Why the obsession with fast glass?

[Khunyapan]

I've always enjoyed using fast lenses because my style of photography demands it (see my website/flickr below if curious). Many of the lenses I've owned over the years have a very special look when used wide open, and like others have mentioned, that extra stop really does help when the sun starts to set.

My M6 TTL and Nokton ASPH 50mm f/1.5 with Pan F+ 50 or Efke KB 25 are a match made in heaven. Or push some HP5+ to 800-1600 and that 1.5/1.4 really helps.

I don't think it's an obsession, it's just a preference.

 

[farlymac]

In addition to the 3D effect, some lens glow more at large aperture due to spherical aberrations exhibited along the edges highlight areas.

John

My first SLR outfit I bought over forty years ago included a 1.4/55, and man did it glow at wide open. But my second one didn't exhibit the glow that much. (first one: Sears(Ricoh), second one: Nikon)

PF

 

[Duane Pandorf]

My opinion:

Aperture is for artistic effect.

Shutter is to control amount of light.

In conjunction with ISO they create the image that the "artist" has framed.

The faster aperture available enables more "artistic" options.

 

[Rob-F]

I tried the Noctilux, couldn't think of enough to do with it and sold it. My fast lenses are 35mm f/1.4 ASPH Summilux; 35mm pre-ASPH Summilux; 50/1.4 Summilux; and 50/1.4 MF and MF Nikkors. All my others are either f/2 or f/2.8 or slower. I really don't think I need the 50/1.4 Lux. I do get use out of my 35/1.4 ASPH, and sometimes the 50/1.4 Nikkors.

As to the original question, I guess it has to do with pride of ownership, and the desire to own something exotic or special. Like buying a Rolex when a Citizen keeps better time. Guilty.

 

[skibeerr]

My favourite and most used Leica lens was the Elmar-M 50mm 2.8

[/url](15 of 18) by wim_b, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Mojo]

When you need speed, it is there. When you need narrow DOF, it is there. I walk around town with one camera one lens and a fast lens ensures less missed opportunities.

 

[Pherdinand]

coz we are too rich.

 

[Sparrow]

... I was told it was because of the war, the big boys were seen with f1.5/50s ... so everyone wanted to look like Capa, and the film was still DIN back then and was dreadful slow even when I started in the 60s

Once we got decent 400ASA films I stopped bothering ... although I've often wondered about the switch from f2 to f1.8 thing in the 1970s, did people ever fall for that one?

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

My 2d worth;

1, Fast film was grainy and grain was a dirty word at one time.

2, SLR's had dim screens and f/1.X was needed to see the picture and focus.

3, People like showing off.

4, It's like selling something for £99 instead of £100 but the other way round. A f/1.9 lens is superior in every way to a f/2 and, yes, I do know what the difference is.

5, In my case, it was only three quid and I was tempted by it but it was only f/1.4. And I just love that golden multi coating and the build quality...

Regards, David

PS For some formats f/4.5 was fast!

 

[jsrockit]

but the 1.4 G is SOOO sharp 😉 loving mine.

I guess I just feel the 1.8g is really nice and I'm satisfied. No disrespect towards the 1.4g.

 

[ferider]

... it would be difficult to name a great photograph that was made by the bokeh.

Here you go:

“Medals,” New York by Robert Frank (1951)

(I'm guessing taken with a 50/1.5 Sonnar)

 

[sjgslack]

In my kitchen in the evening I can shoot 400iso @ 1/30th @ f1.4. 1/15th would be too slow to shoot the kids.

That alone of course justifies the purchase of a 50mm Summilux ASPH 🙂

But seriously, indoors in the evening f1.4 is fast enough at iso400. f2 rarely is. That must be the same for many people.

 

[uhoh7]

I've been puzzled in recent years with the apparent obsession with fast lenses.

The most coveted lens between 1935 and 1950 for any journalist shooting 135 film?

CZJ 5cm f/1.5, fastest lens of it's day. And, unlike many, or all superspeed lenses now, it was small!!!

Nothing new about the "obsession with fast glass", any more than the "obsession with fast horses" LOL

Of course for the average farm, a mule is just fine, maybe better. 🙂

The Elmar was f/3.5 and designers were proud of it: no ruining pictures when technique was not up to snuff.


Attic by unoh7, M9 75 Lux @ f/1.4

and with the M9 low ISO is the best, so after sundown, speed makes nicer shots often.

Plus, speed does not have to be pricey:

Rich by unoh7, on Flickr

above is the canon FL 55/1.2 wide open on the A7.mod. I think I paid 125USD for that lens. 🙂

 

[John E Earley]

I guess I just feel the 1.8g is really nice and I'm satisfied. No disrespect towards the 1.4g.

I chose the 85 1.8G over the 1.4G but in good part because I have begun to value light weight over maximum speed.

My primary kit for a D750 consists of a 28/1.8G, 50/1.8G, 85/1.8G and occasionally a 180/2.8IF ED. These are much lighter than similar lenses of larger aperture and with the added bonus that my wallet incurs less damage.

 

[Vince Lupo]

no fast lens is sharp wide open.

I think I differ on that point.

At f/0.95:


Bob from Claunch by Vince.Lupo, on Flickr

 

[oftheherd]

My first SLR had a 50mm f/1.7. I didn't know that was somewhat fast, it was just what the camera I got had. As time went by and I read more and more, I realized that if I was going to be a bit professional, I had to have a 50mm f/1.4, and I got one with my Fujica ST 901. The lens was different in character, but also I was doing a lot more low light work then and appreciated the little extra f/stop. I still like f/1.4 but I'm not dogmatic about it, having learned I can do lots of things at f/2 and f/2.8 common with a lot of short and long lenses. I did sometimes find it nice for the extra isolation it provided too.

It doesn't really answer the OP question, only my experience.

 

[goamules]

For different purposes. And like someone said above, to get a different look than perfect cellphone shots. Two cactus shots taken in the past few weeks. One at F1.5 up close, one at F2 further back. One in low, twilight at a slow shutter speed, one at daybreak with a faster one. Lots of options.