I am trying to make a decision about either renting the 50 f/1.4 or buying the 50 f/1.8. ; I am thinking that buying the 1.8 is the better way to go but I was hoping to get some feedback from you all about this. ; Thanks for weighing in.
When I was starting out (and before internet based lens renting places), I did get the 50/1.8. ; You can rent the 50/1.4 for about 1/2 the price of the 1.8, so the 1.8 is a better investment for the money. However, I didn't like the AFD motor (wayyyy too noisy) or the rotating and moving front filter. ; My future decision was made when my 50/1.8 fell out of my camera bag on a cold December morning in NYC.
Eh...I think I'd lean the other way, and buy the 1.8. ; Then again...I find it hard to justify renting unless we're talking about a lens that costs many thousands and I'd never consider buying it. ; The difference in sensitivity between the two wouldn't quite be enough to not justify spending the extra and buying the 1.8 - you'll get a lot of fun out of the lens. ; (I picked up my version of that lens, the 50mm 1.7, used, which made the purchase even easier to justify. ; I'm looking to maybe add a 30mm F1.4 next to get a little wider perspective, but the 50 has served its duty well).
I tend to buy my lenses used when I can- so I don't take a big hit if I want to upgrade or try something different down the road. ; I have never rented anything so I can't really offer any insight there.
Figment made an interesting point regarding renting v. buying recently. Renting is perfect for the exotic lenses that you will only use once and while, but not good for lenses that you will use over and over again. But it is good for trying out a lens before you buy, esp. if you are torn between choices, and want to make sure that you make the right decision.
Between the two, how much of a difference is there, really? ; I mean we are only talking about a 0.4 difference in f-stop and I can't imagine that that is even discernable, am I wrong in this thought?
It's actually 2/3 of a full stop. ; 0.4 difference is huge at the large end, insignificant at the small end. ; There is one full stop between the EF 1.0L and the 1.4! In the days of film 2/3 of a stop was a bigger difference than it is now. ; I'm glad I decided on the 85/1.8 rather than spend 2.5x as much for the 1.4 version.
When I get my 30 1.4, I intend to do some comparison shots against the 50 1.7 at the same settings and conditions, to see how much of a difference if any the 1.4 vs 1.7 makes. ; That may help you, since the F1.7 and F1.8 are so close.
