The Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L

[pwp]

Who hasn't got a soft spot for a crazy bright 50mm lens? The f/1.0 is one of the all-time classics.

It happens that today I have an opportunity to get my hands on a Carl Zeiss Planar F1.4 50mm ZE lens (build 2009). I see that they're a fairly modest ~$800 new. Better off with a used EF f/1.2 or a Sigma Art 50 f/1.4?

-pw

 

[mskrystalmeth]

To each their own. No Critical Response from me. BUT... For Four Grand my lens will read Zeiss. 55mm 1.4. Ok...back to normal.

 

[cliffwang]

Nice collection.

 

[Dylan777]

Congrats Craig

 

[Tanispyre]

Congratulations! I hope to see some comparisons between it and the 1.2 soon!

 

[DominoDude]

Congrats, Craig!
We accept just about any shots taken with that 50/1.0L. A cat under a brick wall, or inside one would also work.
Enjoy it, either on a body or on the shelf.

 

[agierke]

grats!

 

[gsealy]

To each their own. No Critical Response from me. BUT... For Four Grand my lens will read Zeiss. 55mm 1.4. Ok...back to normal.

Personally I have been thinking a lot about the 85mm OTUS model. But I know what you mean. Those two lens have basically ruined me now.

 

[JumboShrimp]

FWIW department, here is a review by our friend Ken Rockwell of the 50/1.0:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f1.htm

... and I echo several other sentiments out there: I am SOOOOO jealous!

 

[m8547]

Attach an EOS M to it!

 

[Mitch.Conner]

I'd love to see them try to make an f/1 50mm again. I'll settle for an improved f/1.2 that is sharp stopped down... come on Canon 50mm f/1.2L II (PS: I know not to expect it any time soon).

 

[aswald]

Wow...that's a rare acquisition! Congrats!

Looking forward to read the review.

 

[l_d_allan]

mmm, a lens that when used open wide means you either get a person's nose, eyes or ears in focus.

Am I the only one who would perhaps re-write that quote to something like:
either get the left eye or the right eye in focus ... maybe?

Me the practical one on a budget with no soul and/or nostalgia? And at the threshold of WOW (wrath of wife : )

If both the f1.0 and my EF 35mm f2 IS were $500, and they both depreciated to $0 that day (no resale issues), I'm confident this 63 yo geezer would get more keepers with the 35mm. But I'm not into extreme shallow DOF. YWWV.

Reality (for me)? With a lot of practice, I might get 10 captures ... perhaps out of 1000+ ... that were different than anything else I'd ever taken, but then I'd perhaps lose interest after the novelty had worn off. Or not?

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Congrats Craig!
Just post some nice pictures at f/1.0.

 

[lopicma]

Somehow, I get the feeling this product was created just to see if it could be done.

 

[candyman]

....... I am going to try and do a review of the lens for fun, but it will require me actually getting good images with it. No brick walls or cats (I don’t have cat)!

No cat photos? Don will be disappointed ;D

 

[Bennymiata]

Both men and women have a hankering to own certain things that for some reason draw them in like a magnet.
For women, it might be jewellery, expensive - almost unwearable shoes, perfume, flash kitchens - when they can't cook, the list is endless.
For men, it could be a certain old car, a watch and for you Craig, it's this rare and amazing lens.
Good on you Craig!

What are you going to chase next?
Once the joy of the chase and capture are over for one item, another always appears on the horizon...........

 

[sanj]

Would be great if you post side by side with 1.2 lens and let us try to see if we can identify the lens! Congrats...

 

[zlatko]

It should be a fine useable lens as long as the AF motor lasts. Check out how Jessica Claire used her 50mm 1.0:
http://www.jessicaclaire.net/blog/7345/Wedding-with-DJ-Brittany-and-Rod

 

[Maximilian]

... or maybe a 0.75 to be the fastest ever...

Fastest ever lens was the Zeiss Super-Q-Gigantar 40mm f/0.33:
http://petapixel.com/2013/08/06/carl-zeiss-super-q-gigantar-40mm-f0-33-the-fastest-lens-ever-made/

But that was just a marketing gag.

So regularely Zeiss made sone with f/0.7, also mentioned in the article above.
Enjoy reading.