Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

[kandyredcoi]

haha thanx ;)

[shaftmaster]

Might be a good deal. Test it out before you commit. And, try to lower the price even further.

The AF focus problem could minor and easy to repair. They are quite rugged to begin with.

I'd go for it...

There is a separate poll thread here on POTN for people who've had AF issues with this lens. About 20% have had problems, so saying this lens is quite rugged is a bit of a stretch. When my 50mm f/1.4 died, the AF and MF were unusable. I got it fixed by Canon (not cheap and several months waiting for parts) and now I baby it. I recommend keeping a lens hood on this lens at all times and never reversing it. I also avoid FTM focus.

[kandyredcoi]

whats FTM focus?

[DarthVader]

Full Time Manual

[kandyredcoi]

^ok thanx, i rarely use Manual Focus on this lens, i did notice that its a bit louder then my ef28/1.8 when both are in AF

[BlueTsunami]

My lens is stuck wide open (accidentally ripped the ribbon off the mount, so no AF or messing with the Aperture), but I'm living with it...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3764819597_7a1f249a6b_o.jpg

Also my cat winked at me as I asked it what the secret of the universe was...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/3763766688_b1b34aeb91_o.jpg

... apparently the answer is "42"

[bminear]

my autofocus just went out on mine. im scared to get a quote from canon on the fix.

[BlueTsunami]

I had actually tried to fix the nub that causes AF to stop. I ended up fixing that but screwing the electronic mount up :/

I think you'll probably be paying around $90 to get if fixed (for some reason that amount comes to mind).

[bminear]

I had actually tried to fix the nub that causes AF to stop. I ended up fixing that but screwing the electronic mount up :/

I think you'll probably be paying around $90 to get if fixed (for some reason that amount comes to mind).

well thats not terrible. i expected a WHOLE lot more. but i guess i will see.

[joosay]

Some shots when I first started shooting with SLR (and this lens):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3493431322_28b2b70aef.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3496298628_cd04fea230.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3492614845_a74d94fc37.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

my nieces
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_8465.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_8452.jpg

[BlueTsunami]

Wide open, used the distance between the subject and the trees to blast away the background (placed the mannequin on my windowsill)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3772721420_8e632351e8_o.jpg

[whatabum]

http://www.kthankzbye.com/sell/IMG_2560.jpg

http://www.kthankzbye.com/sell/IMG_2544.jpg

[twofruitz]

Sharp.


http://matthewbreen.com.au/wp-content/gallery/hamish/_mg_3286.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

a couple more from today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_8493.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_8498.jpg

[John Photography]

http://johnphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p596881740-4.jpg

[twofruitz]

http://johnphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p596881740-4.jpg


FAR TOO GOOD.

[CNP]

http://johnphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p596881740-4.jpg
that is an amazing shot! so beautiful!!! :)

[BeritOlam]

http://johnphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p596881740-4.jpg

What I really want to know is.....how do you make a baby's hair do that?? :D :D :D

Great pic....great!!!!

[engrmariano]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3756528640_802211508a.jpg

[Synenergy52]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/vvg2002/eric1-1-18.jpg

50mm 1.4 + 5D 1600iso, f/1.8

Get it here:

Price went down: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XVCZ?ie=UTF8&tag=httpvgphotobl-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009XVCZ)

[Synenergy52]

extremely awesome baby shot (2nd one)

Here is one at f/4 iso800 on a 20d- not incredibly sharp but still VERY good wide open with not too much light in the room---
http://joeyspix.smugmug.com/photos/446297602_9TP2s-XL.jpg

But I really had to post one more of this lens with stopped down with flash..

http://joeyspix.smugmug.com/photos/445803535_AmL6E-X2.jpg

[kristiang]

Hello everybody:)
My few shots with this lens

1.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/61/2934611238601138s2.jpg
2.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/82/2934821240385694s2.jpg
3.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/64/2934641238857828s2.jpg
4.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/64/2934641238857857s2.jpg
5.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/28/42/90/2842901230632198s2.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/my%20stuff/IMG_8742.jpg

[RowdyReptile]

A few from last week....

