Feedback and/or Experiences w/50mm Canon lens f 1.2 & 1.8

Hey team,

I've been looking around some techniques and photo experiences with this type of fixed lens, Honesty I've been using telephotos most of of the times and you can get very nit images with long exposure, do want to try out a fix lens, I did a try out with my old nifty fifty 1.8… but got quite a lot of glare…

Feedback, experiences, examples are greatly appreciated! On both the 1.2 and 1.8

Sebastian

Hi Sebastian!

Unfortunately I have no experience with 1.8, neither 1.2, but I personally own a 1.4.

Let's start with some facts - the "nifty fifty" 1.8 is the cheapest lens from Canon, so I am not suprised that it produces a lot of glare. On the other side 1.2 is not affordable in most of cases because of it's price.

1.4 is a very old lens and is not usable in 1.4-2.8 range (extremely soft and aberrating), but above 2.8 can be extremely sharp. And the price is very very nice :) Here you have some examples of night shots taken with this lens (I use it only for night scenes).

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/666814/ur-cgv-ukraine-air-alliance-antonov-an-12-all-models/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/667572/ur-cmk-yanair-airbus-a320/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/685509/ei-emp-ryanair-boeing-737-800/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/685512/ei-ens-ryanair-boeing-737-800/

These were taken with a 5D Mark III body. The lens performed really good with my old 40D as well.

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/686543/4x-ekl-el-al-israel-airlines-boeing-737-800/

Hope that I helped in some way :)

PS I heard, that a new "nifty fifty" 50 1.8 STM is a quite good lens! If you have a possibility to rent that one, just try it!

Hey Jakub,

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply, in fact it was great help!

Yes the 1.8 it's quite something, honestly I was expecting that much out of it, I used to use that one with my old T1i, but it was kind of a rare situation.

I'm interested in those kind of shots, unfortunately I don't have access to be as close as those pics (would love tho) but that's the idea. - I've been reading in a bunch of different forums where they compare the 1.2 with the 35mm 2.8 and the 16-35mm all prime.

I guess on the bright side now I know that 1.2 is out of the equation, and more likely to point towards the 1.4 as you mentioned, but have my doubts with the 16-35, besides the price wouldn't that be a must in an aviation photographer equipment? again my idea is to actually start to figure a way to get closer, so far I've been using telephotos only.

Thank you again, Awesome pics by the way man!

Sebastian

Hi Sebastian,

I own 1.4, it is actually very good lens, I absolutely love it, had no problem with aberration but yes it can be a bit soft at 1.4 but my experiences are great (not using it for spotting at all). It is very common lens in low(est) budget dslr video productions with excellent results but all in all you get a fine piece of glass for 350$.

Also worked with 50mm f/1.2L USM - now that's a glass...well it is Canon L series. It is not cheap but it's awesome. It is great for night life shooting (clubbing, fashion shows,... anywhere where you use existing light conditions) For spotting it's a waste of money IMO.

If you're looking for a glass for long exposures shots, there is no need then for prime 1.2, rather purchase 24-70 L f2.8 so you cover decent range of focal length. Or 16-35 if you have need for wide angle shots.

I have no experiences with 1.8 but as Jakub said it is cheap, old and I strongly advise you to avoid this glass.

Hope my info also helped!

Boytronic

AH I forgot! I would rather consider buying the Sigma Art 50mm 1.4. In my opinion the best fifty on the market :)

To be honest - if I had no Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 (I currently have one and it is the best lens I've ever seen/had) - I would buy the 50 Art. The only reason why I won't buy it, is that I already have a 50 and I use it only for night shots like I posted above. The 35 does all other work perfectly and I don't need a superb fifty.

@Boytronic,

Thanks man, very useful, I guess that's what I'm looking for same as Jakub, honest opinions regarding the lenses, as I mentioned before the 1.8 is a piece I have left from an old camera, and the it was somehow a last resort at the moment, as I was expecting a better results from the 24-105 that I have.

Would you kindly share and example of a pic taken with the 16-35? - 24-70 f2.8 doesn't sound that bad, just wondering if besides the extra stops, is it really I want buy? I have a 70-200 f2.8 already... so technically I have those 70mm already and the 24... well although the 24-105 is not topnotch it does its thing right?... thinking out loud I guess...

You guys got me thinking, 16-35 f2.8 sounds more like it.. still you can't compare a fixed lens with a variable lens.

@Jakub,

Thanks man, not sure about the 35mm but as I was telling I'm still hesitating, both are quite expensive lenses and the idea is do and investment and have a great glass for the long haul. Sigma is great but i had an awful experience with a Sigma Telephoto and want to avoid being near to that road again.

You guys Rock, Awesome pics! both of your techniques Kickxxs!

I guess the question now goes, Fixed lens or 16-35 2.8.

Sebastian

Sebastian,

please check my profile (pictures)...all wide shots are taken with 16-35 f2.8 including all cockpit shots

here are some examples:

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/665077/9a-dzp-private-cessna-210-centurion/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/616361/9a-dbv-private-scheibe-flugzeugbau-sf-25-falke/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/610482/9a-dbv-private-scheibe-flugzeugbau-sf-25-falke/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/599682/208-yugoslavia-air-force-junkers-ju-52/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/584722/9a-btd-trade-air-fokker-100/

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/604031/9a-bte-trade-air-fokker-100/

etc....

One thing I forgot to mention - lens is everything in cinematography as well as photography. I know Canon L glasses are very expensive but keep in mind that they last decades.(if you don't brake'em). Bodies may vary (although it is an important thing especially when it comes to sensor stuff) but what comes through the glass is that counts the most.

If you have possibility to purchase top lens - go for it, you will never regret. After first taken shots you'll forget amount of money you left at the store ;) Lens is the best investment if you re serious about photography. Period.

There is an old sayin' here where I live:

"Cheap man pays twice"

Also keep in mind that half of the videos you see on MTV are taken with dslr lenses (mostly Canon), I use'em for video shooting too and you can not tell the difference from (cheaper) cine lenses.

16-35 Canon is must have!

@Sebastian

Believe me, Sigma Art line is a totally different world :) Forget about any experience with their telephotos (the old ones or even these from new line C and S) - just go to the store and test the Art line :)

Hey Guys,

Sorry for leaving the forum open, I've been reading quite a lot now, and comparing all possible options, this is what I have come out with, let me know your thoughts.

50's although can be very bright, reality is we don't really need an awesome bookeh, we may use a the 1.2 for an internal cockpit shot, but reality is that, that's not a common shot. a 50 is a good lens however as Jakub said it seems that the 35 is way more versatile and comparing a prime L lens with the new 35 1.4 A series no brainer, all reviews point towards the sigma, sharpness, CA, fringing etc.

Besides having a fixed lens in your Kit is a must. - On the other hand, we have the 16-35mm I have compared both the old 2.8 with the latest version f4. I would have thought that the 2.8 would be a better deal however it seems that once again the new version is way better, not only because of the IS, but because of it's overall quality... Yeah.. my initial thought was... 2.8 go with that one, but considering all possible variations, the F4 is not a bad deal at all..

Agreed with Boytronic.. Glass is the main goal now.. I have a 6D now and i'm quite Happy with it, may upgrade in a year or 2 to the 5DM3 or even the newer versions of the 6D or even the 5D series.. but, that's not a priority.

Really appreciate you time and input on this, Sebastian.