32mm f/1.4 --- City/People/Art/DOF - (PICS)

EOS M6 + EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens with 43mm Hoya FUSION Circular Polarizer

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I'm still not ready to review this lens properly and can't do so without exploring a couple of other subjects.  I especially need to test it a little more in lowlight conditions... which is what most people would likely consider buying this lens for (if not for the bokeh).  It might be a few more days since I need to get out to the mountains and to conduct a few long-exposure shots at night. But I'm convinced this is a fantastic lens. Well worth the addition to any lens collection or as a stand-alone lens. I'll find it really hard to reduce my favorite photographs down to under a dozen for the lens review (I'm referring to the DPreview lens-owner's review section) but I'll post a broader range here since the members of the M forum are going to be far more interested in early examples. The lens still hasn't officially been released here yet in Australia although other parts of the world seem to be having more luck obtaining them. I see quite a few members here have it.
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I had shot this with my iPhone so there's some aspherical distortion... the EW-60F lens hood looks smaller in real life and complements the camera body and lens nicely.

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Lens Hood...
The other day, members from this forum advised that the smaller and less expensive EW-60F lens hood (which was made for the EF-M 18-150mm lens) does indeed fit onto the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens with just a little bit of extra pressure when applying it. It's much smaller than the Canon ES-60 lens hood and it very practical in protecting the lens. I was struck by three people in crowds right on the lens - and even knocked it against a sandstone wall... The lens was protected each time by the use of the lens hood. It doesn't appear to be necessary beyond the protection factor though. Some reports from others here are suggesting third-party versions of the EW-60F may not fit properly over the lens-hood mounting flanges on the 32mm lens... so try to obtain a Canon version if you can.
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Sharp...
The sharpness of the lens is intensely sharp and detail from corner-to-corner is impressive. I'm shooting JPEG so my camera's going to be applying some subtle in-camera sharpening but the results are nonetheless very interesting. Most of my outdoor city shots below were taken in P-Mode which is almost "automatic". I figured the camera would know to adjust the exposure and ISO accordingly. The resulting images were crisply detailed. I've reduced my images to 2000 pixels for uploading here but I'm tempted to post some full-sized shots later to show the clarity. It's quite a surprise. For subjects closer to the lens, it offers shallow DOF and even attractive bokeh when closer subjects are shot with the lens wide open at f/1.4. It's nicely controlled and I made a point of obtaining a decent CPL filter because I know bright light can be challenging with bright lenses without faster (than 1/4000) shutter speeds. You'll need to click on some of the image to appreciate what sort of detail is present. Another surprise is that I haven't needed to apply any chromatic correction with CA with these images. Presumably this may be controlled with the in-camera lens correction which was automatically activated when the lens was fitted to the camera. Presumably the corrections are shared with the camera's processor when the lens if connected. Most modern lenses from Canon contain their own microprocessor (inside the lens) and that is where the data for lens-correction ought to be retained. This is possibly one of the sharpest two lenses i have used (the other was the EF 35mm f/1.4 USM II lens).
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The images below:
I usually post in a block of 10 images for etiquette although if I'm presenting early samples from a camera or lens, I'll post a few more. These were taken Saturday/Sunday (yesterday) with the EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens + M6 ... I'm still editing images and selecting which ones to keep... but here's a few more shots people might find useful for determining what the lens is capable of ...
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* All were taken in JPEG (not RAW)
* I've added [*CLICK] to images worth a closer look.
* No sharpening was applied during PP.
* CPL used for outdoor shots in sunlight (43mm Hoya FUSION CPL filter).
* This is the sharpest EF-M lens on the market.
* All are handheld.
* Reminder that CPL filters often warm up and/or enhance colors.

.

Powerhouse Museum - life-sized exhibit made from blue steel - (from China)

Sydney Opera House - blending it with the other tourists - CPL used

Powerhouse Museum - vintage microscopes behind acrylic wall

The Rocks (Sydney) - not my lunch - the staff let me take this shot.

Darling Harbor (Sydney) - The seagull who tried to steal my hotdog.

Vintage building at The Rocks (Sydney) - CPL used.

Circular Quay (Sydney) - cruise ship - CPL used.

Powerhouse Museum - Bill Parker plasma sculpture

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - CPL used

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - 1800s statue

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - local resident - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - Vintage Microscope behind acrylic wall.

Sydney Darling Harbor - fountain after sunset.

Sydney QVB - Stopped in traffic - CPL used.

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden feature - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse museum - Chinese antiques on display

Sydney, The Rocks @ "Ribs & Burgers" - my Cheeseburger (was delicious) - [*CLICK]

The Rocks, Sydney - Perfect Stranger posing for my bokeh test - CPL used. - [*CLICK]

Outer Sydney - Sunset from my car while stopped in traffic.

Sydney - Darling Harbor - Water at sunset.

Sydney Cruise Liner at the departure location - CPL used.

