Focusing issues with Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

[Tomas X]

Hi everyone, I am new to this board and new Canon user. Since we are expecting our first baby, I have decided I want to get something faster focusing than my trusty and beloved Fuji X100. After a lot of research I ended up buying new Canon 6D with Canon lenses (24-105mm f4L, 50mm f1.4 and 85 f1.8). Everything went fine and smooth for the first couple weeks. However, after around a month I noticed something strange is going on with new pictures taken using the 50mm f1.4 lens. Most of them were badly out of focus, some longer distance outdoor shots were even front focused by around 0,5 meters.

I have spent a lot of time trying to micro adjust the lens, but focusing is very random with no clear pattern. It's better when focusing on closer subjects, when further away its almost always a miss - front or back focus. Also, the centre cross point on 6D behaves differently than the other points, but none of them focus correctly with this lens any more. The zoom and 85mm f1.8 focus normally, which indicates it's clearly a lens issue. I have been handling the lens with care and there were no drops, scratches or anything and just used it on some 5 shoots... Strangely enough, I have noticed that focusing improves somehow when using the flash unit. How this is related I only have one idea - could that be related to the AF Assist Beam?

I have researched the internet and there seems to be a lot of people having issues with this particular lens. The problem is that although the lens is new, it's not covered by warranty as I bought it in Hong Kong where I was an expat and I am now back home in Europe.

My question is, does anybody have an experience with this issue on 50mm f1.4 lens? Any way to get the warranty covered here in Europe? And most importantly, how much approx. could be a repair of this issue?

 

[RS_RS]

The 50/1.4 has a focusing mechanism that is unique within the Canon range. Externally it looks and behaves like a ring-USM lens (like your 85/1.8) with full-time manual focusing, , but internally this is emulated using a micro-USM motor and some very feeble plastic components. These break at the slightest provocation, or perhaps even no provocation at all. It sounds as if this may be your problem (it was mine). Easily fixed by a professional repairer, but the repair will not make it any less vulnerable in future..

 

[Tomas X]

Thank you for the response! Please, do you have any estimate of how much the repair could cost?

I am a bit disappointed Canon is still producing lens of this quality. I know it's relatively cheap lens, but there is no excuse when the lens breaks after few weeks of light use.

 

[nail33]

If you do a search about this lens on this site, you will hear many bad things concerning build quality.........maybe more than any other Canon lens. This lens should have been redesigned long ago. I've had mine since 2006 with no problems, but I really baby my equipment. It seems to work fine on my 6D, but I rarely use it (only if I need the 1.4), as I bought the 40mm STM (a real bargain) for general photography because of it's compactness. If you want Canon and 50mm and 1.4, then you're stuck with this lens or you can go third party. If you can wait for them to update, you might want to check out their new 50mm STM for a temporary fix. It's very cheap and gets pretty good reviews considering:

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www.the-digital-picture.com

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kenrockwell.com

 

[irm]

Hi, rather than trying to get your 50 1.4 fixed spend the money on a 50 1.8 stm. The cost will be about the same and you will get a more resilient lens.

There are many threads on how bad the 50 1.4 is. I have two and would not recommend it to anyone.

 

[ffabrici]

Hi Tomas,

Before doing anything else, I would suggest that you send it to Canon for a warranty repair. Canon is in many cases quite generous repairing equipment and it would be annoying to buy another lens if Canon is willing to repair your lens free of cost.

 

[John_Hoffman]

Hi Tomas,

Before doing anything else, I would suggest that you send it to Canon for a warranty repair. Canon is in many cases quite generous repairing equipment and it would be annoying to buy another lens if Canon is willing to repair your lens free of cost.

I concur with this recommendation. See what it will cost to repair. If not free by canon then consider the 50mm f/1.8 STM.

 

[Tomas X]

Hi nail33 and thank you for the suggestion! I will consider getting 1.8 in the future, or maybe 35mm f1.4L would be awesome if I could afford it. However, now I think I need to stick with repairing the faulty lens.

 

[Tomas X]

Hi ffabrici and John_Hoffman! Agree, it would be great to let Canon fix the lens. However, I bought it during my last week as an expat in Hong Kong and it only has Hong Kong (and Chinese) warranty. Now I am in Europe so it's not so easy. I thought this would not be an issue as I've never used camera/lens warranty, but it was a mistake.

 

[JackM]

Hi, rather than trying to get your 50 1.4 fixed spend the money on a 50 1.8 stm. The cost will be about the same and you will get a more resilient lens.

There are many threads on how bad the 50 1.4 is. I have two and would not recommend it to anyone.

Ditto. I just sold my 50/1.4 on ebay for $199 and someone bought it immediately. I bought a 50/1.8 STM, pocketed $75, and washed my hands of that headache. The 50/1.8 STM is a joy to use.

 

[irm]

Most Canon lense have a world wide warranty, it is only the cameras that are zone/country specific.

 

[Suave]

My feeling is that this just how 50/1.4 is - I learned from experience that it works best on medium distances. When I go past, say 30 ft, it becomes hit and miss.