Ken Rockwell reviews canon 50mm f/1.0

[candc]

with all the buzz about the otus i thought this was interesting

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

 

[Menace]

Ken doesn't like my 50 1.2L as its "plasticy"

 

[Random Orbits]

Ken doesn't like my 50 1.2L as its "plasticy"

Yes, but he still likes the 50L f/1.2 better than the other CaNikon 50mm AF offerings. ;D

Ken is a max aperture nut. f/1.0 is better than f/1.2 is better than f/1.4 is better than f/1.8 is better than f/2.8. For value (performance/price), he'll recommend the f/1.4s, but at this price range, uniqueness is worth a lot and f/1 is pretty rare.

 

[J.R.]

Thanks for posting this. As is the norm with KR reviews, there is a WTF part

At f/1.0, depth-of-field isn't paper-thin, it's vapor-thin. Don't expect every shot to have bang-on-perfect focus unless you're using the latest camera and have a lot of practice with it.

When photographing people, always focus on the nearer eye.

I'm impressed that I get results as good with any of my 5D Mk III's AF points, not just those marketed as "high precision." Likewise, I'm impressed that I can recompose after focusing and get swell results.

 

[Random Orbits]

Thanks for posting this. As is the norm with KR reviews, there is a WTF part

At f/1.0, depth-of-field isn't paper-thin, it's vapor-thin. Don't expect every shot to have bang-on-perfect focus unless you're using the latest camera and have a lot of practice with it.

When photographing people, always focus on the nearer eye.

I'm impressed that I get results as good with any of my 5D Mk III's AF points, not just those marketed as "high precision." Likewise, I'm impressed that I can recompose after focusing and get swell results.

I'm guessing he's talking about different subject/camera distances in those two instances. Either that or he's evolved into a higher level photograhper that either automatically leans to compensate for focus/recompose or he chalks it up those OOF shots to "practicing." :

 

[Loswr]

Either that or he's evolved into a higher level photograhper that either automatically leans to compensate for focus/recompose or he chalks it up those OOF shots to "practicing." :

He's a legend in his own mind.

 

[surapon]

Dear Teachers and Friends.
Sir/ Madam, I am a crazy Canon fan, and buy any Canon Lenses and Canon Cameras that I like with out Thinking, Until I am the member of CR. for 4 months---Yes, I Must ask my Teachers and my friends in This Great CR. before I buy some thing.
The Question :
I already have one of the good Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4, And I just use 2-3 times after I buy 8-10 month ago, Do I need This Awesome Used Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0 L ( $ 3,750 to 4,100 US Dollars-From E-Bay)---For show-off to my friends as the fastest Lens( Ha, Ha, Ha), Or Buy the new Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L USM ($ 1,620)--for use and beat Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 in Shallow DOF and better Bokeh.
Thanks you so much for answer my stupid question.
Surapon

 

[Random Orbits]

Dear Teachers and Friends.
Sir/ Madam, I am a crazy Canon fan, and buy any Canon Lenses and Canon Cameras that I like with out Thinking, Until I am the member of CR. for 4 months---Yes, I Must ask my Teachers and my friends in This Great CR. before I buy some thing.
The Question :
I already have one of the good Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4, And I just use 2-3 times after I buy 8-10 moth ago, Do I need This Awesome Used Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0 L ( $ 3,750 to 4,100 US Dollars-Fron E-Bay)---For show-off to my friends as the fastest Lens( Ha, Ha, Ha), Or But the new Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L USM ($ 1,620)--for use and beat Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 in Shallow DOF and better Bokeh.
Thanks you so much for answer my stupid question.
Surapon

I must admit that I too was interested playing with a f/1 lens in near darkness after reading that. The following link gives a good comparison between the various 50mm options. I had borrowed a Canon 50 f/1.4 before getting the 50L f/1.2, and the f/1.4 had inconsistent focus from f/1.4 to f/2. The colors were also less pleasing. The Sigma is said to fall between the two Canon offerings, but the link below shows that the resolution among the three lenses are similar and are clearly better than the f/1.0. If you're happy with the AF of the Sigma, then I don't see a reason to switch. If you're not, then the 50L f/1.2 is a good choice. You'll get better bokeh, a 1/3-1/2 stop in speed, but the price for that upgrade is pretty steep.

