Kamlan 50mm F1.1 Review - $160 Lens With Shallow Depth of Field

[@AgnostosGnostos]

The only reason to buy this lens is for using it at f/1.1 only. Otherwise there are a little more expensive autofocus bright lenses in the market. For portrait photography with wide apertures the edges are usually purposely out of focus. So the softness at the edges isn't a real problem. This lens shouldn't be bought for architectural or landscape photography at all. For those who have a kit lens the Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 is a really good cheap choice for artistic photography. It offers an affordable way to learn the use of shallow depth of field and be creative. After all most photos in social networks are face or whole body portraits. This lens will deliver definitely more interesting portraits than the kit lens. Also manual focus is fun. After mid 80's and the autofocus revolution manual focus lenses belonged to a niche market. However the recent mirrorless camera revolution is offering focus magnification and focus peaking which are making manual focus faster and more accurate. Why not spent five to ten seconds for manual focusing. Time is money of course, but nearly all amateurs aren't in a hurry.

[@operationada]

do you think a lens like this could be sufficient for someone filming youtube videos that focus only on the upper body + head? with this lens, is the depth of field so shallow that my eyes would be focused but not my nose? as an example. i'm not a pro with this so any insight or recommendations are appreciated.

[@Whatsup_Abroad]

if you need that long to manually focus you need a lot of practice. Ill give autofocus systems a run for their money.

[@8418421]

You speak on a good point

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Manual focus and close bokeh is just a heck of a lot easier than autofocus tbh

[@anaddictwithalens6686]

I do say, the edge softness gives a dreamy look. I like the character it gives. I kinda want to get it now xD

[@britishboxer6875]

yea, better for porn

[@gavingynert2455]

@@britishboxer6875 Yeah Cumlan lenses are quite awesome for those kinda "shots"

[@gustavemonster9713]

Yeah do agree , actually that make me wants this lens even more

[@TechLineHD]

This is amazing value for the price! Thanks, Caleb, waited for your review on this one.

[@Taylorkaraoke]

I'm a Fuji X user, and I can thell the 56mm 1.2 is a dream of a lens, after a short pperiod of time I have used Sony and now I'm back with Fuji gear, building up the whole kit, this one will be of great help while gathering the $$$ to get the native Fuji ones. Great review. thanks for sharing!

[@elevateyourmoodx100]

This is one of my favorite lenses I have, just due to its TINY size and large aperture. I also kind of like the distortion this lens yields and the all-metal build. If you're looking for a interview-length type lens for video, or a pretty solid portrait lens for photo on a sony/m43 body inexpensively, this is one solid choice.

[@lennyvazques206]

And what about for making videos of a 2 years old kid? I am a completely beginner, I have a Sony A6600...

[@mmartel]

Wow, that field curvature!! Great example of trade-offs in lens design. Thanks for the review.

[@amermeleitor]

Field curvature: perfect portrait lens 😅

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

As someone may have said already, the unsharpness of lettering at the edges is probably due to curvature of field. If you want a sharp lens for flat field s like newspaper and books you're probably better off with a macro lens of 35mms (APSC), 50-60mms and 100/105mms (and longer) that you could adapt from full frame to APS-C. This really is a lens for impressionistic portraiture posed or candid, street shooting, etc. with shallow depth of field to blow out the background at or near wide-open aperture. I prefer to pronounce it bokeh as in like the city Boca Raton, but other people vary. 😀

[@JonBear]

This is such a great lens. A must for micro four thirds. I got the MK2 which was recently released. Reviewed it on my channel

[@p.f132]

Bought it, because its so cheap. Its a fun lens. I love 1.1 to shoot... anything with it. Everything looks nice with blur framing it. But its just for that, really. Center subject - f1.1 and go. For everything else there are other, better and barely more expensive lenses out there.

