Canon EF 50mm - f/1.8 or f/1.4?

Hello,

I just bought a new 400D and want to start with a standard prime lens. I've been agonizing over the f/1.4 and the f/1.8 mk II. I know that the build quality on the f/1.4 is much better, and the extra stop helps as well. USM and FT-M are also a nice bonus.

But the f/1.4 is over 4x the price of the 1.8. I'm curious to hear your recommendations about which lens to choose.

I can probably afford the f/1.4, but I'm a student and am on a limited budget (especially as I just shelled out $800 for the camera body). I would hope to keep whatever lens I buy for a long time, and eventually would like to have a small collection of primes. Let me know what you folks think

Best,
Graham

The f/1.8 lens is a fantastic performer, you will not be disappointed.

The f/1.4 is sharper at bright apertures (f/2.8 or brighter) and will be more suitable f you intend to be photographing in very low light regularly.

Hope this helps

Considering the budget, I'd recommend you to stick with 50/1.8. It's very popular lens and it's definitely worth its price. If you ever decide to buy 50/1.4, it won't be a problem to sell 50/1.8. In addition, 300/350D has some focusing problems with wide-aperture lenses, and I don't know if it has been fixed in 400D, so it's not definitely that you'll profit from f/1.4. -- Sorry for my English :)