The 50L f/1.2 is not about resolution (not as sharp at 100% as other fast primes) and the 50 f/1.0 is even less about resolution. But the effects of the f/1 shot wide open are special. Definitely a lens that I would like to try, but not buy...

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/01/the-great-50mm-shootout

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Dear Teachers and Friends.
Sir/ Madam, I am a crazy Canon fan, and buy any Canon Lenses and Canon Cameras that I like with out Thinking, Until I am the member of CR. for 4 months---Yes, I Must ask my Teachers and my friends in This Great CR. before I buy some thing.
The Question :
I already have one of the good Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4, And I just use 2-3 times after I buy 8-10 month ago, Do I need This Awesome Used Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0 L ( $ 3,750 to 4,100 US Dollars-From E-Bay)---For show-off to my friends as the fastest Lens( Ha, Ha, Ha), Or Buy the new Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L USM ($ 1,620)--for use and beat Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 in Shallow DOF and better Bokeh.
Thanks you so much for answer my stupid question.
Surapon

I suppose you want to use aperture F1.0 because of the very thin DOF. If your goal is to achieve a "special effect" Canon 50mm F1.0 lens would be irreplaceable. However, the percentage of photos with accurate AF (when viewing at 100%) must be disappointing. Nor do I think always nice picture with one eye in focus and one blurred. In my opinion, you can have more benefits with the new Zeiss 55mm Otus, since the manual focus is not a problem.

 

[surapon]

Dear Teachers and Friends.
Sir/ Madam, I am a crazy Canon fan, and buy any Canon Lenses and Canon Cameras that I like with out Thinking, Until I am the member of CR. for 4 months---Yes, I Must ask my Teachers and my friends in This Great CR. before I buy some thing.
The Question :
I already have one of the good Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4, And I just use 2-3 times after I buy 8-10 moth ago, Do I need This Awesome Used Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0 L ( $ 3,750 to 4,100 US Dollars-Fron E-Bay)---For show-off to my friends as the fastest Lens( Ha, Ha, Ha), Or But the new Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L USM ($ 1,620)--for use and beat Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 in Shallow DOF and better Bokeh.
Thanks you so much for answer my stupid question.
Surapon

I must admit that I too was interested playing with a f/1 lens in near darkness after reading that. The following link gives a good comparison between the various 50mm options. I had borrowed a Canon 50 f/1.4 before getting the 50L f/1.2, and the f/1.4 had inconsistent focus from f/1.4 to f/2. The colors were also less pleasing. The Sigma is said to fall between the two Canon offerings, but the link below shows that the resolution among the three lenses are similar and are clearly better than the f/1.0. If you're happy with the AF of the Sigma, then I don't see a reason to switch. If you're not, then the 50L f/1.2 is a good choice. You'll get better bokeh, a 1/3-1/2 stop in speed, but the price for that upgrade is pretty steep.

The 50L f/1.2 is not about resolution (not as sharp at 100% as other fast primes) and the 50 f/1.0 is even less about resolution. But the effects of the f/1 shot wide open are special. Definitely a lens that I would like to try, but not buy...

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/01/the-great-50mm-shootout

Thanks you so much, Dear Mr. Random Orbits.
Yes, I love the AF of Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 too, I learn from my dear Friends that, The Best method to use the Sigma Lens, are set only 1 Spot AF at the Middle of View Finder, and that will make the Most Accurate/ And The Faster AF for Sigma at All F. Stop.

