very sharp when it's stopped down. So it's better for f1.4. With portraits, I find that you don't really need the sharpest lens. You might not use the 50mm f1.4 much - your current lens will also be very good for portraits. I use the 50mm f1.4 for quite specific filmmaking purposes, to get enough light for a fast shutter speed.

[christopherfrost]

@ShinotamaTakemuro I'm happy to report that that is actually wrong - image stabilization is (thankfully) not disabled during filming on Canon lenses.

[christopherfrost]

@TheTechnoland yes, definitely keep hold of your kit lens too, 50mm is a bit telephoto, and the Canon IS kit lens is very good, and very cheap to buy

[christopherfrost]

@Smalskin Prime lenses are supposed to be sharper, better lenses all round. That's because they're easier to make. As you can see in this video, the lens is a bit soft at f1.4 but extremely sharp at f4 - it depends on your aperture

[campbellsups]

can confirm the colors-even though its softer at max aperature than the 1.8, the colors of the 1.4 make the image better in my oponion

[christopherfrost]

@nawaryoussef1 At 18mm, the kit lens will be at f3.5. It'll look totally different

[euskalaretoa]

I love your standardised reviews, however this review is more compelling. I very much appreciate all the very hard work you put into this. Thank you.

[christopherfrost]

@CYNFELYN23 Apparently, the Sigma 30mm 1.4 is only okay for sharpness. Check the reviews on the-digital-picture (website). I saw it in a shop for like, 600, 000KRW or-so. See what Jessops can do for you! ...I can't wait to get back to the UK and visit Jessops heh heh.

[christopherfrost]

@TKTnetwork Cool rig! In order to counteract the pendulum effect, try repositioning your camera on the glidecam, maybe moving it further back. Steadicam apparatus of any description is all about getting the balance and center of gravity right. When it comes to f1.8 vs. f1.4...if you have the money, get the 1.4!

[christopherfrost]

I think I would choose the Sigma, actually. All the tests seem to show that it's considerably better at f1.4 - f2.8. The Sigma seems to have less vignetting. And after 3 years of heavy use, the focus ring on my Canon lens isn't smooth anymore, it's all grindy, which is apparently a normal problem for the Canon 50mm f1.4. I'd really like the Sigma lens, to be honest...but I wouldn't call it great value for money.

[BradGerrard]

This is one of the best reviews i've seen of any lense. Excellent.