[@barneyelo]

3:00 that shot is so damn beautiful 😮

[@TheSeanBampton]

This looks like a great lens for a beginner wedding videographer who wants to use it for the bride detail shots (rings, shoes, etc). $160 seems like an excellent bargain if that's the only thing they use it for.

[@zachonias]

Really cool option for getting the depth of field of 851.4 on fullframe but without paying for sharp optics like you would normally have to.

[@maxsworld8287]

You should make a video on cheap emount apsc lens

[@epicstacker413]

Max's World "Cheap e-mount" is an oxymoron. lol

[@drewrobertson6286]

Max's World, Mr. Pike already has 2 phenomenal videos one about cheap, under $30 c mount lenses that you can use for e-mount, and the other video is for lenses a little more expensive, but they are recent videos and well produced. In fact one video was shot on a $20 35mm lens. Cheers 🤡

[@zachariahahmad]

This wasn't cheap enough for you?

[@adaminsanoff]

Focus plane is actually not a plane but a sphere. Only recent lenses are designed to have a flat focus plane. But in reality, world is not flat, so it is not a huge deal. I always feel irritated seeing youtubers testing lens against flat object but forgetting about the sphereness. Thumbs up for mentioning that!

[@DenDimas]

HI Caleb, nice video as always. Can you make a video on how the noise performance on G85 compared to GH5? I'm currently using g85 for my youtube video. As much as I love it, i found that the noise level is not so great. I'm just wondering if i should upgrade to GH5 to get better noise performance. Thank you.

[@davebellamy4867]

It's not got a flat field but then I guess it's not for document photography. It seems more of an artisan type lens and I like that 12 leaf aperture iris.

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

I bought one and having fun n with it. For the price and the build is really nice, the focus rings are nice. It truly is a sweet lens for a craft style lens.

[@kjvisual7]

I am super encouraged. The idea of getting EOS M (using Magic Lantern) & this lens is so possible. Especially for a b-roll camera. Hahaha my main cam would be my phone (LG V40). Now if it is possible to operate the manual focus while the camera is on a gimbal. 🤔Then I would have a very sweet setup to start.

[@navidmehdi6]

Lol I was just thinking that then ur comment just poped up. Shout out to danne build

[@hamidarabzadeh]

@dslr video shooter You are the best Vlogger in photography/videography field. Right to the point.

[@yazid222]

The E-mount version is for APSC only but I am not sure about this. In this video, it is not made clear as for which camera body it was tested on. Is this designed for Sony full frame cameras?

[@MarcoRosales]

Caleb, you're simply the best. Keep up the great work mate!

[@RolandsDad]

I've had this lens for a few months and I can say it has some good sides and some bad sides he misses. The bad first: It will fringe like mad on the parts out of focus unless you're careful with exposure and background. It is not uncommon for me to spend more time editing out the fringing than doing any other editing with this lens, depending on the image and how wide I shoot it. He's right about the "soft spot" either on the edge or center. I find this is less noteworthy if you shoot further from a subject. And the worst, for me at least, the bokeh is more muddy or smushy than creamy or smooth. It doesn't melt your brain if you like that look, even at 1.1, IF there is a lot of sharp lines in the background. Lights and shadows do blend fairly well, but shapes remain identifiable. The Good: It's razor sharp when you nail it. It's an excellent portrait lens for crop sensors. It's a 50mm, but on my A6500 it shoots almost like a 75mm or 70mm. I've found this to be an excellent budget portrait lens, especially with how low you can stop it down and isolate your subject. I never do portraits in 1.1, but the ability to even isolate say someone's eye is incredible. It's cheap! With the second version out now you can score this one for a bit cheaper, moreso secondhand. On a pass fail scale, it passes.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Got the new version for Micro 4/3 as well. Pretty decent and matches well enough with my Mitakon 25mm f.95

[@shaocaholica]

You’re never going to get sharp edges with a flat subject because the focal field is curved. It may be possible to get sharp edges if you specifically focus for the edge and not the center or shoot something that’s not flat to the camera.

