rollin' with a fast 50

emraphoto

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well i picked up a canon 50mm f1.2 in about as nice shape as one can find (thanx CF) and took it out the other day/eve for a little dry run after an event.

essentially the idea of two lenses and two bodies for work/travel has been my quest and a fast, fast 50 was one of the options. would it be a useable solution beyond creating pretty swirly things? as a working schmoe a noct. was out of the question and the nokton is HUGE!

so i thought i would post a few for anyone considering such a thing. it's all tri-x/arista shot at 800-1600 in d-76 1:1
 

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pretty long focus throw on this thing and the infinity lock HAS to go but it seems a pretty decent compromise.
 

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Those pictures have a smooth, old-school lack of harshness and extreme contrast to them, if I'm seeing right. Bokeh seems undisturbing, as well. Adds up to a very useful low-light walking-around lens, by my primitive yardstick.
 
Well Biggles my yardstick is fairly primitive as well. I'll take subject matter over "sharp" any day.

I wouldn't fancy myself a good spokesperson for sharp testing. I am pretty willy nilly and haven't the foggiest idea where my tripod is.

It does seem a bit soft wide open. Stop it down a bit and it sharpens up pretty good.
 
You have to disassemble part of the lens mount to take out the infinity lock. My lens is made from two parts-only lenses, both were missing elements and one had to be dremeled apart. I put the infinity lock into it, but left the return spring out. That way, you have to push it into place to lock.

picture.php


Wide-Open on the M8.
 
thats a bit more work than i care for Brian!

i suppose i will leave it be for now until i am in the middle of nowhere and have nothing to do for a day or two.
 
lets say i was a fan of a bit more contrast... any recommendations? doesn't have to be super fast but there are budget constraints.
 
The CV Nokton 50/1.5 is a great lens: sharp, contrasty, flare-resistant, well made, inexpensive.
You could also consider the Canon 50/1.4, Canon 50/1.5 (Sonnar formula, and very compact) or the Nikkor 50/1.4 (also a Sonnar, and almost as small as the Canon).

Ari
 
I used to have Canon 50/1.2 and it was pretty nice. I miss it at times. Was pretty sharp even wide open:
3170327404_638bf6d441_o.jpg
 
Well the VC 50 1.5 and VC 40 1.5 are great options for sure. Used the 40 for about a year and have no complaints.

Right now my rationale is the canon is in my hands (a big plus for me), I can bump the contrast it post (should it be needed) and the canon is in my hands (did I mention that already)?

Anybody have some VC 50 1.5 snaps to compare?
 
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