Sydney City light-rail installation.

My cat Zima - in very lowlight on my lap.

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - CPL used.

Tree at Circular Quay (Sydney)

No CLP used here. (Ultimo, Sydney)

Sydney - The Rocks - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Circular Quay - Jet Boat Riders - CPL used.

3-shot panorama taken on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Powerhouse Museum - Plasma Display in a lowlight area

Sydney Comicon Fans leaving a convention (built-in flash used).

Sydney CBD - Window Display with Emerald rings.

Sydney Opera House - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - Exquisite detail in a tiny, 200 year old statue. [*CLICK]

I think I posted this earlier... last of the tiny Cherry Blossoms on my street.

Powerhouse Museum - Lunar moonrock returned by the Apollo missions.

Sydney - The Rocks - at the markets using the Servo AF

Sydney Circular Quay - Cruise ship docked - CPL used.

Tourists in Sydney - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - an interactive Prism sculpture

Male Water Dragon - A completely different lizard - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Darling Harbor - Neon Sign Study - CPL used.

Sydney - The Rocks - Subtle shallow DOF

Sydney - The Rocks

Sydney - the Rocks - folks listening to the band (in the images above).

Sydney Chinese Friendship Gardens - Yet another of those lizards - CPL used.

Sydney Chinese friendship Gardens - this guy was actually a tourist. (NO CPL used)

Sydney CBD - My wife (right) looking flushed from a long walk to get to Comicon.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - vintage racecar - presumably early 1900s.

Sydney CBD - some sort of animated digital poster - up close.

Sydney QVB carpark - Costume Helmet.

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Heavy Equipment?
When I was in the city (shooting the pictures above), I bumped into no less than 8 different photographers who spoke with me briefly.  One ignored my camera.  Two were friends I haven't seen in a while who were complaining about how heavy their DSLRs were compared to the EOSM.  And then I met with people who had handled the new EOS R mirrorless camera.  Canon themselves were conducting a test shoot with multiple EOS R cameras in the city that day although I passed on the invitation they emailed us with.  Meeting people who had handled all the new RF lenses and the EOS R camera was particularly interesting because I've decided to retire my FF DSLRs and move my EF lenses to the new R system.  The first thing everyone said to me was how horridly heavy the new RF lenses were.  One chap with some experience as a dealer was mortified at how much larger, wider and heavier the new RF 50mmL lens was because he owned a 5D IV with the original EF 50mmL lens.  He showed me pictures of him holding the RF lenses in his hand and said the weight alone (not to mention the enormous size) was going to cause people to give pause with their plans to buy into the new system.
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M6 + EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM + CPL - a tourist with his DSLR + L-lens yesterday.
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I was mingling with thousands of tourists while I was in the city.  Most of them had cellphone cameras although I saw a LOT of large and heavy DSLRs ... almost all of which were APS-C.  Quite a few Nikon DSLRs.  Around 90% of people were using cellphones.  Many of the DSLR users glanced at my M6 + 32mm lens and sighed as though they envied the smaller camera I was carrying.  Some were even carrying two different DSLRs with different lenses on each of their cameras. So many cameras!  And many of the photographers with DSLRs were struggling in the heat.  I carried mine in my hand with my hand around the lens or across the back of the LCD.  It was lightweight and i didn't even need a strap.  When I needed both hands, I simply locked the camera onto my PeakDesign clip on my belt.  I had several people ask me which lens I had on my camera, including a Canon employee who recognized the Canon logo but couldn't figure out which lens I was using.  I spoke with another dealer who started to talk to me about the EOS R being the best thing since mirrorless... while referring to my own M6 camera as a camera that "probably takes nice pictures" whilst looking down his nose at the M6 as he pondered what he knew about the body. He confused with with the M100.  I think it dawned on him that his comments were clearly critical of anything 'not Sony' - and we all know how defensive Sony fans are, even when it comes to the indefensible. But even he noted that I had size and weight on my side, as well as price.  He began to complain about the kilos of weight that he had to lift when using the EOS R.  His complaints about the weight and size of the new lenses and the cost of adoption mirrored the comments I heard earlier in the day.  The same chap called over another person he worked with to confirm how heave the new RF lenses were and how the RF 50mmL lens is twice as long as the EF version and how they could barely hold it in their hands from the diameter.
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Just as the day was ending I ran into a girl I know who has recently taken up photography and she wanted to show me some of her photographs on her phone.  She's using an 80D and was getting some beautiful shots with it.  I briefly showed her my lens and explained what I was doing in the city.  She said the weight and size of her camera was her only complaint.  As I headed off to meet up with my wife (who was attending a Comicon convention) a pedestrian smashed her hand into my lens as she tried to cut around me and cross the road at a set of lights. ... fortunately the lens was protected by the lens-hood I'd mounted earlier.  Her rings just glanced off it. 
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I work with different cameras and lenses so often that I 'can't see the forest for the trees' anymore.  But to my eyes the images from this lens seem pleasant and in some ways a little different to what I'm used to seeing on the EOS M cameras.  Anyone else still 'on the fence' with this lens?  I suppose no lens is essential.  But I suspect that it's going to be a popular one.
--
Regards,
Marco Nero.

