canon 50 1.4 LTM

[almontephoto]

Im curious to know your thoughts on the canon screwmount 50 f1.4. its my one and only lens, have it on a bessa r3a, of course with a LTM to M mount adapter. I love it, great all around lens, fast, sharp to my eyes, but am i missing somethin? being my only lens, i wonder if im missing out by having this as my only lens.

any comments????

 

[uinku]

..this is how GAS starts. 😉

I'd say try out a wider focal length and force yourself to use it for at least a month or so.

 

[Roger S]

It depends on how long you've had the lens. If you're new to it, take your time before getting something else. Learn to use it at its best and don't worry about what you haven't got. There are a couple of threads running on this subject. One in particular is likely to result in a project all about using only one lens for a period of time.

Even if you've been using the lens for a long time, the question to ask yourself is "have I run out of excitement and inspiration yet?" You may well find yourself with a better understanding of what your lens can do that many people who just have too many of them.

Final question? are you always able to get a good image of what you want to photograph? If not - if you feel you've not been able to capture it properly, then maybe you've reached the time to think of something new.

 

[ferider]

This lens is great, highly under-valued, IMO. If you like it, stay with it, no other 50 is really "better", just different maybe.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Boy, what a soft-ball question to this group. My father owned only one camera and one lens, a Praktica with a 50/2 lens that had a lot of scratches on it. It made beautiful b&w portraits, though, for years and years and years. I remember trying to trade it in on a Nikon F4 back in 1991 and the folks at Olden camera wouldn't even look at it. My dad is not a "thing person" or a gear head (I am though . . .). So my answer is "no" you are not missing anything if the lens helps you to see the way you naturally do and you are happy with the results. Consider yourself free of the conceit that the next special lens will give your images the look you've always wanted. I myself have not been so lucky; or another way to say it is: I really enjoy experimenting with the way different lenses render the world. For a long time this was a series of 50mm lenses. These days I am seeing more broadly in 35mm lens terms . . .

Ben Marks

 

[Tom A]

I have always considered the 50mm f1.4 Canon a severely under rated lens. In many ways it is as good as anything Nikon made at that speed and it was better than the Leica Summilux of the early 60's (and sharper than the Summarit 50f1.5 too). I have had several of them and always liked the way it rendered black/white. My only beef with it has ben the "feel" to it. A slightly "rough" feel to the aperture ring and on some that I have tried, the focus movement is also a bit "crunchy". Wide open performance is very good and it is surprisingly flare resistant for a 50's lens.
Rather than replacing it with something most likely more expensive, look around for a wider lens as a complement. Either a 35 (Canon's 35f1.8 or f2.0 or one of the VC 35f2.5's). You might also consider going even wider with a 28 (Canon 28f3.5 or my favorite, the VC 28f3.5).

 

[nzeeman]

if you want to try something new almontephoto you can try jupiter 8 - it can be found for not so much money.

 

[bigdog]

Stick with the Canon 50mm 1.4

Stick with the Canon 50mm 1.4

I agree with TomA

This is a gem of a lens. It is built like a tank...a bit heavy yet it does not block much if any of my viewfinder on my R2a. It's a sharp fast lens, yet has nice character. It is a good compromise in speed/weight/performance. Any faster and you may not want to carry the weight. This lens performs well wide open and renders pleasing out of focus area.

My only complaint is the throw for focusing is long, so you can't focus quite as fast as you may like at times. I agree the aperture ring feels a tad stiff. I bought several Russian made 50mm LTM's and out of frustration (hit or miss... poorly made or poor performance) was about to purchase a new VC Nokton 1.5 50mm but after getting the Canon, I have no desire to buy another 50mm.

I agree, get yourself a wider lens if you want other focal lengths for more flexibility ...just decide what subjects and shooting style you have and go with what compliments that.

 

[Melvin]

I have to say I envy the OP a bit. Simplicity. I have a Canon 50/1.4 but rarely use it since I have so many other lenses. I am optically obese and need to lose weight. Whenever I have used it I get good results, though. It's a poor man's Summilux.
Have you ever used a wide angle lens? Like a 35mm? It's a different way of thinking, more of the whole scene, but less detail.

 

[MCTuomey]

although i haven't been true to the idea myself, i think that working with different films, exposures, and development regimens would have more of an impact on one's photographs. i doubt your 50/1,4 is a limiting factor. well, it wouldn't be for me anyway.

 

[like2fiddle]

I, too, think this is one of the most underrated 50's out there. I happen to have accumulated a few 50's over the years, nothing really noteworthy but they include names like Leica, Konica, and Zeiss, but of all the 50's I've owned and used, if I could keep only one, it would be the Canon 50/1.4.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

The way I see this issue is that using a significantly different focal length forces me to "see" differently and to learn more about "seeing". On the one hand, I'm attracted to the idea of using only one lens and learning everything it can teach me about the viewed world. However there is more to be learned. By shifting to, say, a 28mm lens, you'll be offered new challenges... new things to learn. You're only here once... you might as well scoop up as many new experiences as possible. 🙂

I would recommend that if you pick up a second focal length, don't take both with you when you go out to photograph. Take one or the other. Let that lens force you to deal with situations creatively. If you have both with you, at least in the beginning, you'll always be second-guessing yourself about which to use.

Another interesting thought I got from another RFF member: a focal length of around 28mm is sort of equivalent to what you see with both eyes open; a focal length of 40 to 50mm is sort of equivalent to what you see with one eye open. 🙂

 

[fbf]

I love mine a lot though I can't stand the infinity lock...The focus ring is not as smooth as any leica I have owned (my canon 50/1.4 has been serviced recently, still not as smooth. Just like Tom.A mentioned).
Image quality-wise, I have no complain and i couldn't be any happier in fact.

 

[sanmich]

I bought mine as a poor-man summilux.
but I was underestimating this marvel.
It is a beautiful lens!
The only things that would refrain me from keeping only it is its ergonomics (nothing really problematic, not on par with leica, that's all) and its minimum focus at 1m (this one is often a problem to me)
Other than that, and given I need f/1.4 very seldom, the 200+ $ I put on this lens maybe the best investment I ever did...
As a matter of fact I am more and more loving canon lenses for their high image quality, fairly good build and low price. I just bought a 85 and 135.
For these FL or apertures (I have the 35 f/1.5) I only need once in a while, I can't invest in Leica real estate and canon lens offer a fantastic substitute.
OTOH, the wider you go, the more I feel the min focus is a limitation (for one, I wouldn't buy a canon 28 or 25).
Just my two long cents...

 

[PMCC]

I agree the 50mm/1.4 is a good-value-for-money optic that is capable of very good results. I think a lens hood is important to limit flare potential. The aperture ring assembly is a bit fragile (the blades on mine flew apart and had to be reassembled) and the helicoid needs to be well lubed. Some users don't get on with the infinity lock, but I think it's a simple matter to disable it. As for Canon wides, I had a 28mm/2.8, said to be Winogrand's favorite lens, and it was a decent performer for a lower contrast, vintage look. In the end I never quite got used to its ergonomics, and I had a buyer who offered a big premium over what I paid. The 35mm/2.8 black that I have is much easier to operate, and again is quite decent for the period (and good value too). None of these lenses deliver that sharp contrasty modern look, which is part of their appeal, but also their limitation.

 

[Melvin]

I love mine a lot though I can't stand the infinity lock...

You can just take the screw off, as I discovered by accident (it fell off), voila, no infinity lock, much nicer.