Purchased my first fast prime...

After much deliberation I have finally decided to purchase a 50L. I was contemplating whether to get a 50L or try my luck in the "Sigma Lottery" and purchase the Sigma 1.4.

After a few weeks of research and deliberation, I finally made my decision based on three main reasons. First of all was the fact that there's a Canon Service Center here on Oahu (if I do need to get it calibrated). Secondly, I didn't want to take my chances on a third party lens (although B&H has a 15 day return policy and Sigma provides a 4 year warranty). Lastly, was the fact that the 50L has weather sealing and I love the build and quality of my other L's.

I hope I made the right decision and that the extra $1000 was worth it.

The pictures in the 50L thread are truly inspirational. Hopefully I get a "good copy" of this lens and the learning curve for fast primes isn't too bad. If I can learn to work with primes, I may end up selling my 24-70L and picking up a 35L.

Sorry for the long read, I just wanted to share my excitement.

-tyler

Congratulations! You will have a hard time waiting for the 50L to arrive

The build on the 50mm f1.4 Sigma is very very nice. But I understand your hesitation about AF reliability, I tried one out and it was awful. Enjoy your lens - it'll be a very nice addition to your 5DII.

cccc wrote in post #11806656
The build on the 50mm f1.4 Sigma is very very nice. But I understand your hesitation about AF reliability, I tried one out and it was awful. Enjoy your lens - it'll be a very nice addition to your 5DII.

Even if the 50 1.4 is very good, you will always know there is a 1.2L lens. I am one of those that if doesn't buy the best, I will end up buying twice. Better save some more and buy the 1.2 without remorse!

Jules winnfield wrote in post #11806848
Even if the 50 1.4 is very good, you will always know there is a 1.2L lens. I am one of those that if doesn't buy the best, I will end up buying twice. Better save some more and buy the 1.2 without remorse!

We both think alike. Speaking from experience, when I first got into photography I purchased a Canon 75-300 which I quickly sold for a 70-200 F4L. I eventually sold the F4L and purchased a 2.8L IS (this was a while before the 2.8 IS II was introduced). I also bought a Tamron 28-75 and later replaced it with a 24-70L. I thought about it long and hard and thought I'd eventually end up selling the Sigma 1.4 to purchase the 50L.

I can't wait for the lens to arrive! It's scheduled for delivery tomorrow!

-tyler

Congratulations! Just to add a few more notes. I recently purchased the ST-E2 which was amazing in assisting me lock in on the focus in difficult light conditions. The 50L is probably one of the better ones in low light but the AF accuracy on the 5DII can be a bit fussy.

Just my two cents

Hopefully the 50L lives up to its potential. I'm so excited, this will be my first fast prime!

-tyler

TeeBoi wrote in post #11812441
Hopefully the 50L lives up to its potential. I'm so excited, this will be my first fast prime!

-tyler

It will.

Have fun!

put up pictures?

Aloha Tebooi...are those taken from your new 50L ? Mahalo.

Yes, these were all from the 50L Patrick.

-tyler

Dude.... those shots are sick !!!

with my 50 1.4. wicked in low light! dont see any reason to jump (especially in price) to a 1.2.

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Steph, I'm glad you love your 50/1.4, but for me the ability to shoot at 1.2, weather sealing, focus ring and build quality was more than enough for me to purchase the L. I owned a 50/1.8II when I first began photography and didn't really care for the build quality, manual focus ring, and the plastic feel.

After spending a lot of time researching and contemplating between the Canon 1.4, Sigma 1.4 and Canon 1.2 I ended up with the L and personally I can justify the cost.

Don't get me wrong, for the price the Canon 1.8II is no slouch but it just wasn't for me. If I picked up a 1.4 it probably would have been the Sigma. In my opinion, the 1.4 from either Canon or Sigma is more than enough for most people. For me, after shooting with strictly L's for the past few years I didn't want to take the chance of getting the 1.4, then selling it at a lost only to pick up the L in the end.

Thanks for sharing your great pictures.

-tyler