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Customer Reviews for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Great lens featuring superb quality and portability
f/1.4 speed makes it perfect for available-light shooting
Ideal lens to accompany a zoom when shooting in low-light conditions
Compact and affordable
Average Customer Rating:
(65 Reviews) 65
Rating Snapshot (65 reviews)
5 stars
25
4 stars
15
3 stars
10
2 stars
12
1 star
3
40 out of 65(62%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Review 1 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Canoniser
Location: Los Angeles
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Luck of the draw
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:March 24, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, price
Cons: Semi-sharp images, horrendous ca, wortheless at 1.4
It was my fault for never fully testing the lens I got till it was too late to return it. Horrible CA, could not make it focus reliably. I have micro focus adjust on my camera but couldn't cope with the focus problem. It bounced between +15 close-up subjects (2-3ft) to -10 on 6ft and out. Stopped down, the focus issue becomes less dramatic but then why buy an F1.4 lens? Will be trading it in for a used 50mm F1.8. I KNOW those work. Maybe I got a bad copy.. but it's not my job to play QC.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Indy Photographer
Location: Greenwood, IN
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Great bang for the buck
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:January 6, 2013
Pros: sharp images, inexpensive - great value, nearly l lens image quality, great in low light, lightweight, nice background blur, near macro short focusing distance
Cons: Slow auto-focus, af occasionally misses under f1.8, heavy vignette at f1.4, purple fringing under f2, slightly soft at f1.4
I have owned this lens for 5 years and used it to photograph weddings.
Pros: Very near L lens image quality as far as I can discern. I'd say the contrast and colors are a tad flatter than the 50/1.2. Considering the low price and fast aperture, it has to be the best value of any lens in Canon's lineup. It is wide enough for group and individual full length portraits with minimal distortion. The subject's legs don't look stretched like with a wider lens. But, one has to be careful not to use it for very close up portraits because barrel distortion will become evident in the facial features. I use a tripod to get maximum sharpness at 1/50 shutter speed. I can zoom in to see tremendous detail because it is so sharp. If you're nitpicky about sharpness like me, I don't recommend shooting below 1/50 shutter speed even if you use a tripod because of subject motion blur. The bokeh is rather pleasing, like an L lens. And, the lens is rather lightweight, so it's great for walking around as a tourist. Minimum focusing distance is short enough that it can be used as a macro in a pinch.
Cons: AF is slow and gets slower in low light. AF occasionally misses under f/1.8, like 10%, where it is focused on something else besides what was intended. Not super sharp at f/1.4 but acceptably sharp by f/1.6. That isn't much of a drawback considering its low price. There is some purple fringing below f/2.0, and at f/1.4 it has a heavy vignette. The vignette is easily correctable in post if you don't like it.
Overall: I could photograph an entire wedding with this lens considering its versatile focal length, wide aperture, and near L lens image quality. It's the first lens I purchased, and if I had to sell off all my other lenses and keep just one, this would be it.
Pros: Very near L lens image quality as far as I can discern. I'd say the contrast and colors are a tad flatter than the 50/1.2. Considering the low price and fast aperture, it has to be the best value of any lens in Canon's lineup. It is wide enough for group and individual full length portraits with minimal distortion. The subject's legs don't look stretched like with a wider lens. But, one has to be careful not to use it for very close up portraits because barrel distortion will become evident in the facial features. I use a tripod to get maximum sharpness at 1/50 shutter speed. I can zoom in to see tremendous detail because it is so sharp. If you're nitpicky about sharpness like me, I don't recommend shooting below 1/50 shutter speed even if you use a tripod because of subject motion blur. The bokeh is rather pleasing, like an L lens. And, the lens is rather lightweight, so it's great for walking around as a tourist. Minimum focusing distance is short enough that it can be used as a macro in a pinch.
