50mm 1:4 lens - most used for??

lynnma

:dunno So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

Andy

lynnma wrote:

So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

street:






portraits:

lynnma

Andy wrote:

street:
portraits:

Oh geez... where is my head! and to think.. I nearly parted with it. Thanks Andy I shall get the little guy out and use it.

CaiusMartius

lynnma wrote:

So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

I don't have one, but I know that it is a good low light lens. It would be very usefull on a FF camera, but more of an indoor available light portrait lens on a a 1.6 crop.

The little brother of that lens is the 50mm 1.8. The benefit of the 1.4 over this lens is that it is higher build quality, has a manual focus ring, and when stopped down to 1.8 it significantly outperforms the cheaper lens. (It will have higher resolution, contrast, and less vignetting.)

I have been looking for a good low light lens, but have been really torn about it. The 50mm 1.4 is a great quality lens, but I have a 1.6 crop camera, which makes it equivalent to an 80mm prime. That is a nice portrait length, but it is way too narrow for much else.

There is also a 28mm 1.8 for about the same cost that I have been considering, but it doesn't get as good reviews.

The best advice I could give would be to play with the lens. In bright daylight, stopped down to F/8 that lens should produce amazing sharpness and detail. However, the 'fun' factor for that lens should come when you try to hand hold it in very low light conditions. (Try some night shots.)

For some sample pictures taken with that lens, take a look at these...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sample-Pictures.aspx?Equipment=115&desc=Canon-EF-50mm-f/1.4-USM-Lens-Sample-Pictures

Shay Stephens

Just a few
I am a zoomer at heart, so prime lenses don't get a lot of action from me. However, when in need, I do turn to my 50mm which I keep in my bag at all times.

Low light: It can focus in crazy low light. And I can get exposures that allow hand held use too.

Depth of field: It's f/1.4, what more needs to be said?

Light weight: If weight is a concern via fatigue or injury, a small light lens can make the difference between getting a shot and wishing for better days.

Backup: Not enough attention is paid to this valubale feature, but when the need arises, having abackup will feel like you just found a gold ingot.

lynnma

Thanks Shay and Caius.. yep.. I'm "reconverted"..and now inspired to go forth where no woman and a 50mm has been before

gluwater

Here's a couple more:

Really low light @ f/1.4






Stopped down in brighter light

TristanP

It's my low light and creative lens. Sometimes I wonder if a Sigma 30/1.4 would be better for indoor shots on the 20D, but for now, I'll stick with the Canon. Some of my favorites:

lynnma

Thks Glu and Tristan..why in the world would I think I would'nt need this lens

Khaos

Shot's I've used it for.
Primarily low light stuff but sometimes for portraits.

DavidTO

Khaos,

I really like that shot of the girl.

Khaos

DavidTO wrote:

Khaos,

I really like that shot of the girl.

Thank you David.

She's my niece, Lindsay.

It was very low lit shot. She's playing the piano and the only light is from the bulb used to light the music.

Awais Yaqub

nice photos
i have heard 50mm are also great to photograph from waist level is that true ??

Khaos

Awais Yaqub wrote:

nice photos
i have heard 50mm are also great to photograph from waist level is that true ??

That's something I've never tried. It will be something for me to attempt though.

lynnma

thanks all.. beautiful shots all

ridetwistyroads

Can do some awesome landscapes, too. MF 50mm Nikkor F1.4; not a nearly the same lens, but simular in principle.







This is a 50,, f1.8, before I found the 1.4;

snapapple

I can really see the difference between that lens and the 18-55 kit lens. Now I know why I can't get those clear crisp shots. I always have low light situations. I needed someone to show me the reason to invest in better lenses.

ridetwistyroads

snapapple wrote:

I can really see the difference between that lens and the 18-55 kit lens. Now I know why I can't get those clear crisp shots. I always have low light situations. I needed someone to show me the reason to invest in better lenses.

Yup. Fast glass is wonderfull.

And addicting. Consider yourself warned. :uhoh

4labs

I love using it but often forget about it.

lynnma

4labs wrote:

I love using it but often forget about it.

doggies rule!

snapapple

Gosh that's a great Lab!clap

BTW, I looked up the lens on B&H and found the 50mm f/1.8 II for 79.95 and the 50mm f/ 1.4 for 314.95 less $25 rebate. Why the big difference in price? What is the difference between these lenses. It really didn't say anything is the specs. That's why I don't run right out and spend megabucks on lenses. I don't know what you get for the big bucks. I do see the quality in the pictures you all have posted here. I know I don't get shots like that with my kit lens, but what's the difference between these two? The f/stop numbers seem so close.

Cason

snapapple wrote:

Gosh that's a great Lab!clap

BTW, I looked up the lens on B&H and found the 50mm f/1.8 II for 79.95 and the 50mm f/ 1.4 for 314.95 less $25 rebate. Why the big difference in price? What is the difference between these lenses. It really didn't say anything is the specs. That's why I don't run right out and spend megabucks on lenses. I don't know what you get for the big bucks. I do see the quality in the pictures you all have posted here. I know I don't get shots like that with my kit lens, but what's the difference between these two? The f/stop numbers seem so close.

Check this site out.... http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

Mr. 2H2O

Nice socks Andy...
:d