Thanks Marco, another great post. I'm loving the 32 1.4 also. You posted some great examples of using the lens.

I also went on a little tour using the new lens and also observed a few people shooting with full size DLSR. I'm not sure we will get much respect shooting with such a small looking camera. I just keep thinking, this is so nice, they don't know what their missing,

My 7D II with using the 35L 1.4 II is a great combo and takes amazing pictures but is it worth having to carry around that much weight?

So far the 32 has performed well, I also have not had time to really test/compare between my to setups. My initial thoughts are on the same line as yours, the only thing I'm really seeing is maybe the lens does produce as much contrast/punch as my 35L. I plan on doing some side by side comparisons soon.

Casey

Wonderful images and excellent post. Thank you.

Wow Marco. your's are the first and only shots that convince me its a lens worth getting.

No disrespect to the other posters in this forum with this lens, but your shots seem to be finished shots, and very close to what ive seen from a 35mm f/1.4L in looks.

Thats me convinced, now just need to wait for the lens to become available here in the UK.

dave_bass5 wrote:

Wow Marco. your's are the first and only shots that convince me its a lens worth getting.

No disrespect to the other posters in this forum with this lens, but your shots seem to be finished shots, and very close to what ive seen from a 35mm f/1.4L in looks.

Thats me convinced, now just need to wait for the lens to become available here in the UK.

Thanks Dave,
I don't normally do this, but here's some unresized images for your perusal. There's really no other way for people to see up close just how much detail is REALLY captured by this lens and how clean the images are.
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NOTE: The photographs of the Lizard and the Seagull were both loaded into Lightroom and then converted to TIFFs before saving them back off as JPEGs again. I did this to make a very subtle color correction to the whites. NO sharpening was added to them.
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All the other JPEGs are straight from the camera with no editing and no resizing or tweaks or corrections whatsoever. STRAIGHT from the camera! I hope they can assist others here. I'll delete these files from my account after a month or so because they take up unnecessary room on the Servers here.
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Let me know what you think of the clarity.
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32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA

32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA - (check out that headlamp!!)

32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA

32mm - MINOR WB TWEAK - resaved as a JPEG at full size

32mm - MINOR WB TWEAK - resaved as a JPEG at full size

32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA

32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA

32mm - IMAGE STRAIGHT FROM CAMERA

casey1823 wrote:

Thanks Marco, another great post. I'm loving the 32 1.4 also. You posted some great examples of using the lens.

I also went on a little tour using the new lens and also observed a few people shooting with full size DLSR. I'm not sure we will get much respect shooting with such a small looking camera. I just keep thinking, this is so nice, they don't know what their missing,

My 7D II with using the 35L 1.4 II is a great combo and takes amazing pictures but is it worth having to carry around that much weight?

So far the 32 has performed well, I also have not had time to really test/compare between my to setups. My initial thoughts are on the same line as yours, the only thing I'm really seeing is maybe the lens does produce as much contrast/punch as my 35L. I plan on doing some side by side comparisons soon.

Casey

Thanks Casey. I've just posted some originals in this thread but you probably don't need to look at those since you already have the lens yourself. Something that interests me is the comparisons between other M-lenses for the EF-M mount and what the differences are with focal length.  I think we're all spoiled with the ultra-wide 11-22mm lens but I can appreciate how much of the scene it can capture.

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11-22mm f/4-5.6 lens - can't remember if a CPL was used - but I think not.

EF-M 22mm f/2 lens - no CPL used

EF-M 32mm f/1.4 lens - no CPL used - so sharp and smooth... but what a loss of the scene!

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I had photographed a moon rock with both the 22mm lens and the 32mm lens pressed up against the protective acrylic case that surrounded the crystal pyramid with an Apollo lunar sample inside of it... which was about half the size of a golf ball.... and the results were surprisingly different, even though they were both taken at similar times of the day yet from slightly different angles...  The 32mm lens was able to produce the best museum interior shots of all my EF-M lenses.  For those moving to the M platform, they'd certainly get a kick out of using this lens.   Yes, there's a loss of the wider aspect with this lens but it's also not so narrow that you can't use it for scenery.
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22mm f/2 lens

32mm f/1.4 lens  - so sharp and smooth

Thank you Marco! Just half an hour ago I Ordered the lens after reading your excellent review. I am not sure which hood to buy but the EW60-F looks as a great (and cheaper) choice and it is on stock overhere in the Netherlands.

Your cat is gorgeous!..;-)

And I like the other shots too!

When this lens will be be available in Europe, I am going to buy it for sure.