Cons: AF is slow and gets slower in low light. AF occasionally misses under f/1.8, like 10%, where it is focused on something else besides what was intended. Not super sharp at f/1.4 but acceptably sharp by f/1.6. That isn't much of a drawback considering its low price. There is some purple fringing below f/2.0, and at f/1.4 it has a heavy vignette. The vignette is easily correctable in post if you don't like it.
Overall: I could photograph an entire wedding with this lens considering its versatile focal length, wide aperture, and near L lens image quality. It's the first lens I purchased, and if I had to sell off all my other lenses and keep just one, this would be it.
26 of 26 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: The Man
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Wonderful, But There Are Better
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:December 23, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: stopped working after 1.5 years, af doesn't always work on lower end cameras, slow af in the cold
This lens was one of the most exciting things to get in the mail. I had been a photographer for only a year, but I knew its potential. I focus in portraiture and concert photography. The first doesn't need, but it greatly helps to have such a large aperture. The latter needs such a large aperture because of how many indoor concerts I had to shoot in.
It worked great for the first year and a half, then the AF just started to go out on me. I would have to still say that those 1.5 years were well worth what I paid for this lens.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Allen
Location: new york
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Broken after a year
Overall Rating
Features
2
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
1
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:December 19, 2012
Enjoyed it while it worked. Stop focusing in about a year and half.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: sbl**67
Location: Boston MA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
dont buy this lense
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:December 1, 2012
Pros: sharp images
Cons: Slow auto-focus, Poor build quality, unreliable
good optics appallingly badly made mine fell apart within two years and the cost of repair was way too high. optics work well but are old fashioned and the price range given the quality of construction is far too high. this lens needs a serious design review and vastly superior construction.
not recommended.
not recommended.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Mo538
Location: Detorit, MI
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great Lens with Improving Results
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 20, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images, great for portraits
Have been using this lens with my T2i in lieu of kit lenses (18-55mm and 55-250mm) over the past year. Am enthusiast/my extended family photographer by default. All of my best pictures have come with this lens. The problem I have with the lens is depth of focus, but I am still experimenting with non-auto settings, it is not necessarily the fault of the lens. No issues with the mechanical problems noted on other reviews thus far and have easily taken 2000 pics with lens. Relied on reviews to buy product originally and would buy lens again based on my experience. What I would have done differently with this lens was to buy the camera body only and this lens separately. I still use the 2 kit lenses but wish they offered the same super sharp focus this lens provides. I continue to shoot with this lens as my first choice and continue to evolve into a better photographer. Looking for next lens to complement this one......
13 of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: gerrit
Location: Riverside, California
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
I love this lens
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 4, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, nice bokeh
This is my all time favorite lens. Performs as well as any L lens........ if you know how to tickle it.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Rick
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Great Lens!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 12, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
I've owned this lens for almost 7 years and have used it on the Digital Rebel XT and 40D with great results. The lens delivers very sharp images through the entire focal range except at f/1.4 where images can be a little soft but just a little. Focus is very fast and the lens has been trouble free. It's been my favorite for so many years I was surprised and disappointed to read about focus problems others have experienced.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Abz
Location: L.A.
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Very happy
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 30, 2012
Pros: lightweight, great low light lens, good price
Cons: a little soft at 1.4, worried about reliability
I'm surprised to read so many reviews telling of the focusing problems. I haven't experienced any of them and I hope it stays that way. I use this lens mainly to photograph bands and it has always produced great results for me. I've had it about 2.5 years and I'm a little worried now. The focus is quick and works great with my 7D. The f stop is almost always at 1.4 or 1.8 due to my hatred of flash. The results could be a bit sharper but are decent enough to make every band I've shot very happy. awesome for portraits also.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: sparty113
Location: Crossville TN
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Have to use a tripod
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:July 2, 2012
Pros: canon
Cons: Slow auto-focus, Semi-sharp images
Images are blurry! No IS need to use a tripod to get decent images!. I returned the lens!
