Both f/1.4 and f/1.8 lenses are pretty fast and they can both come in handy in low-light situations. Also, they both give you soft, creamy bokeh when wide open. Although the difference between these two apertures is not huge, f/1.4 lenses cost two or three times more than their f/1.8 counterparts. Is it worth paying extra cash for a slightly faster lens? In this video, Pierre T. Lambert uses them side by side and puts you on the test: can you tell the difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8?
Five reasons to consider f/1.8 over f/1.4 lenses
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Sometimes there are justifiable reasons for choosing the fastest lens there is. But, is it always the case? Darren Miles believes that sometimes a cheaper f/1.8 lens is a better option. In this video, he gives you five reasons to pick the f/1.8 instead the faster (and pricier) f/1.4.
Tamron patents 115mm f/1.4 VC lens
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It seems that these days, 3rd party lens manufacturers are doing everything they can to try to upstage everybody else. After Nikon’s recent introduction of the 105mm f/1.4E, Tamron have now filed a patent for a 115mm f/1.4 VC lens. If they make it, this would make it the longest f/1.4 autofocus* lens out there, taking Nikon’s recent crown.
What’s even more interesting than the slightly longer focal length is the fact that this lens comes with VC (their version of VR/IS). The Nikon 105mm f/1.4 doesn’t have any kind of built in stabilisation at all. If this becomes more than just a patent, that single feature alone could see it winning out for Nikon shooters. Assuming the optical quality stands up to demands.
Mitakon’s Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4 is a $3,000 limited-edition monster of a lens
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Yesterday we reported that Mitakon/ZY Optics is developing the world’s fastest 135mm full frame lens, and today the company has revealed its specs and made the lens available for pre-order.
Owning the longest f/1.4 full frame lens will come at a cost, $2,999 to be precise, but it will automatically become a collectible item with just 100 of these lenses being produced.
Another expense will be the gym membership you’ll need in order to carry around the 3kg (6.6 lbs) lens.
Oh, and there’s a $500 non-refundable deposit.
World’s fastest 135mm full frame lens on its way
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When Sigma announced its 20mm f/1.4 Art lens a couple of days ago, among the excitement were calls for longer fast lenses as well.
While the release date is not yet known, ZY optics (aka Mitakon) is hard at work on its new 135mm f/1.4 Speedmaster full frame lens – the world’s fastest 135mm FF lens out there in today’s market.
With Canon and Nikon’s similar lenses reaching a maximum aperture of f/2, this lens is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit.
Sigma announced the world’s first full frame 20mm f/1.4 lens, but it’s not all roses
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As expected, the rumors about the 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens turned out to be true and Sigma announced the world’s first full frame lens of this focal length and aperture.
Quality wise the lens seems to fit in perfectly with the rest of the company’s excellent line of Art primes, and it will sell for an attractive price, but in the words of Rocky Balboa – it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.
On the other hand, many wedding photographers and astrophotographers just added a new lens to their holiday shopping list.
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