[@recipiend5711]

Am waiting for the sigma 16mm f1.4 for apsc. Exciting

[@regiunsjanus6724]

recipien D ikr same here especially that they are talking about a 50mm 1.4 contemporary

[@terrywbreedlove]

Thinking about this lens with my Pen F for a very particular kind of artistic black and white portraits. Add a little grain and vignetting type of look

[@laurentgagne892]

you should consider this lens a 75mm F 1.65 since its an apsc lens....maybe you want the light capability but dont think you can achieve shallower depth of field than a 85mm F1.4 on fullframe

[@ryanmajoor]

Dang, looks pretty great for the price. The (outside) restaurant shots looked super slick

[@Oceansta]

You nailed the pronounciation of Bokeh the first time you said it, not so much the second time. I watched a video on KZbin which featured a Japanese person saying it the right way and you said it exactly right.

[@psyoniksoundz]

Perfect lens for dream sequences

[@KLRCAT]

Awesome, I've been looking for a lens that can do really good low light filming, and this looks like it will be perfect.

[@ChocoLater1]

So how is the sharpness across the whole image if you are photographing or filming objects in distance that are all in focus? Night filming in cities should be fun with this lens.

[@XSpImmaLion]

Man, I already have enough of a hard time tacking focus on a 50mm f/1.4... can't even imagine getting it right with f/1.2 and lower. :P Awesome value though!

[@valdemarjrgensen8072]

I get the slight feeling that you forgot the term "subject separation". It sounded like that was what you meant 80% of the time when you were saying "shallow depth of field".

[@VIDEOEPPO]

Seems like a good deal. But can we use it for shooting the links in a tight room of 12 ft by twelve feet. I have a sony 6300 (which i am yet to explore). I make youtube videos and chose 6300 for its low light application. Will this lens be a good investment?

[@nathankarimi9228]

Hey Caleb! I have this lens, I think it's 52mm for my XT4 ... I'm wondering if the overly soft edges come from the lens not being a perfect mount on the Sony? Just a thought, if it seems loose in any way, light can make it's way through and distort edges. I love your VHS work, I am digging back into that wonderful world now!

[@bunnatang]

it should have one more focal correction element to sort out the blur edges

[@rudytorres6559]

Nice review! As always lots of great detail and a down-to-earth opinion.

[@michaelscaplis]

Like you said at the start, seems like every channel these days is doing a review of this lens. Though everyone seems to agree that it's not the sharpest 50mm, it is probably the performance per Euro or Dollar which catches people's attention. As I already have one the Sony 50mm 1.8 FE and a couple of vintage 50-58mm lenses, I'm not looking for another one, even though f1.1 would be nice. Now if they would make a 35mm or 85mm then it could very well end up on my shopping list. So hoping it's not going to be a one off but the start of a whole range of very affordable glass.

[@craigavonvideo]

Hi Caleb, looking at this review it seems that the sharpness is something similar to the C-mount lenses (with blurring / de-focus at the edges). Would it be better to just go for a cheap C-mount for wide apertures, and maybe a cheap Minolta/Canon/Yashica full frame lens for anything above f2.8 as (when they are stopped down slighty) they can be really sharp edge-to-edge but still give a good "vintage" look on a budget.

[@zeronxepher]

People complain how you say bokeh? You said it correctly... I mean it's a Japanese word... Oh well, I never correct people who say boken. Lol

[@lennyvazques206]

Helo there, nice video. Thanks for it. I got a question for you, I hope you can help me. I am about to buy this lens, but, i want it to make videos of my two years old kid. Any kind of videos. I will use it vith a Sony a6600. What do you think about that? Is a good choice or better not?

[@Heart0rHead]

How it compares to TTArtisan, 7Artisans and Meike 50 0.95 offerings?

[@VizionZine]

Seems like an affordable and fun lens for dreamy video.