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs171.snc1/6411_10100189872845111_2051375_59348871_6956063_n. jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs171.snc1/6411_10100190397608481_2051375_59374450_3770628_n. jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs171.snc1/6411_10100190397633431_2051375_59374453_8154736_n. jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs191.snc1/6411_10100190397653391_2051375_59374455_1015805_n. jpg

[haileylommen]

Hello everybody:)
My few shots with this lens

1.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/61/2934611238601138s2.jpg
2.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/82/2934821240385694s2.jpg
3.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/64/2934641238857828s2.jpg
4.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/64/2934641238857857s2.jpg
5.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/28/42/90/2842901230632198s2.jpg

Yah.. I definitely love every one of those photos!
The capture of the little girl with (I'm assuming) her father is really nice. :)

[mven74]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/my%20stuff/IMG_8742.jpg

nice watch! :D

[petechewy]

i'm getting my in a few days. this thread is making it exciting!

[haileylommen]

i'm getting my in a few days. this thread is making it exciting!

This thread was the thing made me give in as well. :lol:

[haileylommen]

Here's one of my sister. :)
Took some shots for her graduation announcement.

http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs48/i/2009/222/a/b/She_Got_The_Good_Eyes_by_dulcis_ac_acidus.jpg

[petechewy]

Image of the cap, slightly cliched but its the first thing i aimed at with my lens! No processing, just straight JPEG conversion from raw

[jmcnamara]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3735456895_56a170aa69_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3766915129_12d040bd8a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3786019197_e12cfbab88_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3816420561_e4b7cf636e_b.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_9798.jpg

[Radiohead369]

Nice shots jmc! Have a flickr?

Just recently reacquired this lens.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3820919495_15b16fdd47_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3820920029_4b41098731_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3820919685_6d7d8f804e_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3819931712_b9f287fbae_o.jpg

[jmcnamara]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3822064517_e4c1118d8f_b.jpg

[RobertZ]

50mm 1.4 + 5dMK2 = Ninja Star sharp. :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3676884432_9d2cc97f3b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3675945049_17d907f4d8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3676803759_cb88cd02b9_b.jpg


Great shots!!

[ScootersDaddy]

Wow, what a fantastic fountain. Very cool.

[Burnaby]

The Mustangs of Las Colinas, Irving TX

I like the hoof splashing illusion created by effective positioning of water jets within the fountain. Amazing work... Nice pics too...

[joosay]

Just got it back from Canon Factory Repair in NJ (fixed a focusing issue where it would not let me focus closer than 8 ft.).

Tested it out today:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3835104692_de616028e6.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3834309995_f63b974f60.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3835099568_351f2a4246.jpg

Very happy with it now!!!

[ScootersDaddy]

Took this one last week:

http://www.atwoodknives.com/pics/besusanbug.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v5203/80/9/1518132283/n1518132283_30188474_5323032.jpg

[joosay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3841654630_ac91ee0191_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3840839695_d932ae2b63_b.jpg

[spelunker]

http://i30.tinypic.com/34ex1ki.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/w8pc13.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3843872142_5b1f28ffae_o.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

great little lens

[-g-]

Anthony, very nice!

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3847662938_507700ef2e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3847686636_f8b4b104ac_b.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

Anthony, very nice!

Thank you!

[spelunker]

http://i25.tinypic.com/xgmogm.jpg

[Radiohead369]

f2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3853374370_aa916361b0.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3852584395_d41b35ff25.jpg

[BlueTsunami]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3854676772_56b55a9b6d_o.jpg
ISO1600
f/1.4
1/60s

[spelunker]

Nice one, BlueTsunami.

[bminear]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3860144937_40d3595b40_b.jpg

guess i should have specified f-stop. this is @ f/2 with a ND8 filter. MF'd because my AF is STILL broken.