Thanks for the in-depth review and cool photos.  Great to see this new lens in action.

my wallet is trembling at a corner

Marco Nero wrote:

dave_bass5 wrote:

Wow Marco. your's are the first and only shots that convince me its a lens worth getting.

No disrespect to the other posters in this forum with this lens, but your shots seem to be finished shots, and very close to what ive seen from a 35mm f/1.4L in looks.

Thats me convinced, now just need to wait for the lens to become available here in the UK.

Thanks Dave,
I don't normally do this, but here's some unresized images for your perusal. There's really no other way for people to see up close just how much detail is REALLY captured by this lens and how clean the images are.
.
NOTE: The photographs of the Lizard and the Seagull were both loaded into Lightroom and then converted to TIFFs before saving them back off as JPEGs again. I did this to make a very subtle color correction to the whites. NO sharpening was added to them.
.
All the other JPEGs are straight from the camera with no editing and no resizing or tweaks or corrections whatsoever. STRAIGHT from the camera! I hope they can assist others here. I'll delete these files from my account after a month or so because they take up unnecessary room on the Servers here.
.
Let me know what you think of the clarity.
.

Wow, those are really nice. Nicely taken of course, but the sharpness is very good, even at 100%. I dont think i ever got that sharp with my 80D and 24-70 f/2.8 mkii (nor with that lens on my M50). Of course good light and good locations help to finish the job, but you can see the images produced with this lens need very little fixing.

For what its worth i much prefer a slightly longer FL, over something like the 22mm f/2. I think 32mm is going to be a very often used FL once i get it.

Thanks for posting those, it doesn't help my bank account lol.

Well Marco, thanks to your threads on here ive now got my own 32mm. Also thanks to you (although i know you were just passing the info on) i have my 3rd party 18-150 hood on it, and it fits like a glove.

Biggest surprise is how fast the AF is. I was expecting it to be slower than it is, based on owning quite a few STM lenses. Infinity to close up seems very snappy. Not USM snappy, but more than i was expecting

Now i just need to find a use for the lens lol.

Marco Nero wrote:

I was mingling with thousands of tourists while I was in the city. Most of them had cellphone cameras although I saw a LOT of large and heavy DSLRs ... The same chap called over another person he worked with to confirm how heave the new RF lenses were and how the RF 50mmL lens is twice as long as the EF version and how they could barely hold it in their hands from the diameter.
.
Just as the day was ending I ran into a girl I know who has recently taken up photography and she wanted to show me some of her photographs on her phone. She's using an 80D and was getting some beautiful shots with it. I briefly showed her my lens and explained what I was doing in the city. She said the weight and size of her camera was her only complaint...
--
Regards,
Marco Nero.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but the Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter for the Canon R adds extra functionality to EF lenses on the R camera that R lenses lack! The thought of carrying around one set of small filters instead of a stack of big ones is really attractive to me. No need t carry huge R lenses, either; just use the current (and future) EF ones which work as well (or better) as usual.

dave_bass5 wrote:

Well Marco, thanks to your threads on here ive now got my own 32mm. Also thanks to you (although i know you were just passing the info on) i have my 3rd party 18-150 hood on it, and it fits like a glove.

Biggest surprise is how fast the AF is. I was expecting it to be slower than it is, based on owning quite a few STM lenses. Infinity to close up seems very snappy. Not USM snappy, but more than i was expecting

Now i just need to find a use for the lens lol.

You need to get some pictures with that lens!
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I've got a couple of opportunities to use mine over the weekend.  Meanwhile, I've been picking over my shots from last week and there's quite a few I didn't post that were terrific keepers.  Be sure to post some shots that you like from your own lens... as there's quite a few folks who are curious to see samples here.

Marco Nero wrote:

EOS M6 + EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens with 43mm Hoya FUSION Circular Polarizer

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I'm still not ready to review this lens properly and can't do so without exploring a couple of other subjects. I especially need to test it a little more in lowlight conditions... which is what most people would likely consider buying this lens for (if not for the bokeh). It might be a few more days since I need to get out to the mountains and to conduct a few long-exposure shots at night. But I'm convinced this is a fantastic lens. Well worth the addition to any lens collection or as a stand-alone lens. I'll find it really hard to reduce my favorite photographs down to under a dozen for the lens review (I'm referring to the DPreview lens-owner's review section) but I'll post a broader range here since the members of the M forum are going to be far more interested in early examples. The lens still hasn't officially been released here yet in Australia although other parts of the world seem to be having more luck obtaining them. I see quite a few members here have it.
.

I had shot this with my iPhone so there's some aspherical distortion... the EW-60F lens hood looks smaller in real life and complements the camera body and lens nicely.

