40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

[AndyMackie]

I'm posting a comparison of shots between the 40mm STM f2.8 and 50mm f1.4 - I'm afraid I don't have the famed "nifty fifty" f1.8 that was requested by Nat and Mazzie in another thread, but I hope that its cousin f1.4 will suffice.

I shot from a tripod with a 5D3, one shot from each lens at f2.8 and the other at f8. I used AV mode and the clouds were moving hence slight differences in shutter speed. I added very minimal processing in LR4 and it was identical for all 4 shots. In particular, there is neither lens correction nor noise reduction.

I'm no professional reviewer so I shall let you make up your own minds as to which you prefer, but I can't deny that the 40mm has some vignetting at f2.8 and is darker at both f2.8 and f8, but I don't find either effect unattractive - the latter may even be due to the greater field that is being captured and with hindsight, I should have shot at the same speed which would have levelled the lighting. Perhaps LR4 will soon add lens correction for this lens and the vignetting will be corrected automatically.

Bottom line for me is both lenses are fantastic value for the quality they offer, the 50mm f1.4 being about twice the price of the 40mm STM 2.8. Personally, and no doubt others will disagree, I prefer the 40mm not least because its half the price and size and pops in the pocket, so is always available.

Pictures will be best viewed and poked around in Flickr. Sorry about the ironwork at the bottom of the 40mm shots, but it was as high as I could get to avoid most of it. All shots are of Kangaroo Point and beyond, in Brisbane.

If someone could do a similar comparison with the true nifty fifty, that would be great comparison of two similarly priced lenses

Andy

1. 50mm at f2.8, ISO 100, 1/3000

BNE_7962.jpg by AndyMackie1, on Flickr

2. 40mm at f2.8, ISO 100, 1/4000

BNE_7963.jpg by AndyMackie1, on Flickr

3. 50mm at f8, ISO 100, 1/350

BNE_7961.jpg by AndyMackie1, on Flickr

4. 40mm at f8, ISO 100, 1/500

BNE_7964.jpg by AndyMackie1, on Flickr

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Nice comparison, what a difference 1mm makes on a FF camera.

[tesarver]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Also the colors seem more saturated with the 40.

Tom

[SamFisher]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Looks like a winner of a lens - especially for the price

Mike

[SamFisher]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Nice comparison, what a difference 1mm makes on a FF camera.

Shouln't that be 10mm Stephen??

Mike

[Emile Cilliers]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

I always wondered what vignetting meant and now i do with that comparison!

Although I don't find it unattractive in these shots and as mentioned the colours looks saturated to a point where I though I was looking at the difference between Standard Definition(50mm) and HD(40mm).

I know your making a direct comparison and as said for a few extra quid id consider trading in my 50mm 1.8 for one of the 40mm ones

[Papathanassi]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Shouln't that be 10mm Stephen??

Mike

Come on Sam Shouln't?

[Nathaniel]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Still doesn't answer my initial question. How does it compare with the nifty fifty for portraits and other close up, normal,standard photographs. I am concerned about distortion, if any, with the pancake lens.

[Papathanassi]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/772-canon_40_28_apsc

Papa.

[MX5]

Re: 40mm STM f2.8 v 50mm f1.4

Nat - depends if you are planning to use it on your 60D or 5D2. Old fashioned me wouldn't use a 40mm for portraits on FF.

But given your proclivity for light weight you would be at one with the shorty forty and I imagine not disappointed by its performance.