Best 50mm 1.4 for me.

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davidschmaus

Active member
I currently own the Flek 35 2.4 canon 50 1.8, 85 1.8 and 135 f2 70-200 2.8IS I am slowly getting rid of my canon glass because I don't shoot any photography any longer.

I am going to exchange the 85 for the Samyang.

I need a nice 50 1.4. When I say nice It would be a combination of picture, focus throw and needs to be fully manual including aperture.

Price limit $300-$500 Would love the ZF 50mm 2.0 but it is out of the price range.

Thank you!
 
I think the obvious choice would be the Pentax Super Takumar 50mm 1.4, less than $100. It was a "kit" lens (back when cameras came stock with a 50mm not a zoom) so they are plentiful. Even though they are very high demand the large number of them has kept prices fairly low. I shoot 60% of what I do on that lens.
 
Get the Sigma 50mm 1.4. it's at the end of your rage ($499) but it's the best 50mm money can buy. Performs better than the Canon 50 1.4, and also beats the canon 50 1.2 @ 1.4 (minus the bokeh).

I've used it non-stop for about 2 years ago. The autofocus is slow, but other than that it's really good.
 
davidschmaus said:
for that money it wouldn't hurt to try.
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Don't overpay for it. You'll see them listed with ridiculous "But It Now" prices, but some patience should get you one in the $75 range. The same is true of the ST 28mm 3.5. People try and sell them for $100 plus, but sticking to my guns and looking for the right deal got me a mint one for $60 shipped.

The colors are very warm on all the Takumars, so if you like cooler tones, it may not be for you, but as you say, for less than $100 and the ability to resell easily for what you paid, worth trying out.

I have less than $1000 TOTAL in a 28mm 3.5, 35mm 3.5, 50mm 1.4, 55mm 1.8 105mm 2.8, 135mm 3.5, 135mm 2.5, 200mm 4. The only lens I'm missing for basically a complete set of primes is the 85mm 1.9, still looking for the right deal as it's the most expensive lens in the set at $300 to $400 for a nice example.
 
gonzo_entertainment said:
what you paid, worth trying out.

The only lens I'm missing for basically a complete set of primes is the 85mm 1.9, still looking for the right deal as it's the most expensive lens in the set at $300 to $400 for a nice example.
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Try to find a AF Nikkor 85 f1.8. That's the sharpest lens I own of the ten I have. Tack sharp. But, ANY lens model you buy such as the Nikkor 85, MAY not be as sharp as mine. 25 years ago, I would hand pick my lens. In Los Angeles, you had more of a chance to try them out. I passed on the soft ones, and bought the sharp ones. So don't think you'll get the same sharpness when someone recommends a particular model. It's all about build-quality.
 
i have a 50mm f1.4 supertakumar and LOVE it. Awesome focus throw and sharp from f2 onwards. As u open up to 1.4 it gets soft but its a softness i love in certain scenarios. This was shot on it and my 7d. A film i DPed over a year ago. This is just some clips i was testing so its on camera audio, but we did separate sound. It's a bit soft here sometimes cuz i think at the time I was all gaga for shallow DOF so i think i may have been shooting wide open like a idiot so focus was a bit iffy.



http://vimeo.com/13410432
 
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