[kandyredcoi]

@ 1.8 :)

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3860955218_05364db025.jpg

[Mr. Clean]

f1.8

[joosay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3872721259_73998a2c1e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/3872719237_b3624c0612.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3872715061_90d0fd6172.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3873497212_5b7b95150d.jpg

[Hailwood]

Took these in downtown Indy during the MotoGP 'Motorcycles on Meridian' event.

All @ f1.4 w/ ambiant light @ ISO800.

http://dangerwillrobbins.smugmug.com/photos/636095396_PyKz2-X2.jpg

http://dangerwillrobbins.smugmug.com/photos/636099635_krkDZ-XL.jpg

http://dangerwillrobbins.smugmug.com/photos/636103117_hwuHn-XL.jpg

http://dangerwillrobbins.smugmug.com/photos/636117436_aCz9P-XL.jpg


I <3 fast primes.

[Whippeticious]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3873818530_f2c9e7bb8a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3873171717_b69f68fdc4.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

2 from today

[prinspaul]

The first one is OOF...

[kandyredcoi]

^motion blur, he moved...

[prinspaul]

yea...that shows how hard it actually is too shoot at this apertures :)

[kandyredcoi]

^yea, no choice in low light = fast aperture + slow shutter speed (no room for error)

[Krypty]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3888759071_1fdc1455d8.jpg

[tomhide]

With 5D. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3888976329_17baf9405e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomhide/3888976329/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/3888976133_3f5183b67e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomhide/3888976133/in/photostream)

[hotsecretary]

Thinking about picking one of these up to replace my Nifty Fifty I sold with my old body...

[darkness2505]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3885935027_4246a8faa5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3885935245_158ee3a86a.jpg

[Krypty]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3890729542_7818be36dc.jpg

[Mark-B]

50/1.4 on a 5D, 20s @f/13, ISO 50

http://bienvenu.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p969486216-5.jpg

[klp]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3890729542_7818be36dc.jpg

Nice!!

[Headshotzx]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3844295615_0056c80e52_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3881242278_89f95fa5f9_o.jpg

[tupper]

How many of you have experienced the auto focus failure on this lens? Or is it manly all hype..

[Markitos]

How many of you have experienced the auto focus on this lens? Or is it manly all hype..

What? When I had it, I used AF a lot, so I guess I "experienced the auto focus." But what do you mean by that? To what hype are you referring?

[tupper]

What? When I had it, I used AF a lot, so I guess I "experienced the auto focus." But what do you mean by that? To what hype are you referring?

Sorry I didn't include failure. Check post again *slaps head* :o

[kandyredcoi]

:D...

[joosay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3895609284_ed3ff3f739_b.jpg

[tomhide]

How many of you have experienced the auto focus failure on this lens? Or is it manly all hype..

I've also read about the AF failures that some people had with this lens but I've never had any issues with mine for the 2 yeas that I've had it. I try to keep the lens's focus part retracted when I keep it in the bag to avoid any knocks to it.

[joosay]

I bought a bad copy and didn't know that the lens was supposed to be able to focus much closer than 8ft but I've gotten it repaired and it works wonderfully now.

[photobitz]

I've also read about the AF failures that some people had with this lens but I've never had any issues with mine for the 2 yeas that I've had it. I try to keep the lens's focus part retracted when I keep it in the bag to avoid any knocks to it.

Mine has that. As you mention it is caused by the front focusing section being knocked or put under strain. This can potentially bend a weak part (about 2mm of aluminium) in the rear of the focusing cam. Once it is stretched out of place, the bearings tend to seize up when driven by the AF motor. Still works via MF though. I do remember posting pics of this on POTN somewhere. Anyway, I highly recommend always keeping the hard plastic hood on even when in a bag so that the front section can't come under any stress.

[kandyredcoi]

...:D

[tupper]

Mine has that. As you mention it is caused by the front focusing section being knocked or put under strain. This can potentially bend a weak part (about 2mm of aluminium) in the rear of the focusing cam. Once it is stretched out of place, the bearings tend to seize up when driven by the AF motor. Still works via MF though. I do remember posting pics of this on POTN somewhere. Anyway, I highly recommend always keeping the hard plastic hood on even when in a bag so that the front section can't come under any stress.

