Keith Neundorfer , June 10, 2003; 02:38 A.M.
Canon EOS 1D MkIV Review
Read a hands-on in-depth review of the Canon 1D MkIV from photo.net, rugged camera for sports photographers and photojournalists. Includes test shots and example images.
by Wee Keng Hor
Is there any difference between these 2 lenses other than the price and f-stop? This is a common question that pops up frequently on forums everywhere. While the general consensus is that these 2 lenses are almost identically sharp, there are other factors that have not been fully explained or readily available. And there are lots of wordy discussions but hardly any picture to illustrate. Since I happened to have a new f1.4 together with my old f1.8, I decided to do some tests to find out the answers myself. My test is focused on more apparent difference at wide aperture rather than trying to find out split hair difference.
Out of focus highlights produced by the 8 diaphragm blades of the f1.4 look more like a circle while those produced by the 5 diaphragm blades of the f1.8 take the shape of a pentagon. At f5.6, the pentagon shape becomes more apparent and looks unnatural. At f22, point source of light is rendered like a star with he f1.4 produces 8 pointed stars while the f1.8 produces 10 pointed stars.
| EF 50mm f1.4 | EF 50mm f1.8 MK II | |
| f2.8 |
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| f5.6 |
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| f22 |
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Some photo.net members have complained about the f1.4 suffering from barrel distortion. My test result shows that the f1.4 does indeed suffer from slight barrel distortion. The f1.8 may or may not but it is at lest better than f1.4.
| f1.4 | f1.8 |

The above pictures were shot at big aperture. It is interesting to note that the 1.4 produced sharper and more vibrant colour than the f1.8. The brick wall also the light fall off at the corners is more severe on the f1.8.
Shape of the flare produced are different. Although I preferred the flare rendered by the 1.8, color becomes washed out and has less contrast.
| EF 50mm f1.4 | EF 50mm f1.8 MK II | |
| Either @ f2 or f2.8 |
|
|

f1.4 vs f1.8
Light fall off is more severe with the f1.8 at big aperture.
For those who do not believe in bokeh, the following results should convince you otherwise:
f1.4 @ f2 Check the out of foucs background behind the cans. The bokeh produced by f1.4 has a very nice blend of grey and pink colours.
f1.8 @f2 Here, the blending of the colours in the out of focus background produced by the f1.8 is more harsh.
Here's another example:
f1.4 produces distinctly better bokeh at f2. At f5.6, the difference becomes less obvious.
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| f1.4@ f2 | f1.4 @ f5.6 |
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| f1.8 @ f2 | f1.8 @ f5.6 |
One more example:
Again, the background blur is nicer on the f1.4 at f2.
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f1.4@ f2 |
f1.4 @ f5.6 |
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| f1.8 @ f2 | f1.8 @ f5.6 |
Although the bokeh is similar at f5.6, the highlights produced on the f1.8 take the pentagon shape. Here's the enlarged portion of the above pictures at f5.6.
Enlarged portion of the previous images. f1.4 vs f1.8 shooting @ f5.6
| Canon EF 50mm f1.4 | Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II | |
| What Canon says | Standard lens featuring superb quality and portability. Two high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. Crisp images with little flare are obtained even at the maximum aperture. | This is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 130g. Compact and high-performance, standard lens. Its Gaussian optics provides sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The colour balance is excellent for a standard lens. |
| Angle of View (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) |
40º, 27º, 47º |
|
| Lens Construction (elements/groups) |
7/6 |
6/5 |
| No. of Diaphragm Blades |
8 |
5 |
| Minimum Aperture |
22 |
|
| Closet Focusing Distance |
45cm |
|
| Maximum Magnification |
0.15x |
|
| AF Actuator |
Micro USM |
Micro Motor |
| Filter diameter |
58mm |
52mm |
| Max Diameter X Length |
73.8mm X 50.5mm |
68.2mm X 41mm |
| Weight |
290g |
130g |
©
Wee Keng
Hor
All rights reserved.
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