Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Replacement Finally Coming? [CR1]

[rfdesigner]

I updated the post with a correction. I'm sorry for the confusion.

hmmmm... ninny-USM lovely

Question for the experts:

When you use the dock and go through ALL the calibration steps.. how good is the focussing? (especially for portraiture)

 

[slclick]

I updated the post with a correction. I'm sorry for the confusion.

hmmmm... nini-USM lovely

Question for the experts:

When you use the dock and go through ALL the calibration steps.. how good is the focussing? (especially for portraiture)

Are you asking Sigma 50 Art owners? Mine didn't need any calibration, either through the dock or in the 5D3 AFMA. It's not as speedy as any of my L glass but it's no slouch. If it hunts, it's a fast hunt.

 

[rfdesigner]

I updated the post with a correction. I'm sorry for the confusion.

hmmmm... nini-USM lovely

Question for the experts:

When you use the dock and go through ALL the calibration steps.. how good is the focussing? (especially for portraiture)

Are you asking Sigma 50 Art owners? Mine didn't need any calibration, either through the dock or in the 5D3 AFMA. It's not as speedy as any of my L glass but it's no slouch. If it hunts, it's a fast hunt.

Yes I was looking for ART owners, thanks very much. The net is often filled with the most voiciferous 0.1%, which are usually the disgruntled ones.

 

[ahsanford]

Yes I was looking for ART owners, thanks very much. The net is often filled with the most voiciferous 0.1%, which are usually the disgruntled ones.

You're right, the reviewers are a bit disgruntled with that one.

- A

 

[grainier]

Lies, of course.

 

[slclick]

Look I know the Sigma Art 50mm is a big lens for that particular focal length. But beyond that this glass has no issues. NONE. Sure, Sigma could have made it bigger, or more expensive but then said lens would be manual focus and then the real issue wouldn't be the lens but the fact that the 5D3 has no interchangeable focus screen. THAT is a much bigger problem then this 50mm lens thing everyone is always going off about (it's just such a ho hum focal length)


*Edited as I stayed after class to raise my grade in forum school

 

[ahsanford]

Look I know it's a big lens for 50mm. But beyond that it has no issues. NONE. it could even be bigger, or more expensive but then it would be manual focus and then the real issue wouldn't be the lens but the fact that the 5D3 has no interchangeable focus screen. THAT is a much bigger problem then this 50mm lens thing everyone is always going off about (it's just such a ho hum focal length)

For goodness sake, pronouns!!!

If you are referring to the Sigma Art, it's a terrific tool but it's far from perfect. It has two pronounced drawbacks and one lesser one.

It is simply a huge lens -- it's the same size/weight as a 24-70 f/2.8L II! For a guy like me that brings 1-2 lenses with me in a smaller bag most often, this is the difference between not bringing a second lens along or having to schlep a larger bag. That's a big deal for me but perhaps not for you.

Second, the inexplicably inconsistent AF has been reported by reviewers I trust, TDP, LensTip in particular. It's not a show stopper depending on what you shoot. An occasional whiff with the AF is not a major issue for a studio / portraiture person as they can proof as they work and spot misses as they go and reshoot. But if you are working a wedding reception, capturing a family event, etc. an AF that whiffs could completely miss a moment, miss a memory, etc. That's a huge deal for me. If I have to chimp each time I'm shooting wider than f/2, the lens is not for me.

And finally, I'm not aware that it is formally weather sealed (whatever manufacturers define that as) so much as it's well built and generally resists dust/moisture. That's good enough for me, but if you live in the Pacific Northwest, shoot coastlines, etc. you may be a bit pickier on this front.

That said, optically it's one of the great bang-for-the-buck value propositions out there. This thing punches it weight with anything.

- A

 

[slclick]

Look I know it's a big lens for 50mm. But beyond that it has no issues. NONE. it could even be bigger, or more expensive but then it would be manual focus and then the real issue wouldn't be the lens but the fact that the 5D3 has no interchangeable focus screen. THAT is a much bigger problem then this 50mm lens thing everyone is always going off about (it's just such a ho hum focal length)

For goodness sake, pronouns!!!

