Canon 50mm F1.2 or F1.4

[Bee-Phone]

All,

Need advice.
My friend ask me to take photo for their family dinner. I'm thinking to rent canon 50mm lens.
But now I'm confuse, which one should I use. Is it F1.2 or F1.4?

Is it so much different between these 2 lenses?
Do I still need a flash if I'm using f1.2?

The dinner will be indoor, in a small function room. Maybe those ever shoot with same situation can share their experience?

Thanks a lot.

 

[yrh0413]

you still need to have a speedlite, as you definitely will not want to shoot group photos with f/1.2.

Remember, large aperture gives you more light (thus the freedom to use a lower ISO) BUT you need to factor in the required DoF.

 

[photoart]

Be careful about shooting wide open f1.2 or f1.4, the depth of field is very thin and the slightest movement will get you out of focus shots

Unless the people line up in a straight line side by side, you'll get some people OOF in the same frame if they stand slightly in front or back of each other

For such situation, a flash will be a better choice

 

[dennisc]

just a word of advice, if you've never used the 1.2 1.4 before, I don't advise you do suddenly as the it may overwhelm to what you may consider norm, example only 1 side of the eye that is in focus, everything is 'bokeh'!. Why not rent the 16-35mm f2.8L instead?

 

[Shizuma]

I tried shooting some decorations with my humble 50mm F1.8 (APSC sensor) and at F1.8 even a vase is OOF between the top and bottom because focus zone was the middle. The depth is quite thin and I can't imagine how much thinner it would get at even wider apertures.

I have shot at F1.8 in similar conditions - great if there are a certain group of people you would like to focus on eg the MC/host leading a toast, speech, etc. nice DOF blurs / "bokeh".

Shooting at 2.8 is a better idea especially group shots though.

 

[Octarine]

Rent a zoom lens instead. 17-55 f/2.8 gives you the flexibility of zoom and f/2.8 is more than sufficient. I'd think, bounce flash plus f/5.6 will be a good combination.

 

[TWmilkteaTW]

Small room.. Family group photo? I dont think you want to use a 50mm. Let alone F1.4 or 1.2...Shouldnt even be using such large aperture also.. (why not? maybe u want to read on DOF)

Suggestion above is probably the best.
17-55. As you said. Room is small and u need to capture a group photo..17mm is pretty wide enough.

 

[dennisc]

50mm maybe too tight for a small room as well depends on how you shoot. Check out the sample 1.2 and 1.4 I've shot many years ago, you don't want auntie to look blur beside uncle do you? unless as said you're familiar with it and able to do creative shots out of it. Otherwise just rent a zoom

 

[catchlights]

All,

Need advice.
My friend ask me to take photo for their family dinner. I'm thinking to rent canon 50mm lens.
But now I'm confuse, which one should I use. Is it F1.2 or F1.4?

Is it so much different between these 2 lenses?
Do I still need a flash if I'm using f1.2?

The dinner will be indoor, in a small function room. Maybe those ever shoot with same situation can share their experience?

Thanks a lot.

get a flash and use whatever lens you have,

I won't want to rent a lens just for a dinner, unless it is a state dinner, or dinner with the royal family.

 

[Rashkae]

Get a flash and use your kit lens.

 

[Chillibomber]

Rashkae is right, it is safer to stick with the kit lens which you are more familiar with.

 

[daredevil123]

50mm maybe too tight for a small room as well depends on how you shoot. Check out the sample 1.2 and 1.4 I've shot many years ago, you don't want auntie to look blur beside uncle do you? unless as said you're familiar with it and able to do creative shots out of it. Otherwise just rent a zoom

Oh... Now I get it. F1.2 = no head. F1.4 = head and shoulders.

 

[Bee-Phone]

Thank you all for the reply.
Maybe will consider wide lens or my kit lens.

Cheers.

 

[dennisc]

Oh... Now I get it. F1.2 = no head. F1.4 = head and shoulders.

That's bcos I'm not showing who my GF is... ;p and just elaborate how narrow it is (eg the russian runway models elbow is blurred) so no need nice pics lah