Still worth buying it? As the 50mm fits right into the focal length that i"m lacking.

[joosay]

maybe try the sigma version?

[photobitz]

Still worth buying it? As the 50mm fits right into the focal length that i"m lacking.

Yes, as long as you treat it right. Look into the Sigma but I think in our part of the world it will be near double the price of the Canon one.

[Burnaby]

Anyway, I highly recommend always keeping the hard plastic hood on even when in a bag so that the front section can't come under any stress.I presume you mean the optional lens hood "mounted backwards", right?

[Rudi]

I presume you mean the optional lens hood "mounted backwards", right?

Nope, he means keeping it mounted in the normal (forward) position. The 50/1.4 extends when focusing, just like the 85L. It is a good idea to rack the focus all the way to infinity, to retract the front element, before putting it back in the bag. The hood protects the lens even further (when left mounted).

[nofnof]

Some shots from last year that I just rediscovered:

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/373506665_AZuCK-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/373507058_zzDhW-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/373506859_JBHpj-L-1.jpg


How do you take black and white photos ? :confused:
Very nice shots ..

[Markitos]

How do you take black and white photos ? :confused:
Very nice shots ..

I don't take black and white shots... ;)

And thanks!

[spelunker]

http://i32.tinypic.com/2pz9wn7.jpg

[nofnof]

I don't take black and white shots... ;)

And thanks!

So you used photoshop or something ?

Thanks ;)

[nofnof]

Definitely a fun lens!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3351337445_59f6fd2d86_o.jpg


One of the best shots I've ever seen .
Brilliant , stunning , sharp, and wonderful ;)
I wish I would be able to take similar shots with my coming soon 50mm F/1.4 lens and my 1000D/Rebel XS :razz:

[Markitos]

So you used photoshop or something ?

Thanks ;)

Yeah, PS or Lightroom. You can do it in-camera, but then you lose control over how you want to convert it, and you don't have a color version if you want one. Why limit your options if you don't have to?

[tonylong]

One of the cool things about digital photography is that you don't "shoot black and white". This is especially powerful if you shoot and process Raw -- you have a lot of control over processing monochrome images by manipulating color channels, not just basic processing.

[Littlefield]

How do you take black and white photos ? :confused:
Very nice shots ..
Nice B& W shots . He is pretty with his Fruit of the Looms :)

[Burnaby]

Nope, he means keeping it mounted in the normal (forward) position. The 50/1.4 extends when focusing, just like the 85L. It is a good idea to rack the focus all the way to infinity, to retract the front element, before putting it back in the bag. The hood protects the lens even further (when left mounted).
Thanks mate, I will do this from now on...

[spelunker]

Yeah, PS or Lightroom. You can do it in-camera, but then you lose control over how you want to convert it, and you don't have a color version if you want one. Why limit your options if you don't have to?


Because not being able to convert it is the entire point. At least to me it is. It will never be as much of a b/w picture if it was simply converted from color. Also, if you're shooting the picture with b/w in mind, you'll likely see contrasts, shadows etc in another way.

[Markitos]

Because not being able to convert it is the entire point. At least to me it is. It will never be as much of a b/w picture if it was simply converted from color. Also, if you're shooting the picture with b/w in mind, you'll likely see contrasts, shadows etc in another way.

Well, then go ahead and limit your options. And who said I DON'T shoot with b/w in mind? I would say 60+% of my photography is black and white. This is what works best for me because I have THE MOST CONTROL over how I want to process things in b/w. YMMV. If you want the "purity" of shooting in b/w from beginning to end, you really need to convert your eyes to monochrome, then shoot b+w film. That's probably the best idea, since it has better dynamic range, anyway. ;)

Here are some relevant examples (both b/w and shot with the Canon 50mm f/1.4):

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032931_ccJck-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032921_P5ti4-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032866_S95bS-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032856_4e4yX-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032849_8QvNp-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032841_AgEiK-O.jpg

http://beltie.smugmug.com/photos/645032823_KovhV-O.jpg

If you can explain how these are somehow poorer images for having been shot in color then converted to b/w, I'm all ears. If I never told you they were color to begin with, would you know?

