How I did NOT buy 3 super desirable nifties today... and shot the ones I own instead

[nianys]

Guys please cheer with me.

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/320s    ISO 400

Tonight was the finish line on three super cool sexy nifties listed on ebay. I was outbid on one (a Fujinon EBC 50/1.4), and gathered enough will power to not eve bid on the Auto Reflecta. The like new Hexanon 1.4 I also left alone.

We had friends coming over with their 18 month old. I used the PEN 38 at F2, the Rollei 1.8 wide open, and mostly ended up shooting the 55/1.2 around 1.5. Geez, what a great lens.

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/125s    ISO 400

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/100s    ISO 400

This has to be the Rollei :

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/200s    ISO 400

FL55/1.2 @1.5

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/200s    ISO 400

PEN 38

NEX-6    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/100s    ISO 400

FL

NEX-6    ----    0mm    f/1.0    1/160s    ISO 400

I hate how gorgeous my friend is...

NEX-6    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/320s    ISO 400

The moral of the story is, I don't need any more lenses... I just need interesting folks to put in front of them !

 

[Jazzer]

These are great! Actually, all the photos you post are great You definitely don't NEED more lenses and you ARE to be commended on not giving in to the temptation. But sometimes the temptation is too great and there is nothing wrong with that either. I should take a lesson from you and stop worrying about what camera I have or am going to keep or buy and start taking photos and learning more. I know it's the photographer and not the gear, but it is very hard not to focus on the equipment ... it's easier than doing the real work. Anyway, congratulations on your self-restraint!

 

[kevistopheles]

Interesting subjects are the best cure for the addiction...and you're right your friend is VERY photogenic, although I believe that to be the case with most of France.

 

[davect01]

I would agree that I don't quite get the I need another lens, even though I already have fifteen craze.

I have a nice set of five lens spanning 18-150mm and although I look at the lenses for sale, I would only buy more if I was planning on replacing some of the ones I already have.

Only photographers ask what equipment you used to take the picture. Everyone else just admires it.

 

[nianys]

Interesting subjects are the best cure for the addiction...and you're right your friend is VERY photogenic, although I believe that to be the case with most of France.

Err... you're been a bit idealistic Kevin, we have our share of uglies, trust me

 

[teefin1]

Ha ha, we'll be starting a 'snap the uglies' thread now! Really gorgeous pics, of course helped by attractive subjects, but even beautiful can be made to look unattractive by a crap photo, so well done you.....as alway.

 

[NickCyprus]

Beautiful photos as always!!!
You are a master portraitist

 

[nianys]

Thanks a lot guys. Beautiful subjects, capable gear and a bit of luck. It was a joy shooting the FL55 again, what a cool lens.

 

[quezra]

I am really enjoying it, though it's making me tempted to investigate the FDn 50/1.2 L which apparently is the sharpest of any of Canon's 1.2s, culmination of decades of lens tech blah blah blah. Not cheap though

 

[ChangshaNotes]

Ha ha, we'll be starting a 'snap the uglies' thread now!

You'll find the self-portrait thread here.

 

[kevistopheles]

Thanks a lot guys. Beautiful subjects, capable gear and a bit of luck. It was a joy shooting the FL55 again, what a cool lens.

You forgot TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER.

 

[kevistopheles]

I am really enjoying it, though it's making me tempted to investigate the FDn 50/1.2 L which apparently is the sharpest of any of Canon's 1.2s, culmination of decades of lens tech blah blah blah. Not cheap though

I know what you mean seeing these has me thinking about a Rokkor 50/1.2...thankfully my lack of funds will keep me from doing something foolish.

 

[quezra]

There's someone offering a MD 50/1.2 for about $400 at a local forum here, it's a bit more than I paid for my FL55 and the pics didn't strike me as significantly sharper, otherwise I'd consider it! The colors looked better though

 

[nianys]

I am really enjoying it, though it's making me tempted to investigate the FDn 50/1.2 L which apparently is the sharpest of any of Canon's 1.2s, culmination of decades of lens tech blah blah blah. Not cheap though

All the FL and FD variations I've come across have been better than they have a right to. If the FD were sexier lenses, they'd dominate the legacy world, because optically there ain't much better.

 

[nianys]

Guys I may still have a card up my sleeve, I'm still wait on delivery of a Porst Auto Reflex 55/1.2. They can be awesome or mediocre, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Lately I'm in love with my Rollei 1.8, but on this kid's pics the FL really shone.

 

[kevistopheles]

The Hexanon 57/1.2 also has quite the reputation...in all honesty though, I think once you get into the 1.2 range the lenses are all pretty good. The Pen-F 42/1.2 is another option although I'd guess given that Pen-F lenses are spendy I would imagine SLR lenses would be a much better buy.

 

[nianys]

I tend to be divided about 1.2 lenses. On one hens they do have something special, on the other 1.4, 1.7 or even 1.8 nifties can be extraordinary. What is for sure is that I feel comfortable having a lot of options.

 

[quezra]

I've read that a lot of f1.4s have better across-the-frame performance than their f1.2 counterparts. It's also claimed that the Konica M Hexanon 50/1.2 is sharper than Canon's legendary 50/0.95 at every equivalent f/stop which makes this and the L really to-die-for. I guess the advantage of the crop sensor is we don't feel poor corner performance much. One of these days I'll eventually decide to do a sell-off and get one of them I'm sure. But not right now

 

[kevistopheles]

I've read that a lot of f1.4s have better across-the-frame performance than their f1.2 counterparts. It's also claimed that the Konica M Hexanon 50/1.2 is sharper than Canon's legendary 50/0.95 at every equivalent f/stop which makes this and the L really to-die-for. I guess the advantage of the crop sensor is we don't feel poor corner performance much. One of these days I'll eventually decide to do a sell-off and get one of them I'm sure. But not right now

Isn't the M-Hexanon a 50/2 instead of a 50/1.2?

 

[quezra]

Isn't the M-Hexanon a 50/2 instead of a 50/1.2?

There's both, the f1.2 Titanium was made for a limited Millennium edition RF and is a manual lens with 2000s lens tech. If I won the lottery this is the first lens I would buy