Santa came early

[Chris Dodkin]

Santa did a test run in San Diego today, and I am now the proud owner of a new Canon 50mm f1.2 prime

Actually converted some of an end of year bonus into this wonderful prime - taking advantage of Canon's current rebates and a sales tax free event at my local Calumet store. DOUBLE SAVINGS!

First thing I did at the store was take off my 24mm lens, fit the 50mm, and take a picture of my 24mm at a nice wide aperture.

Checked it on the camera monitor, then moved on to stick the 50 in the face of the nice sales guy!

He looked so impressed... I bet no one has ever done that to him before!

Parted with the cash, and headed home as the sun set - quick shot of a mobile on the back patio before darkness. Oooooo, lovely bokeh

So far so good, but I can already tell that DOF and careful focus are going to be paramount with 50mm, way more than with the 24mm.

Looking forward to giving it a good workout over Christmas

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nice!
Someone's been a very goods boy!
Yes, me and jamie in the shop often joke that we are the most photographed people in Worcester!
Especially since the invent of face detection ...
Customer: "so what is face detection"
Me: "I'll show you ... Jamie, look at me!!"

The thing with a 1.2 50 I've found is that it's not so much about low light capability as it is about effect and atmosphere!
Like you use you 24 1.4 to create an almost closed in warmth of a feeling to an image... The 50 does that but to a much greater extent!

As Larry often says, for many this sort of gear has become jewlery... Those who have tem love them in thier signature and those that don't love to slag off how soft they are ... I know we get none of that here, but it's useful to highlight the point that many people don't realise the true joy of using a uber fast lens like this - the artistic doors they open!

My advice, stick it on 1.2 and go out shooting for a day only wide open ... If it is anything like the Nikon, point it toward the light and bask in the lovelyness of the results!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Stunning DOF on that lens chris!!!
Is there a lens that you can't afford?!?! Lol

 

[Hamish Gill]

1200mm 5.6
But then he already has that in his 600mm plus TCx2 give or take a stop ...

 

[Hamish Gill]

1200mm 5.6
But then he already has that in his 600mm plus TCx2 give or take a stop ...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Stunning DOF on that lens chris!!!
Is there a lens that you can't afford?!?! Lol

Any of them at this point Dan - that's me all spent up for a while

First new L lens I've bought in over 10 years - managed to bag a few pre-owned ones in that time, but the last new one was the 17-35 f2.8L, and that must have been 1999.

Would have bought a used 50mm 1.2, but I couldn't wait, and the rebate and tax-free deals made it a steal!

Looking forward to really getting this lens into my workflow, and thinking 50mm in the same way I think 24mm at the moment.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

1200mm 5.6
But then he already has that in his 600mm plus TCx2 give or take a stop ...

I couldn't afford the 600mm f4 at today's prices Hamish - I look at the list price and choke, then the street price, and still choke!

Good job that good glass lasts a lifetime - most of my L lenses are over a decade old - but strangely enough still do the job they were designed to do...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Weather finally cleared up today, and I spotted this old 911 in the parking lot in the early morning light

Shot as a test at f1.2

I'm already seeing the atmosphere you're talking about Hamish

 

[Thomas brookes]

Ommmg I want one baaaaaaaaad!!! I have been way to naughty tho

 

[Dan Cattermole]

very very very VERY VERY NICE Chris!!!

 

[Tim Pindar]

Yum Yum

 

[Darren Bradley]

Nice indeed. I know that guy at Calumet, too. Funny. I'm saving my pennies for a TS-E 24mm so I don't have to rent one anymore. Also want an M9 so hard to say. Doubt Santa has either in his bag for me this year, though...

 

[Hamish Gill]

Who doesn't want an m9??
Santa wold have to loan Leica an aweful lot of elves to bring one to all the people who wanted one!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Very nice Chris,
It's funny really, there is somthing about shooting wide open with very fast lenses that just gives more feel to an image ... 1.2 lenses really don't limit the dof that much more than a 1.4 does but they just seem to have a bit more other worldly feeling to the image?? It's prob just the vignette and slight softness in reality ... But I love it!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

You're going to have fun with that one, Chris. Me, I'd like a 400 some day.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I'll put my name on that M9 list

If we got together and did a bulk forum order, you think they'll give us a huge discount?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

You're going to have fun with that one, Chris. Me, I'd like a 400 some day.

Which 400 are you after Ralph, 5.6 or 2.8?

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Which 400 are you after Ralph, 5.6 or 2.8?

Well one of the 2.8s would be sweet but I'd have to hire a porter to carry it in the backcountry. ; (. Have to do a lot of penny pinching too!

So I'm kinda thinking the 5.6 would have to do.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

That 5.6 is a lovely lens, and very portable - I used to have one, and it was my first ever L lens.

Lovely and sharp - a big favorite with bird photographers as well.

Agree that you would need a mule or a sherpa to carry the 400 2.8 very far!

 

[Glen Roberts]

I use the 5.6 for my wildife shots and I love it, just a shame it isn't an IS lens as it would help with our dull UK winters when on a walkabout.

I would like to scrape the money together for a couple of other Canon L grade lenses but I can't see it happening.