Yes, I love my Honda, Acura MDX, Mitsubhishi and Volvo turbo cars too---Great Cars, BUT, When I start to buy M-Benz cars, E class and S class----, That start to change my Habit of my driving when I go to the Big Party----Ha, Ha, Ha, All the Beautiful ladies look at me, Like the Movie star------Ha, Ha, Ha.
Yes, Sir. I have 85 MM F/ 1.2 L MK II, at Wide open, She not Sharp as my Cheap 85 mm F/ 1.8, But, When I put this 1.2 L on my Camera, When I shoot in Public area, All the Photographers in my small town, Apex, North Carolina come to see this Monster Lens, and want to try on their Canon Rebel model .
THAT why, I very interest in This EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0= Just for my Ego-------Ha, Ha, Ha.
BUT, Dear Mr. Random Orbits, I just rent this Super fast Lens, Just for Try.
Nice to talk to you, Sir
Surapon

 

[surapon]

Dear Teachers and Friends.
Sir/ Madam, I am a crazy Canon fan, and buy any Canon Lenses and Canon Cameras that I like with out Thinking, Until I am the member of CR. for 4 months---Yes, I Must ask my Teachers and my friends in This Great CR. before I buy some thing.
The Question :
I already have one of the good Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4, And I just use 2-3 times after I buy 8-10 month ago, Do I need This Awesome Used Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.0 L ( $ 3,750 to 4,100 US Dollars-From E-Bay)---For show-off to my friends as the fastest Lens( Ha, Ha, Ha), Or Buy the new Canon EF 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L USM ($ 1,620)--for use and beat Sigma 50 mm F/ 1.4 in Shallow DOF and better Bokeh.
Thanks you so much for answer my stupid question.
Surapon

I suppose you want to use aperture F1.0 because of the very thin DOF. If your goal is to achieve a "special effect" Canon 50mm F1.0 lens would be irreplaceable. However, the percentage of photos with accurate AF (when viewing at 100%) must be disappointing. Nor do I think always nice picture with one eye in focus and one blurred. In my opinion, you can have more benefits with the new Zeiss 55mm Otus, since the manual focus is not a problem.

Thanks you, Sir, Dear Mr. ajfotofilmagem.
You are Right, Sir---I will go to my Local Camera Shop and try this " new Zeiss 55mm Otus ", When in the Store first, And See how my Old eyes can spot the Right Focus of Manual Focus. I hope that there are the Electronic connection of the Otus and my Canon 5 D MK II camera= Yes If this Otus work like my Canon TS-E 24 mm. F/ 3.5 L MK II manual focus, that I can set up 1 spot Focus at the center of View finder, And Rotate the Focus Ring of the Lens, And When the right Focus, The Camera will beep, and The Green Squire ring appear at the middle of View Finder = That will be great for me.
Thanks for your Recommend , Sir.
Have a great Day.
Surapon

 

[Niki]

i like the review…will try this lens...

 

[AprilForever]

Ken is Boss!

I love reading his reviews. There's nothing like them! He clearly puts a lot of thought into them, and his pictures are superb!

Also, everytime someone posts Rockwell, the thread turns into a bloody flame war!!! I am trying to be positive here to prevent this.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

You guys are all jealous of Ken's awesomeness ... people like him are one in a billion ;D

 

[zlatko]

I wonder whether this lens can still be repaired if it needs a repair.

 

[ninjapeps]

I don't know, I saw those comments about perfect focus and figured the whole thing was a joke.

 

[BL]

people, pls stop posting links and giving him this sort of publicity. all his misinformation creates a great buzz for his site to generate traffic and revenue

it's why he can afford to not work, stay at home all day and take his kids to lego land every weekend

 

[Menace]

You guys are all jealous of Ken's awesomeness ... people like him are one in a billion ;D

You mean there are another six people like him in the world?

 

[candc]

he gets under my skin sometimes but he can write a good article, his piece on the "leica man" is a great read. the world would be a duller place without KR

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/leica-man.htm

 

[M.ST]

I like my 50 mm f/1.0 and my 50 mm f/1.2 lens.