50mm f1.2 Canon vs Nikon

J Davis

J Davis

Veteran
Just interested in peoples opinions about which lens is better
Canon 50mm f1.2 vs Nikon 50mm f1.2

edit: my test results are up and at post 17
 
Last edited:
As a matter of course without any reason or qualifications or information or images I herby declare the Nikon the winner.

Lol.


http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50mm-f12.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f12.htm

This might help?

I am happy with my f/1.4...wish it wasn't so tight (crop factor >.<) and wished it focused closer, and I usually end up @ f/2 anyway...but it's nice.

I recommend it cause you can get an old cheap one, not so sure about f/1.2

The canon one listed here is like $1600! I am sure there are less nice versions and cheaper ones out there...but still...I got my 40 year old Nikon 50mm f/1.4 for $85.99 plus S&H.

I'll get on those pics for you at some point, Sigma vs Nikon...I'm proctoring an exam right now and then we have dinner @ someone's house.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ben. I've read what Ken Rockwell has to say, especially the line
If you want better performance at f/1.2, your only other option is to drop four figures on a used 58mm Noct and take your chances (I haven't tried one yet), or get the superior Canon 50mm f/1.2 L.
Click to expand...
but I've also spoken to quite a few professional photographers who openly say Ken has no idea what he is talking about.
 
Yeah I've heard that too. Still he gives me a good idea of what the lens is going to be like in terms of using one and build quality, not so sure on image.
 
There are so many great 50s out there anyway. I'd just go for the better deal between these two! I'm finding 50 tough length on the GH1 personally. The Kodak 40/1.6 has become my goto for that portrait lenght. 50 is just too long for me.

That said my personal favorite 50 right now is the Switar 50/1.4. Just awesome:
P1140965-vi.jpg


There is also the Switar 26mm F1.1!! It's more 'normal' and spanks both. Okay, your asking it to extend beyond it's intended circle so it vignettes ya but that's kind of cool (here it is set to 4:3 on the sensor)


P1170611-vi.jpg
 
Last edited:
Any 26mm lens or around that doesn't vignette? I have a FD 28mm F2.8 but I would like a faster lens.
 
Picked up canon FD 50 f1.2 today and have Nikon ais 50 f1.2 and f1.4 on order, maybe arrive next week.
Already have canon FD 50/1.4
Will post shootout between all four in a week (or two) from now
EDIT: anyone is welcome to join me, nyc based, maybe central park location
 
Last edited:
Ben_B said:
I would have done a shoot out with you when I was in NYC with my GH1

http://vimeo.com/5973768

but I'm back in California now lol.
Click to expand...

Next time bro.

Just took my first GH1 pic with the canon FD 50mm f1.2 in a dark room using only the light from the monitor, ISO 250, shutter speed 50 with aperture wide open


LIT BY LAPTOP
3810164762_0e8ba617c0_o.jpg


can't wait till the nikon ais 50mm f1.2 arrives
 
J Davis said:
Picked up canon FD 50 f1.2 today and have Nikon ais 50 f1.2 and f1.4 on order, maybe arrive next week.
Click to expand...

Most report I've read indicated that the 50mm f1.2 FD is actually not as good as the f1.4 version which is why it's relatively cheap. The good variants of this lens is either the FD 50mm f1.2L or the 55mm f1.2 SSC Aspherical, which are supposed to be excellent.
 
Huy Vu said:
Most report I've read indicated that the 50mm f1.2 FD is actually not as good as the f1.4 version which is why it's relatively cheap. The good variants of this lens is either the FD 50mm f1.2L or the 55mm f1.2 SSC Aspherical, which are supposed to be excellent.
Click to expand...

I wish I could afford the L, mine unfortunately is not the L or the SSC but it was only $200 at adorama. I think the nikon 50/1.2 ais when it arrives will kick butt. I will be sure to include the f1.4 lenses in my little shoot test as well.
 
Last edited:
upshot said:
There are so many great 50s out there anyway. I'd just go for the better deal between these two! I'm finding 50 tough length on the GH1 personally. The Kodak 40/1.6 has become my goto for that portrait lenght. 50 is just too long for me.

