50mm F1.4 - why I keep it in my bag

[Philco]

I have a shoot coming up this weekend with this couple. I was shooting an event a while ago on a 300ft yacht when I saw these two having a moment on the upper deck. I grabbed a shot w/ the 16-35L, but 2.8 wasn't doing it. Luckily my 50mm was on my other body, and I was able to get the shot.

I later chatted with this couple, thus the pending shoot.

This shot is 1/60th at F1.6, ISO 160O.

http://www.defalcophoto.com/post/HB_Insp_Kayla%20copy.jpg

[coreypolis]

great moment,

not to pixel peep or anything (the client will probably never know), but thats some heavy duty CA/purple fringe

[Philco]

I see what you mean about the CA, which I could easily have fixed. I didn't deliver this shot to the client since my job was to shoot the event downstairs. For that matter, it's not a great composition because I kept the center focus point on them and that pole is back there...but overall, the mood still works for me. cheers.

[tim]

Nice, but like you say the pole, a small step to the right would've solved that.

[picturecrazy]

great moment,

not to pixel peep or anything (the client will probably never know), but thats some heavy duty CA/purple fringe

I have found my 50 1.4 has some pronounced CA at 1.4 too.

[-Pleiades-]

excuse my ignorance, but CA? :oops:

[coreypolis]

excuse my ignorance, but CA? :oops:
chromatic aboration (probably mis spelled like everything else I type)

see the purple lines around the bulbs and in between their legs? It happens where theres extreme contrast and usually happens more when the lens is wide open. Some software can reduce or eliminate it, but its a "defect" of the lens. Under normal shooting conditions its not a normal problem

[-Pleiades-]

aaahhh.....cheers!

[mmahoney]

very heavy on the CA .. is this always present in your 50 1.4 shots?
Mike

[tim]

You do get CA in the 50 1.4, usually not quite this bad. It's not really sharp until F2.0, i'm very tempted by the Sigma 30 1.4.

[picturecrazy]

You do get CA in the 50 1.4, usually not quite this bad. It's not really sharp until F2.0, i'm very tempted by the Sigma 30 1.4.

GET IT! But gosh, I swear I thought you already had it.
The sigma 30 1.4 is really sharp at 1.4, little to no CA, beautiful bokeh, L-quality build, and AMAZING flare resistance! Just for fun I took a picture with the sun VISIBLE in the frame and there was still no flare.

On that note, anybody want to trade their 85mm 1.8 for my 50mm 1.4?? I don't use it at all since I got the sigma.

[Grace]

HA HA HA!!! after a post like that! I would only trade my 85 for a lot of cash! :) Good luck on your quest! (I'm sure this was a joke;) )

[Philco]

I've never looked at the Sigma 30 1.4, but I think I'll check one out the next time I'm at the camera counter. I'm leaning toward a 100mm macro or even a 15mm fisheye next, but a wider prime would really be great for some applications.

[picturecrazy]

HA HA HA!!! after a post like that! I would only trade my 85 for a lot of cash! :) Good luck on your quest! (I'm sure this was a joke;) )

LOL, no joke, I really want to trade it. I'm hoping to find someone who thinks their 85mm is just a little too long, because I think my 50mm is just a little too short. The 30 is like the perfect 'genral' focal length for me. I'd definitely look into it Philco

[coreypolis]

I've never looked at the Sigma 30 1.4, but I think I'll check one out the next time I'm at the camera counter. I'm leaning toward a 100mm macro or even a 15mm fisheye next, but a wider prime would really be great for some applications.
get the macro. fisheye shots get real old real fast, but macros can do some amazing stuff (see the ring thread)

[Philco]

That's the thing Corey, I don't like to use fisheye except for once or twice per event, but I don't need the macro except for ring shots, so it's a toss up. I'm shooting on yachts a lot, so a fisheye has a nice effect when everybody is crowded onto the bow and the distortion is tempered by the crop bodies. I've only used the Canon 15mm...does anyone recommend a less expensive alternative? thanks!