What is the lifespan of an EF 50mm f/1.4 USM?

When my Canon 50 F 1.4 auto focus failed I found that it was a common failure. I didn't use it a lot but always carried it in my camera bag. That apparently made damage to the auto focus mechanism more likely.

Until Canon comes out with a newer model I think either of Sigma's 50 F1.4 lenses are a better choice. I now have the Sigma 50 F1.4 Art and am very happy with it.

Tom

I've owned mine for about 10 years, and although I don't use it often now, there were periods where it was on my camera for months.  I never had any issues.

I think in general, when you hear complaints of this sort it is useful to ask:  "what else broke on you?"

How old was your when it broke?

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

I have a bunch of photographer friends that shoots Canon. All of those that bought the 50mm f/1.4 has had the same problem: the AF breaks down within a couple of years. Were they just unlucky or does this lens have some serious quality issues? Searching the web doesn't make me more sure about buying it. Should this lens be seen as a consumable?

I wonder if someone has actually had the EF 50mm f/1.4 for, say, over 7 years and still has a working copy.

Just reporting back, mine held for 1 month before the AF broke went kaputt. It can now only AF objects at a close distance, but not objects that are far away. What a joke.

19 years and still fine.... My brother now uses it as his main portrait lens on his 5d3...

but I just gave him my 135L so that may change...

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

I have a bunch of photographer friends that shoots Canon. All of those that bought the 50mm f/1.4 has had the same problem: the AF breaks down within a couple of years. Were they just unlucky or does this lens have some serious quality issues? Searching the web doesn't make me more sure about buying it. Should this lens be seen as a consumable?

I wonder if someone has actually had the EF 50mm f/1.4 for, say, over 7 years and still has a working copy.

I had the 50mm f:1.4 for 7 years and it worked perfectly. It didn't work perfectly for 7.5 years, the autofocus gave up.

The only other lens I have had a problem with is my 24-105 f:4 which also failed on the autofocus.

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

I have a bunch of photographer friends that shoots Canon. All of those that bought the 50mm f/1.4 has had the same problem: the AF breaks down within a couple of years. Were they just unlucky or does this lens have some serious quality issues? Searching the web doesn't make me more sure about buying it. Should this lens be seen as a consumable?

I wonder if someone has actually had the EF 50mm f/1.4 for, say, over 7 years and still has a working copy.

I broke my first one on the first day I used it when I let go of it still outside the shoulder bag I thought I was placing it in when changing lens by feel, so that does not count. Big dent in lens and my pride.

The replacement started playing up after 3 years light use, no AF response whatsoever at all one day. I use it manually now not wanting to spent more money repairing it. Although rarely using it, I had kept it in my bag going everywhere most of the time though.

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

I have a bunch of photographer friends that shoots Canon. All of those that bought the 50mm f/1.4 has had the same problem: the AF breaks down within a couple of years. Were they just unlucky or does this lens have some serious quality issues? Searching the web doesn't make me more sure about buying it. Should this lens be seen as a consumable?

I wonder if someone has actually had the EF 50mm f/1.4 for, say, over 7 years and still has a working copy.

Just reporting back, mine held for 1 month before the AF broke went kaputt. It can now only AF objects at a close distance, but not objects that are far away. What a joke.

I'd guess 10 years or more and still going strong

Gandolphi wrote:

Digital Imaging Technician wrote:

I have a bunch of photographer friends that shoots Canon. All of those that bought the 50mm f/1.4 has had the same problem: the AF breaks down within a couple of years. Were they just unlucky or does this lens have some serious quality issues? Searching the web doesn't make me more sure about buying it. Should this lens be seen as a consumable?

I wonder if someone has actually had the EF 50mm f/1.4 for, say, over 7 years and still has a working copy.

I had the 50mm f:1.4 for 7 years and it worked perfectly. It didn't work perfectly for 7.5 years, the autofocus gave up.

The only other lens I have had a problem with is my 24-105 f:4 which also failed on the autofocus.

Same here.

Among all my Canon lenses, 50/1.4 and 24-105L had to be sent for repair.

Both are them had been kept with hood and careful treatment.

Of course, no drop or shock.

However, suddenly they did not work when I tried to use them.

I had mine 4 or 5 years and it acted like I had dropped it in sand (which I hadn't).  The autofocus mechanism was crunchy, and then it stopped altogether.  I hadn't used the lens much and I babied it all the while.  The lens was sent off to Canon for repairs.  I got it back, used it for a year, and then learned this was a common problem.  Figuring it would someday fail me again, I sold it while it was still functioning properly and replaced it with a Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HSM lens.  The Sigma, IMHO is better than the Canon 50mm f1.4 lens in every way, except it is bigger and heavier, though no so much that it is annoying.