If you are referring to the Sigma Art, it's a terrific tool but it's far from perfect. It has two pronounced drawbacks and one lesser one.

It is simply a huge lens -- it's the same size/weight as a 24-70 f/2.8L II! For a guy like me that brings 1-2 lenses with me in a smaller bag most often, this is the difference between not bringing a second lens along or having to schlep a larger bag. That's a big deal for me but perhaps not for you.

Second, the inexplicably inconsistent AF has been reported by reviewers I trust, TDP, LensTip in particular. It's not a show stopper depending on what you shoot. An occasional whiff with the AF is not a major issue for a studio / portraiture person as they can proof as they work and spot misses as they go and reshoot. But if you are working a wedding reception, capturing a family event, etc. an AF that whiffs could completely miss a moment, miss a memory, etc. That's a huge deal for me. If I have to chimp each time I'm shooting wider than f/2, the lens is not for me.

And finally, I'm not aware that it is formally weather sealed (whatever manufacturers define that as) so much as it's well built and generally resists dust/moisture. That's good enough for me, but if you live in the Pacific Northwest, shoot coastlines, etc. you may be a bit pickier on this front.

That said, optically it's one of the great bang-for-the-buck value propositions out there. This thing punches it weight with anything.

- A

Sorry School Marm, I redid the post and hope I can raise my grade to stay on the Yearbook Club.

 

[FramerMCB]

I updated the post with a correction. I'm sorry for the confusion.

Ok, now we're talking.

Two questions:

1) How fast to focus is Nano USM vs. Micro USM vs. Ring USM? LensTip measures focusing speed, but it doesn't have either of the two nano USM lenses tested. What might we expect here on a 50? Faster than the micro USM? Slower adjustments but less hunting?

2) Does Nano USM mean the lens will be internal focusing? I believe the two Nano USM lenses to date are both internal focusing (the recent 18-135 IS and 70-300 non-L IS lenses), but the two features -- nano USM and internal focusing could be unrelated. Thoughts?

- A

Perhaps you should take a look at and read the 75-300mm f4-5.6 teardown review that Roger (& Aaron) over at LensRentals just did. This lens has the newer Nano motor and looks to me like the focusing assembly inside this lens moves without changing the length of the lens...slides internally (I think). Although Roger and team could answer this precisely. However, I don't know if this lens focus-shifts between focal settings... i.e. infinity at 70mm is different than infinity at 300mm, or 200mm, or...you get the picture (no pun intended).

 

[riker]

Re: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Micro USM Finally Coming? [CR1]

Someone's going to be happy...

Not Ahsanford, no IS.
If this turns out to be true it's pretty disappointing the native lens maker can't incorporate IS. This is 2017 right? We landed on the moon 47.5 years ago and can't meet this technological feat? Wow...

I'm happy.
Don't want IS. I want small size, lightweight, perfect IQ (resolution!), quick and precise AF. No more. Don't even care about vignetting. Good CA is a plus.

 

[ahsanford]

Perhaps you should take a look at and read the 75-300mm f4-5.6 teardown review that Roger (& Aaron) over at LensRentals just did. This lens has the newer Nano motor and looks to me like the focusing assembly inside this lens moves without changing the length of the lens...slides internally (I think). Although Roger and team could answer this precisely. However, I don't know if this lens focus-shifts between focal settings... i.e. infinity at 70mm is different than infinity at 300mm, or 200mm, or...you get the picture (no pun intended).

Yes, thanks, I saw those. I believe internal vs. external focusing is a design decision made by Canon that is independent of the focusing mechanism. So far, there are two nano USM lenses and both are internally focusing, which is a good sign, but it's no guarantee of things to come.

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM II (with Nano USM) would be focus by wire, and it will lack IS. But so long as its still faster than STM and it switches to an internal focusing design, I'd buy that on day one for $599. Yes, the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 VC may be sharp and have IS, but that lens is 'Art big' and I simply trust Canon AF more for large aperture work.

