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Very happy with purchase!

Started Oct 18, 2013 | User reviews thread
rsn48 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,755
Canon 50mm f1.8 mk 1

This is the original 50mm ef lens, mine was made in 1987 and costs more than a new mk 2 version

The original 50mm f1.8 has a much better build as you can see in the above image I ripped off from the net. The build is metal, the focusing ring is superior, you have depth scale for hyperfocal calculations. The backing is metal instead of plastic like the mk 2 version. In fact it has been speculated and I agree now, that the current f1.8 was dumbed down to make the f1.4 more appealing for sales.

Most say the optics are the same, but some have actually tested out that claim and found that the original crispy model has slightly better optics. I own this lens and the Sigma 50mm f1.4, both of which I use for different shooting. I use the Canon f1.8 for travel, loving its small size, and I use the Sigma 50mm f1.4 for low light and night shoots, both urban nightscapes and night street photography.

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/Reviews/g_Fifty_versus_fifty/a_Fifties_duel_--_f1.4_vs_f1.8.html

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