peterm1
Veteran
Just thought I would post these here as some may be interested.
Last week I picked up a Canon 50mm f1.2 in fairly knocked about condition for a good price. Although it looked as if someone had a go at the front element with a Brillo pad I thought it might make an interesting portrait lens.and be fairly low contrast - an effect I like in black and white imaging. The price was right after all.
I had my doubts about how it would handle any light sources, but I must say I was reasonably pleasantly surprised overall with its ability to render a useful and interesting image in this situation. I deliberately shot the first 2 photos below "contra joure" to check the handling of flare which I knew was going to be a problem. But I still quite like the creative results although the photos cannot claim to be master pieces I think the lens will be one that has a specialized niche in my armoury.
Boy, I was not wrong about "low contrast" though, I suppose veiling flare contributes in no small part. The same era 50mm lens in f1.8 is noticeably better contrast (see the last photo) although its not shot against the light which I imagine helps.
Overall I like the 1.2's effect for portraits. All photos have a slight touch up in post processing to tweak the image very slightly as I invariably do.
But at least I have one and this means I now have the 50mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4 and the 50mm 1.2. and the first two are in excellent nick.
Overall I am happy with my little purchase although I would love mint version of this lens. So the results give me enough payback to keep me experimenting. I must do a proper comparison shoot one day and I must try it with color emulsion next - love that pastel look.
Any one else with some 1.2 images taken wide open?
Canon 50mm f1.2 wide open
Canon 50mm f1.8 wide open
Last week I picked up a Canon 50mm f1.2 in fairly knocked about condition for a good price. Although it looked as if someone had a go at the front element with a Brillo pad I thought it might make an interesting portrait lens.and be fairly low contrast - an effect I like in black and white imaging. The price was right after all.
I had my doubts about how it would handle any light sources, but I must say I was reasonably pleasantly surprised overall with its ability to render a useful and interesting image in this situation. I deliberately shot the first 2 photos below "contra joure" to check the handling of flare which I knew was going to be a problem. But I still quite like the creative results although the photos cannot claim to be master pieces I think the lens will be one that has a specialized niche in my armoury.
Boy, I was not wrong about "low contrast" though, I suppose veiling flare contributes in no small part. The same era 50mm lens in f1.8 is noticeably better contrast (see the last photo) although its not shot against the light which I imagine helps.
Overall I like the 1.2's effect for portraits. All photos have a slight touch up in post processing to tweak the image very slightly as I invariably do.
But at least I have one and this means I now have the 50mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4 and the 50mm 1.2. and the first two are in excellent nick.
Overall I am happy with my little purchase although I would love mint version of this lens. So the results give me enough payback to keep me experimenting. I must do a proper comparison shoot one day and I must try it with color emulsion next - love that pastel look.
Any one else with some 1.2 images taken wide open?
Canon 50mm f1.2 wide open
Canon 50mm f1.8 wide open
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