That said my personal favorite 50 right now is the Switar 50/1.4. Just awesome:
P1140965-vi.jpg


There is also the Switar 26mm F1.1!! It's more 'normal' and spanks both. Okay, your asking it to extend beyond it's intended circle so it vignettes ya but that's kind of cool (here it is set to 4:3 on the sensor)


P1170611-vi.jpg
Click to expand...

I went back for a careful re-read of your post - these are beautiful. I will keep an eye out for switar and the kodak 40 is a good focal length to have on the gh1. I'm using a nikon 35 f1.4 for that range.

PhilD said:
Any 26mm lens or around that doesn't vignette? I have a FD 28mm F2.8 but I would like a faster lens.
Click to expand...

I've used the following on my GH1 without vignette. Nikon 24 f2, Nikon 24 f2.8, FD Vivitar 28 f2.5, FD Tokina 24 f2.8. I have a FD canon 24 f1.4 on order which I will check when it arrives. Ben B is using a sigma 24mm f1.8 on his GH1 <see the sigma fast wide thread> you may want to go that direction.
 
And I am loving the Sigma! I am still a little confused by it though...I get centimeter thick DOF that looks perfectly sharp for maco shots, but then in wide shots the DOF is soft enough that the lens is useable at medium to long distances from subject (at wide open) but still looks really nice!? I guess I'm not complaining.
 
PhilD said:
Any 26mm lens or around that doesn't vignette? I have a FD 28mm F2.8 but I would like a faster lens.
Click to expand...

There are some c-mounts that are without vig. but they are very small so follow focus can be near to impossible. That said, no vig in my collection (maybe a tiny-tiny bit above F8) are as follows:

-Schneider xenoplan 25/2
-Cooke filmo special 25/1.8
-Wollensak cine raptar 25/1.9

These also referred to as '1 inch' lenses
 
IMO, the canon I have is better. 2 reasons-

1. it is sharper wide open. The nikon I have is not usable at 1.8, f2 is passable, f2.8 = glorious.
2. The canon has more focus travel, so when you have razor-thin focus, it's easier to hit marks and I believe it rotates in the proper direction that an experienced AC would be used to.

BUT, there are different versions of the 1.8, and I think they can vary quite a bit, depending on many things, including the model, coatings, year, use, upkeep ...etc, so it makes them hard to compare. I had to buy a few before finding a good one.
 
I don't have central pk test shoots to post because of a fault with the locking mechanism on the canon fD 50/1.2 ... very disappointed ... sorry.
Fixed it now and I'm meeting the same actress next weekend so if we have time I will re-do it then.

But I still have some testing stuff to share, shot last night , 1080p mode, 500w tota+umbrella placed a good 15 ft away. Here are some frames...

Master shot
3827171789_886f865377_o.jpg


and here's some 100% crops ...
3827960942_8efb570020_o.jpg


3827968588_0e8a7b0fbc_o.jpg


3827171379_6ddcda943d_o.jpg


3827171689_a0f264e215_o.jpg


and the happy family together (before I sell off three of them :violin:)
3828040040_6316663d83_o.jpg
 
Last edited:
J, how much better is the 1.2 in low light. Would you mind testing and posting a couple of frames.
 
Looks like the FD 50/1.4 is better than the f/1.2s at f/2! Not surprising given the compromises ultra-fast lenses make to get to that aperture.
 
Relevant info ... very relevant info
Nikon 50/1.4 was from ebay $93
Nikon 50/1.2 was from ebay $394
Canon FD 50/1.2 was from adorama used (199+tx) $217.75
Canon FD 50/1.4 was from b&h used (73+tx) $79

Slice said:
J, how much better is the 1.2 in low light. Would you mind testing and posting a couple of frames.
Click to expand...

Already done! But its still on the SDHC card, not had time transcode, will post soon.

yslee said:
Looks like the FD 50/1.4 is better than the f/1.2s at f/2! Not surprising given the compromises ultra-fast lenses make to get to that aperture.
Click to expand...

I see that in both brands the 1.4 is a touch brighter than the 1.2. I've read that the 1.2 renders a sharper image around the 1.4 to 2 range but I think any differences like that are lost with AVCHD compression. Price wise the 1.4 wins unless you need to shoot at 1.2
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top