F/1.2 Shots - 1/16/09 - 1/18/09

I finally got a ST-E2 to help with my 85mm f/1.2's autofocusing, and it seems to work better, so here are some DJ shots from me using it this past weekend. All are at f/1.2 and no flash. Used the 1Ds spot meter selection and aimed for the eyes.

Swedish Egil:

Very good shots with real special background bokeh...

Your oversized logo is smack in the middle of the photos.

Hard to focus on the pics with them there.

Nice shots, Rukes. Did the subjects seem to mind / be aware of the AF assist red beam from the ST-E2?

Wow, that's some crazy narrow dof, but I would think you'd be fine without the ST-E2. I guess it can't hurt having a little contrast right where you need it.
On a sort of related note, I've made a habit of shooting my 135L at f/2.8 when I have enough light, because I like to have both eyes in focus, and I don't like it when I miss focus on the front eye.

mchong75 wrote in post #7121079
Your oversized logo is smack in the middle of the photos.

Hard to focus on the pics with them there.

90c4 wrote in post #7121191
Nice shots, Rukes. Did the subjects seem to mind / be aware of the AF assist red beam from the ST-E2?

Nope! I wasn't even aware of it either most of the time, it seems to be less bright compared to the AF beam on the 580EX II

bacchanal wrote in post #7121243
Wow, that's some crazy narrow dof, but I would think you'd be fine without the ST-E2. I guess it can't hurt having a little contrast right where you need it.
On a sort of related note, I've made a habit of shooting my 135L at f/2.8 when I have enough light, because I like to have both eyes in focus, and I don't like it when I miss focus on the front eye.

Yeah, I have been fine without it for a bit, but even with the 1Ds's autofocusing, it sometimes doesn't just get exactly spot on when there is VERY little light (such as aiming for the eye and it is a little off and hits the nose). So this does help a little in some situations.

Great watermark!!

Oh,

are there pictures behind it?

Nice set.
I'd have preferred focus on the front eye in #3, and a bit more DoF in some (mostly the last one).

Watermark is okay-ish (just) on most IMO. Bit much on #1, 3 and last (lost count )

the one of the blonde girl is really soft.. looks like you missed focus...

love the last 2, cant beat no flash

AF assist is a wonderful thing. I had awful problems shooting VIPs in darkishness until I learned how to use the 580EX function. I have only used my ST-E2 when using flash but would use it in a second in your circumstances with either 1DMIII or 1DsMIII. I, too, spot focus on the near eye ... but it doesn't always work as well as I would want, sometimes grabbing the nose instead (for front focus) or a piece of jewelry like ear ring (for back focus), but not bad.

You are still on my list to shoot with but every time I feel like I could make it down something comes up ... same for trips to Vegas! Perhaps I am destined to be stuck in my confined little world forever, sigh.

can you get the 580 falsh AF assit beam work without the flash fireing?

RLipp69 wrote in post #7185887
can you get the 580 falsh AF assit beam work without the flash fireing?

Yes

mmmm bokeh

you can do it with the custom function in the camera... turn it to disable flash firing.