Canon EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review and Sample Photos with Model, Annie Montgomery

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post, you help support Myles Katherine Photography. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support!)

I’ve reviewed quite a few Canon lenses at this point but I definitely can’t forget about this one! The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM lens is probably one of the most underrated Canon lenses, in my opinion. It was my first fixed lens that I purchased to use alongside my Canon 5D Mark II (I’ve since upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark IV), and it was honestly the starting point for my entire photography career. The images I created with this lens caught the eyes of some of my very first clients. It’s an incredible lens for the price and has a magic to it that I haven’t been able to find with any other lenses in this price point. I eventually upgraded to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L lens (you can read more about this lens on my blog here!) and sold this one, but then I recently found it in a thrift store for an incredible price and bought it again! I was always upset with myself for selling it because the images I created with it were so special and memorable. I’m honestly so glad that it’s back in my collection. I typically give it to my second shooter at weddings while I use the 50 mm f/1.2 L, just because that one does do a bit better in low light. But there are so many positive things about the 50 mm f/1.4 USM lens and so I believe it deserves a full blog post showcasing it’s amazing capabilities!

3 OF MY FAVORITE FEATURES OF THE CANON 50MM F/1.4 LENS

  1. IT’S SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT

    Once you get into the L series lenses, they start to get bulky and heavy. The 50mm f/1.2 L lens is much larger and heavier than the f/1.4. If you go for the f/1.8 lens which is even cheaper then this lens, the lens is even smaller. However, I didn’t find the f/1.8 lens as special as this one. While I prefer zoom lenses in general, especially when I’m shooting a wedding, I love a fixed lens because of how much less annoying they are to walk around with. They’re great for traveling and are much easier to manage when carrying it in a camera bag. I travel a LOT and I have reached a point in my life where I just don’t bring my giant zoom lenses with me anymore. They make my backpack way too heavy. So these days I’ll stick a fixed lens on my camera and call it a day. I don’t find them as efficient and they do require more patience because you constantly have to step backwards or forwards to capture the exact distance you want from your subject or landscape.

  2. THE BOKEH IS STUNNING

    While the bokeh that this lens can produce isn’t technically amazing, there is something special about it, in my opinion. The key characteristic of ideal bokeh is that the circles that the lens produces at it’s widest aperture are perfectly circular. These circles are a little oblong, but I find it gives the images more of a surreal quality, which I prefer. It reminds me of an art lens, like the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 Swirly Bokeh Lens or the Petzval lenses (you can find them on Lomography or eBay for more affordable used ones).

  3. IT’S AFFORDABLE!

    I recommend this lens constantly because it’s an amazing mid-range lens that can truly elevate your work. Personally, I love shooting with this lens wide open, or close to it. In bright lighting situations, you’ll want to lower your exposure to make up for all of the light the lens is bringing in. If your photos are too bright or blown out, that’s how you know the exposure needs to come down. This lens costs about $450 new, which is pretty amazing for the images it can produce. Of course, it matters what camera you’re shooting with too, but for the images shared in this post, I used a Canon 5D Mark II, which was a super professional camera when it first was released, but now can be found for as cheap as $300 through KEH Camera for one in excellent condition. It’s a great starting point if you’re just starting your photography business and aren’t quite ready to spend thousands of dollars on lenses and equipment.

CANON 50 MM F/1.2 L LENS (LEFT) VS. CANON 50MM F/1.4 USM LENS

3 CONS OF THE CANON 50MM F/1.4 USM LENS

  1. IT HAS A STRONG VIGNETTE TO THE IMAGES

    This isn’t necessary a negative to me, but a lot of people might find this frustrating. My favorite camera in the world is the Holga GCFN, which is known for it’s intense vignette, so I’m used to it and I find that it fits my personal style perfectly. I like to shoot darker imagery and I love a spooky elements to my photos. If you’re looking for a perfect wedding lens for high quality portraits or you prefer brighter imagery when editing, you’d probably prefer the 50mm f/1.2 L lens. If you aren’t sure what I mean by vignette, it means that the edges of the photo are dark and shadowy, almost like you’re shooting through a pinhole camera. You can see a circular ghosting around the corners of the photo. Again, doesn’t bother me but I totally understand if it bothers you!

  2. THE IMAGES MIGHT SEEM A BIT SOFT

    I wouldn’t describe this lens as the sharpest in the world, especially when comparing it to the 50 mm f/1.2 L lens. My 1.2 lens is incredibly sharp, especially when I’m shooting with the newer mirrorless cameras. I have a Canon EOS R that does amazing with the 1.2 lens, and I’m going to be upgrading to the Canon R6 Mark III soon and I know that’s going to be incredible too! I’m definitely looking for the sharpest images possible when I’m shooting for a client. However, creatively I actually prefer softer images. I’m also used to shooting with a lot of crappy film cameras, so I’m used to my images not being perfectly sharp. I just think it adds more character. I’m not a technically minded person so I’m not always looking to create the best image. I’m looking to create the most unique image.

