Swap 1.8 Canon FDs for 1.4?

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DevonH

Well-known member
Hey all,
I posted a few days ago about a set of Canon FD lenses I nabbed on craigslist...

100-300mm 1:5.6
35-70mm lens 3.5-4.5
24mm 1:2.8 lens
50mm 1:1.8 lens

After reading around it seems the 24mm was a decent deal, and the 100-300mm goes for around $100 pretty consistently on ebay (I paid $120 for the set). My main issue is with the 50mm, which is suggested in it's 1.4 form pretty frequently as an excellent GH1 video lens. Most of my work will include real estate videos, documentary interviews (with plenty of setup time), and general B footage. What would your thoughts be on selling the 35-75mm and nabbing the 1.4, and then selling the 1.8? Is the difference noticeable enough?

Thanks!
 
See if what you've got so far works for your needs. It occurs to me that the modest advantages of a f1.4over a f1.8 lens would be in very low light (i.e nighttime shots) or creating a slightly shallower DOF. Are either of these super important to you? If you get what you need with the f1.8 lens then you might as well keep the 35-75mm lens for when you need it. The fd lenses seem to be on sale on a regular basis, so there seems to be little need to 'hurry and buy' the f1.4 lens. Just my 2 cents.
 
I spent last night comparing footage from the 2 lenses on Vimeo (ungraded videos), and I think I'll stick with the 1.8 for now.
 
I use a 1.8. Situations in which that difference matters are extremely rare and the focus a bit too shallow for almost every application. There's nothing wrong with 1.8. Besides, what you point the camera at is a lot more important.
 
How is the canon 100-300mm 5.6 in comparison to the Sigma Apo 75-300mm 4.5-5.6. I did read that the Sigma is recommanded for photography, its sharp and the price is under hundred bucks aswell. Anyone did test the Sigma Apo ?
 
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