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Lens Hood...
The other day, members from this forum advised that the smaller and less expensive EW-60F lens hood (which was made for the EF-M 18-150mm lens) does indeed fit onto the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens with just a little bit of extra pressure when applying it. It's much smaller than the Canon ES-60 lens hood and it very practical in protecting the lens. I was struck by three people in crowds right on the lens - and even knocked it against a sandstone wall... The lens was protected each time by the use of the lens hood. It doesn't appear to be necessary beyond the protection factor though. Some reports from others here are suggesting third-party versions of the EW-60F may not fit properly over the lens-hood mounting flanges on the 32mm lens... so try to obtain a Canon version if you can.
.
Sharp...
The sharpness of the lens is intensely sharp and detail from corner-to-corner is impressive. I'm shooting JPEG so my camera's going to be applying some subtle in-camera sharpening but the results are nonetheless very interesting. Most of my outdoor city shots below were taken in P-Mode which is almost "automatic". I figured the camera would know to adjust the exposure and ISO accordingly. The resulting images were crisply detailed. I've reduced my images to 2000 pixels for uploading here but I'm tempted to post some full-sized shots later to show the clarity. It's quite a surprise. For subjects closer to the lens, it offers shallow DOF and even attractive bokeh when closer subjects are shot with the lens wide open at f/1.4. It's nicely controlled and I made a point of obtaining a decent CPL filter because I know bright light can be challenging with bright lenses without faster (than 1/4000) shutter speeds. You'll need to click on some of the image to appreciate what sort of detail is present. Another surprise is that I haven't needed to apply any chromatic correction with CA with these images. Presumably this may be controlled with the in-camera lens correction which was automatically activated when the lens was fitted to the camera. Presumably the corrections are shared with the camera's processor when the lens if connected. Most modern lenses from Canon contain their own microprocessor (inside the lens) and that is where the data for lens-correction ought to be retained. This is possibly one of the sharpest two lenses i have used (the other was the EF 35mm f/1.4 USM II lens).
.
The images below:
I usually post in a block of 10 images for etiquette although if I'm presenting early samples from a camera or lens, I'll post a few more. These were taken Saturday/Sunday (yesterday) with the EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens + M6 ... I'm still editing images and selecting which ones to keep... but here's a few more shots people might find useful for determining what the lens is capable of ...
.
* All were taken in JPEG (not RAW)
* I've added [*CLICK] to images worth a closer look.
* No sharpening was applied during PP.
* CPL used for outdoor shots in sunlight (43mm Hoya FUSION CPL filter).
* This is the sharpest EF-M lens on the market.
* All are handheld.
* Reminder that CPL filters often warm up and/or enhance colors.

.

Powerhouse Museum - life-sized exhibit made from blue steel - (from China)

Sydney Opera House - blending it with the other tourists - CPL used

Powerhouse Museum - vintage microscopes behind acrylic wall

The Rocks (Sydney) - not my lunch - the staff let me take this shot.

Darling Harbor (Sydney) - The seagull who tried to steal my hotdog.

Vintage building at The Rocks (Sydney) - CPL used.

Circular Quay (Sydney) - cruise ship - CPL used.

Powerhouse Museum - Bill Parker plasma sculpture

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - CPL used

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - 1800s statue

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - local resident - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - Vintage Microscope behind acrylic wall.

Sydney Darling Harbor - fountain after sunset.

Sydney QVB - Stopped in traffic - CPL used.

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden feature - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse museum - Chinese antiques on display

Sydney, The Rocks @ "Ribs & Burgers" - my Cheeseburger (was delicious) - [*CLICK]

The Rocks, Sydney - Perfect Stranger posing for my bokeh test - CPL used. - [*CLICK]

Outer Sydney - Sunset from my car while stopped in traffic.

Sydney - Darling Harbor - Water at sunset.

Sydney Cruise Liner at the departure location - CPL used.

Sydney City light-rail installation.

My cat Zima - in very lowlight on my lap.

Sydney Chinese Friendship Garden - CPL used.

Tree at Circular Quay (Sydney)

No CLP used here. (Ultimo, Sydney)

Sydney - The Rocks - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Circular Quay - Jet Boat Riders - CPL used.

3-shot panorama taken on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Powerhouse Museum - Plasma Display in a lowlight area

Sydney Comicon Fans leaving a convention (built-in flash used).

Sydney CBD - Window Display with Emerald rings.

Sydney Opera House - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - Exquisite detail in a tiny, 200 year old statue. [*CLICK]

I think I posted this earlier... last of the tiny Cherry Blossoms on my street.

Powerhouse Museum - Lunar moonrock returned by the Apollo missions.

Sydney - The Rocks - at the markets using the Servo AF

Sydney Circular Quay - Cruise ship docked - CPL used.

Tourists in Sydney - CPL used.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - an interactive Prism sculpture

Male Water Dragon - A completely different lizard - CPL used. [*CLICK]

Sydney Darling Harbor - Neon Sign Study - CPL used.

Sydney - The Rocks - Subtle shallow DOF

Sydney - The Rocks

Sydney - the Rocks - folks listening to the band (in the images above).

