Canon 1.2 vs 1.4

[Mark C]

I've got a couple recent shots with the 1.2, but don't have them uploaded yet. Here's one I posted before. Shot at 1.4, and there was actually just a hint of haze at the time I hadn't noticed. Cleaned now.

 

[OurManInTangier]

^^^

Mark and Jim, two really lovely shots. Enough to make me think I could have done better with my 1.2....except I didn't 🙂

 

[Fixcinater]

I have had a 1.2 for just over a year now and for the first while I had it, it had haze on the elements surrounding the aperture blades plus oil on the blades. I disassembled and cleaned it all up and so the glass on my copy is darn near perfect (some light coating speckles on the front element), and the contrast is markedly better at all stops. It's as sharp as can be but accurate focus is tough, even with my Canon 7. I've not shot it with my M3 but I expect better results there and hopefully will have some results soon from that combo.

 

[filmtwit]

This is a canon 50 1.2 and flare under control.

Same lense, with starting to lose control of the flare

 

[donnyb89]

thanks to all for the answers, you were all very kind.
you have posted beautiful shots !!!!

 

[Mark C]

This is a canon 50 1.2 and flare under control.

Same lense, with starting to lose control of the flare

Both sure look like the lens has a touch of haze. I don't normally get veiling flare even like the first shot with mine, but I do tend to shoot at 1.4. Are those 1.2?

 

[filmtwit]

First one at 1.2, the second at 1.4 if I remember right.

AS a further note - I took these close to 2 years ago and no longer have the lens in question.

Both sure look like the lens has a touch of haze. I don't normally get veiling flare even like the first shot with mine, but I do tend to shoot at 1.4. Are those 1.2?

 

[Platinum RF]

I have both sold f1.2 keep 1.4. The 1.4 at 1.4 is usable while 1.2 is too soft at 1.2.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Consider: Why do you need 1.2 when both are equal?

 

[ray*j*gun]

How does the 1.8 stack up?

 

[filmtwit]

The 1.4 and the 1.2 give different looks as a whole.

The 1.4 was my work horse 50mm for a few years. Good lens, but the 1 meter minimum focus ended up being a problem (for me) and switched to the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor-sc.

The 1.2 I picked up years alter and most definitely has a look unto itself as a whole. I found that when used in right situations I really ended up with some great photos. The wrong lighting could be difficult too. I sold it about a year later as I found I wasn't using it much.

Consider: Why do you need 1.2 when both are equal?

 

[Mark C]

BTW, I'm not really advocating for the 1.2 over the 1.4. I was curious about the 1.4 for a long time, and nearly bought one here last year, but just wasn't sure it would be an all around substitute for my Summicron. The Summicron, plus 1.2 when needed was a good combination that I knew worked.

I eventually picked up a "reasonably" priced Summilux, and it is indeed a lens that does it all for me. The 1.4 Canon might conceivably been also.

I did want to speak up for the fact that the 1.2 is a better performing lens than it is often given credit for.

 

[Takkun]

Un scientifically, I haven't seen any noticeable difference between the 1.4 and the later-model 1.8. I might run some equally unscientific tests when I get home.

 

[Chris Bail]

Looking through my old photos, I realize just how crappy I am at noting what lens I took shots with when importing into Lightroom...

Here are a few samples that I know were taken with the Canon 50/1.2 and Canon 50/1.4

1.4, wide open on film


1.4 mostly wide open...maybe f2 on digital


1.4 wide open on digital


1.2 wide open on digital


1.2 wide open on digital


1.2 stopped down a bit...maybe 5.6 on film

 

[uhoh7]

Chris those look great. Your 1.2 looks quite good WO.

It's really apples and oranges as the 1.2 does a number of tricks the 1.4 cannot.


forgive the uninteresting shot, but what's clear is the totally unique swirly bokeh which the 1.2 sometimes creates.

Now, some hate this of course, but I find it arresting 🙂

 

[raid]

I would also consider the Nikkor 50/2 and 50/1.4 in ltm.

 

[Chris Bail]

Thanks uhoh007. I also think the 1.2 bokeh is nice.

maybe this will be a good comparison?

1.4 wide open on the R-D1 ISO 1600


1.2 wide open. Missed the focus a little. M8, ISO 640

 

[donnyb89]

is there someone selling the canon 50 1.2?

 

[Chris Bail]

is there someone selling the canon 50 1.2?

Not that I know of... at the moment anyway. There are couple 50/1.4's for sale in the classifieds. I'm not sure I'll ever sell my 50/1.2...

You can of course find them all over eBay, but I'd want to be able to ask the seller for sample pics. It seems there is some variation among the examples of this lens.

 

[Mark C]

is there someone selling the canon 50 1.2?

I will probably be selling mine, but then I've been thinking that for a couple years and always talk myself out of it. The Summilux I just got is undoubtedly a better lens, but the Canon has a certain charm that is hard to let go of.