Old review:
I have now used this lens for a few weeks in the dim light of autumn and at social gatherings in dimly lit interiors. Low-cost fixed focal length with solid mechanics for people like me who like to take people without disturbing flashbulbs (and flash-free, intimate lighting moods prefer - despite all the problems that this entails). I put it to APS cameras (EOS 50D / 450D). At ISO 1600 and Aperture 1.4 are indoors in a low evening light still incredible shutter speeds to 1/50 sec in it.
The bad news first: At the beginning of F1.4 sharpness (slurred details) falls even in the smaller image section of APS cameras from the center (just acceptable) to the screen strikingly sharply. With the larger full-frame film camera sensors, this weakness must be more severe to see - especially at the ISO 1600 noise can less and therefore represent finer details. The good news: A bit close to Aperture 1.8 is driving the focus in the center tremendously high, but the image borders remain visibly blurred. In Aperture 5.6 Finally, the images are (at least for APS) over the entire diagonal so rattenscharf as bringing the very good fixed focal lengths. Incidentally, you can also the beautiful view as an interactive laboratory measurement curves on dpreview.com - here, the theory covers seamlessly, at least with my practical experience.
The color reproduction is neutral (as far as I can judge so far mainly in artificial light photos with manual white balance). At full aperture, it produces a very pleasant bokeh (background blur), but does not reach all the melting, the L-professional lenses with their beautifully round apertures (more fins) fix (I have L's of the white variety in my collection and therefore the comparison) , Other artifacts such as color fringing (chromatic aberration) or distortion's not here. The close range is acceptable 45 cm (distance object sensor, roughly 35 cm in front lens object). The ultrasonic drive operates silently usual, fast, accurate and allows any time manual intervention. At least in my copy of the autofocus adjusts factory was clean (I've checked with test chart). The front lens does not rotate during focusing, so it is ideal for the polarizing filter insert. Haptics and workmanship are solid Canon-middle class (up gold instead Rotring). Beautifully light and compact. Do not forget the Lens Hood equal to order with! You are not supplied, what is in the face of battle, however, price can forgive Canon.
However: An APS cameras that is not a classic standard lens, but effectively a 80-mm telephoto. The slight telephoto effect comes Portraits (with upper body) benefit, otherwise it is good for parties or stage shots to scan small groups or dialogues (or other details). For broader Hidden motifs from the feast of the image section is too narrow. Who for as what a "real" standard lens will this enormous light intensity, has for the APS camera dig deeper into their pocket and nearly four times as expensive Canon EF 35mm 1: 1.4 L USM lens together Riester (at least in my overview the deliverable Canon lens range). But there's L-professional quality. I can resist the Ver-L-ockung because I 50 mm with the fairly strong light Canon EF-S 17-55mm / 2.8 / IS USM lens, image stabilized zoom for wide-angle photos combined. I had been there. However, both lenses come together on the price level of 35 mm 1: 1.4 L USM - sigh.
Incidentally, I have again found that some technical weakness also releases creative potential. The toward the edge somewhat blurred at maximum aperture in intimate portraits lamplight what ... You have to take care, that z. B. at three-quarter portraits sits the eye of the scanned image in sharp center stop absolutely.
Conclusion: The weakness in the initial panel will force the withdrawal of a star for the APS-use (in full-frame maybe two stars?). APS-owners who can live with that are otherwise very well served. The price-performance ratio is top. Proud owners of full frame should necessarily around 100 euros more expensive Sigma View as middle-class alternative 50mm 1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon closer (or equal access to L lenses above 1,000 euros). According to tests, the Sigma at the initial panel should be much sharper.
Footnote for Sigma:
I have hard wavered, but if I should take the Sigma, but me but then decided the following reasons for the Canon. First, have a remarkable number of buyers comments etc. on the Internet on a typical foreign lens weakness towards fehlfokus ex works (see, for example, comments on Amazon.com.). So you have to expect that you have to change several times or the camera lens together with the same one end for adjustment. If you have an EOS 50 / 7D or a current of Canon's full-frame cameras, one however can readjust fehlfokus itself and store. But since I wanted to use even on the small and lightweight 450D lens, me the impending effort was too delicate. In addition, the Sigma is tall and weighs one pound. Together with the 17-55 mm I would then again 1 kg Lens "just so" socially it. That was me for the purpose really too much glass block.
Let's see how the lens does in spring in "outdoor use". Maybe there's still a quick update. Have fun with the "night vision"!