p.2 #1 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
Let me understand - you had two 50mm primes - Sigma and Canon - because neither of them was doing the job in all situations, until you got a 5D3. Now either of them is more than adequate, and you can get rid of one? (or is it that the Canon does not perform well in all situations but the Sigma does?).
Wow, that is a real endorsement for the 5d3!
Regarding bokeh, what is the exif on the third shot? Seems to me the lens is stopped down quite a bit.
p.2 #2 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
wickerprints wrote:
The EF 85/1.2L, EF 85/1.2L II, and EF 50/1.0L share very similar barrel designs that are distinct from every other EF lens, including the newer EF 50/1.2L. Substantial portions of the barrel itself have been given a special surface treatment that some might call "rubberized." The reason for this treatment is because these lenses are heavy and very wide near the lens mount, due to their fast aperture. This special finish provides for a better grip and easier handling of the lens, reducing the chance of accidentally dropping it.
Again, the 50/1.2L does not have this finish. It doesn't really need it....Show more →
No quarrel with that from me.
Let me just amplify a few points here.
(1) Barrel design on 50 f/1.0 & 85L is practically identical. That includes the electronic MF as well.
(2) The barrel of both lenses is made of some sorta polycarbonate plastic material, with rubberized coating applied on top.
(3) Both lenses are vulnerable to the inner (focusing) sub-barrel damage/displacement by impact. In that sense they feel fragile.
(4) In addition, the MF ring can not stand much (ab)use before it becomes loose/spinny and rattly.
(5) Whenever I handle one of those lenses I have fears of dropping them and causing irrepairable damage because of their construction and weight. In the case of 50 f/1.0 that would really hurt. (Which reminds me that I should get a backup copy again. )
In contrast, 50 f/1.2 is a smaller, lighter and a more tightly built lens. Its focusing sub-barrel doesn't protrude out of the outer barrel. Obviously, the mechanical MF contributes to that tight feel of the barrel and the lens itself.
p.2 #4 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
I guess I need to provide a little history. I bought a Sigma 50 a few years back and it has auto focus issues. I returned it to Amazon, who were more than happy to overnight me another. That one too had focusing issues. I sent that one to Sigma for repair. They have great service, but sadly, the AF was still not hitting a good percentage and in lower lit rooms, forget it. This was the first version with the rubberized coating on the barrel. I sold that one on Craigslist.
I later bought a Canon 50mm f/1.2L from BH last Dec. and found it to hunt and not lock focus. It also suffered from a phenomena named AF shift or breathing. I would have to focus on something at a diff. distance and then re frame to focus on my subject...then the focus would be about 60% reliable. Focus was much better with a Canon TTL flash with AF assist beam. Sadly, I returned it to BH.
While vacationing in Miami, FL, I had the chance to pick up a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 in a local camera shop. I was able to test out the AF and thought it did a good job. It still missed sometimes on my 7D.
When I decided to try a 5D MK II (my first time using FF), I wanted to try another Canon 50mm f/1.2L and found one from a fellow FM'er. The copy did not suffer any AF issues like the previous ( yes, believe it or not, Canon too has quality issues although I think Sigma has more).
Sold the 5D Mark II and got the Mark III. Wow...what a difference. The Sigma and Canon nearly always hit the focus perfectly. Maybe because I don't need to re compose any longer...the 61 AF points come in handy with 41 or so cross types. Both focus great on the MK III and both are sharp...though I think the Sigma is sharper at f/1.4 than the Canon is at f/1.2. Also the Canon has horrendous color fringing in bright scenes wide open. I really thought I would just sell the Sigma and keep the Canon 50L, but because it is hard to find a good Sigma I decided to keep it around a while.
If it were not for the sharp distracting bokeh of the Canon 50L, I'd probably not think twice and just keep it. It seems to have no trouble indoors ( where it is probably mostly used). The problem only surfaces with busy highlighted backgrounds...leaves on trees, grass, etc. At least that is where I noticed it.
I have two different filters on the two 50's, which I might take off and then compare them again. The Canon 50L has a Hoya Digital Pro1 UV and the Sigma a B+W UV ( single coat).
** and yes, I noticed that the Sigma is a bit wider and at least to my eye had a little more contrast.
Thanks to all who have chimed in to this discussion!
p.2 #5 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
Thanks THW2. I need to wait for the sun to come back to NC :-). Been overcast and rainy the past few days. I really do want to make a comparison in a similarly sunny day.
p.2 #6 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
jasonsim wrote:
I wonder if it could be the 5D MK III causing that weirdness for my 50mm L.
Nooo. I've shot the 50L with the 5D Classic and noticed that exact same thing you're talking about. Bokeh can get busy/nervous in bright-light complex backgrounds. Honestly, it's a little/lot off-putting about the lens, especially considering the lens' price.
p.2 #8 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
Sigma has been measured as actually being 48mm. Mine works very well on my 5D II, so I'd be keen to use it on a 5D III. Bokeh is creamy smooth, although not everyone likes that apparently. I would have liked the 50 f/1.2L, but as with the case of the 85L, the Sigma alternatives were so similar in performance for a fraction of the price I had no hesitation in buying them. But from what I've seen a good 50L is about the best 50 without spending several thousand on a Leica Summilux. For the most part you'd be hard pressed picking Sigma and Canon shots from double blind tests.
I'm hoping Sigma now follow up with a 35 f/1.4 (f/1.2 would be great).
p.2 #11 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
shoenberg3, you may be on to something there. There is a part of me that wants to like the 50L, since it does have niceties such as weather sealing on mount and better build. And bragging rights with the wide f/1.2 aperture.
p.2 #14 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
I guess...the 5D III is supposed to be just as sealed as the 7D, maybe better from what I've seen with just the memory card slot door. Don't know if it is near that of a 1D, probably not. I remember my 1D III have rubber gaskets beneath the buttons. Still so much to learn and discover on the 5D III.
p.2 #18 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
pookipichu wrote:
The 50 1.2L actually feels a little cheap when compared to the build of the 50 1.0L which feels like a tank.
Did you know cell phone manufacturers actually ADD weight to cell phones for sale in the U.S. market because U.S. consumers deem heavier items as having greater value? Consumers in Europe, however, consider lighter products as having more value.
Personally, I wish there was a way to make the Leica 50mm f/0.95 work on a Canon camera. As far as I am concerned, it is the 50mm lens with "the most pleasing bokeh."
Apr 23, 2012 at 01:59 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #19 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
rsg_1 wrote:
How about the bokeh on the Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens?
I haven't seen any samples here and was wondering if this would be good on the 5DIII. Certainly for video.
I own the ZE 50/1,4 P and also the ZE 50/2 MP. I think my Canon 50/1,2 have nicer blur and bokeh than both those Zeiss lenses. The ZE 50/1,4 is a lovely little lens but has very harsh bokeh/blur when shooting at close distance
p.2 #20 · Which 50mm yields the most pleasing bokeh?
I wouldn't touch the sigma 50 with a 10' pole - even if it was someone else's 10' pole. I sold my 85L for the Sigma 85 and the results have been mixed. Great optically, but schizo on the AF. Typical Sigma. Honestly, I wish I had the 85L back.
And that was with the 85... Sigma's *good* fast prime. Complaints about this sort of behavior on it's 50/1.4 are much more abundant.
My 50L has been absolutely flawless in the four years I've used it. No fuss, no inconsistency, no front focus, no back focus. Perfect on all of my bodies. That alone is worth the price premium over the Sigma.
