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Archive 2012 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge

  
 
badlydrawnboy
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p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


I agree that it's not scientific, but I do find it helpful so see side by side comparisons of these lenses with everyday pictures (not in a controlled setting).

As a side note, I'm a minimalist and prefer to shoot with 2 primes most of the time. The 85/1.2 is perfect for me on the long end. But the 35/1.4 is a bit too wide, and the 50s are a bit too long. My ideal on the shorter end would be something like Pentax's excellent 43/1.7. Perfect focal length for me: right between 35 and 50. And that lens has a unique character that is quite recognizable. I did pick up the 40/2.8 and enjoy it, but I'd still prefer a 43mm and faster aperture.

I'm virtually certain that will never happen, so for now I work with what I've got.



Nov 16, 2012 at 11:02 AM
kaycephoto
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


badlydrawnboy wrote:
I've used the Canon 50/1.2, 50/1.4 and 50/1.8, as well as the Sigma 50/1.4. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and I think it is difficult to tell the difference between them in everyday shots.

I am still trying to decide myself between the 50/1.2 and 50/1.4. 50mm is my most-used focal length by far, so I really wish the 50/1.2 was at the same level as the 35L and 85L II (both of which I have). In my opinion, it's not. It is more consistent wide open than the 50/1.4, and of course lets in a little more light,
...Show more

I'm the opposite, the 50mm focal range was always more natural/useful to me than the 85LmkII i had briefly.. but, do you find the 50L to be generally more consistent with AF than the 50 1.4? I've used the Canon 50 1.4 a little bit in the past, but I tested it mostly alongside the Sigma 50 1.4, which was sharper/better tonally but also maddeningly inconsistent.. I sold the Canon 50 1.4 to use the Sigma 50, but after a few mths that drove me nuts & I "settled" on the 50L despite the price tag - haven't really looked back, but some days I wonder if I could not miss a single step by "downgrading" to the 50 1.4..

I like the 50L's build quality a ton more, the feeling of reassurance is important to me & I've heard too many stories of Canon 50 1.4's breaking down randomly to really trust it the same way I do the 50L.



Nov 16, 2012 at 11:40 AM
mco_970
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p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


I will say my chitty little 50/1.4 is better behaved (focus wise) on 5D3 that it has been on anything else - much less spastic and it's reliable now. It has actually suprised me, in a pleasant way.

Half way decent at f/2 under artificial lighting... And most of the set that I took was sharp right on the anthers and stigma.

http://www.redwrench.com/2012/E50/20121114-_79A0710.jpg



Nov 16, 2012 at 11:45 AM
badlydrawnboy
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


My 50/1.4 focuses just as consistently as my 50/1.2, if not more so. (And I have sent the 50/1.2 to Canon, which improved it by leaps and bounds, so I'm pretty sure it's as good as it can get.)


Nov 16, 2012 at 12:39 PM
kaycephoto
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


badlydrawnboy wrote:
My 50/1.4 focuses just as consistently as my 50/1.2, if not more so. (And I have sent the 50/1.2 to Canon, which improved it by leaps and bounds, so I'm pretty sure it's as good as it can get.)


thanks, my 50L's been to CPS & back as well - found the tolerances a little tighter for sure, but is still by no means perfect (esp compared to Canon's other star primes)

that said, i LOVE the 50L from f/1.6 to f/2 - one of my bread & butter lenses for sure, even with the "personality" that it has



Nov 16, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Jefferson
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


Canon 50 f/1.4 @ f/1.4 on a 5Dc...No adjustment in LR except lens profile. As shot...no flash.

http://jeffersonposter.smugmug.com/Photography/OtherStuff/i-NGhgQ94/0/XL/50%201.4%20%40%201.4-22-XL.jpg

http://jeffersonposter.smugmug.com/Photography/OtherStuff/i-HzBbS3k/0/XL/50%201.4%20%40%201.4-69-XL.jpg




Nov 18, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Edward Rotberg
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


Love the Weim - we have 2 of them

I've always loved my 1.4, and for the price I can't justify the 1.2 (especially since I mostly shoot wildlife and the 50 is not much good for that for a number of reasons). Here is a shot from my 1DIII with the 50 f/1.4 that shows why I'm still in love with the lens. It's of my good friend and pro photographer, Wayde Carroll ( www.waydecarroll.com ). Sometimes it's the only lens I will take on a trip if I need to go light and I'm not planning on shooting wildlife.

= Ed =

http://www.edrotberg.org/images/Wayde%20at%20dinner.jpg




Edited on Nov 22, 2012 at 08:16 PM · View previous versions



Nov 21, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Ralph Conway
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


Great pic you captured here.

Ralph



Nov 21, 2012 at 05:08 PM
mttran
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


Ralph Conway wrote:
Great pic you captured here.

Ralph


+1, This is a great wide open shot from 50f1.4



Nov 21, 2012 at 06:56 PM
dansmail26
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


I'd like to see some identical scenes shot with the different lenses for a better compairison.


Nov 24, 2012 at 04:15 PM
Jefferson
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


5Dc +Canon 50 1.4, ISO 50, 1/500, wide open... f/1.4

Time to up the build quality of this lens to at least that of the 85 f/1.8 and the 100 f/2
http://jeffersonposter.smugmug.com/Photography/OtherStuff/i-shCvfbF/0/XL/50%201.4%20%40%201.4-29-XL.jpg





Nov 24, 2012 at 05:41 PM
OntheRez
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p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


I finally gave up on 50mm. The 50L was just too big of an investment and 2 different 1.4s never seem to focus well wide open. There were so many horror stories (generally off set by positive reviews) of the Sigma that I just didn't want to get involved. I've finally put a 35L on a 1.3 crop and have gotten, I think, a better set of results than I would have from a 50mm. No way to prove it of course, but to my eye it works so that's what I'm going with.

Rober



Nov 25, 2012 at 05:12 PM
badlydrawnboy
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p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · The Canon 50mm lens challenge


OntheRez wrote:
I finally gave up on 50mm. The 50L was just too big of an investment and 2 different 1.4s never seem to focus well wide open. There were so many horror stories (generally off set by positive reviews) of the Sigma that I just didn't want to get involved. I've finally put a 35L on a 1.3 crop and have gotten, I think, a better set of results than I would have from a 50mm. No way to prove it of course, but to my eye it works so that's what I'm going with.

Rober


Sigh. That's pretty much where I've come to, but I have a full-frame body and I love the 50mm field of view. I'm really hoping Canon updates the 50/1.4 as they've done with the wider-angle primes, and they make it sharper and more consistent at wider apertures. I could care less about IS, but considering the trend, I imagine it will have it.

I'd be willing to pay $700-$800 for a high quality, compact 50/1.4.

In the meantime, I'm learning to see better with the 35mm. In some ways it has changed the way I shoot, and I'm enjoying the new perspective.

I'm also considering getting an OM-D + the Panasonic/Leica 25/1.4 which is highly regarded.



Nov 25, 2012 at 06:02 PM
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