[nofnof]

Hello everybody:)
My few shots with this lens

4.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/29/34/64/2934641238857857s2.jpg
5.


Perfect shot.
How do you process such wonderful colors ? it's like a comic book :)

Thanks ;)

[spelunker]

If you can explain how these are somehow poorer images for having been shot in color then converted to b/w, I'm all ears. If I never told you they were color to begin with, would you know?


I never said they would be poorer images. You asked why one would limit one's options even if one didn't have to and I explained why. It was not an attack on your photographic discipline, though you certainly seemed to take offense.

What I think is that b/w pictures tend to need a different mindset than color pictures and that point is lost if you just treat them as color-less color pictures instead of accepting them as something else altogether.

[Markitos]

I never said they would be poorer images. You asked why one would limit one's options even if one didn't have to and I explained why. It was not an attack on your photographic discipline, though you certainly seemed to take offense.

What I think is that b/w pictures tend to need a different mindset than color pictures and that point is lost if you just treat them as color-less color pictures instead of accepting them as something else altogether.

I didn't take offense, I just wanted to offer another opinion from someone who shoots a lot of black and white, and who is, in fact, known among his peers for his black and whites. You did actually say they would be poorer images, though, just not in those words (see the quote below--I highlighted the part where you said it.)

I certainly don't treat them as color-less color photos, and I tend to "see" how things would look in b/w (part of the reason I shoot it so much), but you wrote:

Because not being able to convert it is the entire point. At least to me it is. It will never be as much of a b/w picture if it was simply converted from color. Also, if you're shooting the picture with b/w in mind, you'll likely see contrasts, shadows etc in another way.

And I disagree with that. I don't really see how looking at a scene, composing your photo, and taking the photo with your 5D is any different than with your EOS-3 loaded with T-max. You're still seeing the scene in color, whatever your intent, and whatever the media it's being recorded to. I don't see why it matters at all whether you want to convert it in the camera or in PP. I don't see how it makes it any "less" when you convert it in LR rather than letting the camera do it.

I'm not offended, I just disagree, and because it's a topic I'm fairly close to, I chose to illustrate a different perspective.

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3907167659_be067b41e1_b.jpg

[spelunker]

I don't see why it matters at all whether you want to convert it in the camera or in PP. I don't see how it makes it any "less" when you convert it in LR rather than letting the camera do it.

I don't know. It just does. It's a bit hard to explain if you don't agree with it. Certainly your way is more practical, since you can have both color and b/w versions of the same picture.

I mean, it's not like I don't do conversions in PP either. But if b/w is my vision, then I appreciate the control and restriction of keeping it that way, all the way.

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread everybody. I like your flower picture joosay.

[BlueTsunami]

The 50mm is versatile! Here's a 50 image Pano/Mosaic I did with my 50/1.4 Wide Open...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3911007839_bfc9f354fe_o.jpg

*obvious post processing in the trees but that aside, I dig the normal perspective of the 50mm focal length and the increased Field of View. Makes for an interesting combination.

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3907944518_1528a05199_b.jpg

[BlueTsunami]

Another "Mosaic" with this lens (you 50mm shooters will probably notice the dramatic increase in Field of View. This was shot with my Canon 350D)...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/3914509581_9672de60f2_o.jpg

[spelunker]

It looks very nice.

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/3918615684_3c63ba9b54_b.jpg

[kandyredcoi]

cool Go Kart R/C
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/greater%20LA/_MG_1900.jpg

[Krypty]

Another "Mosaic" with this lens (you 50mm shooters will probably notice the dramatic increase in Field of View. This was shot with my Canon 350D)...

Wow, these are amazing.