[@dannygo4230]

Interesting at 3:09, so this lens can make sharp image corner image if focused there? That is actually very useful. Often, if I want something sharp near the edges/corner of the frame, I may not care, or even would like the center to be "bokeh"ed.

[@GhettoProductionsBulgaria]

Please make a review with bmpcc4k and this lens. What do you think is it gonna work fine?

[@bananasandbass]

I find the bokeh looks very busy and distracting. With the fountain and the trees the green bokeh balls of the leaves really stand out instead of blending to a smooth green. Ofc for the price I wouldn’t expect this but I wouldn’t want to buy this over getting vintage Nikon AIs lenses and such.

[@raveltherapy6884]

Question... i'm using GH4 for shooting in 4K. I have a very very small filming studio. I think it's 10 x 11. Maybe even smaller. Would I get even blurrier background if I used a meta-bones speed booster and bought this lens for a full sensor camera?

[@Filottete]

There is just the APS-C model on Amazon... I want buy M43. Do you know where to look for it?

[@fishingman8766]

Between Olympus 50mm F1.8 and Kamlan 50mm F1.1, Which one is better to buy? Thanks!

[@pedrocamposnl]

they correct the sofness problem on version II

[@chintanbihola2667]

Hello, i need help, i want to buy kamlan 50mm f1.1 for my canon 80d crop sensor camera, but im not getting it anywhere, can you please help if you can or you knows the any site where i can buy it. Thank you.

[@BojanHaronMarkicevic]

Hi caleb. I really like look you have on those videos when showing lens capabilities. Do you shoot in log or with some in camera profile without grading after. Thank you.

[@animeshpokhriyal203]

Kinda perfect for portraits for the gram 😂🔥🔥🔥 the dreamy look and efficient pricing is instagrammers delight imo

[@Bledder]

I just got an anamorphic lens filter but it doesn't work well on my lens since it only goes to 35mm zoom and f2.8. The product recommended an aperture of f1.8 and zoom of 45mm or more, so with this lens will I get good looking anamorphic shots using the filter?

[@scottsteinlage7619]

That's a pretty nice lookin' lens. I might have to check it out. Thanks Caleb! :)

[@jaycru6796]

what about the night time footage on it

[@GrumpyIvan]

please tell me it is not news to you that a lenses focal plane is not flat (more pronounced at shorter range).

[@gok91096]

some digital zoom could be good to get rid of that corners

[@samiruddin2295]

What are the cheap(around 200 dollars) and fast (around f2) lenses for sony a6000 with autofocus.

[@JanneH]

What should I buy, this one, or the canon 50mm f1.8. (my main lens is the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8)

[@georgeaura]

That Amazon link to that lens didn't show that lens in the list

[@brandoncharley3070]

The ones in the link aren't even close, smaller aperture, larger price.

[@AveMcree]

it's sold out on Amazon

[@richardweddle3408]

how about a review for a lens or lenses that capture a deep | long | infinite Depth of Field ? just to be different.

[@tokyoinpics9346]

I don't think it is ever too late to do a review. Actually, I think there are various benefits to releasing them after everyone else.

[@boastyy]

I have a home made night vision device that uses an old military intensifier tube p8079hp. Currently I am using an old canon fd 1.4 lens as the objective and I record to a sony camcorder. Was wondering your thoughts on this lens for this application as it should give me a bit brighter image.I basically just use the night vision to look at the night sky , stars etc. Was interesting what you said about the focus and I am worried when looking at stars I would not be able to focus the whole image properly, only the middle and the stars on the edge will be blurred. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

Damn you, just ordered one for my G9

[@bandofbros8112]

How is it on the G9?

[@brandoncharley3070]

Ebay is out of stock on the micro 4/3 mount unless you pay $50 for shipping :/

[@taunohill6710]

What’s the difference between this and the SLR magic 50mm f1.1

[@samucabral]

Awesome video as always! Thanks! You know a lot of useful cheap chinese stuff. I was wondering if you ever saw a small hdmi recorder, without a monitor, just a good hdmi with audio input. That would be great for cheap cameras with good hdmi output.

