Canon 50/1.2 or 50/1.4 - Kevin Cameras?

JohnL · 10-07-2008

I am thinking of getting a Canon 50/1.2 (or maybe 1.4) and there seem to be many on the Kevin Cameras website, although I find it rather long on pictures and rather short on explanations.

Does anyone have any experience dealing with this firm?

They seem to be on the pricey side, but that would depend on how strictly they grade. Can anyone provide info on this?

Anywhere else I ought to be looking?

I have considered non-Canon, but most I have seen in this speed range are even more expensive. If CV were making 50/1.2s new at a reasonable price, I'd get one in a flash. I have a Canon 50/0.95 but I find it a bit on the big side for general use.

mabelsound · 10-07-2008

For a guy who sells high-end photography equipment, though, his photos of sale items are terrible!

I would love a 50/1.2.

BTW, KEH.com has a 50/1.2 in BGN condition for $429 right now.

raid · 10-07-2008

Kevin stands behind his sold equipment, so you get some assurance that the lens will be a good lens. If choosing between the Canon 50/1.4 and the 50/1.2, I would favor the 50/1.2 for its great bokeh wide open. The 50/1.4 is no slouch. Both lenses are in their own ways excellent.

Al Kaplan · 10-07-2008

I'd rather have a good f/1.4 lens than a faster lens that has to be stopped down to get decent results. Those lenses date back to an era before Tri-X had reasonably fine grain and "speed enhancing" developers such as UFG, Acufine, and Diafine were just beginning to appear on the market. Canon had the f/1.2, Nikon had an f/1.1, then Canon one-upped Nikon with the f/0.95. Image quality was not paramount, it was bragging rights. The f/1.4 Nikkor is better than the Canon.

willie_901 · 10-07-2008

I don't know about Kevin Cameras, and I don't know about the 1.4. But I do know the 1.2 is rather susceptible to flare–which is why I sold mine. On the other hand, the 1.2 is really nice in low light levels when flare is not an issue or where it might be used for effect.

kevin m · 10-07-2008

Why rely on memory and anecdotes? Get a good copy and have it CLA'd, it might surprise you. At the very least, pop it open and wipe the haze off the inner elements. If you like the effect, f1.4 is no substitute for f1.2...

raid · 10-07-2008

JohnL · 10-07-2008

Thanks to all of you for great input!

LeicaTom · 10-07-2008

He has a good reputation.....but his prices are sometimes two to three times what the REAL market is, at the prices he asks for lenses I`d expect, Hood/Caps/UV filter to make it complete, I`d say watch the evilbay market and buy there, go for the f1.2/50 while it has smoother bokeh at f1.4 stopped down than the f1.4 does, I also experienced some focus shift with my f1.4 - I was`nt satisfied with it.....so I sold it!

Kevin`s is just for when you are really desperate for something, I bought a rare <EP> engraved 1955 Canon f1.5/50 from him for a premium price, but sold it together with a museum grade IIF2, it was well worth the investment and I made just what I wanted to make on that amazing kit

Tom

peter_n · 10-07-2008

A lot of his eBay stuff is BINned, but some have the "Make an offer" button. Probably depending on how long the item has remained unsold, he will accept discounted offers. I've only bought once from him and it was a very good lens.

gdi · 10-08-2008

Wow, I guess I'm just unlucky....

Nokton48 · 10-08-2008

I just spoke to him today, and am ordering an original Canon 85mm f1.5 Lenshood, right after I finish posting this. He's knowledgeable, honest, and no more expensive (at least on this item) than many other camera dealers I have bought from in the past.

Bingley · 10-08-2008

IIRC, I purchased a 40mm filter and a hood for my Canon 50/1.8 from him, and it was a smooth transaction. With the lenses offered for sale on his site, you do get photos of the actual items, unlike KEH. However, I also agree that Kevin's prices appear on the high side, so there's the trade-off. He does tend to have a good stock of Canon rf gear, though.