[Whippeticious]

How many of you have experienced the auto focus failure on this lens? Or is it manly all hype..

Yep, I have and it was less than 6 months old. It's intermittent though. It's been sent off to Canon and they couldn't find anything wrong but at least it's been recorded that I have reported a problem. I have been assured that if it fails after the warranty runs out I will still be covered for this problem.

[BlueTsunami]

Wow, these are amazing.

Thank you :D Its a very fun technique to use!

[ahh]

Thank you :D Its a very fun technique to use!
Very cool, but what exactly is the technique?

[BlueTsunami]

Very cool, but what exactly is the technique?

Its been called the "Brenizer Method". Its using a set Focal Length and taking a shot of your subject then taking individual shots around the subject until you capture the larger frame you want to create. You then take those frames and have a program stitch them all together.

For instance, the tree shot on this page, one frame was actually of the flowers around the middle tree. I then shot around the flowers to capture everything else around it.

I could have used a wider lens (like the 24mm f/1.4) but the DoF at the distance I was standing probably wouldn't have been as dramatic and the perspective would not have that "normal" 50mm look.

In a sense, its almost as if I'm shooting a 50mm lens on a Medium Format or Large Format camera (due to the increased Field of View). The original file of these "Mosaic" images weighed in at about 60MB images (so you can imagine the large prints that could be made from these).

If anyone wants the exact way I go about it (as far as camera settings and details on the software end), let me know.

Also here's a link to the Flickr group that utilizes this method: http://www.flickr.com/groups/brenizermethod/

[Krypty]

Its been called the "Brenizer Method". Its using a set Focal Length and taking a shot of your subject then taking individual shots around the subject until you capture the larger frame you want to create. You then take those frames and have a program stitch them all together.

For instance, the tree shot on this page, one frame was actually of the flowers around the middle tree. I then shot around the flowers to capture everything else around it.

I could have used a wider lens (like the 24mm f/1.4) but the DoF at the distance I was standing probably wouldn't have been as dramatic and the perspective would not have that "normal" 50mm look.

In a sense, its almost as if I'm shooting a 50mm lens on a Medium Format or Large Format camera (due to the increased Field of View). The original file of these "Mosaic" images weighed in at about 60MB images (so you can imagine the large prints that could be made from these).

If anyone wants the exact way I go about it (as far as camera settings and details on the software end), let me know.

Also here's a link to the Flickr group that utilizes this method: http://www.flickr.com/groups/brenizermethod/

Yes, please.

If you can point out some reading material or tutorials it will be great.

[BlueTsunami]

Yes, please.

If you can point out some reading material or tutorials it will be great.

*Camera settings*

1) Set to Manual
2) Set exposure based on the aperture that you want (I used my 50mm wide open). Make sure Auto ISO isn't on (if applicable)
3) Decide on if you want to shoot RAW or JPEG (I do these with JPEG since processing all those RAW files, then exporting them would be a pain).
4) If you chose JPEG, make sure to set your White Balance to the current lighting scenario (Auto White Balance will cause color shifts when you want every frame to be the same). If you're shooting RAW, you obviously don't have to worry about White Balance.

With all that set, you're ready to start shooting

*Shooting*

1) Focus your lens (Auto or Manual) on your subject. Once you've done that make sure to turn off the AF (via the switch on the lens or don't worry if you use AF lock) so that every image stays in that focused position.

2) Shoot your subject then shoot in a spiral formation around your subject, making sure to clip each frame by 25% with the former frame. Doesn't have to be exact but you want to keep a little of the former frame in the next frame so that photomerging can line each image up nicely (just like you would in a Panoramic image). This is one area that feels awkward at first, so don't worry if you feel you may not have done it right. You'll see any problem areas when you get back and render it then learn from that.

3) Keep shooting until you've increased the Field of View around your subject to your desired amount

*Post Processing*

You can use Photoshop but as I stated, you may run into Photoshop leaving seams where each frame overlaps. I use Kolor AutoPano but its expensive (albeit, very good at what it does). I don't have any experience with it but I've read good things about Hugin *Click Me* (http://hugin.sourceforge.net/). Its a open source Panoramic stitching software (which is also available on OSX, I think). So I would recommend trying that over Photoshop first.