But were they to offer the perfect lens -- one that I think many in this forum have been asking for, a remake in the vein of the 24/28/35 IS refresh lenses -- I'd be over the moon. For an EF 50mm f/1.4 IS USM (with Ring USM), internal focusing, compact size, IS, solid build quality and L-like hood attachment, etc. I'd go $999 on that in a heartbeat. That would be the small all-purpose workhorse prime I've do not have today.

- A

 

[Maximilian]

But were they to offer the perfect lens -- one that I think many in this forum have been asking for, a remake in the vein of the 24/28/35 IS refresh lenses -- I'd be over the moon. For an EF 50mm f/1.4 IS USM (with Ring USM), internal focusing, compact size, IS, solid build quality and L-like hood attachment, etc. I'd go $999 on that in a heartbeat. That would be the small all-purpose workhorse prime I've do not have today.

Hypothetic Question:
There is a rumor about a EF 50mm f/1.4 L IS USM (supposedly ring USM).
If this was slightly more expensive than your $999 - say $1199 (quite unlikely, I know),
- would you only buy it if it was small?
- wouldn't you buy it because of size, if its size was comparable to the Sigma Art?
- or wouldn't you buy it because it was too expensive?

 

[Viggo]

I updated the post with a correction. I'm sorry for the confusion.

hmmmm... ninny-USM lovely

Question for the experts:

When you use the dock and go through ALL the calibration steps.. how good is the focussing? (especially for portraiture)

Out of the three copies of the 50 Art and two copies of 35 Art on 6d and 1dx, calibrated with FoCal plus docking and real testing, exactly none of them were better than random at best. Never ever again

 

[Alex_M]

that's what I said 6 months ago when I sold my entire collection of Sigma art and Sports lenses.. but then, 85 Art comes along with reliable AF and sharpness I cannot resist and.. I bought the lens, of course. Then a friend of mine decided to sell his Sigma 50 Art really cheaply and I could not resit. I bought that one too. Then, another friend of mine asked me to help with his Sigma 35 Art lens callibration on USB dock. I helped him out just to find out that the sharpness of his copy is virtually off the charts. super sharp... 3 days ago my friend called me and offered to purchase his lens at a bargain price. And, I could not resist, of course... so Sigma 35, 50, 85 Art so far.

Out of the three copies of the 50 Art and two copies of 35 Art on 6d and 1dx, calibrated with FoCal plus docking and real testing, exactly none of them were better than random at best. Never ever again

 

[ahsanford]

But were they to offer the perfect lens -- one that I think many in this forum have been asking for, a remake in the vein of the 24/28/35 IS refresh lenses -- I'd be over the moon. For an EF 50mm f/1.4 IS USM (with Ring USM), internal focusing, compact size, IS, solid build quality and L-like hood attachment, etc. I'd go $999 on that in a heartbeat. That would be the small all-purpose workhorse prime I've do not have today.

Hypothetic Question:
There is a rumor about a EF 50mm f/1.4 L IS USM (supposedly ring USM).
If this was slightly more expensive than your $999 - say $1199 (quite unlikely, I know),
- would you only buy it if it was small?
- wouldn't you buy it because of size, if its size was comparable to the Sigma Art?
- or wouldn't you buy it because it was too expensive?

If there is a 50mm f/1.4L IS, it's $1699 or it doesn't exist. Possibly more if it's the huge retrofocus Otus/Art killer. Likely too big for me and I'd pass.

If it stays a focus-shifty non-planar field tool like the current 50L, I won't buy it at any price.

- A

 

[Maximilian]

But were they to offer the perfect lens -- one that I think many in this forum have been asking for, a remake in the vein of the 24/28/35 IS refresh lenses -- I'd be over the moon. For an EF 50mm f/1.4 IS USM (with Ring USM), internal focusing, compact size, IS, solid build quality and L-like hood attachment, etc. I'd go $999 on that in a heartbeat. That would be the small all-purpose workhorse prime I've do not have today.

Hypothetic Question:
There is a rumor about a EF 50mm f/1.4 L IS USM (supposedly ring USM).
If this was slightly more expensive than your $999 - say $1199 (quite unlikely, I know),
- would you only buy it if it was small?
- wouldn't you buy it because of size, if its size was comparable to the Sigma Art?
- or wouldn't you buy it because it was too expensive?

