Townsville Show 2024

Testing my new 50mm f1.2 lens at the Townsville Show.

My favorite focal length has always been the 50mm. Its the goldilocks of lenses - not too wide and not to tight. Being described as a “standard “ lens it approximates human vision. If I could choose just one lens for any assignment it would be the 50mm add a tilt shift lens and my kit is complete.

When I upgraded my kit to a Canon mirrorless R5 it came with a 50mm 1.8 STM lens. Its tiny, light, discrete, easy to carry and totally usable. BUT all of that comes with compromises. Its soft when shooting at f1.8 particularly in the corners, chromatic aberration is a problem but worst of all when shooting wide open the bokeh (out of focus background) is horrible. Lots of distracting outlined circles and harsh lines when all you are are wanting is the pleasing aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur. Once I started seeing it I could never unsee the ugly bokeh.

So it was time for a lens upgrade…

Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L - Its a beast. Weighs 1kg, is full of all sorts of fancy glass, looks like a small telephoto lens and is technically superior to any lens I have used. Razor sharp at f1.2, focus locks on in low light, flare is minimal etc etc…

As with all good purchases the cost is soon forgotten but the joy of using the best of the best is timeless…