John Shriver · 10-08-2008

I've read that Kevin sells his "duds" at reasonable prices. He buys his inventory on eBay as kinche-l, and takes chances. Items that don't meet his standards don't go on the website, but are available if you call.

If you want a fixed-price sale you can trust, also consider jiri_e on eBay. He will also sell Canon lenses at fixed prices.

bennyng · 10-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Shriver

I've read that Kevin sells his "duds" at reasonable prices. He buys his inventory on eBay as kinche-l, and takes chances. Items that don't meet his standards don't go on the website, but are available if you call.

I believe the kinche-l account was closed and feedback made private (no reason to let the world know how much you paid for what).

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ab=AllFeedback

In any case, Kevin does have very nice stuff. I've yet to buy lenses from him, but I've had a pretty smooth transaction for lens caps.

Cheers,

Charles Woodhouse · 10-08-2008

I would buy from Jiri Ecer (ID jiri_e ) in preference to anyone else - he is very knowledgeable with excellent item descriptions and photographs and an absolute gentleman to deal with. And you pay what the market values the item,and not what some business person can extract from your desire.

januaryman · 10-09-2008

Jiri-e is indeed a wonderful gentleman. A f/ew months back I was looking to get a Canon 35/2 and sent him an email, telling him I hoped to spend $200-$250. He advised that it would be unlikely at that price, and if it were so cheap the lens might be rough. I thanked him and went away. A couple of weeks ago he sent an email to me again, offering that very lens at $275. Reasonable if not cheap. I had just plunked a lotta $$$ for a Leica and told him thanks but I couldn't afford it. He told me he'd put it on eBay the following week if I decided to bid. I did look but can't recall the exact price - I'm sure it went for about $100 more than he had asked from me!

I have him marked as a favorite seller. If I sell my Skopar Classic 35/2.5, I'll want that Canon 35/2.0 and I'll look to him again.

JohnL · 10-09-2008

Thanks again to all the most recent responders ...

Roger Hicks · 10-09-2008

Dear John,

I have never heard anyone speak more highly of the f/1.2 than of the f/1.4, if they have tried both (and often, if they haven't).

Cheers,

Roger

Hacker · 10-09-2008

I would agree with Roger regarding the f1.4.

kevin m · 10-09-2008

Quote:

I have never heard anyone speak more highly of the f/1.2 than of the f/1.4, if they have tried both

I repeat: wipe the haze off the inner elements!

LeicaTom · 10-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_n

A lot of his eBay stuff is BINned, but some have the "Make an offer" button. Probably depending on how long the item has remained unsold, he will accept discounted offers. I've only bought once from him and it was a very good lens.

He`s notorious for "upping" the price on items people make offers on.....he did this to me once or twice, even as I made a decent offer, the next day the lens was $200 more expensive and I`ve noticed that with other items also happening in his BIN group.
(he`s had some Leica gear now for over 4 years unsold - I don`t think it hurts him not to sell anything)

As I said he should be a "last resort" for finding gear unless it`s really really rare stuff and then be prepared to pay 3 to 4 times what the items really worth.

Tom

Roger Hicks · 10-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin m

I repeat: wipe the haze off the inner elements!

Dear Kevin,

Ir was professionally cleaned by Optical Instruments (Balham), the best in the business (Ministry of Defence contractors), and is now sparkling throughout. It's lot better than it was, but I'd still rather have a Noctilux if I could afford one.

Cheers,

R.

Hacker · 10-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Dear Kevin,

Ir was professionally cleaned by Optical Instruments (Balham), the best in the business (Ministry of Defence contractors), and is now sparkling throughout. It's lot better than it was, but I'd still rather have a Noctilux if I could afford one.

Cheers,

R.

I presume you are referring to the older one, not the ASPH one.

JohnL · 03-05-2009

Thanks again for all suggestions ... Well, Jiri Ecer has finally found an optically nice 50/1.2 for me. It needs adjustment of the RF cam and I have ordered it.

Any recommendations on who would be best to do this work? Also needs cleaning some oil off the diaphragm blades.