Sydney Chinese Friendship Gardens - Yet another of those lizards - CPL used.

Sydney Chinese friendship Gardens - this guy was actually a tourist. (NO CPL used)

Sydney CBD - My wife (right) looking flushed from a long walk to get to Comicon.

Sydney Powerhouse Museum - vintage racecar - presumably early 1900s.

Sydney CBD - some sort of animated digital poster - up close.

Sydney QVB carpark - Costume Helmet.

.
Heavy Equipment?
When I was in the city (shooting the pictures above), I bumped into no less than 8 different photographers who spoke with me briefly. One ignored my camera. Two were friends I haven't seen in a while who were complaining about how heavy their DSLRs were compared to the EOSM. And then I met with people who had handled the new EOS R mirrorless camera. Canon themselves were conducting a test shoot with multiple EOS R cameras in the city that day although I passed on the invitation they emailed us with. Meeting people who had handled all the new RF lenses and the EOS R camera was particularly interesting because I've decided to retire my FF DSLRs and move my EF lenses to the new R system. The first thing everyone said to me was how horridly heavy the new RF lenses were. One chap with some experience as a dealer was mortified at how much larger, wider and heavier the new RF 50mmL lens was because he owned a 5D IV with the original EF 50mmL lens. He showed me pictures of him holding the RF lenses in his hand and said the weight alone (not to mention the enormous size) was going to cause people to give pause with their plans to buy into the new system.
.

M6 + EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM + CPL - a tourist with his DSLR + L-lens yesterday.

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I was mingling with thousands of tourists while I was in the city. Most of them had cellphone cameras although I saw a LOT of large and heavy DSLRs ... almost all of which were APS-C. Quite a few Nikon DSLRs. Around 90% of people were using cellphones. Many of the DSLR users glanced at my M6 + 32mm lens and sighed as though they envied the smaller camera I was carrying. Some were even carrying two different DSLRs with different lenses on each of their cameras. So many cameras! And many of the photographers with DSLRs were struggling in the heat. I carried mine in my hand with my hand around the lens or across the back of the LCD. It was lightweight and i didn't even need a strap. When I needed both hands, I simply locked the camera onto my PeakDesign clip on my belt. I had several people ask me which lens I had on my camera, including a Canon employee who recognized the Canon logo but couldn't figure out which lens I was using. I spoke with another dealer who started to talk to me about the EOS R being the best thing since mirrorless... while referring to my own M6 camera as a camera that "probably takes nice pictures" whilst looking down his nose at the M6 as he pondered what he knew about the body. He confused with with the M100. I think it dawned on him that his comments were clearly critical of anything 'not Sony' - and we all know how defensive Sony fans are, even when it comes to the indefensible. But even he noted that I had size and weight on my side, as well as price. He began to complain about the kilos of weight that he had to lift when using the EOS R. His complaints about the weight and size of the new lenses and the cost of adoption mirrored the comments I heard earlier in the day. The same chap called over another person he worked with to confirm how heave the new RF lenses were and how the RF 50mmL lens is twice as long as the EF version and how they could barely hold it in their hands from the diameter.
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Just as the day was ending I ran into a girl I know who has recently taken up photography and she wanted to show me some of her photographs on her phone. She's using an 80D and was getting some beautiful shots with it. I briefly showed her my lens and explained what I was doing in the city. She said the weight and size of her camera was her only complaint. As I headed off to meet up with my wife (who was attending a Comicon convention) a pedestrian smashed her hand into my lens as she tried to cut around me and cross the road at a set of lights. ... fortunately the lens was protected by the lens-hood I'd mounted earlier. Her rings just glanced off it.
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I work with different cameras and lenses so often that I 'can't see the forest for the trees' anymore. But to my eyes the images from this lens seem pleasant and in some ways a little different to what I'm used to seeing on the EOS M cameras. Anyone else still 'on the fence' with this lens? I suppose no lens is essential. But I suspect that it's going to be a popular one.
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Regards,
Marco Nero.

Marco one of your best reviews ever.... thank you.. your shots really do cover the bulk of examples of what this lens can do...i keep trying to decide if i stay with ef 35 f2IS and its IS advantages,  or trade it in and go with the 32 after seeing  your examples not sure the IS is needed particularly with the brightness of the 32.  your images IQ really does look so much like the 35 1.4 mkII .... you mentioned the 35 1.4 how do you think this lens compares with the 35 f2 IS??

mp

mpressed wrote:

Marco one of your best reviews ever.... thank you.. your shots really do cover the bulk of examples of what this lens can do...i keep trying to decide if i stay with ef 35 f2IS and its IS advantages, or trade it in and go with the 32 after seeing your examples not sure the IS is needed particularly with the brightness of the 32. your images IQ really does look so much like the 35 1.4 mkII .... you mentioned the 35 1.4 how do you think this lens compares with the 35 f2 IS??

