help!! 40mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1.4?

[allybuggi]

I have the 50 1.8, 35 2.0, and the 40 2.8 that I use on crop bodies (60D and 7D).  Of these I prefer the 40 2.8.  It's sharp wide open, relatively quiet, and so small.

The 35 2.0 is a nice lens on crop bodies and sometimes the extra stop helps.  But, you have to stop it down to 2.8 to match the 40 2.8 wide open.  The same is true for the 50 1.4.  It's quite soft at 1.4 and doesn't match 40 until you stop the 50 down to 2.8.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=810&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=115&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3

If you already have the 50 1.8, there's little benefit in going to the 50 1.4 unless you really need the extra stop and are ok with softer images at 1.4.

The 40 offers you something different than what you have and it's a great little walk around lens.  I'm betting this a lens that you'll keep as you upgrade bodies in the future.

If you're hoping for both, consider the 40 2.8 and the 85 1.8.  The 85 1.8 would give you a nice portait lens (when you find models) and a very good low light telephoto lens for crop bodies -- good for indoor sports and events.  (It's one that I seriously considered before taking the plunge with the 70-200 2.8L Mark II).

oh my god thank you so much for suggesting the 85 1.8!!! I have fallen in love. I looked up images taken with that lens & they're perfection!! Now I really can't decide..

[FTb-n]

So many lenses...so many decisions...good luck with yours.  Let us know what you end up getting.

[pwp]

If you're hoping for both, consider the 40 2.8 and the 85 1.8.  The 85 1.8 would give you a nice portait lens (when you find models) and a very good low light telephoto lens for crop bodies...

+1 well done FTb-n...Heck yes...why didn't I think of that too!
The 85 f/1.8 sounds like a perfect fit for you. It's a terrific lens, especially for the price. Fast, bright & sharp. There you go. Problem solved.

-PW

[cura]

 85 1.8. I use it on a crop body and LOVE it for portraits!
(I also own the 50 1.8 and tested the 50 1.4 on my body and was not as impressed as with the 85mm lens)!