Post processing just involves you taking all those JPEG images and using whatever software you choose to stitch them all together. Once its done stitching them and outputting the file, you'll be able to do whatever you want with it. The file will be extremely dense (well, depending on how many frames you've shot and at what resolution).

I end up taking that large file and editing it Photoshop (cropping, level adjustment and resizing). Just make sure your system can handle such a big file.

[joosay]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/3918615684_3c63ba9b54_b.jpg

[Burnaby]

Great tips, BT!

[dynamitetony]

*

2) Shoot your subject then shoot in a spiral formation around your subject, making sure to clip each frame by 25% with the former frame. Doesn't have to be exact but you want to keep a little of the former frame in the next frame so that photomerging can line each image up nicely (just like you would in a Panoramic image). This is one area that feels awkward at first, so don't worry if you feel you may not have done it right. You'll see any problem areas when you get back and render it then learn from that.


to clarify, does this mean that for example you would take 6 shots

using the tree picture above as an example

to top left, bottom left, top middle, bottom middle, top right and bottom right...

have i understood this correctly?

[krb]

I mean, it's not like I don't do conversions in PP either. But if b/w is my vision, then I appreciate the control and restriction of keeping it that way, all the way.If you don't mind my asking, are you setting the camera to B&W then treating everything as if you were shooting B&W film? Carrying and using a set of colored filters, for example?

[BlueTsunami]

to clarify, does this mean that for example you would take 6 shots

using the tree picture above as an example

to top left, bottom left, top middle, bottom middle, top right and bottom right...

have i understood this correctly?

When using a spiral capture, I think its best to start with the subject, so shoot that first. After that its up to you where you want to spiral out. I would shoot the flower, then the top of the flower then go left or right. So I choose to go to the top left of the flower, directly to the left, then bottom left, bottom of the flower, bottom right, directly right, top right etc. After I make a full rotation, I go above where I last started (which was directly above the flower) then spiral around that.

That's one technique but you can also pan your camera and capture the scene that way. Say, start from the extreme left and pan to the extreme right in a single row, then do it again from right to left. Its totally up to you and how you think it would be suit your subject. Just make sure you set the focus on your subject first, then pan.

Just a tip, the spiral technique is good for getting your subject right in the center of the frame. If you choose to pan, you're not restricted to having your subject in the center of the frame (which is what I did in the bridge shot).

[Krypty]

I also found the following tutorial from Ryan Brenizer which also includes tutorial videos which describes it perfectly as Blue Tsunami stated.

http://blog.buiphotography.com/2009/07/the-brenizer-method-explained-with-directions/

Thank you very much Blue Tsunami, this is a wonderful technique and your photo's are perfect of this method.

PS. I have tried CS3 photomerge but found that Microsoft ICE (FREE Software) gives me much more better results.

[dynamitetony]

thank you BlueTsunami and Krypty

This looks brilliant, i am so excited to go out and try this technique

[BlueTsunami]

No problem, guys!

Here are some more examples (taken with my 50/1.4 of course :D )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3923041698_bedc97836d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3923041564_520abecbc7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3922378053_0c753dec6c_o.jpg

If you like the look of Full Frame / Medium Format images but shoot a crop, stitching is the solution :D (or buy a 5D and/or Medium Frame camera)

[EldoFreeride]

No problem, guys!

Here are some more examples (taken with my 50/1.4 of course :D )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3923041698_bedc97836d_o.jpg



wow this one is awesome!
i love shootin like this

[EldoFreeride]

"The Brenizer Method" my try....
my bike:cool:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3923096767_4a414b04a8_b.jpg

[BlueTsunami]

That looks great! Love the isolation your getting. It looks really fantastic when used for portraitures too (I haven't done this yet though).

wow this one is awesome!
i love shootin like this

Thanks! Nice wide Field of View shots are easy to get, especially with the 50mm. I actually want to try this technique with the 50 on a Full Frame camera :lol:

[ALT1MATE]

That is the tiniest chainring I've ever seen, I wouldn't mind trying that. I've got a 48T on my singlespeed and it takes significant sweat equity to get up a hill.

