I added the Canon 50mm f/1.4 to my camera bag
A couple of weeks ago I decided that my upcoming forced ‘downtime’ from photography (due to surgery) was a good time to send my main camera/lens combination back to Canon for some needed maintenance. The USB port on the 5D mark II had stopped working and the 24-105 f/4L had been in constant use for 4 years and was feeling its age.
The absence of this gear (while it was at Canon for a few weeks) left me at a loss when it came time to get back to work. This gave me the perfect opportunity to add a 50mm f/1.4 lens to pair with my backup 5D. I picked up the lens from my local Picureline store and spent some time playing around with it in the house. Using the lens I was immediately reminded of how great it felt back in the film days to have a ‘standard’ lens attached to a 35mm SLR. And since my normal day-to-day lens is a bit slow at f/4, it was fun to shoot with glass that was 3 f/stops faster.
Today’s image is one I took of Nicole as she was hanging out watching TV at the house. What is really cool about the shot it that it was taken handheld with the only light in the room coming from the TV. F/1.4 to the rescue!
I will be using this 5D/50mm combination in the studio tomorrow as I (finally) get back to doing to real photography work. I look forward to using the new glass in the future as an alternative to my 24-105.
Canon 5D, Canon 50 f/1.4 lens – 1/6 second, f/1.4, ISO 1600
8 Comments
Okay, Rich, here’s what gets me about your photography:
1/6 of a second!?!?
I know you use monopods, but this is amazingly sharp for 1/6 with a human subject. I wouldn’t even dare attempt that. Nice work!
| Garrett Gibbons | February 26, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Thanks Garrett. And guess what? I didn’t use a monopod for this. I was just sitting on the couch :)
| Rich | February 27, 2010 at 9:36 am
The 50mm f/1.4 is one of those lenses that is always in my bag. I love to put it on for low light or smooth blurry backgrounds, but also to push myself to think outside of my lazy zoom habits. The 85mm f/1.8 has become a fast favorite as well. Two light, manageable lenses that offer some great power and reasonable prices. Congrats!
| Jeremy Hall | February 27, 2010 at 10:20 am
You’ve got to love primes.
| Sam | February 27, 2010 at 11:25 am
Simply amazing! I am trying to save for a 1.2 :D The prices really jump with each f stop.
| hfng | February 28, 2010 at 3:39 am
A 50mm prime lens should be in every photographers bag. I love my Canon 50mm f/1.2 and my Nikon 50mm f/1.4.
| dav.d | March 1, 2010 at 1:06 pm
what was going on with your 24-105?
was it something affecting image quality?
I shoot with the 24-105, too, and while it’s experienced nowhere near the frequent use yours does/did (I’m sure), I’m curious as to what was going on?
If I had to guess, I’d say the motion of the lens retracting/extending just isn’t as smooth as it used to be and the same of the focus ring?
| Tucker | March 4, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@Tucker
I hadn’t noticed a problem in image quality, but the zoom and focus were getting a bit rough. Also, it just wasn’t as “tight” feeling overall.
When I got it back they said that it was determined that the rear mechanical chassis needed replacement and that’s what they did in addition to typical lube and adjustment.
| Rich | March 4, 2010 at 2:31 pm