mp

It's extremely similar to the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II. The clarity and render is almost indistinguishable in daylight scenes. If you ignore the benefits of Full Frame, the similarities are certainly there. The bokeh-balls are a little more refined on the EF lens due in part to the extra aperture blade... but you can't complain with the EF-M results when you compare prices.
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Performance on the EOS M cameras:
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* EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II -
- Superior optics (class leading)
- VERY sharp. Potentially Canon's sharpest lens.
- Performs better on Full Frame (for bokeh).
- Smooth bokeh.
- VERY Expensive.
- 9 blade aperture (nice bokeh and sunstars)
- 760g (very heavy)
- CA is visible open wide.
- 106mm long without lens hood (a bit Front-heavy)
- Vignetting (corner shading) notable (lens correction necessary).
- Corner softness on FF (not noticeable on EOSM/APS-C)
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* EF 35mm f/2 IS USM -
- Very sharp (generally) but not as sharp wide open (f/2)
- Performs well on both APS-C and FF cameras.
- Softer corners on Full Frame (no problem on EOSM)
- Excellent results with architecture and street photography.
- Better than f/2.8
- A very effective Image Stabilizer (4-stops)
- Good closeup performance
- 8 blade aperture.
- 335g
- 63mm long.
- Noisier AF motor.
- CA is visible open wide.
- IS is audible but VERY effective with video
- Soft areas in corners until f/5.6 (f/4 for APS-C)
- Middle area of lens sharp at f/2.8
- VERY strong Coma and smearing of highlights at the edges in lowlight.
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* EF-M 32mm f/1.4L STM -
- VERY sharp - even when wide open.
- As sharp as the EF 35mm f/1.4L II lens.
- No visible corner softness.
- No notable Coma, even when wide open.
- Slight CA is possible but it's extremely well controlled.
- Lightweight
- Good closeup performance.
- inexpensive (compared to EF 35mmL II)
- 7 blade aperture.
- 235g
- 57mm long.
- Quieter STM motor.
- No IS but the in-camera Video Stabilizer can be used.
- No vignetting - even with double-stacked filters.
- I'm shooting with JPEG + Lens Correction but no issues with shading.
- no testing for corner sharpness yet but have seen no signs of softness in all the samples I took. Will need to conduct a scientific test to determine this... just waiting for the weather to clear (raining all week here).
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The EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is also very sharp but it's not as bright on an APS-C camera. I do enjoy using the EF 135mm f/2 lens on the EOSM so I can appreciate how another wider f/2 lens would perform. I haven't used the 35mm f/2 lens on an EOS M camera but it comes highly recommended due to sharpness and a 4-stop Image Stabilizer.
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The EF 35mm f/2 IS USM lens: (compared to the 32mm f/1.4)
* Harder to find and expensive 67mm filter thread. (Vs 43mm)
* Requires the Lens Adapter to use on EOS-M cameras.
* Larger/Wider (78mm Vs 61mm)
* Longer (63mm Vs 57mm)
* Heavier (335g Vs 235g)
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One of the reasons I like the new EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens is that it's light and easier to carry. It draws less attention in my hand and it gives me decent results in lowlight with the APS-C sensor. I just carried my M6 in my hand with the 32mm lens on it - for a distance of 6km without causing my arm any stress. The 22mm lens was like this as well - easy the carry and not likely to draw attention like larger lenses do.
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But f/1.4 is why I like this lens. Having it produce super-sharp images is just an extra benefit for me. It's good to see a native lens with f/1.4 on the EF-M mount. I hope it brings another layer of usefulness to this format for new and seasoned users.
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The best lens I've ever used on the EOSM cameras is the enormous EF 24mm f/1.4L USM II lens. It's large, heavy and expensive. But it was never really as sharp as this lens, despite it's excellent optical properties. Though it came close. I'd gladly sacrifice some wider view for the more iconic "50mm" equivalence this lens offers. i think the trade-off in size and cost is just another aspect of what makes it attractive for users.

Marco Nero wrote:

dave_bass5 wrote:

Well Marco, thanks to your threads on here ive now got my own 32mm. Also thanks to you (although i know you were just passing the info on) i have my 3rd party 18-150 hood on it, and it fits like a glove.

Biggest surprise is how fast the AF is. I was expecting it to be slower than it is, based on owning quite a few STM lenses. Infinity to close up seems very snappy. Not USM snappy, but more than i was expecting

Now i just need to find a use for the lens lol.

You need to get some pictures with that lens!
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I've got a couple of opportunities to use mine over the weekend. Meanwhile, I've been picking over my shots from last week and there's quite a few I didn't post that were terrific keepers. Be sure to post some shots that you like from your own lens... as there's quite a few folks who are curious to see samples here.

I will indeed, as soon as i can get out this weekend. Ive found recently that I’m using my M50 more and more in place of my 5D4, adding the 32mm is just going to mean this will go on longer than i expected. I got my M50 in May and have taken less than 10 shots with my 5D4 since.

