Canon EF 50/1.4 on 60D

[DanielW]

I'm pretty new to photography (one year, more or less) and want to buy my first 50mm prime lens next month. I've been reading quite a few reviews and posts about 50mm lenses from Canon and Sigma, and was mainly considering getting the Canon 50/1.4, but then there's this focussing issue many folks talk about... I know it's not an expensive lens, but considering there is no AF microadjustment on my 60D, well, I'm not sure if it's worth buying it anymore. If I'm not lucky and my copy is not a very good one, well, will I be able to live with it? Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[msdarkroom]

I have the 1.4.
My 7D, which I love, really struggles with it.
On my 5DM3, which I am learning to love, the lens is awesome and bang on wide open.

I'm pushing my luck shooting at 2.2 on the 7D but can shoot at 1.4 with the 5D.

 

[Daniel Flather]

I have the 1.4.

I'm pushing my luck shooting at 2.2 on the 7D but can shoot at 1.4 with the 5D.

Is that a body focus issue or a sensor size issue? I always read that the 7D has great AF, as does the 5D3.

 

[msdarkroom]

The 50 1.4 is the only lens I have struggled with when using my 7D. Everything else I use on the 7D focuses excellent (70-200 f4, 70-200 f2.8 is ii, 50 1.8, 24-70, 100 2.8 is, 10-22).
I think it's just that the DOF is extremely shallow at 1.4 and perhaps the 7D can't keep up as well.
The AF on the 7D is awesome, don't get me wrong. It's just not as awesome as the one that costs nearly 3x as much.

 

[DanielW]

@ msdarkroom
So, maybe the biggest limitation will be (other than myself) the 60D, not the lens, am I right? That's good news, since I'll sure consider going FF someday. Will buy it then! Thanks!

 

[Loswr]

I have the 1.4.
My 7D, which I love, really struggles with it.
I'm pushing my luck shooting at 2.2 on the 7D but can shoot at 1.4 with the 5D.

I think it's just that the DOF is extremely shallow at 1.4 and perhaps the 7D can't keep up as well.
The AF on the 7D is awesome, don't get me wrong. It's just not as awesome as the one that costs nearly 3x as much.

Did you AF microadjust the lens on the 7D? My 7D consistently nails shots with the 85mm f/1.2L II @ f/1.2 - I really don't think it's a thin DoF issue. In fact, AI Servo on my 7D can keep a running toddler in focus at f/1.2...