This is my “F bomb!”

Many years ago, while photographing in the bowels of steel ships, I purchased a used and rather unique Canon lens – the 50mm F1.0. It is a lens that Canon manufactured for a relatively short time. They didn’t make tons of this lens because not many folks figured there was a need for it. But, in my case, working in dark places, it could be very helpful giving me the opportunity to go “flashless,” which could be very distracting to workers and in some cases dangerous around abundant fumes.

There are many fast lenses on the market today. All manufacturers seem to be in the speed game. The Canon F1.0 lens, however, is not fast, in the mechanical sense. It focuses slowly due in part to the way it’s constructed and it’s very heavy, making it somewhat challenging to use in tight spaces. But, since my days of photographing in unlit construction spaces nears an end, I have enjoyed the effect one can achieve with patience in a variety of photo situations. I love this lens when used at its widest open aperture. It is not startlingly sharp and it focuses slowly. So if you’re photographing race cars at Indy or airshow bald eagles, you’re out of luck. However, if razor tack sharp images are not a high priority, the results from this lens can be very interesting, especially when used wide open.

I enjoy the lens for landscape and portrait compositions. To me the creamy softness resembles some of the very old lenses I have used over the years with large format cameras (often referred to as view cameras) and glass manufactured differently long ago. The old lenses of yesteryear had a unique quality, not always resembling ultra sharp clarity. The photo shared today was made with the F1.0 lens, at its most wide open aperture. Close examination reveals softness – exactly! Just what the doctor ordered. Overall, I was hoping for the special blend of tones. These are effects that can easily be achieved with pinhole cameras, filters, and post production apps, none of which I use or care to. Mostly because I prefer to limit my time on computers. Give me the darkroom any day! But that’s another story.

Canon, when the F1.0 lens was being built, competed actively with Nikon and this lens was meant to be the winner of the race. It was expensive then and more expensive now even though it hasn’t been built since around the year 2000. I was lucky to find one about 30 years ago, used, when nobody in their right mind would purchase such a critter. Part of the reason Canon stopped making the lens was because it cost so much. I found one at KEH in Atlanta that was collecting dust. I think they were happy to get rid of it and I was happy to take it off their hands.

Call me old fashioned. I adore the lens and a little fuzziness doesn’t upset me, especially if it’s intentional. At my age, fuzzy is a way of life. Just ask my wife, who I love dearly. She can confirm my lack of focus!