50mm 1:4 lens - most used for??

[lynnma]

:dunno So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

[Andy]

:dunno So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

street:
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/13827347-L-1.jpg

http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/13025091-L-1.jpg

http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/8622258-L-1.jpg

portraits:
http://nancyrose.smugmug.com/photos/15643813-L.jpg

http://nancyrose.smugmug.com/photos/15643765-L.jpg

[lynnma]

street:
portraits:

Oh geez... where is my head! and to think.. I nearly parted with it. Thanks Andy I shall get the little guy out and use it.:clap :thumb :clap

[CaiusMartius]

:dunno So, I use my Sigma 24-70 2.8 all the time. I'm seriously wondering why I have a beautiful Canon 50mm 1.4 that never comes out of the bag....
Who uses this lens? why? and can I see some piccies of results pleeeesa?
Or it's going on ebay....:uhoh

I don't have one, but I know that it is a good low light lens. It would be very usefull on a FF camera, but more of an indoor available light portrait lens on a a 1.6 crop.

The little brother of that lens is the 50mm 1.8. The benefit of the 1.4 over this lens is that it is higher build quality, has a manual focus ring, and when stopped down to 1.8 it significantly outperforms the cheaper lens. (It will have higher resolution, contrast, and less vignetting.)

I have been looking for a good low light lens, but have been really torn about it. The 50mm 1.4 is a great quality lens, but I have a 1.6 crop camera, which makes it equivalent to an 80mm prime. That is a nice portrait length, but it is way too narrow for much else.

There is also a 28mm 1.8 for about the same cost that I have been considering, but it doesn't get as good reviews.

The best advice I could give would be to play with the lens. In bright daylight, stopped down to F/8 that lens should produce amazing sharpness and detail. However, the 'fun' factor for that lens should come when you try to hand hold it in very low light conditions. (Try some night shots.)

For some sample pictures taken with that lens, take a look at these...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sample-Pictures.aspx?Equipment=115&desc=Canon-EF-50mm-f/1.4-USM-Lens-Sample-Pictures

[Shay Stephens]

I am a zoomer at heart, so prime lenses don't get a lot of action from me. However, when in need, I do turn to my 50mm which I keep in my bag at all times.

Low light: It can focus in crazy low light. And I can get exposures that allow hand held use too.

Depth of field: It's f/1.4, what more needs to be said?

Light weight: If weight is a concern via fatigue or injury, a small light lens can make the difference between getting a shot and wishing for better days.

Backup: Not enough attention is paid to this valubale feature, but when the need arises, having abackup will feel like you just found a gold ingot.

[lynnma]

Thanks Shay and Caius.. yep.. I'm "reconverted"..and now inspired to go forth where no woman and a 50mm has been before :clap :clap :clap :clap

[gluwater]

Here's a couple more:

Really low light @ f/1.4
http://gluwater.smugmug.com/photos/49303643-L.jpg

http://gluwater.smugmug.com/photos/59592654-L.jpg

http://gluwater.smugmug.com/photos/41338169-L.jpg

Stopped down in brighter light
http://gluwater.smugmug.com/photos/55356252-L.jpg

http://gluwater.smugmug.com/photos/50568576-L.jpg

[TristanP]

It's my low light and creative lens. Sometimes I wonder if a Sigma 30/1.4 would be better for indoor shots on the 20D, but for now, I'll stick with the Canon. Some of my favorites:

http://panekfamily.smugmug.com/photos/64816593-M.jpg

http://panekfamily.smugmug.com/photos/57713283-M.jpg

http://panekfamily.smugmug.com/photos/65029061-M.jpg

http://panekfamily.smugmug.com/photos/53363227-M.jpg

[lynnma]

Thks Glu and Tristan..why in the world would I think I would'nt need this lens:rofl

[Khaos]

Shot's I've used it for.
Primarily low light stuff but sometimes for portraits.

http://creative-khaos.smugmug.com/photos/65476892-L.jpg


http://creative-khaos.smugmug.com/photos/24669104-L-1.jpg


http://creative-khaos.smugmug.com/photos/23260332-L-1.jpg


http://creative-khaos.smugmug.com/photos/27289081-L-1.jpg

[DavidTO]

Khaos,

I really like that shot of the girl.

[Khaos]

Khaos,

I really like that shot of the girl.

Thank you David.

She's my niece, Lindsay.

It was very low lit shot. She's playing the piano and the only light is from the bulb used to light the music.

[Awais Yaqub]

:thumb nice photos
i have heard 50mm are also great to photograph from waist level is that true ??

[Khaos]

:thumb nice photos
i have heard 50mm are also great to photograph from waist level is that true ??

That's something I've never tried. It will be something for me to attempt though.

[lynnma]

thanks all.. beautiful shots all :clap

[ridetwistyroads]

Can do some awesome landscapes, too. MF 50mm Nikkor F1.4; not a nearly the same lens, but simular in principle.

http://ridetwistyroads.smugmug.com/photos/53838896-L.jpg

http://ridetwistyroads.smugmug.com/photos/53838906-M.jpg

http://ridetwistyroads.smugmug.com/photos/53838912-M.jpg

This is a 50,, f1.8, before I found the 1.4;
http://ridetwistyroads.smugmug.com/photos/16576605-M.jpg

[snapapple]

I can really see the difference between that lens and the 18-55 kit lens. Now I know why I can't get those clear crisp shots. I always have low light situations. I needed someone to show me the reason to invest in better lenses.

[ridetwistyroads]

I can really see the difference between that lens and the 18-55 kit lens. Now I know why I can't get those clear crisp shots. I always have low light situations. I needed someone to show me the reason to invest in better lenses.

Yup. Fast glass is wonderfull. :lust

And addicting. Consider yourself warned. :uhoh :lol3

[4labs]

I love using it but often forget about it.

http://4labs.smugmug.com/photos/54558521-M-1.jpg

[lynnma]

I love using it but often forget about it.

http://4labs.smugmug.com/photos/54558521-M-1.jpg
:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap doggies rule!

[snapapple]

Gosh that's a great Lab!:clap:clap:clap

BTW, I looked up the lens on B&H and found the 50mm f/1.8 II for 79.95 and the 50mm f/ 1.4 for 314.95 less $25 rebate. Why the big difference in price? What is the difference between these lenses. It really didn't say anything is the specs. That's why I don't run right out and spend megabucks on lenses. I don't know what you get for the big bucks. I do see the quality in the pictures you all have posted here. I know I don't get shots like that with my kit lens, but what's the difference between these two? The f/stop numbers seem so close. :dunno

[Cason]

Gosh that's a great Lab!:clap:clap:clap

BTW, I looked up the lens on B&H and found the 50mm f/1.8 II for 79.95 and the 50mm f/ 1.4 for 314.95 less $25 rebate. Why the big difference in price? What is the difference between these lenses. It really didn't say anything is the specs. That's why I don't run right out and spend megabucks on lenses. I don't know what you get for the big bucks. I do see the quality in the pictures you all have posted here. I know I don't get shots like that with my kit lens, but what's the difference between these two? The f/stop numbers seem so close. :dunno

Check this site out.... http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

[Mr. 2H2O]

:d