[@KahimoandRachel]

Very nice f1.1 lens, i might have one of them, can i get with autofocus or just manual? Cheers

[@amermeleitor]

Perfect small portrait lens.

[@jayaprakash8187]

Hi, witch is the best filter for GH5 in day light shoot .now I am using 12-35-f2.8 lens.can u suggest. Thank you..!

[@ranziphotography7540]

Can you suggest / recommended cheaper + best manual lens for Sony A7 ii FF body?

[@jackmckechnie5801]

This is a great portrait lens on a m4/3rds camera in my opinion..

[@jayrichardsonvideo]

Really awesome review. I've watched this and the video on the C mount lenses because I'm looking at doing a video on budget lenses. My whole channel is based around very budget cinematography.

[@andivax]

thank you, Caleb! How it is compare with old Nikon 1.2/1.4 50 mm?

[@poelogan]

andivax 1.2 out preforms by far

[@cubasestudent55]

Can some of the weaknesses be corrected with a filter?

[@viralvideopromotion]

I think soft edges is a cool effect

[@90AlmostFamous]

They should make for Nikon apsc dslrs too

[@shadda]

Hey, we have the same headphones. Sodrop 2.0 ftw! (not so much sodrop pro)

[@SilasWilloughby]

When is your GH5 review coming out? Did you get the version 2 firmware yet?

[@JohnDAlmonte]

I was wondering if the infinity stop is accurate, or do you have to back it up a little?

[@JennyDarukat]

While I enjoy the dreamy out of focus look of the edge of the frame, I do have to ask: how is it on MFT, seeing how the crop factor is larger? Also, is there any way to use the same individual lens on both MFT and Fuji X, or do I really have to chose despite everything besides the mount being exactly the same?

[@bryanescalante2871]

They do have lenses for MFT cameras and Fuji X mount cameras, but they're 35mm I think since those cameras cropped factor is 2x

[@CoffeyKingVlogs]

Why don't sigma or tamron go ahead and make one with good quality glass?? I would love to have an F 1.2

[@lauchlanstill6677]

If your a Nikon user go to eBay amazon have no Nikon mount ones but eBay does strange 🤔

[@riders_capture]

Hey is this lens compatible with Nikon D5600?

[@RdQqTwS29gJxnMq]

Единственно хороший обзор этого объектива, который я нашёл

[@gunarssmerlins]

Is it softness at edges or may be field curvature?

[@Metroqt9]

thanks for the head's up on this lens!

[@dslrvideoshooter]

No problem!

[@robyjaramillo5591]

I bought the lens and I'm using it in a Sony alpha, but it feels loose the lens and if it is not careful c extreme, you have that inconvenience

[@danielmariani2869]

I ask you, but I would be glad if anybody decides to share an opinion, between this lens and the Yongnuo EF YN 50mm F/1.8, which one would you recommend? Hoping to get some opinions... thanks in advance guys!

[@electrichimp]

Great video! Couldn't resist and bought a couple of days ago :D sure it isn't the sharpest, but as you said it is awesome for subject isolation, looks like so much fun. Hope it doesn't take to long to get to Peru though u_u.

[@KazikFurmanczyk]

Do a review on the 7artisans 25mm F1.8

[@baptistegroussin5019]

Is it worth it for photography ? Does it take good stills ?

[@sandeshshrestha134]

Is there kamlan lenses for nikon dslr??? I wanna buy this1

[@STUDIO-514]

Were you guys at 3 arts cafe in Chicago?!

[@Kai-gi8nh]

One question.. can I use this lens on Sony A7R M2?

[@hamzashweiki4826]

Hi I need help can I use this for nikon 610

[@dmn2273]

Very naive about cameras will this fit a Nikon D5500?

[@thehumanexperience4470]

if i buy the canon eos m mount version could i use the lens for my canon 7d or would i have to get an adapter?