The 50mm saga ends? Why it's all thatkatmat's fault: A POTN 50L story (w/ducks!)

It all started when I returned my 35L. I wasn't liking the focal length, and I realized that I needed my beloved 50mm focal length. So the hunt began. The 50 1.4 never satisfied me with its build and bokeh, so I looked at the 50L.

After trying one copy that shifted badly and being scared off by tales of 50L woes by nicksan and thatkatmat, I turned my attention to a lens that thatkatmat had been raving about - the Sigma 50 1.4. Having gone through multiple copies and servicings, Matt had finally found the perfect 50, and the images he was getting from it looked great. So, after some careful thought, thatkatmat convinced me, and I bit the bullet and purchased a Sigma 50 1.4. It was a very nice lens, but it wasn't amazing wide open - it hit the mark perfectly with the focusing 80% of the time but just never wowed me. Matt's copy was clearly far superior, and couple that with my loathing of the Sigma finish, I couldn't bring myself to like or trust the lens.

So I sold the Sigma last night, posted about it in the Torontonians thread, and POTN member smcclelland offered me his 50L, which he had raved about in previous posts. The price was great, and I had to try it.

After doing some searching, I discovered that the previous owner of this particular 50L was...none other than thatkatmat himself! This 50L was the one he had sold reluctantly to fund another purchase, not one of the previous two he had sent back. My excitement grew.

So this morning, smcclelland and I meet up, I tried the lens, and it was great - I bought it on the spot. I knew that I would drive myself crazy if I went home and forced the focus shift by shooting boxes and batteries, so I headed down to the harbour to try the lens out in real life.

Needless to say, I think the quest is over, and my 5D might just have a new best friend - and it's thanks to POTN that they found each other .

Now, enough rambling by me, time for some pics - all shot with the 5D of course.

First, for POTN, a duck, shot at f2:

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I love this lens' build quality. It's quite a bit smaller than the Sigma 50 1.4, it's weather sealed, and feels great to use - truly deserving of the L tag.

The bokeh is excellent, no surprises there - the Sigma's is actually closer to "ideal" bokeh, but I find the L's much more aesthetically pleasing. But the COLOURS on this lens are beautiful. It's no 85L, but it's mighty fine.

Two more shots, first, a duck taking off (yes, I missed and focused on its ass, don't blame the lens :P) - f1.8:

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I wish I was rich. Then I'd have all the fast aperture primes I want.

Definitely a lens I would love to have. I love the first duck shot by the way. Perryge, out of the canon 1.4 and sigma 1.4, which one did you like better?

Jeff81 wrote in post #7426139
Definitely a lens I would love to have. I love the first duck shot by the way. Perryge, out of the canon 1.4 and sigma 1.4, which one did you like better?

I liked the Sigma quite a bit better. Much nicer focus ring, much smoother focus, and the bokeh was light years ahead of the Canon 50 1.4. The Canon was probably sharper by a hair, and definite much, much smaller and lighter.

Congratulations! Nice images, enjoy!!

Congrats Perry. Glad you got a good one

Man am I glad to see the lens go into good hands It's a shame to see it go but since I've gotten the 35L I don't reach for it nearly as much! Awesome shots perry, I'll swing by and leave you some positive feedback.

smcclelland wrote in post #7426205
Man am I glad to see the lens go into good hands It's a shame to see it go but since I've gotten the 35L I don't reach for it nearly as much! Awesome shots perry, I'll swing by and leave you some positive feedback.

Thanks Shawn - and time to update your sig eh? I can understand preferring the 35L on the MK3 since it gives you a 45.5mm field of view, but in my house, the 5D is still king and the 50L is gonna live on that body for a while I think. I'm gonna shoot with this lens for a while to get used to its quirks, but I love it already. I need to ban myself from shooting boxes and batteries with this one, because from the short time I've had it in real world shooting, I love it already.

Screw The Holy Trinity, now I'm back to wanting the 50L!

Congratulations on finally getting the right 50mm, it is such a sweet focal length on the 5D

You spelled Harbor and Colors wrong. Just sayin' Congrats!

i love the shot where you focused on the duck's ass haha. honestly

TaDa wrote in post #7426513
You spelled Harbor and Colors wrong. Just sayin' Congrats!

LOL!!!

Hey what's with all these obsession about bokeh. Nothing is in focus for these shots!

Seriously, looks like a winner! Congrats.

TaDa wrote in post #7426513
You spelled Harbor and Colors wrong. Just sayin' Congrats!

I think you'll find that everyone what talks proper english would spell them that way!