Tell me how much of a difference there is between the two...obviously the 1.4 but is it faster, sharper???
Thanks, Nancy

Even though it costs 4-5x more, the 1.4 is definitely worth taking the leap.
the 1.8 has abysmal build quality, and focuses poorly.

the 1.4 focuses more quickly, and the USM motor gives full-time manual focus over-ride.

the 1.4 is definitely worth the extra money. I happen to have 2 of them, in case you're looking for a deal on a good used version>

Thanks so much for the feedback guys! I appreciate it!

Another vote for the 1.4 =)

50mm f/1.4 is my favourite lens. Buy it! The 1.8 doesn't even compare.

When I was starting out, I had two different 50mm f/1.8s break before realizing it would've actually been less expensive to just buy the 50mm f/1.4 in the first place. There's not just a difference in glass quality, but build quality is very important as well.

Another vote for the 50 1.4! It's worth the money.

Anne, love your new avatar!

Defiantly worth the extra cha-ching to go with the 50 1.4.

as if you need another vote for the 1.4, let me just say that the 1.8 is a cheap piece of junk haha. still, you've gotta be careful with the 1.4 due to the moving focus barrel. if the lens is sitting in your bag face up or face down and gets something thrown on top of it, you can damage the internal workings of the lens. i sent mine into canon due to the focus gears getting stripped and they fixed it for fee - as any good company does :-)

Sorry to semi-threadjack - but....Any one on the other side of the fence want to chime in on the Nikon versions of these lenses? I'm looking for a 1.4 but is it that much better than the 1.8 version? Anyone? Bueller?

ok, so i can now speak with some authority on this, from all of five minutes I've spent with the 1.4 lol

I rented the 1.4 and got it in the mail today (my 1.8 met an untimely demise with the front element breaking off).

like I said, I've only used this for 5 minutes and I can emphatically state that the 1.4 is waaaay better than my 1.8 was. the images just seem a bit crisper. all of these were shot at 1.4

anyway, i will be purchasing the 1.4 asap, just needed the rental to get me through a wedding on Sat.

Thanks for all the info guys. BTW, pretty doggie Phil!

I have both the 1.8 and the 1.4. Go with the 1.4! It's worth it!

I have the 1.4, and generally like it... but am disappointed in the image quality when I open it up all the way. When fully open, it seems too soft, colors seem disaturated, and I get more aberrations than I care for, especially when shooting wide open in low light. I usually don't open it up more than 2.0 or 1.8. It's much sharper and gives better saturation at 2.0 than 1.4.

What I really want is the 1.2L... but then I think of the price and remember how happy I am with the 1.4. ;-)