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I think the closest practical competitor on Canon is the Tamron 45/1.8. Sure, the Tamron isn't as fast as the Canon, but it can be found used for lower cost than the Canon and has better performance characteristics--both in terms of build quality (including weather sealing) and optical performance. The Tamron even has IS.
The Tamron does have a notable purple fringing issue, but the Canon isn't exactly untroublesome in the CA department.
I'm sure the Canon is better for video due to the STM motor versus the Tamron's ultrasonic-ring type. But this difference also means the Tamron is probably faster for still AF.
(Edit: I feel the late Tamron SP f/1.8 line served as proof of concept for the Nikon Z 50/1.8 S, showing that people will respond to a high performing f/1.8 prime.)
johnctharp wrote:
Yeah, that's... well, a reality check, but should have been expected coming from Klaus. He's going to rate based on pure optical performance, price and utility be darned!
But that really misses the forest through the trees. He alludes to 'YouTubers hyping the lens up', but the thing is, we've already seen what the lens is capable of outside of test charts, and he's not comparing it to the alternatives.
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Like, what even are the alternatives (open discussion, not directed at you Ilya!)?
- the 50/1.4L VCM - twice the price, still digitally corrected (what's his deal with this?), optically outstanding, faster focusing
- the RF 50/1.8 STM - this is the real competitor, which Klaus does allude to in terms of this class of lens being excellent when stopped down, almost universally (it'd be a notable flaw if the lens didn't clean up and sharpen up by f/2.8)
- adapted EF stuff - the EF 50/1.4 USM, which would be cheaper and almost as fast, the Sigma 50/1.4 Art, which would be larger, heavier, more expensive, and probably have the same focus performance outside of video (STM may be smoother), and almost certainly a bit better corrected through the widest apertures, what else? The EF 50/1.2L that's still twice the price used, with a slower AF system, less sharpness at every aperture, the same focus shift issue, while being larger and heavier?
I think the bigger comparison is to other systems, with Nikon's 50/1.8Z S-series lens being an outstanding optic that's going on sale for about the same price as the 45/1.2 STM, as well as Nikon's Z 50/1.4 lens that follows a similar 'make it fast and do corrections in post' philosophy. But the slower S lens has an MSRP of ~US$800, so that's more of a holiday sale comparison unless Nikon just keeps the price low.
On Sony... well, you have a newer Sigma 50/1.4 Art - twice the price at MSRP and only slightly discounted for the holidays - which would likely be superior in every measurable way except character. Sony's lenses are as expensive or even more than equivalent RF L lenses, so they're not really worth comparing at this price point IMO.
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So, at <US$500, the 45/1.2 STM represents a 'unique' option. It's a step up from the RF 50/1.8 STM in every way (except uncorrected distortion and vignetting), including in terms of sharpness and from other reviews the AF is superior as well.
I'd say that it more or less fits into the niche that the old 50/1.4 USM did; character wide open, functional AF (now great for video!), cleans up quickly (faster than f/1.8 lenses), decent build quality, and relatively affordable....Show more →
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