Comments on: Photography FAQ, 50mm f1.0L

By: Michelle Moore

Michelle Moore — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:02:06 +0000

Ashley, both are great lenses, and I switch back and forth between the two. They are very similar, so it’s really up to your taste. I would prefer a 50 over an 85 just because I like to get close to my subjects, but the 85 can be great for nice shallow DOF. Try both if you can (by renting for a day or two) and see what you like best!

By: Ashley Porter

Ashley Porter — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:48:13 +0000

Hey Michelle, thanks for this very helpful information! I’m currently debating between the Canon 85mm f/1.2L and 50MM f/1.2L lens. I shoot mostly high school senior portraits, do you have a recommendation of one over the other? THANKS!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:32:50 +0000

Hey Michelle, love your work so much. What shutter speed and ISO did you use for this image? Thanks.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:39:30 +0000

Once I saw this I quickly looked at nikon’s lenses and got one similar. I love your work and you inspire me! Best of wishes!

By: Nathan Rodger

Nathan Rodger — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:58:47 +0000

Hey Chen
Speed of focus on this bad boy is quite slow, slower than the 85mm 1.2L v1 – and quite a lot slower than the 50mm 1.2L which isn’t that fast. However with these lenses you are dealing with such shallow depth of field, that you don’t want it to focus fast. You want it to take its time, so you can attain focus, then snap your shot.

The 50mm 1.0 was discontinued as it was extremely expensive to produce, and gave disappointing performance (to most) However in the right hands it produces beautiful images. You can see examples of these here on Michelle’s blog!!

Size & weight – it is almost identical to the 85mm f1.2L (often being mistaken for it)- it weighs about 1kg so it is a behemoth indeed! At the time of sale – it was sold RRP for the current equivalent of both the current 85mm 1.2L II & the 50mm 1.2L. I think it went for about US$4500.

Hey Michelle – I weighed in about this lens on one of your previous gear chats I think earlier this year or last – however I can’t find my comments? Any idea?

Cheers, Nathan.

By: Chen

Chen — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:30:24 +0000

Does 50mm 1.0 auto focus as fast as the 1.2? Really wish Canon didn’t discontinue that 1.0 …

By: bizior

bizior — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:56:19 +0000

I’ve 85 1.2 and I love it, it’s my favorite lens… you know, they say that with 1.2 lenses there is a learning curve, and I agree with that. I’ve been watching fredmiranda for 50 1.0, just for fun, and I found it only once, one veteran had it and it was sold quickly :) I always admire that 1.0 lens :D
ooh and 5d mk II has 9 AF points, not 4 or 5 :) but you’re right – 45 AF points in 1D rules :) what I do when I shoot wide open @ 1.2 in bad lighting conditions, I usually use my tripod, go to liveview and focus manually.

By: David Couillard

David Couillard — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 04:45:36 +0000

I really like your work and style Michelle… But I think I even like it better when you share your secrets! :)
I didn’t even know a 50mm 1.0 ever existed!
And you are right. I own a 85 1.2 and I have a really hard time working at such a large aperture. Then again I work with dogs so it’s not like they will keep the pose long enough for the heavy glass form the 1.8 to focus. So I keep it real with your other other go-to lens… 35mm 1.4L is a beauty!

By: s h e r r y

s h e r r y — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:20:16 +0000

Ummm. Yuuum. Haha. So gorgeous at f/1.0…

By: Nicole Pfeiffer

Nicole Pfeiffer — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:09:48 +0000

So is it common for auto-focus to wear out over time? I have the 50mm 1.8 and just wondered. I manually focus with that sometimes just due to the 5D focus points not hitting what I need.