Ive also got a 35mm F2 IS, but i dont think ill be posting any comparisons as i dont have the time to set this up, but after pixel peeping a few similar shots i can see the 32mm is more than as good as the 35mm, probably even better at the edges.

Marco Nero wrote:

mpressed wrote:

Marco one of your best reviews ever.... thank you.. your shots really do cover the bulk of examples of what this lens can do...i keep trying to decide if i stay with ef 35 f2IS and its IS advantages, or trade it in and go with the 32 after seeing your examples not sure the IS is needed particularly with the brightness of the 32. your images IQ really does look so much like the 35 1.4 mkII .... you mentioned the 35 1.4 how do you think this lens compares with the 35 f2 IS??

mp

It's extremely similar to the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II. The clarity and render is almost indistinguishable in daylight scenes. If you ignore the benefits of Full Frame, the similarities are certainly there. The bokeh-balls are a little more refined on the EF lens due in part to the extra aperture blade... but you can't complain with the EF-M results when you compare prices.
.
Performance on the EOS M cameras:
.
* EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II -
- Superior optics (class leading)
- VERY sharp. Potentially Canon's sharpest lens.
- Performs better on Full Frame (for bokeh).
- Smooth bokeh.
- VERY Expensive.
- 9 blade aperture (nice bokeh and sunstars)
- 760g (very heavy)
- CA is visible open wide.
- 106mm long without lens hood (a bit Front-heavy)
- Vignetting (corner shading) notable (lens correction necessary).
- Corner softness on FF (not noticeable on EOSM/APS-C)
.
* EF 35mm f/2 IS USM -
- Very sharp (generally) but not as sharp wide open (f/2)
- Performs well on both APS-C and FF cameras.
- Softer corners on Full Frame (no problem on EOSM)
- Excellent results with architecture and street photography.
- Better than f/2.8
- A very effective Image Stabilizer (4-stops)
- Good closeup performance
- 8 blade aperture.
- 335g
- 63mm long.
- Noisier AF motor.
- CA is visible open wide.
- IS is audible but VERY effective with video
- Soft areas in corners until f/5.6 (f/4 for APS-C)
- Middle area of lens sharp at f/2.8
- VERY strong Coma and smearing of highlights at the edges in lowlight.
.
* EF-M 32mm f/1.4L STM -
- VERY sharp - even when wide open.
- As sharp as the EF 35mm f/1.4L II lens.
- No visible corner softness.
- No notable Coma, even when wide open.
- Slight CA is possible but it's extremely well controlled.
- Lightweight
- Good closeup performance.
- inexpensive (compared to EF 35mmL II)
- 7 blade aperture.
- 235g
- 57mm long.
- Quieter STM motor.
- No IS but the in-camera Video Stabilizer can be used.
- No vignetting - even with double-stacked filters.
- I'm shooting with JPEG + Lens Correction but no issues with shading.
- no testing for corner sharpness yet but have seen no signs of softness in all the samples I took. Will need to conduct a scientific test to determine this... just waiting for the weather to clear (raining all week here).
.
The EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is also very sharp but it's not as bright on an APS-C camera. I do enjoy using the EF 135mm f/2 lens on the EOSM so I can appreciate how another wider f/2 lens would perform. I haven't used the 35mm f/2 lens on an EOS M camera but it comes highly recommended due to sharpness and a 4-stop Image Stabilizer.
.
The EF 35mm f/2 IS USM lens: (compared to the 32mm f/1.4)
* Harder to find and expensive 67mm filter thread. (Vs 43mm)
* Requires the Lens Adapter to use on EOS-M cameras.
* Larger/Wider (78mm Vs 61mm)
* Longer (63mm Vs 57mm)
* Heavier (335g Vs 235g)
.
One of the reasons I like the new EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens is that it's light and easier to carry. It draws less attention in my hand and it gives me decent results in lowlight with the APS-C sensor. I just carried my M6 in my hand with the 32mm lens on it - for a distance of 6km without causing my arm any stress. The 22mm lens was like this as well - easy the carry and not likely to draw attention like larger lenses do.
.
But f/1.4 is why I like this lens. Having it produce super-sharp images is just an extra benefit for me. It's good to see a native lens with f/1.4 on the EF-M mount. I hope it brings another layer of usefulness to this format for new and seasoned users.
.
The best lens I've ever used on the EOSM cameras is the enormous EF 24mm f/1.4L USM II lens. It's large, heavy and expensive. But it was never really as sharp as this lens, despite it's excellent optical properties. Though it came close. I'd gladly sacrifice some wider view for the more iconic "50mm" equivalence this lens offers. i think the trade-off in size and cost is just another aspect of what makes it attractive for users.

Thanks so much for the follow up.. While i think it will cost me a few dollars looks like i will trade in my 35 f2 IS for the native M 32...

mp