  3. IT ISN’T COMPATIBLE WITH THE NEWER CANON MIRRORLESS CAMERAS WITHOUT AN ADAPTER

    This lens is a bit outdated as Canon moves towards only producing mirrorless cameras. The RF lenses are the newer line of lenses by Canon, so if you decide to get a Canon 5D Mark II, III or IV, then the RF lenses are not compatible at all. Meaning, no matter what you can’t use the RF lenses with an EF camera. However! It does work the other way around. You CAN use the EF lenses with an RF camera. So the 50 mm f/1.4 lens that I’m talking about isn’t entirely useless. You just have to buy an EF to RF adapter. But just know that this lens is the older EF style of lenses by Canon. And just to let you know, the adapter does make the lens stick out a bit more so it makes your camera set-up a bit bulkier.

SO, WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS LENS?

100%. I recommend this lens constantly to anyone who asks me where they should start if they don’t have a huge budget. I’d probably go for a Canon 6D Mark II and this lens if you’re looking for an affordable but professional starter set-up. This set-up carried me for quite a few years and helped me to grow my photography business. I actually used the Canon 6D, not the 6D Mark II, but I recommend the 6D Mark II because it’s a bit more modern. If you’re looking for more of a budget option and really want to start low, the Canon 5D Mark II and III are incredibly affordable, but just know you’re likely buying a used one, since they are pretty outdated. They were top of the line when they first came out though, so if you’re able to find one in excellent+ condition, you’re really getting an incredible deal and could definitely be considered a professional photographer with the images you could produce.

I’m so glad this lens is back in my possession and I honestly can’t wait to take it out on another fun fashion shoot. It’s a great lens if you’re looking to be creative, have fun, and create unique images. I was lucky enough to work with model Annie Montgomery for these photos and I’m just so obsessed with everything we created together. We took these photos in Forest Park in Portland, Oregon, which is one of the most magical places in the city. If you’re visiting Portland, I highly recommend walking the trail from Lower Macleay park to Pittock Mansion.

If you’re looking for a zoom lens, I highly recommend the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II L lens ( I have a full blog post about this lens here). I’ve been using this lens for years and it has truly carried my photography business. It’s perfect for weddings and low light scenarios that require fast shooting. It’s great for portraits but also for landscapes, nature and travel. If I had to choose between a fixed lens or a zoom lens, I’d always go for a zoom, but ideally I have a fixed lens and a zoom lens with me at all times. You’re usually compromising a wide aperture for the zoom focal length, so when it comes specifically to portraits, a 50 mm lens like the 50 mm f/1.4 is my go-to. Nothing beats the magic of an f/1.2 or f/1.4 lens shot wide open.

So, in conclusion, I love this lens and I think you will too! If you’ve used this lens before, I’d love to know what you think about it! Maybe I’m weird for loving it’s quirkiness but I just find it creates the most beautiful, surreal photos. Let me know your thoughts!

If you’re in the beginning stages of choosing a camera, make sure to check out my blog posts, The 15 Best Digital Cameras for Beginner Photographers Under $1500 or The Top 10 Most Desired Digital Cameras of 2026.

WHERE TO BUY THE CANON 50MM F/1.4 USM LENS

AMAZON

B&H PHOTO

KEH CAMERA (USED)


WHERE TO BUY THE CANON 50MM F/1.2 L LENS

AMAZON

B&H PHOTO

KEH CAMERA (USED)

If you found this post helpful in any way, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

5 Reasons to Buy a Polaroid One-Step 600 Camera | Film Photography Review of the Polaroid One-Step 600 Camera

 

I love Polaroid cameras SO much. There’s nothing quite like the immediate satisfaction of watching a photo develop in front of you. The casual, nostalgic mood and the muted tones give Polaroid photos a truly unique vibe that I have yet to experience with any other camera and film combination.

When I began working as a photographer right after college, my dad stumbled across a few of his old Polaroid cameras that his construction company had used years ago to photograph job sites. I did some googling and found a company called The Impossible Project that had started making film that worked with the old Polaroid cameras. I purchased a few boxes of the film and fell in love the second I started using it. Eventually, The Impossible Project officially gained the rights to the Polaroid name, (after going by Polaroid Originals for a while) and can now be found at Polaroid.com.

If you can get your hands on a vintage Polaroid 600 camera from a friend or family member, don’t turn it down! These cameras are actually pretty sturdy and it’s rare that I’ve come across one that doesn’t work. The version I’ve been using for the last few years is the Polaroid One-Step 600 camera but there are dozens of different 600 cameras to choose from. I also used a Polaroid Impulse for a while too! If you don’t have any Polaroids lurking in your parent’s basement or grandma’s house, you can always find them online. Or you can try out Polaroid’s brand new cameras such as the Polaroid Now or Polaroid Go.

