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Forums > Back > Which 50mm-ish lens?
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[quote name='popo' timestamp='1282994077' post='2270']

I have posted this elsewhere which helped narrow down the choices, but I could still use input on any more exotic, uncommon or older lenses I might have overlooked.



Application: close up still life, camera mostly on tripod, shallow DoF.

Host: Must either natively fit Canon EOS or have easily available adapter to do so.



Feature requirements:

f/2.8 or faster. I don't really need any faster as the DoF is already very narrow when close focusing.

Nice bokeh around f/2.8 - I particularly value lack of outlines/nervous look both in front and behind focal plane at any distance. Also LoCa should be very low. I'm not so concerned about non-round aperture or cat's eye effect.

Good sharpness at f/2.8 across most of APS-C image.

No significant focus shift when changing aperture. I often manually aperture-bracket and don't want to waste time refocusing between shots.

At least 1:4 magnification is desirable, I don't need more than 1:2. This may be achieved by additions e.g. using extension tubes. I don't need infinity focus.

MF only is fine.

Can be prime or zoom, although I doubt any zoom will be able to meet these requirements well.



I haven't set a specific budget for this. I'll pay more if it is worth it.



To give an idea of what else I've used in this application:

Canon 35mm f/2: not bad overall as is. I just need a longer focal length and prefer better bokeh.

Canon 85mm f/1.8: Bokeh rather messy and far too easy to get purple fringing on highlights.

Sony 50mm f/1.4: Bokeh could be better (outlines and colour)



Looking around, I think the Zeiss 50mm f/2 macro is the nearest to an ideal lens for the application but I'm not quite convinced on the price/performance balance.



The other common lower cost primes around 50mm are rather unremarkable hence I'm looking to expand the search away from the mass market models.

[/quote]





As you mentioned - the Zeiss 50/2 is probably the best choice.

The Sigma 70/2.8 APO macro should also be worth a thought.

If you'd like to explore the exciting unknown ... the Leica R Macro-Elmarit 60mm f/2.8 is both very affordable on the used market and supposed to be very good.

There're naturally also longer lenses which might be interesting.
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Messages In This Thread
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 08-28-2010, 11:14 AM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Klaus - 08-28-2010, 11:55 AM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Klaus - 08-28-2010, 12:01 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 08-28-2010, 12:15 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by mst - 08-28-2010, 12:22 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Klaus - 08-28-2010, 12:31 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 08-28-2010, 12:37 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 08-28-2010, 12:45 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by wim - 08-28-2010, 01:35 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Guest - 08-28-2010, 02:39 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by pixee - 08-28-2010, 06:31 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 08-28-2010, 06:53 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Guest - 08-28-2010, 07:39 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Guest - 08-29-2010, 09:21 AM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by Guest - 08-29-2010, 09:30 AM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 10-13-2010, 05:00 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by genotypewriter - 10-20-2010, 11:48 AM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 10-20-2010, 05:58 PM
Which 50mm-ish lens? - by popo - 10-26-2010, 08:12 PM

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