50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4

Stoned · 18th March 2006

Here's a quick resolution comparison between the wider apertures of the 50/2.5 macro and the 50/1.4. Why isn't there a comparison for smaller apertures like f4 and f5.6? Simple, I found no appreciable difference other than DOF between f2.8 and f4, f5.6 or f8 for both lenses. I didn't test for diffraction at small apertures. Tripod mounted, set on timer. 1.3X body. No mirror lock up.

Original image.

Centre test

Conclusions: The 50/1.4 is slightly soft at f1.4 but still very usable. Sharpness picks up at f1.8 and again at f2.0. It peaks at f2.8. The 50/1.4 is very slightly sharper than the 50/2.5 at f2.5. At f2.8 there is no longer any difference.
Edge test

Conclusions: Corners on the 50/1.4 are still usable but also slightly soft like the centre at f1.4. Sharpness for corners again picks up at f1.8 and f2.0. It peaks again at f2.8. Once more the 50/1.4 edges the 50/2.5 out very slightly at f2.5. At f2.8 this difference dissapears again.

In real world tests, I found the colour of the 50/1.4 to be more saturated than the 50/2.5. Contrast is similar. Bokeh for the 50/2.5 is not as smooth. Sharpness is identical and no difference is discernable. Focusing speed is similar but the 50/2.5 is noisier due to the lack of USM.

trlnlty · 19th March 2006

nice test.. the macro looks sharper imo

Snoweagle · 19th March 2006

Of cos! It's a macro lens.

Stoned · 19th March 2006

Originally Posted by trlnlty

nice test.. the macro looks sharper imo

hurhur i actually prefer the real world images of the f1.4 so I'm selling of the f2.5. Plus i need the f1.4 hehe.

Snoweagle · 19th March 2006

The 50mm f/1.4 is still a better choice.

Stoned · 20th March 2006

It depends on your needs i guess. What i appreciated about the 50/2.5 was that it allowed me to shoot macro and streets, both with the same lens. I wouldn't say the 50/1.4 is better than the 50/2.5. It only focuses as close as 38cm for instance. There are certain things I can't get done with the 50/1.4 that i can with the 50/2.5. It's all about different applications. I just need the f1.4 more for the 50mm f length. I still need to do macro on occasion and that's why i'm still replacing the 50mm macro with another longer macro lens. I just don't like having a direct overlap of the ranges.

18th March 2006	#1
Stoned Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Changi Posts: 4,376	50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4 Here's a quick resolution comparison between the wider apertures of the 50/2.5 macro and the 50/1.4. Why isn't there a comparison for smaller apertures like f4 and f5.6? Simple, I found no appreciable difference other than DOF between f2.8 and f4, f5.6 or f8 for both lenses. I didn't test for diffraction at small apertures. Tripod mounted, set on timer. 1.3X body. No mirror lock up. Original image. Centre test Conclusions: The 50/1.4 is slightly soft at f1.4 but still very usable. Sharpness picks up at f1.8 and again at f2.0. It peaks at f2.8. The 50/1.4 is very slightly sharper than the 50/2.5 at f2.5. At f2.8 there is no longer any difference. Edge test Conclusions: Corners on the 50/1.4 are still usable but also slightly soft like the centre at f1.4. Sharpness for corners again picks up at f1.8 and f2.0. It peaks again at f2.8. Once more the 50/1.4 edges the 50/2.5 out very slightly at f2.5. At f2.8 this difference dissapears again. In real world tests, I found the colour of the 50/1.4 to be more saturated than the 50/2.5. Contrast is similar. Bokeh for the 50/2.5 is not as smooth. Sharpness is identical and no difference is discernable. Focusing speed is similar but the 50/2.5 is noisier due to the lack of USM. __________________ My Personal Folio (of random events and things)

19th March 2006	#2
trlnlty Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	Re: 50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4 nice test.. the macro looks sharper imo

19th March 2006	#3
Snoweagle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hougang Posts: 11,829	Re: 50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4 Of cos! It's a macro lens. __________________ Canon EOS 5D w/BG-E4, 50 f/1.2 L, 580EX II. Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6, 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO.

19th March 2006	#5
Snoweagle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hougang Posts: 11,829	Re: 50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4 The 50mm f/1.4 is still a better choice. __________________ Canon EOS 5D w/BG-E4, 50 f/1.2 L, 580EX II. Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6, 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO.

20th March 2006	#6
Stoned Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Changi Posts: 4,376	Re: 50mm comparison, 50/2.5 VS 50/1.4 It depends on your needs i guess. What i appreciated about the 50/2.5 was that it allowed me to shoot macro and streets, both with the same lens. I wouldn't say the 50/1.4 is better than the 50/2.5. It only focuses as close as 38cm for instance. There are certain things I can't get done with the 50/1.4 that i can with the 50/2.5. It's all about different applications. I just need the f1.4 more for the 50mm f length. I still need to do macro on occasion and that's why i'm still replacing the 50mm macro with another longer macro lens. I just don't like having a direct overlap of the ranges. __________________ My Personal Folio (of random events and things)