I promised myself that when writing reviews about photography gear I wouldn’t get all nerdy about it, but rather focus on what works and what doesn’t. When it comes to photography, I have never been a “gear head”. I use the tools that work for me and I don’t feel like I have to have the best and newest. As a minimalist, I aim to have not more stuff, just the right stuff. A Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens is the right stuff.
“It goes to eleven” – Spinal Tap
Owning this lens is like joining a secret society. Its members know what opening up one or two extra stops can do. It is often the reason people look at our photos and say, “Wow! How did you do that?” It is the reason why when I am shooting events and I just want to use available light during the ceremony that I can make beautiful images. It is the reason I can shoot in low light situations where I cannot use a flash and still feel confident that I will make properly exposed images.
*note: If you paint your nails and would like your polish to match the red stripe on Canon EF lenses – “5th Avenue” or “Geranium” made by Essie match the best.
The Upside:
- It goes to 11. If you don’t know what this is referring than you are most likely much younger than me and you haven’t seen “Spinal Tap” – I highly recommend you watch this film, not to be missed.
- It is bright and beautiful. This is what people are talking about when they say a “beautiful piece of glass”.
- If in trouble it can be used as a weapon. Seriously, if you are coming home late at night from an assignment and you have your camera around your shoulder like I always do – swinging a Canon 5D mark iii with a 50mm1.2 can seriously injure any predator.
The Downside:
- Truly everything about this lens works. Except…with the hood on it is a bulky and heavy lens. But, if you read my next review about the Black Rapid strap you know that these amazing camera straps make it super comfortable to wear even a heavy camera and lens combination.
- The price, at a whopping $1439.00 it is an expensive lens. But darling the best ones always are… And if you buy it now there is a $100 rebate offer.
Tips:
- If you do open up to 1.2 or 1.4 you will have a super low depth of field so be certain the focus is sharp where you want it to be sharp. Adjust the shutter speed accordingly.
- Prime lenses (fixed length) will sometimes create red dots when shooting directly into the light. Test this out with your lens and see when and how it happens. The dots can be removed in post-production, but I am old school and I like to get it right in-camera.
It is an investment, but this is one of those lenses you will never regret having in your camera bag.
