Today I have to return to Canon the 50mm f/1.2L lens that I’ve been enjoying so much.  It is remarkable just how superior this lens is to the 50mm f/1.4 that I have been using for a few years now.  Is it sharp?  Of course, the 50 f/1.4 is no slouch, either.  However, the contrast and the bokeh of the 50 f/1.2L are simply amazing.  Am I buying one?  Not right now, but it’s definitely on my “wish list” for the next couple of years!  Highly recommended.

Why is Chris Dunn sad? | Canon 5D Mk. II and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/100 sec. @ f/2, ISO 160

Ah...her Sweetarts were stuck in the vending machine! | Canon 5D Mk. II and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/125 sec. @ f/2, ISO 160

Mito seems to have the same expression, though... | Canon 5D Mk. II and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/160 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 160

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 5D Mark II, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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Calin Ilea at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park | Canon 1D Mk. III and 50mm f/1.2L; exposed 1/320 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 100

Two more reasons to like this lens: the smoothest background one could ask for that isn’t solid sand/water/etc., and ridiculously sharp wide open.  This is f/1.2, folks.  Shallow depth of field but helped by a couple feet of distance?  Sure.  But the 50 f/1.4 can’t do this.  Why Calin looks so concerned about the grill is another matter altogether…

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 5D Mark II, equipment
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Jakob Berr at Rock Bridge State Park | Canon 1D Mk. III and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/50 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 3200

While the noise performance of the 1D Mark III is not quite up to the same level as the 5D Mark II, its ability to focus in low light is far superior.  “Horses for courses.”

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 1D Mark III, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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What the Duck - 3-7-2010 | www.whattheduck.net

For the past few days I’ve been working with a Canon 50mm f/1.2L lens from Canon Professional Services.  It’s a fantastic lens: built solidly, weather-sealed, fast, smooth bokeh.  I’m hoping to get a 35mm f/1.4L from CPS next, as it’s one that a few of my friends absolutely rave about.  And I’d like to see a 1D Mk. IV, and wouldn’t mind comparing my 5D Mk. II to the 1Ds Mk. III.

But, as much as I like new equipment, any camera is better than no camera, and no camera guarantees excellent pictures.  Gear is no replacement for experience, and lack of gear should not be a limiting factor for any photographer.  Instead, we should all aspire to make the most with what we have.

Even people like me, who enjoy tinkering…

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, cartoons, equipment
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Stumbling home | Canon 5D Mk. II and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/160 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 2500

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 5D Mark II, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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Meg Burcke | Canon 7D and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/640 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 400

Given that my friend Lillian Kelly posted an image of me making an impromptu portrait of Meg Burcke after the three of us got out of class on Friday afternoon, I felt compelled to post one of the results.

More after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 7D, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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Chris Dunn gives me a "thumbs-up" with a chocolate croissant...she's not sure about this "Second thirty days," either, but were doing to do it! | Canon 7D and 50mm f/1.2L; exposed 1/1250 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 800.

It was with much fanfare–and relief–that I parted ways with what I thought was a successful project for my Picture Story class at the University of Missouri: posting on my blog a new photograph every day for 30 days.  Well, not so fast.

The majority of the class wanted a second crack at the project; some had made some excellent images and wanted the pressure to stay on, others found it to be no pressure at all, and others still just fell off the wagon early on, and wanted to see if they could work up the resolve to post daily.

Here we go again…

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 7D, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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Sunset over Seventh Street | Canon 5D Mk. II and 50mm f/1.2L lens; exposed 1/640 sec. @ f/1.2, ISO 200.

Today is the last of the photo-a-day images, and I would say that it’s been an interesting, challenging, and productive month.  There’s a relief that the pressure is off, but there’s also a sadness that the same pressure is absent.

However, the next time I would do a project like this, I would prefer to make it one more akin to Jim Brandenberg’s Chased by the Light, where he made only one image per day over the course of ninety days. It would be more time-intensive, and require much more dedication and thought–and I would need a theme or a subject to focus on for a larger project like that.

Unfortunately, given the nature of my world at the moment, there just isn’t time for something like that. But some day, hopefully sooner than later.

Tags: Canon 50mm 1.2L, EOS 5D Mark II, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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