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Canon Lens question?


12 years 11 months ago #78227 by chipmunk
Those of you that are experienced Canon lens users...of what benefit is the USM? I understand the autofocus on these lenses are supposed to be very quiet...but if I am not taking photos of weddings or other sacred/quiet events, is it worth the extra expense? OR is there something else that I'm missing? For instance, a 50mm f/1.4 USM is $520, while the 50mm f/1.8 II is $150. Is there something else that makes for such a difference in price? I know normally the faster the glass, the more expensive, but 1.8 vs. 1.4 doesn't seem much.
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12 years 11 months ago #78231 by village rat
USM allows full-time manual focusing override, without the need to flip a switch to go to manual focusing mode. The 50/1.4 EF is a professional-caliber 50mm lens with good coatings, very pleasant bokeh, and high quality construction,and it autofocuses accurately,reliably, and repeatably with ease,and it does so reasonably quietly.

The 50mm 1.8 EF-II is built very cheaply, lacks full-time manual focus override, so you have to disengage the AF switch to focus manually, or risk damaging the lens. IT also focuses very loudly, with high-pitched whirring noise, and its AF is somewhat erratic and not nearly as dependable at the 1.4 model. It's bokeh is much harsher,since it has a 5-sided diaphragm, but more importantly, its bokeh is harsh because it has overcorrected spherical aberration to boost sharpness and acuity.
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12 years 11 months ago #78233 by chipmunk
Thanksl! That's the kind of info I needed. I am learning quickly that the old saying "you get what you pay for" really does apply to lenses.
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12 years 11 months ago #78289 by Baydream

village rat wrote: USM allows full-time manual focusing override, without the need to flip a switch to go to manual focusing mode. The 50/1.4 EF is a professional-caliber 50mm lens with good coatings, very pleasant bokeh, and high quality construction,and it autofocuses accurately,reliably, and repeatably with ease,and it does so reasonably quietly.

The 50mm 1.8 EF-II is built very cheaply, lacks full-time manual focus override, so you have to disengage the AF switch to focus manually, or risk damaging the lens. IT also focuses very loudly, with high-pitched whirring noise, and its AF is somewhat erratic and not nearly as dependable at the 1.4 model. It's bokeh is much harsher,since it has a 5-sided diaphragm, but more importantly, its bokeh is harsh because it has overcorrected spherical aberration to boost sharpness and acuity.

I beg to differ. I bought the 1.8 last year and find none of the issues you suggest. Yes, I do switch to manual focus just like I do on my 70-300IS. The 1.4 is a better built lens and will give you the extra low light (faster shutter) options.
Yes, you do get what you pay for but you have to weigh the cost difference against your usage.
Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
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