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post, you help support Myles Katherine Photography. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support!)

CAMERA:

Purchase a Polaroid One-Step 600 on Amazon!

Purchase a Polaroid One-Step 600 on eBay!

Purchase a Used Polaroid One-Step 600 on KEH Camera!

Purchase a Polaroid Now or Polaroid Go on Polaroid.com!

FILM:

Purchase 600 film on Amazon!

Purchase 600 film on Polaroid.com!

Tip: Make sure to buy the correct version of the film for your camera, whether that’s 600, SX-70, i-Type or Go film. If it’s listed under “Polaroid Originals”, that’s totally fine - it’s just the name that the company went by before officially becoming Polaroid.


5 reasons to buy a Polaroid 600 Camera:

  1. They are SUPER easy to use!


    While these cameras might be old and somewhat intimidating, they are truly one of the easiest cameras out there to use. You slide the film in, pop open the viewfinder, look through and compress the shutter button. That’s it! However, it may take some getting used to when it comes to lighting conditions and film lightness vs. darkness. Most 600 cameras have a slider that allows some exposure control over the film darkness. If you prefer to shoot in bright conditions, I recommend sliding it a little towards the darker side. If you tend to shoot in lower light conditions, I recommend keeping it in the middle position, or sliding it the tiniest bit toward the brighter end.



  2. There is nothing like it.


    Polaroids can be used to photograph anything and everything. Somehow, they make even the dullest moment seem memorable and exciting. I particularly love using it for fashion portraits and landscapes, but I also love the way some people use it to document parties or events, as it adds a value of nostalgia and automatically looks like it was taken 30 years ago. I’ve used dozens of cameras over the years, but there is nothing quite like taking a classic Polaroid. It’s also nice to have a physical photograph from your shoot to hang on the fridge or put it in a scrapbook. The magic of printed images slowly diminished after digital photography came around, so there’s something thrilling about having an immediate physical copy of your photograph in your hands.



  3. They are sturdy and long-lasting.


    I have yet to stumble across a Polaroid 600 that doesn’t work. I have, however, stumbled across Polaroid SX-70s that don’t work, so I think the 600 version just seems to last longer overall. The version that I use, the Polaroid One-Step, folds up into a square and easily fits inside a camera bag without risking damage to the camera. They are super lightweight and easy to carry around too. Plus, it’s just plain FUN to use the pop-up viewfinder and surprise your friends and family with this unique-looking, vintage camera.



  4. They are affordable.


    While, yes, they have gone up in value over the years, they are still relatively affordable compared to other vintage cameras. You can find different versions of the Polaroid 600 camera in the $30-200 range, but even up to $700 depending on the model and rareness of the camera. From Barbie to LEGO to USPS, there are so many different designs and colors to choose from. Once you start delving into the options, it’s nearly impossible to NOT want to start collecting them all.



  5. You could become a better photographer!

    I truly believe that using film cameras, especially Polaroid cameras, will force you to be more decisive with your images. Considering the fact that you are paying for every image that you take, your brain will automatically let you know if a moment is worth capturing. Oftentimes, I’ll point my Polaroid at a landscape or building, thinking it will make a good photograph, but once I look through the viewfinder, I ask myself, is it special enough? This means you’ll take less images overall and that the ones you do take, will mean something. Not to mention, you’ll become better at composing your images because you’ll immediately see the results and learn from your mistakes. If you accidentally cropped someone out of the shot, or took the photo a little too crooked or off to the side, you’ll see that up close and personal on your printed Polaroid.



Here are a few sample photos I’ve taken with my Polaroid 600 cameras over the years:

Thanks so much for stopping by! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. :)

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

Have a lovely day!

<3 Myles Katherine

 

Pink Glam-onade Glitter Shoot | Emily Mazour & Tree Sphinx & Blair Doucette

 

I'm obsessed with this shoot. I've been on a hiatus of sorts when it comes to fashion shoots. When I first moved to Portland I did so many shoots that I burnt myself out. But lately, with the emergence of spring and the sunshine finally on its way, I'm feeling super inspired for the first time in years. 

Emily Mazour was the creative genius behind Blair's pink and yellow hairstyle. Chelsea Sinks, also known as "Tree Sphinx", is responsible for the glitter and makeup magic. I recently acquired some new filters and experimented with Emily's ring light, and it was enough to convince me that I needed a ring light of my own (which I'm purchasing today)! 

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot. Make sure to scroll to the end of the post to check out my fav film photos (polaroids, holga, 120mm, etc.). Can't wait to work with this incredible team again!

<3 Myles Katherine

Model: Blair Doucette
Hair: Emily Mazour
Glitter: Chelsea Sinks Using Glitter Moose