Goodbye Plastic Fantastic: Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 50mm 1.4

I remember speaking with Chris from La Brisa once about it. The 50mm 1.8 lens. He described it perfectly.

“That’s such a funny lens. When you first get it, it is the most amazing lens in the entire world. And then, not so much.”

He’s so right. It took me only a few weeks after purchasing my Canon Rebel and 18-55mm kit lens to realize I needed something better. So, for $100 (give or take), I purchased the 50mm 1.8. Quick and dirty. And BAM. My whole world of photography was opened up by beautiful bokeh, lens flare, and downright pretty images. But soon I realized…

It was loud.

It wasn’t heavy enough to be a good paper weight.

It clunked every time it tried to focus.

I had to shoot at f/2.5 or smaller if I didn’t want soft images.

I recently had the opportunity to upgrade to the 50mm 1.4, and WOW. Night and day difference. It feels durable in my hands. It’s nearly silent when focusing. The colors are fabulous. And I almost shot an entire wedding with it.

If you’re considering a 50mm lens, save up. Buy the better one. Heck, if you can, go straight for the 50mm 1.2L. It’ll save you disappointment in the end.

So goodbye, Plastic Fantastic. It was great while it lasted. We learned a lot together, and made a lot of great memories, but I’ve moved on. I’m moving up in this world, and I can’t have you holding me back.

And no, we can’t be friends.