As regular readers will have read yesterday, I just bought a 50mm f/1.2 L lens.
As some here have mentioned, this lens is not known for being the very sharpest at wide open apertures. It is also not known for being one of the cheapest: you can buy an f/1.8 lens for $120, so why spend $1,800 on a f/1.2 lens? Especially a prime lens- meaning not a convenient “10-500mm” zoom lens?
Because:
- It is yet another bit faster (meaning, lets in more light) than the f/1.4. A third of a stop more. And as you saw in my post of two days ago, that is important: every little bit helps.
- And it allows me to blur the background even more.
- And it gives me beautiful bokeh when used wide open.
Here’s an f/1.2 snap:
Food held out
…and another one, showing nice blurry background:
Laptop at The Royal
Of course even at smaller apertures, like f/2.8, you can get a nice blurred background:
Hold out your glass...
But wide open you get this wonderful soft bokeh (the nature of the blur):
Glass with bokeh
And that is why I am happy to invest in this type of lens.
Plus unlike a camera, a lens keeps its value. A lens’s value depends on the intrinsic value of the optical glass, so it is great.
So when people ask me “should I spend money on a lens or on a new camera”, well – you know they are both great and useful and fun. So either decision is good. But lenses are more important to your photos, and they keep their value, so do not ever feel bad about purchasing a great lens.
Wow, isn’t that bokeh beautiful? You are so right about the value of the lens. I bought my 50mm 1.4 lens about two years ago when it was on sale for just over $300, and it is still worth over $300 in the used market today. It is great lens, and I only wish it has a faster and more accuracy AF. Here is a recent photo I took with this lens http://franklinwang.com/2010/10/31/its-a-treat/
Michael, when I see you with the 50mm, I get sad again. I’m a split person.
Yeah, broke is so beautiful, but don’t forget the most magnificent colors I’ve ever seen in a lens, but…….I couldn’t live with the unsharpness wide open.
I owned one last year, I got mad about the sharpness, I was in love withe the 1.2 and I hated it even more.
at last I sold it with tears in my eyes.
now I own a 35/1.4.
When Canon comes with a 50/1.2 MKII, I will not hesitate and buy immediately the new one.
Yes, sharp is great: I am a sharp freak. This lens is not bad though. I wonder if there are version/manufacture dates differences?
Yes Mike, there are version/manufacture differences.
date I don’t know.
An college of me, went to his store and said: I want to try so many lenses until I find a good one, so I’m satisfied.
The 5e lens was real good.
I was thinking about doing the same, but I’m hoping the mkII is coming.
But Michael enjoy your new baby, but if you in doubt, return it to Canon.
As a Nikon D90 user, would it be more advisable to stick to a Nikon brand lens (AF-S 50mm f/1.4G) or an other manufacturer?