QUIZ: Which 50mm Lens Shot This?

Over the past month, I’ve published a couple of videos about differences in image quality produced by three 50mm lenses: the Canon 50mm f/1.4, the Canon 50mm f/1.2L, and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART. In those comparison videos, I’ve pointed out the differences between the image quality and bokeh of the lenses under controlled conditions.

I ‘ve done the comparisons, and I’ve pointed out the differences, but I don’t want to make too big a deal out of them. They’re less significant that some people might expect after watching my videos… but of course, the price differences ARE still quite significant, currently (at Amazon):

• Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM is $340
• Canon 50mm f/1.2L is $1350
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART is $950

Maybe this quiz will help you decide whether the price differences are justifiable, for you.

The Quiz

Each of the questions in the quiz below will contain at least one image. These images are mostly bad shots from the time I spent shooting for the comparison videos; they’re not great images, and they weren’t specially chosen because they are characteristic of a lens in some way; they’re just random shots.

Some of them stand alone, some images are grouped with 100% crops. In each case, you can click on the image to enlarge it so that you can get a better view of the detail.  What do you think? Is the Sigma significantly sharper? Does the Canon f/1.2L have a “magical” quality? Let me know what you think in the comments section, below the quiz.

50mm Lens Quiz : Can You Tell the Difference?

Good luck! Keep in mind that not all of these images are shot wide open, making it especially difficult to tell the images apart. Don't worry about it :-)

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Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

This image was shot hand held at 1/125th sec, f/2.8.

A	Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L

Question 1 Explanation: 

Exactly, although there is nothing in this image that is a dead giveaway.

Question 2

This image was shot wide open at 1/2500th sec, at ISO 800.

A	Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L

Question 3

This image was shot at 1/2000th sec at f/2.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 4

This image was shot hand held, at night on a city street. The aperture was wide open at 1/60th sec, ISO 800.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 5

Hand held, 1/400th second at f/5.6.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 6

Borris, shot wide open. Click to enlarge.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 7

Tonkotsu ramen. 1/50th sec, f/3.2

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 8

This was shot with the aperture wide open at 1/800ths sec, ISO 100.

 

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 9

Seen while walking. Wide open, 1/640th second.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 10

If the differences in bokeh between these lenses can tell you anything, it should be visible in this image. This was shot wide open at 1/1250th sec.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.,4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 11

Wide open, 1/640th sec, ISO 1600, in Mark Ellinger's glass studio.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 12

Random beach details. 1/400th sec. @ f/5.6.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 13

In Mark Ellinger's glass studio. Wide open at 1/250th sec, ISO 3200.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 14

These were also shot wide open. The shot has plenty of foreground detail and background blur, so it should be easier than most of the others.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 15

This image was shot at f/8, from a tripod.  

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

Question 16

1/250th sec. f/1.4. In Mark Ellinger's glass studio.

A	Canon 50mm f/1.4
B	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART
C	Canon 50mm f/1.2L

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All done

Bad guessing.

This is what you'd expect if you were guessing randomly, without looking at the images.

Pretty good. Your guesses were better than chance.

Nice. You could probably distinguish one of these lenses from the others, reliably.

How many times did you take this quiz?