One photographer has been able to try out the “dream lens,” a rare Canon 50mm f/0.95. The lens was created as a “technical demonstration and marketing gimmick” back in the 1960s, so how did it fare when used for taking portraits in 2019?
Mathieu Stern came across the lens while in Finland visiting The Camera Rescue Project. Only 25,000 units were ever produced, and an online search will reveal the lens sells for between $3,000-4,500.
In his review, Stern addresses some of the pros and cons of the lens, including its inability to handle backlit portraits. Attempting to do so saw him met with huge flaring. However, as you would expect, it excels in intensely shallow bokeh. This extends to full body shots, with a notable amount of subject separation still going on. As Stern puts it: “The background transforms into an abstract painting.” Naturally, though, he admits he found it hard to get the exact focus where he wanted it.
Below are a number of the images he shot with the aperture set to f/0.95. Watch the video to see the lens in action.
See more of Stern’s experimental lens work at his blog and his YouTube channel.
All images used with permission of Mathieu Stern.