Canon lens variation 50 1.4

[stever]

having read the posts on Canon lens variation for some time, i decided to order 2 lenses and keep the best - at least giving a reasonable probability of avoiding a bad lens with low probability of getting a great lens

so i tested two 50mm 1.4 lenses on my 5D and new 40D - and one was noticeably better.  wide open, it was sharper overall, with noticeably better corners on the 5D up to 5.6 (couldn't tell a difference at f8).  

corners were better with the 40D on both lenses than the 5D (not too surprising), but still noticebly better to f4 with the "better" lens

on the 40D, both 50 1.4s were better than the 17-85 at f5.6

on the 5D, the 24-105 was as good as the 50 1.4 at f4

hopefully not everyone will read this post and "cherry pick" the lenses so next time i have to order 10 to get a good one

[sojournerphoto]

having read the posts on Canon lens variation for some time, i decided to order 2 lenses and keep the best - at least giving a reasonable probability of avoiding a bad lens with low probability of getting a great lens

so i tested two 50mm 1.4 lenses on my 5D and new 40D - and one was noticeably better.  wide open, it was sharper overall, with noticeably better corners on the 5D up to 5.6 (couldn't tell a difference at f8). 

corners were better with the 40D on both lenses than the 5D (not too surprising), but still noticebly better to f4 with the "better" lens

on the 40D, both 50 1.4s were better than the 17-85 at f5.6

on the 5D, the 24-105 was as good as the 50 1.4 at f4

hopefully not everyone will read this post and "cherry pick" the lenses so next time i have to order 10 to get a good one
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I only ordered 1 50 1.4 and on my 5D it's pretty soft wide open. This is what I expected though and is consistent with the tests. By f4 or 5.6 it's turned into a nice sharp lens, though the 24-105 is similarly good:) Given the IS on the zoom there is only really an argument for the 50 if you need faster shutter speeds to reduce motion blur in low light situations, but I like the lens and old habits die hard. Also, if I'm walking around a town it's fairly inconspicuous.

Surprisingly, both the 24-105 and 70-200 f4 IS zooms are pretty good in comparison to my 50, 85 and 100(macro) primes, but the primes still hold their appeal for me. One day I'll get a 35 1.4 and that will also be at least matched by the 24-105, but I'll enjoy using it!!

Mike