Canon 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.2

[btaylor]

I love the L series lenses as much as the next fanboy, but if Sigma had their 50 f1.4 when I bought my EF 50 1.4 I'd probably dropped the tad extra for the Sigma. I've never owned a Sigma lens but this one looks like one worth take'n a chance on. Check out dpreview's side by side comparison here

That review looks very promising for the Sigma in terms of chromatic abberation and sharpness (better than the Canon f/1.4 in both respects) but looks like it may have some issues with inconsistent AF. Check out Bryan's reviewhttp://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx.


Just another thing to confuse the situation a bit more. []


Ben.

[clemmb]

I live in Victoria, Tx where there are no camera stores. I went to San Antonio this weekend and stopped in The Camera Exchange. This was the first time in a very long time I was able to get my hands on some equipment before I buy. The 50mm 1.4 is one I have been wanting to buy but was hesitant due to some of the comments I have read. I got to play with this lens in the shop and thought it worth the price. My wife said, well if you can use it lets buy it. A wonderful woman.


Today I used it at a friends 75th birthday reception. I am very impressed with the results. The focus seems fast enough for me and all shots were keepers. All shots hand held with 580EX on camera with omni-bounce. Here is 100% crop.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.67/IMG_5F00_0105a.jpg[/img]


Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D
Image Date: 2010-08-22 13:17:36 -0500
Focal Length: 50.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
ISO equiv: 400
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes (Manual)
Color Space: sRGB

[deltasun]

Nice detail. I've not been disappointed with my 50mm f/1.4. My keeper rate does vary, but I'm starting to really understand and work with its nuances.





Technical question: how do you post 100% crop? Do you have to do a screen shot once it's at 100%? [:S]

[Daniel Browning]

Technical question: how do you post 100% crop?

Normally it's with the "crop" tool.

[Sheiky]

Technical question: how do you post 100% crop?

Normally it's with the "crop" tool.

Funny, but posting isn't done by a "crop"tool [:P] I haven't seen the 100% crop tool in Lightroom yet. Is there a specific one on DPP?


To make one I personally use Photoshop and have a rectangle selected with a fixed width of 800p. Since the forum supports 800p wide, it will be a 100% view on your crop on this particular forum.


To post one you can use the Insert Media tab and upload your photo, but I guess that wasn't really the question [:P] Or is it?

[Daniel Browning]

Funny, but posting isn't done by a "crop"tool [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]

Quite right. []



<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="content-type" />

<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="content-type" />
I haven't seen the 100% crop tool in Lightroom yet. Is there a specific one on DPP?

Lightroom doesn't have one, DPP probably doesn't either. I was thinking of image editors like Photoshop, Gimp, etc. It's probably not common for raw converters to have a crop tool that works at 100%.

[nickds7]

1.2 better until 2.8 is the general census isn't it? Anything past would be better served with the 1.4

[canoli]

Isn't "100% crop" an oxymoron?


ah n'mind - pass me another Jumbo Shrimp please... [:P]

[DavidEccleston]

DPP probably doesn't either. I was thinking of image editors like Photoshop, Gimp, etc. It's probably not common for raw converters to have a crop tool that works at 100%.

I open the DPP crop tool, make a rough box with a width near 800, and then type 800 into the width box before hitting OK. That will give me a 100% view of the 800 pixel of my choice.

[thekingb]

I had a love/hate relationship with the 50 f/1.4 and recently sold it. Stopped down to at least f/3.5 the keeper rate was excellent, and the IQ was often stunning. But that's not why I bought the lens. I wanted a low light powerhouse, yet it is unusable at f/1.4, and at f/1.8 through f/2.5, I feel like I either needed a very steady hand (which I don't always have) or a mono/tripod. Some of my exposures in that range were really quite good, but the keeper rate was frustratingly low.


I replaced it with the 85 f/1.8. If you can handle the additional length, it is, IMHO, a superior lens that produces much more consistent results. At f/1.8 my keeper rate is quite good. And stopped down it is scary sharp, just like the 50. It also feels sturdier.