If there is a 50mm f/1.4L IS, it's $1699 or it doesn't exist. Possibly more if it's the huge retrofocus Otus/Art killer. Likely too big for me and I'd pass.

If it stays a focus-shifty non-planar field tool like the current 50L, I won't buy it at any price.

- A

Thanks for your reply.
I know my price was not logical.

So let's hope Canon will come close to what you desire because that'll be my goal, too.
But honestly even with IS $999 would be too much for me.

 

[Antono Refa]

Dear Canon...

How come it is taking so long ? You disappoint...

I can see it making sense, looking from the ecosystem point of view. Having 3rd party options, allows Canon to to make lenses the competitors don't have (EF 11-24mm f/4, TS-E 17mm, etc), have a more attractive ecosystem (= sell cameras), then come back and close the OEM lenses line (= sell the lenses).

 

[ahsanford]

Dear Canon...

How come it is taking so long ? You disappoint...

I can see it making sense, looking from the ecosystem point of view. Having 3rd party options, allows Canon to to make lenses the competitors don't have (EF 11-24mm f/4, TS-E 17mm, etc), have a more attractive ecosystem (= sell cameras), then come back and close the OEM lenses line (= sell the lenses).

Antono, sure, but you do that with niche lenses, like a fast prime for crop, a longer than 100/105mm macro lens, a strange zoom range like 120-300, an all-manual astro lens, etc.

For Canon to drag its feet on a staple tool for all levels of photography -- a workhorse 50mm prime with fast and reliable AF -- is laughable.

Could you imagine if Canon abandoned the 24-something zoom market, 70-200 zoom market, etc. and left it to rot for third parties to embarrass Canon like this? Heads would roll.

- A

 

[Viggo]

Dear Canon...

How come it is taking so long ? You disappoint...

I can see it making sense, looking from the ecosystem point of view. Having 3rd party options, allows Canon to to make lenses the competitors don't have (EF 11-24mm f/4, TS-E 17mm, etc), have a more attractive ecosystem (= sell cameras), then come back and close the OEM lenses line (= sell the lenses).

Antono, sure, but you do that with niche lenses, like a fast prime for crop, a longer than 100/105mm macro lens, a strange zoom range like 120-300, an all-manual astro lens, etc.

For Canon to drag its feet on a staple tool for all levels of photography -- a workhorse 50mm prime with fast and reliable AF -- is laughable.

Could you imagine if Canon abandoned the 24-something zoom market, 70-200 zoom market, etc. and left it to rot for third parties to embarrass Canon like this? Heads would roll.

- A

100% agreed. I think a 50 is one of, if not, THE most important lens to be on top of. How many 50 f1.8's have been sold as the "first after kit lens"? And people fall in love with that 50 either on full frame or crop, they see it's perhaps not the best and want to upgrade, but nowhere to go, except third party options. They should've released a solid upgrade to both the f1.4 and f1.2 L at the same time ... that way they don't have competing lenses and all are the same age and tech and will a natural upgrading ladder. Like they have with 70-200's for example.

 

[Antono Refa]

Dear Canon...

How come it is taking so long ? You disappoint...

I can see it making sense, looking from the ecosystem point of view. Having 3rd party options, allows Canon to to make lenses the competitors don't have (EF 11-24mm f/4, TS-E 17mm, etc), have a more attractive ecosystem (= sell cameras), then come back and close the OEM lenses line (= sell the lenses).

Antono, sure, but you do that with niche lenses, like a fast prime for crop, a longer than 100/105mm macro lens, a strange zoom range like 120-300, an all-manual astro lens, etc.

For Canon to drag its feet on a staple tool for all levels of photography -- a workhorse 50mm prime with fast and reliable AF -- is laughable.

Could you imagine if Canon abandoned the 24-something zoom market, 70-200 zoom market, etc. and left it to rot for third parties to embarrass Canon like this? Heads would roll.

- A

My thoughts are

* It's about money, which is why Canon invested in eight new 24-70mm & 70-200mm lenses since it released the 50mm f/1.4

* I have my doubts whether the 50mm f/1.4 is the staple tool / workhorse it used to be.