Do You Really Need That Ultra-Expensive Lens?

Canon makes some really impressive lenses, but of course, they come at prices that match that stellar performance. Do you really need that to spend that much, though, or would you be better off going with a more affordable option? This interesting video compares two 50mm options from the company to help you decide. 

Coming to you from Katelyn James, this great video compares the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM lenses. The 50mm f/1.2 is a superlative lens and widely considered to be one of the best 50mm lenses ever made, but it also costs over 13 times as much as its f/1.8 counterpart. Of course, no one is arguing that the performance of the f/1.8 can compete with that of the f/1.2. Rather, the question is if the performance of the f/1.8 is sufficient for your needs or if you really need to spend over $2,000 on the more expensive option. Of course, if you are a hobbyist and you have the funds, then by all means, get the lens you want and enjoy it. But if you are running a business, it becomes a question of how much you should spend on an expense for a tool. Check out the video above for the full rundown from James. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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4 Comments

Cost is not any indication of quality and suitability to a task. The right lens for the situation is always the best choice. Specially if it is in your bag at the time you need it.
That said, a good lens tends to cost more, and outlast an inexpensive lens.
I love my Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S that I gifted myself this year. But before I had that I was perfectly happy with my Sigma "version" of a similar lens that costs a third of the Nikon. I even learned to work around the Sigma's limitations.
I also have cheap Rokinon 12 mm 1.8 that seems to be built like a tank and I love it. It takes vary good picture and it only a fraction of the cost of similar lenses. Are the more expensive lenses better? Probably, But I am happy I have my cheap Rokinon.
It is not the equipment, it is you!

Like many others, I have both of these lenses.
I was so astonished at the image quality from the f/1.2 that I try to shoot everything with it!
That and the 85mm f/1.2, the images from these lenses are like nothing I've ever seen.
Yes paying the huge price was painful, but I think worth it.

The right answer is YES. And NO. Depends….

What we need is a RF 50mm | 85mm , 1.4. Per 1.000euros