Canon 50 1.4 LTM vs Canon 50 1.8 LTM

[Bosk]

I'm toying with the idea of buying one of these lenses for my M2 and would love to hear your opinons on how they compare with one another, in particular-

Which one is sharper at f2?

Do they have the same 'signature' and bokeh?

How much larger & heavier is the 1.4 than the 1.8?



Many thanks for your answers. 🙂

 

[rover]

They both are very good lenses. The 1.4 is said to be slightly better than the 1.8 by most accounts, but the difference is tiny if at all. I have found both to be very good, I do like the signature of the 1.4, but I use that lens a lot more than I do the 1.8, just because.

Another recommendation to head over to flickr or around here to look at images from both. In this case I think you will see more similarities than you do differences.

Just off the top of my head, both lenses are similar in length, the difference in size is the difference between a 40mm filter ring diameter and a 48mm diameter.

 

[payasam]

Afraid it won't help much to say that the Serenar 50/1.8 I used with an M3 for 17 years was compact and sharp and gave quite decent out of focus areas. Possibly more useful are the listed weights of the Canon 50/1.8 and 50/1.4: 188 g and 246 g. Filter threads 40 mm and 48 mm.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'm afraid I can't compare the two as I only have, and its a very recent purchase, the 1.8. It's a great little lens with plenty going for it. When I was considering the purchase of a 50mm it was a toss up between the 1.4 and 1.8 and I simply went for the one that came up for sale first in the condition and price range I wanted. The smaller size may have been a factor but I've used the Nokton 1.5 which is much larger and didn't have any real problems other than prefering something a little smaller.

The flickr site previously mentioned is well worth looking at to help make your mind up but obviously so much depends on the circumstances in which each image is taken as to how the lens acts and how this comes across in the final image.

Ultimately, for the price, I doubt you'd be disappointed with either.

 

[furcafe]

I have both lenses (I actually have 2 examples of the 50/1.8, chrome & black) & agree w/rover's assessment (& recommendation re: flickr) below.

IMHO, they have a similar signature, as both are double-gauss/Planar-type designs. The 50/1.8 has been a little more resistant to flare IME, but that could be due to sample variation (& possibly the fact that the 50/1.4 simply has a bigger front element in relation to the hood I typically use w/it). I don't have both lenses w/me @ the moment, but as far as size & weight, I think rover is correct in that the 50/1.4 is mainly fatter & a bit heavier, not longer, than the 50/1.8. You can check the specs @ the Canon Museum site (http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/f_s.html).

They both are very good lenses. The 1.4 is said to be slightly better than the 1.8 by most accounts, but the difference is tiny if at all. I have found both to be very good, I do like the signature of the 1.4, but I use that lens a lot more than I do the 1.8, just because.

Another recommendation to head over to flickr or around here to look at images from both. In this case I think you will see more similarities than you do differences.

Just off the top of my head, both lenses are similar in length, the difference in size is the difference between a 40mm filter ring diameter and a 48mm diameter.

 

[raid]

I compared both lenses in my test of fiteen 50mm lenses a while ago. The thread is still available here.

Raid

 

[kb244]

I only have the Chrome 50mm f/1.8 (one of the earlier versions based on serial numbers apparently), and I find it to be very nice, however since I have not shot with the 1.4 I cannot comment based on that.

From the sound of it (from above) both are probably going to be marginally different if you even really notice, so would be matter of do you sacrifice a slightly larger lens for half a stop?

 

[raid]

Here is the link to my earlier thread on 50mm lenses. There are both color and B&W images. Take a look, and you may find your answer (or not).

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32155

Raid