7 of 55 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: canonguy
Awesome Camera Lenses
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 2, 2012
This lens is worth the price. The shots it takes are amazing and its way more worth it than buying a F1.2
8 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Nanc
Location: New Liberty, Iowa
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
clicking
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:May 28, 2012
I have had this lens for about 2 years... love it... but about 6 months ago it started making a clicking sound when using it.. and then it wouldn't work...
UGH!
3 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: CreativeImagery
Location: La Quinta
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Problems return
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:March 26, 2012
Pros: great images when working
Cons: poorly made
This lens failed to focus immediately after purchasing it. Canon wouldn't replace it, but did repair it. Worked fine and produced great images. That is, until today, when again the AF stopped working. If you search the net, you will find this is not uncommon.
28 of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Miked
Location: Winter Springs, Fl.
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Really good Buy
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 7, 2012
When I got the lens, at first I was having trouble understanding how to best use the product. I bought it so I had a fast lens for indoor shooting while on vacation. I travel to Europe and like to visit museums etc.
When I learned the best focus settings I have received some excellent photo's. I would not change a thing and I have had this lens for over 6 months.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: jess
Location: TN
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Save your money. It was great while it worked!
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:February 28, 2012
Pros: sharp
Cons: focus issue!, cheaply made
Save your money for the L 1.2 instead. This one has serious focusing issues and started not wanting to focus at 6 months old. Then just after a year it has stopped focusing completely. I can't even focus it manually. I will be sending it in for repairs.
On the bright side I loved it for the first 6 months. Hope it last longer after the repair!
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: ughridk
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Excellent purchase at that price
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:February 5, 2012
Pros: cheap price, nice bokeh at f/1.4, low light photography, light weight
Cons: high chromatic aberration under f/2, blurry at f/1.4
I own this lens for 5 years. This is an excellent lens with fast AF and good image quality. I use it for wedding photography and it is OK. Don't wish to get the image quality of an L lens but you will get a lot for that price. At f/1.4, it is not really sharp but if from f/2 it is ok.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: Jose
Location: Thornton, CO
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great lens when it works
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:January 28, 2012
Pros: sharp images
Cons: auto focus problems
This is my fastest lens and the only Canon lens that has failed me. I had to shoot a wedding in low light conditions when the Auto-focus stopped working. I had only mounted the lens about 5 times before it stopped working. Make sure you carry another lens with you.
The quality of photos is very sharp but the design is very poor.
The quality of photos is very sharp but the design is very poor.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: cazzy
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: No
GREAT indoor/low light lens!
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:December 30, 2011
Pros: fast focus, great in low light, great indoors, excellent for close-ups
I just got this lens for Christmas so I haven't used it that long, but so far I am in LOVE. I have a lot of pets I'm constantly taking pictures of inside in low light, and it's usually so hard to get a quick, accurate focus. This lens, though, does it very well. I also took it to a party and got amazing, perfectly focused pictures of my friends, even when they were moving and jumping around. I cannot say enough good things about this lens.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: ronnag
Location: SF Bay Area
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Canon 50 mm f/1.4
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:December 4, 2011
It works for a few months and than you're stuck with a manual lens. Manual is OK, but you pay for an autofocus. You have to wonder why Canon still knowingly produces a lens that has such a short life, without fixing the problem.
19 of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nickname: ktepark
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Lens Quality
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:November 9, 2011
I love this lens. I am a believer in using only prime lens, there is just something that you can get using prime lenses that you cannot get using a zoom. I feel like for this price you could not get a better prime lens, seriously. I have thought on numerous occasions, should I replace this lens with the L-series 50mm f1.2, but it is just so much more expensive I can't get myself to do it. Now that I've been shooting with this lens for over a year now, I don't even consider replacing anymore. It's lightweight, very versatile, works well in low light conditions and has a beautiful brokah. The crispness of this image is suburb at all apertures. I can't imagine going anywhere without this lens.
13 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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