Canon Lense question

[90sShooter]

I am looking to buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 but I have a couple quick questions... First off, I see on B&H photo that there is a USA and Japan version. Is there any real difference. I have heard that this lense is notoriously cheap build qualty. Is the USA version any better? Seems like this is such a popular lense cause of the bang for the buck value that is pretty much backordered everywhere. Is it worth the extra couple hundred dollars to get the 1.4? I know it's not a big difference as far as light but is it better build quality and gonna last me longer? Any suggestions?

 

[Enjoihavok]

I dont think its going to last you longer, its just about how you take care of your lenses would be the biggest thing, Besides the added light difference that should be all you really notice for the price difference, until you drop a lot of hundreds more to get the L glass version then it will have a better piece of glass and build.

As far as the Usa Vs japan version Im not sure if theres a difference but you can find the usa version normally on amazon for like 90-119 lately just got to keep an eye out.

 

[Jacob D]

I have owned both. The 1.8 is build is laughable - but the optics are very good. The AF is very primitive, loud, and tends to miss easily. The focus ring is tiny and not easy to MF with. With the 50/1.4 the optics are essentially the same, the build is better and the AF is marginally better.

Canon's 50mm lineup is probably the most quirky of all their lenses. None of them are perfect. The much more expensive 50/1.2L is notorious with AF issues, and the much MUCH more expensive 50/1.0L is known to have similar issues, although those lenses offer an undeniable creative option with the large aperture (if you can get them to focus and you have the skill to work @ 1.2 and below).

In the end I wasn't happy with the AF of either the 50/1.8 or the 1.4 and I sold them both. Your best bet is probably the 50/1.4 - or - if you can get a good copy, the Sigma 50/1.4

 

[90sShooter]

Interesting! Thanks for the feedback! I will take that into consideration.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

For around a hundred bux, its worth it just to get your feet wet at 1.8. This lens re-sells easily when it comes time for an upgrade. I have the 1.8 right now and as stated above, it is slow to focus and misses easily. In low light it really hunts more than it should. After some research, I am leaning towards the Sigma 1.4 vs the Canon 1.4. The sigma is a little more expensive but is sharper at 1.4 than the canon is. The sigma is a little heavier and a little larger than the canons as well. All in all, I would pick up the 50 1.8 and when you get bored of it I have seen it resold for $80-$90 shipped and paypaled.

 

[is_that_a_fish]

i really like my 50mm 1.8 it really beats the kit lens at the price its at. im honestly have no complains about it, YET, but thats probably because i usually shoot when lighting conditions are optimal.

btw, ive owned the lens for about a year and a half so far.

usa vs japan, i think i just went with the more expensive one, but im not really sure. it was a long time ago. lol

 

[Jacob D]

There's no diff between the USA and Japanese lenses other than the warranty. It really doesn't make sense to buy the Japanese (gray market) lens just to save a few bux, if you ever have a warranty issue it will have been worth the extra cost times over.