Sharpness of 50 F1.8 vs 17-40L F4

[broccoli]

Would like to know which lenses produce sharper picture when taking human portraits...

I am not comparing on any particular focal length or f-stop...would like a general opinion on the sharpness between these two lenses when under same conditions...

[djork]

Originally Posted by broccoli Would like to know which lenses produce sharper picture when taking human portraits... I am not comparing on any particular focal length or f-stop...would like a general opinion on the sharpness between these two lenses when under same conditions...

assuming both lenses are good copies, the prime should be sharper than the zoom

[kcuf2]

aiya, since u are comparing these 2, i assume u can afford both lenses..
(50 f1.8 ~$120, 17-40L ~ $1,100)

aiya, after get the 17-40L $1,100, another $120 will be just a small mosquito bite on u... just get both la

[wanzw]

the 50mm will be sharper because it is a prime lens. the elements are constructed in a way to deliver one focal length. when zooms are concerned elements have to move and thus quality have to be compromised to deliver the correct focal length.

17mm will introduce some distortions also. if that is one of your concern as well.

[Henessy]

Of course the prime lens is sharper

[oTaRu]

so u mean although 50mm 1.8 is not L lens but still shaper than 17-40 L loh... am i right?

[JediForce4ever]

17-40L is sharp enough lar....unless you are talking about blowing up to billboard size...

different focal lengths also...dont know why you wanna compare...
If you need 50mm then go for 50mm, 17-40 is in a different league already.

[broccoli]

Thanx for all the replies...I had the answers from you guys...

By the way, I have these two great lens...I had taken some photographs and was comparing them...found that 50mm F1.8 lens has images more sharper than 17-40mm F4 lens...seem like this has proven the point that a prime lens is able to produce sharper images than zoom lens...even though the latter is a L lens...

[Wai]

Yes, I like my 50/1.4 and 80/1.8 more than my 17-40L and 28-70L. But there are many occasion that force me to use zoom lens, I will then try to stop down as much as possible

[Russ]

50mm any time.

Zooms are zooms with compromises built in - you want flex, you have smaller aperture and lose sharpness. Even if they are L lenses.

[freecloud]

Originally Posted by Wai Yes, I like my 50/1.4 and 80/1.8 more than my 17-40L and 28-70L. But there are many occasion that force me to use zoom lens, I will then try to stop down as much as possible

did you compare 50 1.4 with 50 1.8. Does the 50 1.4 worth the price? It seems no much improvement over 50 1.8.

[Snoweagle]

I have these 2 lenses and of cos the 50mm is sharper due to being a fixed focal lens. But during portraiture have to step further back. I now use my 17-40 for most shots including model shoots and portraitures. The 50mm one is used for close-ups coupled with close-up filters.

the 50mm f/1.4 costs so much more due to metal mount, slightly wider aperture, USM, FTM focus and extra 3 diaphragm blades. I wil still choose the f/1.8 one over f/1.4 for pricing and value. Bokeh for f.1.8 is already rather gd consider it being only 5 diaphragm blades.

[metals99]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle I have these 2 lenses and of cos the 50mm is sharper due to being a fixed focal lens. But during portraiture have to step further back. I now use my 17-40 for most shots including model shoots and portraitures. The 50mm one is used for close-ups coupled with close-up filters. the 50mm f/1.4 costs so much more due to metal mount, slightly wider aperture, USM, FTM focus and extra 3 diaphragm blades. I wil still choose the f/1.8 one over f/1.4 for pricing and value. Bokeh for f.1.8 is already rather gd consider it being only 5 diaphragm blades.

50mm f1.8 is the most productive lens to get especially if you taking potraiture.. At a steal price , but be careful as its not that tough.. If you someone hardcore its better to get the 50mm f1.4..

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle I have these 2 lenses and of cos the 50mm is sharper due to being a fixed focal lens. But during portraiture have to step further back. I now use my 17-40 for most shots including model shoots and portraitures. The 50mm one is used for close-ups coupled with close-up filters. the 50mm f/1.4 costs so much more due to metal mount, slightly wider aperture, USM, FTM focus and extra 3 diaphragm blades. I wil still choose the f/1.8 one over f/1.4 for pricing and value. Bokeh for f.1.8 is already rather gd consider it being only 5 diaphragm blades.

Agreed. The f/1.8 is a real value lens. I have encountered the pentagonal background highlights in the bokeh before and it's quite bad. Aside from that, it's a good lens.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by metals99 50mm f1.8 is the most productive lens to get especially if you taking potraiture.. At a steal price , but be careful as its not that tough.. If you someone hardcore its better to get the 50mm f1.4..

I don't use my 50mm for portraiture though, but for close ups with close up filters. Portraitures i use my 17-40 instead.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by calebk Agreed. The f/1.8 is a real value lens. I have encountered the pentagonal background highlights in the bokeh before and it's quite bad. Aside from that, it's a good lens.

The pentagonal highlights are more prominent when taking lights. Otherwise, it's ok.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle The pentagonal highlights are more prominent when taking lights. Otherwise, it's ok.

True. Actually I only get it when there are lights in the background. Incidentally, Mediacorp's studio video cams have a six-bladed aperture diaphragm (the ones used in The Arena).

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by calebk True. Actually I only get it when there are lights in the background. Incidentally, Mediacorp's studio video cams have a six-bladed aperture diaphragm (the ones used in The Arena).

Well, some pple think that the polygonal highlights are nicer to have it on though.

[metals99]

Originally Posted by kcuf2 aiya, since u are comparing these 2, i assume u can afford both lenses.. (50 f1.8 ~$120, 17-40L ~ $1,100) aiya, after get the 17-40L $1,100, another $120 will be just a small mosquito bite on u... just get both la

$120 for 50mm f1.8??

Where???
Cathay I know sellling for 130...
Even Oracle is selling for 125.. Sorry OffTOpic

[spartacus.ret]

its $5 leh! you wanna save, buy second hand @ $100 and you can get a filter too.