"The Brenizer Method" my try....
my bike:cool:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3923096767_4a414b04a8_b.jpg

[nofnof]

"The Brenizer Method" my try....
my bike:cool:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3923096767_4a414b04a8_b.jpg

excellent shot :)

[jeffbox]

f2.8
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f73/mys2000/IMG_7925_1024.jpg

f2.5
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f73/mys2000/img2.jpg


I LOVE this lens for people!

[PhatheadWRX]

@ 1.4

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3927312984_4d76e6db20_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchbrown/3927312984/)

[dcran]

I love it for dogs and people...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/3927019939_b6165ab618.jpg

[archaeoman]

Time to sell the nifty-fifty and add this lens. Great shots.

[runninmann]

That is the tiniest chainring I've ever seen, I wouldn't mind trying that. I've got a 48T on my singlespeed and it takes significant sweat equity to get up a hill.There are a number of interesting features on that bike. Looks like a fairly short frame with quite a bit of extension on the seat post, beefy looking cranks and pedals.

[avidstarr]

5D F1.4

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/Akurin/jHo/IMG_0467.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/Akurin/jHo/IMG_0707.jpg

[boy53]

"The Brenizer Method" my try....
my bike:cool:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3923096767_4a414b04a8_b.jpg

w0w~ I like the color and contrast. :D

[Krypty]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3936734518_8f52e3a3b8.jpg

This is from the roots of a Bonsai Tree

[Kaigler]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3947340912_df5ab71d27_b.jpg

[kritikal]

first shot at the "Brenizer Method." now i just have to get a better subject....lol

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3946633111_2623f7271a_b.jpg

[nofnof]

My watch :)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9666/img0799ns.jpg

[Headshotzx]

...

That figure isn't scary, but your post processing made it that way. Haha. Great job!

[DonJuanMair]

f1.4, love the bokeh on the 5D with this

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/3952401016_b58e046c82_o.jpg

[haileylommen]

My puppy Baron (:

http://fc09.deviantart.com/fs50/i/2009/267/c/a/Furr_by_dulcis_ac_acidus.jpg

[Andy_Cam]

I've had this lens 2 days and love it already. I was worried about some of the negative feedback of this one at f1.4 but mine seems to be a good copy. :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3950753823_2385b5a5d8_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/monk3y/3950753823/)

[kandyredcoi]

:):cool::D

[mcluckie]

I have one, and another non-L, the 85 1.8. Both are great lenses. The reviews on both lenses are great. Some people would like to dismiss them because the build quality and heft are not L. Performance-wise, I fee they're damn close to the L versions. I bought my 50 from a friend that said what do you want this toy for? Well, to fill in between 2 L zooms I have, and as one of my faster lenes. I don't use it often, but have no qualms doing so if neeeded.

[BlueTsunami]

There's something about this lens and its bokeh rendering (sometimes nervous, other times awesome). I guess it comes down to how contrasty and cluttered the background is but when you remove those two aspects and get close enough, the bokeh is amazing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3954211518_6325b714da_o.jpg

Generally, water in general is the perfect backdrop if you want to blast away the background (with a normal lens).

[nofnof]

One more for my rat :)


http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6461/img1062rh.jpg

[xcon85]

just picked up this bad boy today. still getting used to it.

shot with a 5d

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/3955970706_90d0d0af91_b.jpg

[Hand_of_Cod]

There's a bit of tilt shift effect going on there. I like it.

[Andy_Cam]

Two from today.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3956188457_a346caa155_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/monk3y/3956188457/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3956966690_361eae35de_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/monk3y/3956966690/)

I noticed some major CA on the second shot though!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3957081132_d90f1a0101_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/monk3y/3957081132/)